[1] The comic is a standalone issue, and features no appearances from Buffy herself, although season seven characters Andrew Wells, Rupert Giles, Vi, and Rona play small roles.

The story is told through parallel narratives, showing the Slayer's calling, assignment as a Buffy decoy, and death.

Squad leader Rona identifies the Slayer as a candidate to serve as a Buffy decoy in an underground society of demons, monsters, and faeries.

Editor Scott Allie describes "The Chain" as an important story: "Joss put a lot into this one.

In a Harvard Independent review, "The Chain" received particular praise for "creating webs of complex and intellectually stimulating meaning" using the medium of comics.