Now we're talking. After two issues of setup, we're getting into the meat of the storyline. Much as one of the great rules of watching Whedonverse television is: "Wait until the third episode before you start trying to figure out who the Big Bad for the season will be," the corollary to that is: "And it won't be the first person you think it will." Amy? Was a distraction, and we are glad.

The art is hit-and-miss with Buffy's dreamscape, trapped as she is inside her head with -- of all people -- Ethan Rayne, but the visual of Spike, Angel and Buffy together was worth the cover price, if you're me. (And now for the first time in ten years, I want to read Buffy fanfic.

Who knew?) The rest should have been so pretty, considering that dream sequences usually expand the horizons for artwork, but the art on the very last page of the issue makes up for it.

So Willow and Amy have it out in magical battle, and as we knew, Willow kicks Amy's butt (with a little help from a big friend), leaving time for some long-missed Scooby banter. Alas, it's not to last, for now we discover the real target of Amy's little plan, as well as the identity of her new boyfriend, and holy cow. Did not see that one coming.

In one issue, I have gone from "This is a fun continuation of Buffy and the gang's adventures" to "OMGOMGOMG." The first arc concludes next month, and I can't wait. If you're a fan of the series and have been holding out, pick this one up.