Turned in the completed script for the Spike one-shot today. Just did an out-loud reading of it for Kathleen and Ariel, to make sure all the dialogue and voices sounded okay. It’s not as if they’re the most unbiased audience in the world, but they liked it a lot. My goal–which, of course, I’ll probably never know if I achieved–is to have Whedon read it and think, “Okay, why the hëll didn’t we hire this guy to write for us?” Of course, he could just as easily think, “Thank God we never hired him to write for us.” But I think it’s got enough twists and turns to live up to his sense of the perverse.
If nothing else, it should please the Buffy fans since it definitively establishes that Cecily and Hallie were the same person and shows what happened at the party after William fled into the night to meet his vampiric fate.
The artist has already started work based on early pages I turned in. We’ll probably have sample artwork and the cover to put up here on Monday, although naturally it will still be pending approvals from Fox and shouldn’t be considered necessarily the final versions.
PAD
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Sounds very cool. I can’t wait to read this.
When we first saw Hallie my wife (who is basically a living IMDB) instantly recognized her as William’s Cecily. She then impatiently waited the rest of the series for something to be made of it. She’ll be very pleased to finally see the issue resolved.
Truth be known, there were a couple of shows I thought you should have written for. But then that would have made sense, ya know?
This is *very* exciting! I love the character of Spike and I was a big fan of Buffy and Spike together. Getting a backstory on him – I can’t wait!
Now that you’ve written a Buffy story, can we start pestering you for a Battlestar Galactica story? 🙂
Man I wish they’d give you a regular Weadonverse title. Any title. The Adventures of Andrew for god’s sake. I think you would be perfect for the drama and comedy needed to be true Weadonesque.
Congrats on gettin it done, PAD. Perverse “twists and turns” are always a great thing. Sounds interesting, and I’m tempted to check it out. But I know between Jack and All about the Buffy universe. So therefore all those references to Williard and Cecilia and Patricia (or whoever they were) went right over my head.
I’m all about Firefly, though. That show kicks ášš.
—My goal–which, of course, I’ll probably never know if I achieved–is to have Whedon read it and think, “Okay, why the hëll didn’t we hire this guy to write for us?”—
Or maybe “why DON’T we hire this guy to write for us?”… which, if put to a vote, would get my resounding “AYE!” immediately.
I can’t wait! This sounds like it’s going to be a completely fantastic read.
This is why I totally dig Peter as a writer. He writes things which totally appeal to fans, but not in a “fannish” way. And his mimicry of character voices is second to none. (Trek novels, Babylon5, etc..)
So what’s the estimated time of arrival for this to hit my comic shop so that I may spend many dollars on many copies? 🙂 🙂
Great News PAD…
I have been waiting for another Buffy universe comic ever since Whedon finished the Fray miniseries.
Can’t wait to read this one.
Regards:
Warren S. Jones III
Well, I’ll buy it.
Hey Mr. David, this is way off topic, but I was hoping to suggest that Cowboy Pete might check out (and subsequently share his thoughts on) another terrific TV show — “24.”
I suppose it isn’t really part of the genres that you usually show the most interest in, but it really is a riveting, well acted, VERY well written program. It also touches on a lot of issues that you and others on this board might like to discuss.
Any chance you will give the show a try and then sound off on it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t want Hallie and Cecily to be the same person! I’m afraid of how this new take on the story could impact “Fool for Love” which is absolutely perfect just the way it is. I thought Joss & Co established that the recognition between Hallie and Spike was just a nod to fans who recognized her as the same actress, but they decided not to make her the same person. Thus, making this story against canon.
I truly like the idea of them being the same person, and when watching the series I waited for it to be addressed, either in the story or, once the DVDs were released in the commentaries…
I look fwd to this story!
While I was hoping that there was going to be another explaination to the Halfrk/Cecily problem… I’m still sorta psyched about this. I just can’t resist Spike’s sinister attraction.
