Thanks for the heads up on that, sumi. Amazon has it listed as being a 4-6 week shipment, so I wonder if it's even out yet. Did you see a copy somewhere?

ETA: Duh. If I had looked a little closer I would have seen in the publication details that it has a November 1, 2003 release date.

No, I saw it on Amazon. Usually when the book isn't out they give a release date, don't they?

Tales of the Slayers Vol. 3 is also listed for November on the publisher's site at SimonSays.com.

Chiming in with my thoughts on Fray #7:

After losing nearly all of her connections to the world in the previous issues (the little girl, her sister, her boss betraying her), we still see Melaka gathering people around her to fight the evil. Of course, circumstances helped (the attack by the lurks convinced her sister to join with her, the little girl's parents seeking revenge, etc.), which is very similar to earlier years of Buffy. I think the splitting of Slayer heritage means that Mel had to take a different path than a "complete" Slayer. (Season 7 speculation: Maybe Buffy could take a page from this example. IJS )

Also, I did love the opening scene. Here we are, all primed for a fight ("my hands aren't even trembling"), and then WHAM! no fight. Reminds me of the Raiders scene where Indy shoots the guy with the sword.

Even though this was mostly action, I still feel it moved things along nicely. I loved the artwork - detail everywhere! I was disappointed that we didn't get more info about Urkonn's bosses.

Also, Steph is correct - Urkonn ROCKS!

Also, I did love the opening scene. Here we are, all primed for a fight ("my hands aren't even trembling"), and then WHAM! no fight. Reminds me of the Raiders scene where Indy shoots the guy with the sword.

LOVED this. So very Jossy.

You're right about the artwork. It's fabulous, even if it did take a year to produce.

Urkonn is the Mother Fucking Man.

Overall, though, felt a little light.

Urkonn is the Mother Fucking Man.

I love the panel where he hands the red axe back to Mel, holding it in his huge claws, which just emphasized his size.

t edit Although my favorite Urkonn Moment is the 3-panel scene where Loo meets him for the first time and just asks "Got any candy?" and he stares at her for 1 panel and then just says "No" in the last panel.

Followed very closely by the "You hib me wib a GIRDER!" scene.

I'm quite fond of

"He set himself on FIRE!"

"Maybe he was cold."

For a big ooky demon, Urkonn's got an interesting personality. Very Gilesy.

Followed very closely by the "You hib me wib a GIRDER!" scene.

I laugh at that every time I read it.