Which I got from Previews and I would swear one of the letter pages (except I'll probably be proven wrong on that one. )

I admit I had some trouble getting into it at first. I was just "coming down" from a long surgery and sat down to read Buffy for R&R and that definitely was not a good mind frame for those first few pages. Once I decided to back-burner it until I was a little less frayed (no pun intended), I have to admit I liked it. It's kind-of a creepy idea that they're sending out Buffy-dupes but I can see some good reasons for it; they really are turning into an impressive little "army" (and, y'know, when all those slayers are dropping down from above, I just couldn't help but picture Xander up in a SHIELD helicarrier monitoring the operation. ).

The character, well, she was complicated in a way...and, y'know, that's good...it means she was developed pretty well in the little space given. Certainly they did enough that I thought it was a shame to see her die so soon (though I admit I couldn't see her as a regular either as then she wouldn't be quite as interesting).

Issue #6 rocked. I loved the pop culture references and the allusions to previous episodes. The only thing I didn't care for at times was the art. But the dialog more than makes up for it, IMO. I'm really liking how this arc is shaping up.

Agreed. The art seemed slightly hit or miss at times, especially with Faith.

Going slightly off topic, I finally picked up volume 1 of the Buffy Omnibus with the "faithful adaptaition" of Whedon's movie script as well as a few other stories like "Viva Las Buffy" and it got me wondering. Would Whedon ever consider bringing Pike back into the picture?

If the novels are canon - some are, and some aren't - Pike has shown back up in the picture. Not sure if you want more than that spoiled (I'd use a spoiler box but we know that's just temptation. )

Yeah, I know he's appeared in other stuff but I just wonder if Joss would be interested in bringing him back in something that is unquestionably canon.

Well, that was kind-of what I was hinting at...

Also, the letters page of issue 6 gives us the lowdown on Warren and the First taking his form:
"He was legally dead for like a second. Amy didn't tell him 'cause she didn't want to upset him. I forgot, okay?!" -- Joss

Yeah, like getting skinned alive wasn't going to upset him enough.

Finally got to read the issue and I loved it (though like the rest of you, I felt the art was hit-or-miss but I've felt that way about most of the series, except the covers).

The characterization was so spot-on that I actually felt it was more "Whedon" than Whedon's issues (and I see that BKV backs my idea that Nick Fury should be played by Kurt...I mean, if you take Xander's current character fixations and combine them ). It was wonderful seeing Giles back in the spotlight and seeing the complexities of his character brought forth rather than just "stuffy old librarian" (I really liked - even if it was a splash of cold water - his comment about the rifle).

It was also good to see that just because it was a Faith arc that the other characters weren't completely ignored. Not saying every comic should be Buffy centered - she's actually one of my least favourite characters on the show - but I hate when there's a "breakaway" arc and you have to go months in a row without seeing anything of the main cast.

All in all, it's a shame we can't have BKV as the regular writer on the series.

Exactly. This issue felt so much like an actual episode to me. I hope BKV works on more arcs that just this one.

So how's the second issue of the Faith arc?

I'm still not a big fan of how Faith is drawn but I'm loving that she's getting her own story. It's reminding me of how little we've actually delved into the character that is Faith.

Wow. The final bit of that arc was...wow!

I've always known Giles was a bad-arse - so wished his player in the "Buffy" Mafia game had unlocked his Ripper aspects - but I love when others are reminded of it.

Just a fantastic arc all over topped off by an incredible ending.