Very happy to know the Cecily – Hallie connection is being resolved, and having them as the same person. Looking forward to reading this!
I thought the issue was resolved when Joss and the Mutant Enemy writers said she wasn’t the same person. Tom Lenk played more than one character. Jonathan Woodward played more than one character. Are we going to make nonsensical storylines tying those characters together to? I’m sorry. It’s just that Spike is my favorite character and that particular storyline is very precious to me.
I’m looking forward to it, but I really hope it has lots of post NFA Soike too, as I’m tired of bad old days Spike coverage and want more of the champion.
I’ve been trying to tell people for months that Helfrek is Cecily! lol. Most of them said “No, no. Joss explained that it was the just the same actress.” I actually am in the process of writing a little fanfiction about Cecily and William after he’s turned. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who loves this story line. It can go so many wonderful places!
Anyway, I can’t wait to read this comic!
Jennifer wrote: “I thought the issue was resolved when Joss and the Mutant Enemy writers said she wasn’t the same person.”
In Selfless commentaries Goddard talks about Hallie and hints that she *may* be Cecily although he never states it directly.
I think there must be an explanation why Hallie recognizes Spike when she is in a demon face (OAFA) but don’t recognizes him when she’s in her human face (Entropy). Maybe some botched memory-altering? I really hope that we’ll find a plausible explanation in comics.
I also adore Spike and want his story to be consistent. But Jossverse is full of possibilities. I’ve read at least three fics which had different (totally convincing) explanations of Cecily/Hallie phenomena. In one of them she was a demon who took part in a conspiracy to destroy future champion (William) because dark forces tried to prevent the prophecy about him saving the world (in a terminatoresque turn of events they created future champion by trying to eliminate him). In another fic Cecily met William the vampire, fell in love with him, asked D’Hoffryn for help and he turned her into a demon. In third Hallie was a demon-innovator who tried to prove to D’Hoffryn that Justice demons shouldn’t concentrate on women and used William in her attempt to prove that men are also great stuff for Justice demons (this idea corresponds nicely with the fact that in OAFA she grants children’s wishes).
I think there must be an explanation why Hallie recognizes Spike when she is in a demon face (OAFA) but don’t recognizes him when she’s in her human face (Entropy).
I think you mean the other way around. Spike kinda recognizes her in demon face, but not in her human face.
*Sigh* I’m so tired of EVIL Spike kills lots of people stories. There really isn’t much of a story there that hasn’t been done elsewhere.
I just hope sometime in my life someone will see fit to explore souled Spike post BtVS S7 that isn’t tied into Buffy or Angel’s story.
Halfrek existed during the Crimean War, which took place decades before the events in “Fool for Love,” so it would have to be Halfrek playing the role of Cecily, not Cecily turning into a vengeance demon afterwards.
well im with sunryse…former evil spike..done that..what would he do after surviving the final battle…how would he go on..would he seek out the only ones he has been with..could he move on and seek out friends and a new life without buffy or angel?spike is a complex guy..fran
Glad to see the return of the interesting non pathetic version of Spike when he was still something more than fanfic wank. One of the best BuffyVerse characters ever became the worst. In the hands of PAD, you know old school Spike is gonna rock again. Whoo Hoo.
Sooo agree with Jamie. I love Spike from the second and third season of Buffy, but I started to like him less and less as he became weaker (not physically, but as a character). I’m all for character development and changes, but as he fell in love with Buffy, he lost all his spark, his edge, his fun. He was redeemed in the last season of Angel, when their relationship allowed for a return of his edgy side. But I am definitely looking forward for a return to the old school Spike who still had a spine.
Yes, I’m aware that a number of actors played multiple roles on “Buffy.”
Which makes it all the more remarkable that only ONE time has it been commented upon. Buffy didn’t look at the Judge and recognize him as the head vampire from “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” Nor did she look at Andrew and say, “Wait, weren’t you one of Harmony’s minions?”
