Looks like the plot info for Angel: Blood and Trenches has been swapped with Star Trek Crew....awkward.

Still not excited about post ATF Angel...doubt I'll ever be to be honest.

P.S- Is that a slayer on the cover?

[ edited by aus-mitch on 2009-01-19 11:51 ]

aus-mitch | January 19, 11:51 CET

Almost looks like Kate? But it could be this cat-changer Dez?

aapac | January 19, 12:11 CET

WellKate has been confirmed as a character in Aftermath.I think that's Kate myself

Buffyfantic | January 19, 13:15 CET

Yeah, hi! Dead horse here. IDW going all out. I apologize if this question has already been posed, but I am new... why doesnt Dark Horse have the rights to Angel too? It seems to me its only logical. Is it a money thing? I have been third worlding it for awhile, blissfully unplugged, so my comics industry IQ is def dbl digit these days. But Dark Horse is pretty big time arent they? My Whedonverse OCD does horrible things to my bank account when IDW releases 17 covers for every issue of ATF.

slothrop-T | January 19, 13:18 CET

I really don't think I'll be buying the Armstrong comics. She's no longer telling "THE" story but rather, any story. I feel we are now after the structure of the show which After the Fall continued; the chiasmic alignment of the six seasons, the climax that approaches, whose ending must necessarily fulfill certain artistic obligations in closing the saga. This feels like officially licensed fanfiction, a happy and digestible 'what if' but by no means "what really happens to the characters" after After the Fall.

Isn't Lynch writing his own separate and distinct continuation to After the Fall anyway? I'm sure Armstrong said that on her website. I'll wait for that one.

Liam Mars | January 19, 13:26 CET

Dark Horse let the rights to Angel go in 2004 after the original Buffy line ended.The Dark Horse Angel comics didn't sell as well so they didn't keep the rights.IDW picked the rights up.Dark Horse still held onto the Buffy rights though.

Scott Allie has said in retrospect that they made a mistake in letting the Angel rights and characters go and I seem to remember that he said that he even apologized to Joss for it.

Buffyfantic | January 19, 13:35 CET

Thank You! I knew it wouldnt take long to get that pregunta answered.... what are the legalities regarding cross-pollination? There was that sexual fantasy revolving around Spike and Angel early in Season 8, but no actual storylines? How does that work?

[ edited by slothrop-T on 2009-01-19 13:43 ]

slothrop-T | January 19, 13:38 CET

Both companies can use the other's characters if needed.

Angel and Spike have already appeared in season 8.Both in issue 3 and Angel in issue 20.Cordy was also in issue 20.They weren't present day appearences but that door is open if or when Joss chooses.It probably will happen later in season 8,I would bet.



Brian Lynch revealed that a Buffy character was going to be in ATF but he and Joss ultimately decided the character's appearence was unnecessary to the story.

[ edited by Buffyfantic on 2009-01-19 13:56 ]

Buffyfantic | January 19, 13:55 CET

"Scott Allie has said in retrospect that they made a mistake in letting the Angel rights and characters go and I seem to remember that he said that he even apologized to Joss for it. "

It wasnt a mistake...it was a blessing. Keep your mitts of "Angel" Dark Horse!!!

Cant wait for these myself:)

angeliclestat | January 19, 14:00 CET

Kelley Armstrong's original characters for this story sound intriguing. Looking forward to this series !

Shade of Pale | January 19, 14:54 CET

I personally would have preferred if Dark Horse had done After the Fall. Keep the same artist and writer and have it be a buck cheaper per issue with far better editing, not to mention allowing Joss and company to have whatever crossovers they want without fear of stepping on toes. But hey, Dark Horse's loss is IDW's gain, so hopefully they build on After the Fall's success for more and better projects in the future.

archon | January 19, 14:56 CET

aus-mitch: Why decide you're not interested in the book even before the first issue comes out? You could end up loving it.

archon: I couldn't be happier with IDW doing the Angel line. I love what they've done with the story, even moreso than I love what's going on with BtVS (and I do love it). From the way they deck out the hardcover collections to the way the entire creative team communicates and keeps us up to date on everything, to the whole spin-offs thing, to the multiple covers, they've really made 2008 an Angel fan's bliss.

While I understand fan's desires for crossovers, I'd never trade all that for an easy crossover. Both series seem to be thriving on their own.

