I agreed with this review. I feel the stories for all the issues are good. I love all the artwork until issue 4. In this issue I like the Joe Corroney work (the begining pages) but I don't like the Mike Ratera art (majority of the issue). Spike did not look like Spike to me. In Issue 5 I prefer the Nicola Scott work (the second part of the issue). I find it extrememly distracting when the artwok style changes within an issue.

I am fairly new to comics. So far I really loved Fray, I was disappointed in the Serenity series. I enjoyed the Angel Oneshots for Illyria, Wes, and Doyle. The story for Charles Gunn was not very interesting, and the artwork was awful IMO. I enjoyed the Spike vs. Dracula series and looked forward to the release of each issue.

I plan to read the new Spike series (Asylum) too.

Passion | September 03, 16:03 CET

I mostly also agreed with the reviewer, loved issue 1-4 except some of the artwork in 3 and 4. Story wise, i very much like the Spike/Darla connection wich wasn't explored on the shows. Peter David writes a very convincing soulless Spike, souled Spike is another story however. The last issue rings very false and for a Spike comic is too pro-Angel for my taste.

I'm very much looking forward to Asylum(Brian Lynch) and Auld Lang Syne from Scott Tipton who has so far written the best souled Spike.

sethsky | September 03, 16:46 CET

*waiting for Buffy comics written by Joss*

havok | September 03, 17:13 CET

Really enjoyed these. But I think that is mainly because of PAD. He brought a realness to the story and IMO, stayed very on with all his characters. I felt you could have litterally been watching a flawless connection betweeen the show and these comics. It was nice to see the story stay tight from begining to end.

Unfortunatly artwork in comics is always selective when you have different artists involved. Look at how they draw Supes or X-men from issue to issue. I learned long ago as a comic fan to not let that bother me if I enjoy the writer and story.

Donna Troy | September 03, 17:42 CET

I've enjoyed all the IDW comics and thought Spike vs. Dracula was a blast.I thought the last issue was very in character for souled Spike per the first part of season 5 of Angel.The issue looked like it was set before the fourth episode,"Hell Bound."

I'm not sure why a Spike comic should be anti-Angel at all or an Angel comic needs to be anti-Spike.I think all the IDW comics have played fair with all the characters who have appeared.

[ edited by Buffyfantic on 2006-09-03 15:51 ]

Buffyfantic | September 03, 17:49 CET

Has anyone actually said that a Spike comic should be anti Angel or visa versa? That's not how I read Sethsky's post, and I haven't ever seen anyone anywhere argue that there should be an antagonistic position put forth in the comics.

ramses 2 | September 03, 19:09 CET

Hey sethsky, you might want to leave the creative interpretations of the text out of any further comments. Next time the comments will be deleted and you may find yourself on a bit of a time out.

herb | September 03, 19:30 CET

I agree with the reviewer that it was a good story that was let down somewhat by the inconsistent art.

Derf | September 03, 20:54 CET

Spike vs. Dracula was a complete trip!!! Loved how it ended...Peter Davis is an amazing writer!

Harmalicious | September 03, 21:01 CET

(Deleted by moderator.)

sethsky | September 03, 21:26 CET

You had been warned. It's best to stop yapping when you get a warning.

In case you hadn't sussed it yet, the whole pro/anti Angel and/or Spike 'discussion' is something you lot will have to do somewhere else, because we're really not interested.

Caroline | September 03, 21:41 CET

I haven't even seen issue 5 on the shelves. When did it come out?

Craig Oxbrow | September 04, 01:34 CET

Maybe a month ago? Many of the comic shops only took orders to fill special orders or for the limited number of regulars they know would want them. IDW still is a small company compared to the big boys who bring in more money and have ten times the amount of titles every month.

Check with the actual website to order or wait to get this.=)

Donna Troy | September 04, 03:07 CET

I pretty much agree with the common concensus here. Peter David does a great job writing stories that kind of work continuity-wise. He does a good job writing dialogue for all the characters. With that said, the art was inconsistent, especially in the last few issues. I also thought that the issue in Italy wasn't quite up to par...

Still it's highly recommended, definitely better than most of the other Angel comics from IDW imo.

rabid | September 04, 07:11 CET