But Hallie and Spike looked at one another and there was genuine recognition. She even changed her voice and said “William?” in Cecily’s tonality.
And I should point out that this story was, in fact, approved by Whedon.
PAD
This will be the first of your comics I’ve ever read. I love seeing that people more familiar with your work are so enthusiastic. It’ll be very interesting to see what happened at the party after William left; I’ve always wondered. Thanks for putting so much thought into the telling of this story. Spike fans like myself appreciate it greatly.
PAD wrote But Hallie and Spike looked at one another and there was genuine recognition. She even changed her voice and said “William?” in Cecily’s tonality.
There were vague rumors that in the beginning of season 7 Whedon had been planning to continue Hallie’s story, but Kali Rocha, who played her, was available only for two episodes – hence they had to wrap her story. I wonder if its true.
Jennifer wrote I think you mean the other way around. Spike kinda recognizes her in demon face, but not in her human face.
I believe Spike doesn’t *really* recognize her both times. In OAFA he’s confused (all he says is “Hey, wait a minute”). Than again, if he saw her only in a human face, its understandable. In Entropy there is no reaction at all. But we may fanwank that they’ve met offscreen between the events of OAFA and Entropy and decided to leave in the past whatever had happened between them.
That sounds really cool. I can’t wait. I’m a bit confused though, is this going to be a comic book like some earlier comments suggest or is it a TV movie like it said it was on http://angel-btvs.co.uk/?
“But we may fanwank that they’ve met offscreen between the events of OAFA and Entropy and decided to leave in the past whatever had happened between them.”
My thinking exactly. Hence the story.
PAD
I’ve read a huge pile of the Buffy TPB’s due to getting them for a steal as a lot and found myself to be very unmoved by them overall. With the exception of a rare story or the Fray series, there is simply something lost by most writers in the translation from television to the printed medium. That being said, I am extremely psyched to preorder a copy of this as I’ve no doubt that PAD will hit it dead-on.
BTW, PAD I’m surprised that we never saw an episode of Angel or Buffy written by you. Did you ever discuss the possibility of writing for those series with the *ahem* Powers that Be or never wander down that particular road?
Fred
If Holden “Webs” Webster went to Sunnydale High, then Harmony didn’t recognize him when she met Knox. He was Holden on CWDP. (and a rogue soldier on Firefly 🙂 ) Then again, he was a psych major so maybe Buffy knew him from UCS. In that case, hmmm.
I’m not in to the previous comics, but I gave several a fair shot.
Fray tore my guts out.
I think there will higher expectations for the upcoming Spike and Angel comics due to the dead series and the rabid fans desperate for more.
Bring on Spike and Hallie, could be a great story, if done with care. Not familair with PAD work but have already requested my copies be set aside at the comic book shop.
ok, i researched. In CWDP, Holden tells Buffy Scott Hope is gay. Therefore, they know each other from Sunnydale High, and Harmony did not recognize him when she met Knox. She was eager to torture him. Buffy dusted Holden, if I’m not mistaken.
So is the story entirely set before the final season of Angel? That would kind of disappoint me as I’m far more interested in what happens next with the character than filling in previous gaps.
I believe that Joss is reserving all rights to anything post-“Not Fade Away” for his own use. I’ve been reading things in the Buffy magazine that hint that Joss & Co. are thinking about doing Season Eight of Buffy in comic format. Which would own. But I suppose that anything could have happened offscreen between episodes of any other B/A eps, hence Peter’s story. (Not to mention the various B/A novels floating around.)
I’m interested in seeing what you produce for Spike. I really liked your Trek novel “Q Squared” but I do have to add that I’m really not particularly enthused that we’re almost certainly getting an E.VIL Spike story.
Nothing you can do about it if your story is set in post Fool for Love 1880s. So I’m not complaining so much as lamenting the fact that Spike fans can never manage to get a story with souled Spike or heroic Spike. It’s usually some flashback to the the “bad” old days.
