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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tea Time #1 is a hilarious one-shot issue that daringly imagines how the Scooby Gang would defeat a vampire-Giles.
In a franchise like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, anyone, including the main characters, can die without warning. However, one character has remained fairly consistently an anchor for the teenage protagonists — Buffy’s proper, studious and very British watcher, Rupert Giles.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tea Time #1 is a one-shot issue focused on what would happen if Giles was turned into a vampire. In true Giles-y form, the beloved librarian has kept the Scooby Gang — Buffy, Willow and Xander — late after school to study over tea, doughnuts and coffee. While the gang would rather be at the Bronze, they nevertheless attend; however, they cannot help but ponder the unthinkable: What would happen if Giles became a vampire? How would they fight him? How would they fare against him? Could they even bring themselves to fight him? Written by Mirka Andolfo and with artwork by Siya Oum and colors by Eleonora Bruni, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tea Time is a hilarious addition to the Buffy universe.
Being a one-off, “What If?” take, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tea Time has the freedom to stray from canon unlike other comics in the franchise. And with a franchise that now has too many timelines and countless reboots, this approach to Buffy continuity is refreshing. While there are a few awkward 2010s teen stereotypes here and there in the issue, it is fitting for a franchise like Buffy, which has always been in tune with teen culture since the show first aired in the 1990s. That aside, it’s a real treat to hear Xander, Willow and Buffy imagine fighting against a vampire Giles, with their varying levels of fantasy, seriousness and silliness.
The scenarios each of the characters come up with are fitting for their character. Xander goes the fantastical route, coming up with stories that of course put him in a good light, or include elderly grandparent vampires storming the Bronze in a battle that is both horrific and humorous. Willow takes the story more seriously, taking into account Giles’ penchant for the dark arts and knowledge of vampires and the Scooby Gang. Giles himself, of course, has a lot to say, and surprisingly comes up with counters to each of the stories, while at the same time contemplating his own mortality and the potential reactions of the Scooby kids. And most of it is great fun, with the Buffy vs. grandma vampires being good, over-the-top fun.
In typical Buffy fashion, things don’t stay lighthearted for too long. The tragic nature of a vampire slayer is explored through Buffy’s imaginary battle with vampire Giles. It’s poignant when Buffy imagines her battle with Giles because her reaction is less than slayer-y. While her take is a tad melodramatic, it is fitting for Buffy’s character, who often allows her relationships to sway her judgment and override her duty as a slayer. The Buffy and Giles’ battle makes for an effective and gut-wrenching moment in an otherwise silly and upbeat issue.
The art style, headed by veteran artist Siya Oum, is well done and reminiscent of contemporary Marvel comics — with thick outer line weights, stripy rendering, angled and heavily-lashed eyes and small noses. In theory, such a superhero-inspired art style should work for Buffy, which, at its best, has elements of the superhero genre or a more down-to-earth, grittier take on Magical Girl tropes. In practice, it is a rather strange fit for this mostly whimsical story. There are scenes where the art does work, such as the heavily detailed renderings of the Bronze club or Giles’ imaginary vampire altar hideout. However, the art style makes the characters look older than they are, which is a weird fit for the campy tale.
While not the strongest Buffy comic out there, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tea Time is jolly good fun, balancing interesting character studies, comedy and the drama that defines Buffy.
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