Buffy doubles down on franchise's darkest message

Of all themes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one returns in comic book form to highlight the series' darkest truths.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer's themes and ideas have been allegorical for as long as it's existed at the top of popular culture. Many of these themes involve deconstructing stereotypes and negative connotations about women. One of the series' most enduring ideas is analyzing how society views women as disposable.

There are plenty of examples of this long-running theme throughout the show, including ideas from Slayerhood and how Slayers are viewed as one-offs, especially the Observer Committee. The Council of Observers, a higher entity mostly made up of those in power, treats the Killers like they're easily discarded and replaced. For example, when Buffy dies the first time, she's only dead for a few minutes, but Buffy's replacement - Kendra - is quickly called. Slayers are used and discarded only after their purpose has been fulfilled. Buffy battles this constantly throughout the series, so she returns even when dropped, and by the end of the series, diversifies and empowers the Slayer's legacy.

The one-shot concept in the Slayer series is further expanded in a bittersweet way The Vampire Slayer #9 by Sarah Gailey and Hannah Templer. Here, the ogre Hangulus essentially defines her desire and defines in her mind the right to eat ogres exclusively. As far as Hungrus is concerned, she doesn't take away the world's protections, nor does killing a killer remove anything in particular from the world. After all, how special would it be for Hungrus if a killer like Buffy was replaced after the second died?

The Slayer-Eater and Watcher's Council are No Different

Essentially, the Watchmen Council is the narrative representation of a higher patriarchy, and it always seems like an isolated incident, since they're the only ones who see the Butcher outright as a disposable cow. Still, it suggests that even the natural order outside of certain corporate entities considers Slayers to be one-offs. It's almost ironic that both Hungrus and The Watcher's Council could be considered predators in their respective contexts.

Hungrus' predator analogy is of course more straightforward, but both survive on the females they prey on. Furthermore, both will try to survive, progress, and even elevate themselves once their prey is eaten. Then, of course, the prey (aka slayers like Buffy) are brought out of frame without harm They fulfill a natural order or function in the knowledge that there is always another piece of prey lurking around the corner. This is a very bleak dark truth at the heart of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.