Still, you handled the amoral Q wonderfully and in a sympathetic manner in “Q Squared” so I’m hoping your take on unsouled Spike Version 1.0 will be equally sympathetic and interesting.
[I]Buffy wrote: ok, i researched. In CWDP, Holden tells Buffy Scott Hope is gay. Therefore, they know each other from Sunnydale High, and Harmony did not recognize him when she met Knox. She was eager to torture him. Buffy dusted Holden, if I’m not mistaken.[/I]
Harmony was so self-absorbed, I wouldn’t be surprised if she never recalled meeting Holden before.
BTW, PAD I’m surprised that we never saw an episode of Angel or Buffy written by you. Did you ever discuss the possibility of writing for those series with the *ahem* Powers that Be or never wander down that particular road?”
Actually, I had a meeting with a couple of Whedon’s people at Mutant Enemy. I *thought* the meeting went well. They certainly seemed enthused and kept saying I clearly “got” the series. But they never contacted me for an actual job, so…
PAD
Yeah, so they go and hire the guy who did The Tick. Bah. You would have ruled on that show.
Just out of curiosity, Peter, what kinds of stories would you have pitched?
I hate to go all semi-off topic (snicker), but did anybody else spot the news that Thomas Hayden Church has been cast as the yet-to-be-named villain for Spider-Man 3?
The possibilities of who the villain could be are interesting, up to and including the fact that he bears a pretty decent resemblence to Willem DaFoe.
I believe that Joss is reserving all rights to anything post-“Not Fade Away” for his own use. I’ve been reading things in the Buffy magazine that hint that Joss & Co. are thinking about doing Season Eight of Buffy in comic format.
Season eight of Buffy? That would take place at the same time as season five of Angel – not post “Not Fade Away” and wouldn’t really include Angel or Spike. Plus, Jeff Mariotte said that the Angel mini-series of comics that he’s doing are all post “Not Fade Away” and will reveal who survived and how.
Harmony was so self-absorbed, I wouldn’t be surprised if she never recalled meeting Holden before.
Oh, everybody knows who everyone else is in high school. Besides, Sunnydale High was small.
That sounds really cool. I can’t wait. I’m a bit confused though, is this going to be a comic book like some earlier comments suggest or is it a TV movie like it said it was on “>http://angel-btvs.co.uk/?
PAD is writing a comic book, as described here, about Spike. There is also talk about a possible Spike movie, but its not related to this comic book – they are two entirely separate things.
I just checked http://angel-btvs.co.uk/ and the information they have there is wrong. Peter David is writing a comic book. There is no script for a Spike Movie. At the moment, there isn’t a Spike Movie in the works – only talk.
Yeah, isn’t it amazing that in this day and age of the internet, misinformation can now be spread faster and with greater efficiency than ever before?
PAD
“Oh, everybody knows who everyone else is in high school. Besides, Sunnydale High was small.”
And always getting smaller…
Probably the only high school in America where the Yearbook’s In Memorium pages were bigger than the ones for the Graduating Seniors.
Seeing as Buffy didn’t actually recognise Holden Webster when she met him I’d not be at all surprised if Harmony wouldn’t recognise someone who looked like him either. Remember Sunnydale High is the place where students can become invisible because no one notices them, even the nice guys like Willow and Xander.
I always thought that the revelation that Halfrek was around at the time of the Crimean War added to the pathos of the ‘Fool for Love’ story – Poor old William, his perfect woman turns out to be a Vengence Demon. I think that this story has many interesting possibilies, paricularly how it will tie in with the events revealed in ‘Lies my Parents Told Me’ and ‘Destiny’ – I’m intrigued how this will all be weaved together and will buy the comic. I’m sure IDW Publishing will get round to producing more post NFA stories. It looks like the reveal of who survived and how, is going to be a gradual one.
Thankyou, PAD, for writing this.