Warning: Contains minor spoilers for The Vampire Slayer #8One of the most horrifying characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dark Willow, is officially back and scarier than ever in a new piece of cover art. The Buffy the Vampire Series is known for having some of the best creatures in fiction. Whether it's the Gentlemen from the episode "Hush" or the chilling Reaper from "Killed by Death," the Scooby Gang has gone toe-to-toe with some impressive monsters that gave fans nightmares. This tradition is even continuing in the comics as an ancient force named Hungrus the Slayer Eater, an even greater threat to the Slayer than vampires, is hunting after Buffy and threatening to consume her. However, it seems like Hungrus is just the tip of the iceberg, though, as one of Buffy's most threatening antagonists from the TV show is about to make a return: her own friend Willow.
Near the end of Buffy's sixth season, tragedy struck for Buffy's friend Willow. Her girlfriend, Tara, was accidentally killed by a vengeance-seeking Warren after he attempted to kill Buffy following his defeat. As Tara dies in her arms, a darkness that had been brewing in Willow throughout the season is finally unleashed. From that point forward, she becomes the show's big bad for the remainder of the season as she uses her newfound dark abilities to avenge Tara's controversial death. She even manages to show just how terrifying she can be when she effortlessly skins her girlfriend's murderer, much to the horror of Buffy and Xander. This all comes to a head in the season finale when the Scooby Gang succeeds in bringing their friend back in an epic duel before she can cause an apocalyptic event. Since her first appearance, Dark Willow would occasionally make appearances in the comics. However, now it looks like she's making a grand return in The Vampire Slayer.
League of Comic Geeks shared a piece of cover art crafted by Sebástian Fiumara for the upcoming comic The Vampire Slayer #10 by Sarah Gailey and Hannah Templer. In the artwork, Dark Willow is shown front-and-center with an eerie smile greeting Buffy fans. Dark Willow's iconic jet black eyes blend with the murder of crows behind her that grasp onto her with their talons. The creepiest detail by far is the mask that one crow is holding that is presumably the Willow that fans know and love. This hints that Dark Willow was never actually gone and has always been a part of Willow herself. She's just been dormant and lying in wait for a moment to strike back.
Dark Willow's Return Could Make Her an Unstoppable Force
The Scooby Gang may have been able to stop Dark Willow before, but this doesn't necessarily mean that they will be in for an easy second round. According to the official synopsis for the upcoming issue, Willow is described as being "past the point of no return" as Xander, Spike, Giles and Faith realize "they may have to live with an irreversible spell." Given that the current run of Buffy comics has involved the Scooby Gang attempting to find Buffy since she doesn't know she's the Slayer and has been kidnapped by Hungrus, it looks like Dark Willow is going to play an important part in finding her but also causing more problems. Whether this means she's going to attempt another apocalypse or go after Buffy's friends is yet to be seen, but it's scary not knowing what she has in store.
Dark Willow is set to make her official return on January 18th, 2023 when The Vampire Slayer #10 hits store shelves. If she's anything like she was when she first appeared in the TV show, the Scooby Gang may find themselves facing a greater foe. No matter what though, Dark Willow's grand and scary return since her debut as season six's big bad is going to be a delight for Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans because of how amazing she is as an antagonist.
The Vampire Slayer #8 is available now from BOOM! Studios! Look for The Vampire Slayer #10 on January 18th, 2023!
Source: League of Comic Geeks