The current issue of “Rue Morgue” has a very positive review of the new “Spike” one-shot from IDW, written by yours truly. Whad’ja think?
PAD
The current issue of “Rue Morgue” has a very positive review of the new “Spike” one-shot from IDW, written by yours truly. Whad’ja think?
PAD
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received my copy a couple of days ago, it’s very nicely done.
I’m pretty sure it takes place after buffy episode “older and far away” and before he got his soul.
I liked the writing alot, since halfrek is from a time when there were celtics i’m assuming she is as old or older then anyanka(who was around a 1000y old).
I loved the ending, paybacks a bìŧçh.
As for the art, i like it more when it’s completly drawn and not taken from pictures.
Can’t wait for the next one-shot.
seeya
Another question: was William’s last name ever revealed as “Pratt” prior to this story?
The review I posted at Newsarama.com
This is a book for the hard core fans of Buffy/Angel universe. I say that because the story is based on an in joke. An actress that was hired to play a love interest of a pre undead Spike in 1889 in season 5 of Buffy the Vampire slayer (Cecily), was rehired in season 6 to play a vengeance demon (Halfrek). When Spike and Halfrek came across each other at a party, they sort of looked at each other like they had already met. However, they never did any thing else on the show to elaborate on this. Along with the mystery of “what ever happened to Mrs Kitty Fantastico?” It became a huge subject of debate and many fan fictions were written about it. This one shot explains that all that.
Since I’m short on time, I’m not going to do the synopsis of the book it self. It would take a full thesis to explain all the references to things that happened in the shows Buffy and Angel, that you need to fully understand this single comic book. (Or you could go buy seasons 6 & 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Season 4 of Angel on DVD ;).) Of course all of us that have obsessed over the show will absolutely love the little references. This was written for the fans. As far as the pacing goes, it has the feel of one of the more comedic episodes of Angel. I would even say it flows more like a good episode of Singfeild.
As far as the art goes, all of the humans and people in human form are up their with Astonishing X-Men. The demons and vampires however are not as dynamic or detailed as they should be. This has been a complaint of mine on almost all of the Buffy related comic books that have ever come out (Frey being the one exception). It seems like there has been a standing order from Joss to have all of the demons toned down in the comic books. Almost to the point where the artist is so restricted that the monsters look less realistic than their latex and rubber counterparts on the TV shows. I think the Buffy books would have a much larger readership if the artist were able to draw stuff that would normally be to expensive to produce on the TV shows. Other than that, Fernando Goni does a good job.
Story A-
Art B
Oops! I meant seasons 5, 6, & 7 of Buffy in the second paragraph. And only one “That” in the last sentence of paragraph 1. 🙁
Absolutely brilliant, Peter. Finished reading it just now, and it really felt rewarding as a long-term fan of both shows to read such an amazing story. Highlight?
“And I prefer “melanin challenged”, but que šøddìņg sera sera.”
MILES better than Angel: The Curse, probably because of all the latter’s creative pressure of following up the TV series. I hope you’ll find the creative nerve to have another go at the character.
By the way, Fernando’s art really stood out for me this month. His backgrounds really bring LA to life, and in a month where I picked up Rob Liefeld’s issue of Teen Titans, its a real relief. Easily my joint favourite Buffyverse published fiction, along with Monolith by John Pasarella, and Hollywood by Jeff Mariotte. Awesome.
I’ve been wondering…what would Spike have to say about the use of Angel’s font for his logo?
Hey, Jeff! After wandering through my DVDs, there has never been any mention of the second name being “pratt”. Sort of an ironic name, though, right?
And I reckon Spike would’ve taken the font anyway. Its in Spike’s nature to take from Angel what is his…remember the epiosde, “Destiny”?
I’m still amazed by this one-shot. I want more!
$7.50
Ouch.
i read it. good stuff. but i didn’t buy. sorry. i’ll spend $8 on a novel of yours, but not on a comic book. hope it does well for you.
Joe V.
Does anyone know when Spike: Old Times is supposed to take place. The LA setting and Spike’s commment as to why he is there seem to fit with the last season of Angel. His “haning out annoying someone” commment is a dead on description of the Spike/Angel dynamic in the last season, but that would mean Halfrek is already dead. This is a nagging question that took away from my enjoyment of an otherwise excellent piece of work.