[ edited by patxshand on 2009-01-19 19:19 ]

patxshand | January 19, 15:37 CET

I'm sorry to say my excitement for Aftermath is waning a bit. Part of why I loved AtS so much was the other characters on the show, not just Angel. And while I like Kate, she was never a favorite of mine and I didn't miss her once she was gone. I just accepted her vanishing after Epiphany and moved on. No fuss, no muss. I can't escape the feeling that ANGEL is transforming into something unrecognizable. It almost feels like Aftermath is the equivalent to Season 8 in the way that it's opening to a world that's different from what we're used to seeing Angel and Co. (whoever is still left standing) do. Except After the Fall was written to bridge that gap, wrench our heartstrings and take away much beloved characters. It almost feels like a torturous extension of those goodbyes we had in NFA. I'm left wondering who will be left from the show to stand with Angel, besides who I mentioned above. If it's just those two, I'm going to be a bit disappointed.

Emmie | January 19, 16:55 CET

Hey pat - don't you mean "I'm couldn't be *more* happy with IDW doing the Angel line" LOL :)

I think I may have to stop reading the Angel posts here....it is really frustrating. Everyone has the right to post their feelings...I understand that. But everytime I come on and see new Angel news like this...all I read is people moaning. It's a downer it really is.

I really do not know what peoples problem with Aftermath is...I really dont. It's new Angel...continuing the story. "YAY" surely? From a company that has been bringing us this brilliant story for the last year and half with a great writer,wonderful presentation and a love of the universe. There is no bad there.

If it was at Dark Horse we would still be waiting for an Angel comic I truly truly believe. All of Joss's energy is going into the Buffy (in the comic world)...Dollhouse in the TV world.

Remember that Serenity comic we were due to have by the end of 2008......"Joss is too busy! says Mr Allie...!" So if Joss is too busy for Serenity which he loves....Angel would have no hope!!!

So Angel can stay with IDW thank you very much:)

angeliclestat | January 19, 19:02 CET

Angeliclestat: Yup, I meant "I couldn't be happier," but I really mucked that one up.

Agree with everything you said.

patxshand | January 19, 19:21 CET

I thought "Not Fade Away" launches in April? Oh, maybe it was March and bi-monthly. If anyone remembers, please post. Looking forward to that--just rewatched the episode, and it really is the finest hour of television there is. Must have seen it fifteen times, but the Wesley/Illyria scene always gets me. Now, considering "After the Fall," Angel's "As long as you're okay, they can't (destroy me)" is particularly tear-jerky.

patxshand | January 19, 19:27 CET

I'd like to think that posters here can express their concerns about the direction of the franchise. People can be fans of the show and still be criticial. If people are concerned about Aftermath, I'd rather hear about it than pretending everything is fine and dandy. Though if it does turn into bashing or a "my 360 is better than your PS3" pissing contest then people will be shown the door or a Wii.

Simon | January 19, 19:27 CET

I understand that Simon, and I fully respect it - I did say "Everyone has the right to post their feelings"...*but*...all this negativity even before a page has been read or any art seen. At least give the thing a bloody chance. If it does turn out as unreadable tripe by all means be as negative as people want. But all of this based on 3 'solicitations'...come on!

angeliclestat | January 19, 20:13 CET

Well,for the record,I'm planning on following Angel:Aftermath and I'm looking forward to see where the story goes.

Buffyfantic | January 19, 21:42 CET

It's part of the fandom. The same thing happened when Angel was on the air. There was endless message board posts about the direction of Angel seasons 3, 4 or 5 based on a whisper from a writer or a leaked spoiler. Fans will make snap judgements based on a sentence or two. Nothing will ever change that.

Simon | January 19, 22:05 CET

I dunno if this is going to be good or not, but if it is, I will follow it, however...

I don't want them to try to continue the story if there's nothing left. If they kill off everyone possible, and just leave Angel, that would be a really stupid story, destroying what the show was about in the first place. Some of the best stories have been ruined because of attempts to continue the story. *cough* godfather *cough* I don't want that to happen to angel =(.

Chris the Bloody | January 19, 23:31 CET

Even if every character but Angel died--I'm almost sure that won't happen--I don't think that would be destroying what the show was about in the first place. The show is, first and foremost, about Angel. I love the supporting characters, some moreso than Angel. No story has touched me as much as Wesley's. BUT Angel is the essence of the story. If you look back, the only characters that were in both "City Of" and the finale are Angel and Lindsey. The cast of the series is constantly shifting, and I think the only way there would be nothing left would be if Angel were to die.

patxshand | January 19, 23:44 CET

"It's part of the fandom. "

True true...I guess I need to chill. It's just these comics mean a lot to me, and if loads of people jump ship then maybe they won't be produced anymore and then no more Angel. I'm protective over the big guy:)


Anyway...I really think that this arc is a 'bridging' arc between After the Fall and whatever comes next. It will be about Angel rebuilding his life after the events in hell, and paving the way for a new role for him.

angeliclestat | January 20, 13:05 CET