For the discussion of the third issue of Buffy season 8. Will Willow beat Amy? Does Buffy wake up?

I just loved the "Nurse Buffy" sandwich!

And WHO gave Buffy the kiss?

I loved how the artist stuck Joss's image in the dream collage. And the slayer reading 'Fray' behind Andrew.

Congrats to everyone who guessed that Warren was Amy's boyfriend. I'm always wrong. I'm most interested next to see the main action continue. Who are these "mystics" Xander's calling? Are they the same as the apprentice witches? Whoever they are, they'd better work fast.

Does "to be concluded" mean that the next issue finishes this arc? For some reason I thought this one was six issues.

Yes, issue #4 is the conclusion of the first arc. It will be followed by a Joss stand alone issue and then the Faith arc.

I think the kiss was probably Willow?

I would have loved the Buffy sandwich if she hadn't been in nurses' garb. I'm not fond of the naughty nurse stereotype.

[edit] oops

First time here; hi, everybody!

Things that caught my attention:

- page 2, panel 2: very good likeness of Ethan. As my eye scanned the page, I recognized him even before I started reading.

- the Buffy Sandwich. Trains in tunnels, stakes in flowers, a volcano: hilarious! (Buffy's reaction was priceless too.)

- Amy's "reeked of tech" spell. So THAT'S what the weird pixel effect was. Couldn't figure it out until the re-read.

- Buffy's memories. Spotted Angel, the Master, Caleb, Faith, Joyce as "The Body", and of course Joss. Any other refs I'm missing?

- page 11. Buffy's dreams haven't gotten any less weird. Is that one of Jabba the Hutt's pig guards from "Return of the Jedi" in panel 4...?!?

- the big reveal: yuck!

Is anyone else highly suspicious of Ethan "helping" Buffy? When has he ever been even remotely trustworthy?

Can't wait for the next installment!

Good issue. Dying to talk about it so here I am... first timer too.

The Kiss - I can see why some people would think it's Willow. It's rather suspicious that she would say, "Everybody close your eyes so the person who loves her can kiss her." But it's just as suspicious that she was doing that for Xander, 'cause I'm sure she knows how her oldest friend feels about Buffy.

Unless I'm mistaken however, isn't everyone else in the room (heck, in the castle) - a woman? So, if it's not Xander - it puts Buffy in an awkward position because as we saw in her fantasy with Angel and Spike - she likes trains and stakes. And erupting volcanos. Definitely more thann a little bit of story possibility there with that tension. And moreso if it was Willow delivering the smooch.

But there's lots of story with Xander too - even know he seems pretty flirty when he check on Rene, Xander relationship and commitment to Buffy pretty much messes with his ability to have a romantic relationship. That person can never have 100% of his heart, because part of it is with Buffy no matter what. In "Hell Bells" - it was one of the sticking points between him and Anya in his vision.

One thing is for sure, somebody was peeking while the one who loves Buffy was doing the kissing. And they're going to let out what they saw at the worst possible time - (like, say, when Renee and Xander are getting together or if Kennedy comes back into the picture with Willow).

Great, great issue, definitely the best so far and the first that has really completely allayed my fears. I am fully back in Joss' hands, may he do with my poor battered soul whatever he wishes.

Ethan being Buffy's mystery guy was absolutely great. I knew the Spike thing was a mislead. So, just to be clear: He was Floaty Boot Cape guy in #1, right? Or am I wrong?

The Buffy sandwich...oh my God, that was fucking hilarious. I literally was laughing out loud for about five minutes. I kept trying to turn the page, but I had to keep flipping back because I could not help laughing. Oh, so very very funny. Didn't notice the volcano, trains, or flowers, even though I read it twice. Nice.

The Willow/Amy battle was lots of fun.

Buffy's memory cubes were ingenious. I had so much fun looking at them all and seeing what they were.

What I caught:

Buffy singing
The Master
Caleb
Angel/Angelus several times
Riley
Joyce, including that frightening shot from "The Body"
Faith
Buffy and Giles with the Vampyr book
Dawn
What is probably the First Slayer
Something that looks like the Black Panther
Graduation
"Buffy & Angel 4Ever"
Joss...that was fucking genius, Georges

Love the pixel-y stuff that happens to Willow.

Best. Dawn. Moment. Ever. "Fee fi fo fucking fum!" My God. I have never loved Dawnie more, ever. EVER.

Interesting to note the brief re-emergence of Dark Willow. "Are you evil again?" Someone should count how many times someone has been asked this in the Buffyverse. Seriously.

Interesting thing with the XXX, is it the St. Andrew crucifix? The number 30? "So it's either Vin Diesel or porn, neither of which is real attractive."

Wondering about Ethan's motivation also.

Who fucking kissed her?! INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO FUCKING KNOW! I don't think it's Willow. Honestly, I don't. Xander I could consider. But considering Joss' tendency for misleads--and the brilliant ones he's been dropping in the pages of this fine comic mag--I don't want to feel like a fool when it turns out to be one of the Slayers.

Loved Giles here, as well as Andrew's strip poker. Nice to see the one Slayer reading Fray.

Xander and Renee...how cute.

Where the hell WAS Willow? And oh my God, her Kennedy thing was another laugh out loud moment. Fucking hilarious.

Two great Xander lines: "There's funny bonhomie happening and I want in!" and "Of course, according to my parents the action I'm getting right now should make my last remaining eye go blind..." Poor Xander. Living amongst hundreds of strong, attractive women yet not being able to touch any of them (I mean that in a morally positive way, not like a, "Dayam, he ain't gettin' laid!" way). Though there's a certain sumthin' sumthin' going on with he and Renee, and we're still not clear whether he and Buffy ever got it on...

And then we have the big reveal. Flayed Warren. Damn. Gonna be intriguing to find out how he actually is physically whole considering he got all burnt up.

I love Joss.

I don't know who I think kissed her. Xander does seem likely, what with the whole enormous crush thing from the earlier seasons. I kind of hope they don't get together, because i just don't see it, but hey - Joss can obviously do as he pleases and i will carry on reading!

I loved this issue, although the Giles page seemed a bit out of left field from the rest of it. I need to get the other ones back from my sister so I can see where on earth it came from.