As "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon ramps up his run on Dark Horse's comic book conclusion to season 8, it's become increasingly clear that even the book's most popular characters aren't necessarily guaranteed a happy ending. With November's issue #38 approaching, fans are left to ponder Jo Chen's latest cover teasing what could very well be the end of the road for Buffy's sister Dawn.

Dark Horse's official synopsis looks a little bleak:

While Super Buffy is fighting side by side with Spike in Sunnydale, Angel is on the other side of world fighting demons of his own. As Twilight he was given a clear mission in regard to Buffy-help her reach the next plane, together create a new world, and end all suffering. But Buffy doesn't play by the rules, and this "higher plane" and a lifetime of happiness with Angel wasn't gonna cut it-not if she had to sacrifice her family to keep it. And now Angel has to answer for his failings as Twilight-willingly or not.

Back in Sunnydale everyone is fighting for their lives against a horde of demons, and someone close to Buffy joins forces with a villain from the past to strive for a common goal-protect the seed.

See the issue's full-size covers by Jo Chen and Georges Jeanty after the jump.

Primary cover by Jo Chen


Second cover by Georges Jeanty (note the awesome monster cameos - is that Son of Godzilla and Concrete?)

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