Really no need to click the link because all the information regarding the subject is posted on the description of the link.

ShotgunWes | July 20, 02:02 CET

So The Curse isn't going to answer anything? Thats kinda.. lame, considering the two issues haven't exactly been very special.

KBP | July 20, 02:22 CET

Not been enjoying The Curse very much... but I don't think it was ever advertised as answering the questions (although I may be wrong here.)

On the other hand, I'm extremely excited about the Spike one shot, Peter David is a great writer.

rabid | July 20, 02:27 CET

I'm guessing that none of the BtVSverse comics will be allowed to answer questions, or do much more than spin their wheels with back story (which is fine if you just want to enjoy the characters' backstories). After all, if there is even a chance in the world that a movie (made for TV or otherwise) will be made then the comics will not be allowed to influence canon.

embers | July 20, 02:33 CET

They never said The Curse would finish the cliffhanger from Not Fade Away. In fact they stated very explicity that Joss whedon was saving it for himself and wanted Jeff Mariotte to do the solo Angel tale instead.

I'm enjoying the book for itself. Issue #1 was a bit teasing with all the exposition but #2 was very good IMO.

And embers has Dark Horse even put out any new BtVS books in the last year?

eddy | July 20, 02:38 CET

eddy, you're right, Dark Horse is not doing any Buffy books, I was just counting the Angel comics as being within the Buffyverse (but I suppose I shouldn't do that since IDW clearly is separate). In my mind there is the Firefly/Serenity universe and there is the whole Slayer/Vampire thing, but since different publishers are involved I should differentiate.

embers | July 20, 02:57 CET

The second issue is very good. It has two great parts about Cordy and Jenny Calendar. It is much better then the first and the story does start moving. I enjoy the art. It is always good to see Angel agai. I miss Angel adventures sometimes.

Where I have very little intrest in the first Spike one-shot, the second one that Angel and Fred are also in, in the 1940's sounds very cool.

It was stated that we would find out how people survived, but that some stories for all the characters would be held back in case Joss wanted to do those. Marriote said the second mini was as close to canon as these comic books can get and is the only one authorized by Joss.

Darhorse is not and will not be putting any issues of Buffy out. Nor have they for over two years. IDW wants very much to get the license, so that it can use the Buffy characters as well as favorites like Faith and Dru. The license will not even be up for renewel till late next year though.

FalenAnjl | July 20, 02:58 CET

I'm enjoying the current comic series. The first issue was a little slow but that's to be expected. It's interesting, for me at least, to see how Angel is moving forward with his life. It is unclear if this is actually set after NFA or not, but given his optimistic view of future relationships with either Nina or someone new I think I'll have to take it as post NFA. Got a little lump in my throat with each mention of Cordy, got to admit.

I'm very eagerly awaiting the Spike one-shot, the writer seems very popular and the artwork is quite simply amazing, so life-like. I'm looking forward to seeing how they use the life of William to reflect in the way Spike acts.

Also looking forward to the 1940's one-shot too. Although I must admit I'm confused as to how Fred is going to fit into the story. Angel is easier as we know that they did meet in the 1940's anyway, I guess it stands to reason that their paths would cross quite often. My only thought is that this is a "looking back" type thing. Maybe Spike is recounting what happened in the 1940's to Fred. But again that would mean that it would be set pre AHITW. Perhaps it could be set while Spike was still a ghost.

Who knows. All I really know is I can't wait. :0)

lynnie | July 20, 03:29 CET

Ok, I just read the first issue of the new Angel comic the other day and I have to say that it was basically crap. There was nothing to the story, barely enough to call it a setup. And the art...I can't even explain how bad the art was. It was so dull and lifeless. And there are a few scenes in there that just made no sense. In one panel Angel is quipping to some vamp and the next we see a bunch of stakes headed for his back. I assume he's supposed to be running from them, but it really just looks like he's standing there and we have no idea why there are suddenly stakes flying through the air.

Really, if it weren't for the canonical story, I wouldn't pick up any more issues. And I just read in the latest Buffy/Angel mag that IDW did a big search for the artist. God, please tell me this isn't the cream of the crop for the Buffyverse comics! Writing and art both so bland. I had higher hopes. I still do for the Spike comic...

Rogue Slayer | July 20, 03:30 CET

This is set NFA. I tend to think whatever his reason, Nina will never be anything more then what she was on the show,I also believe it will not be for someone new. But again not until Darkhorse gives up Buffy will we ever get to see both shows together again.

To me this will be all about being a hero without getting the reward or needing one. We all know Angel will not get the curse removed,but maybe he won't need to.Redemption has it's own reward, in the fact that you can try and make what was wronged right.

I don't think that you can or it is needed to be compared to the Spike one shot. Both stories are different with different styles, settings and characters. Both fit the moods for their particular story.

[ edited by FalenAnjl on 2005-07-20 02:17 ]

FalenAnjl | July 20, 04:01 CET

The second issue was very good, and there was a very subtle reference about the wrath of the Senior Partners at the end of Not Fade Away.

Snippet of relevant dialogue.

"No place completely escaped damage. Some got it worse than others".

Simon | July 20, 12:37 CET

Sounding ominous. Damn those Senior Partners!

Apocalypse | July 20, 12:50 CET

Simon - I must have missed the subtle reference. Can you fill me in.

I enjoyed issue #1 but thought issue 2 was much better. It had more of an Angel feel to it. That Cordelias commercial was released in Romania was a welcomed "Joss-type-of-humor" kind of thing....

Jonas | July 20, 17:36 CET

"I don't think that you can or it is needed to be compared to the Spike one shot. Both stories are different with different styles, settings and characters. Both fit the moods for their particular story."

FalenAnjil I'm guessing this is in response to my post. As you didn't address your comments to me, if this is incorrect apologies.

However, I didn't compare the two comics at all. I don't understand why you think I did. *confused*

As to Angel's future relationships. Going by what was written, he said in the first issue that his relationships with Buffy and Cordy hadn't worked out. I don't see how that translates to it meaning he and Buffy are getting back together if Dark Horse no longer has rights over the Btvs characters. *shrugs*

I love Angel and think his character grew tremendously on Ats. I want him to move forward, to continue to work on his redemption. I'm of the belief that a person's redemptive journey shouldn't be about who they'll end up with, but how they end up for themselves. IMO. :0)

lynnie | July 20, 19:06 CET

Lynnie said


Hmmm. Actually, I clicked the link despite warning that there is nothing new there - and discovered the title of Spike's second comic



I think the title supports your theory and indicates that it's a flashback. Hopefully Fred will look more like Fred in this one. :)

Moscow Watcher | July 20, 19:29 CET

So far I haven't read a thing that explains why Angel would go to the gypsies now of all times. Not while he was with Buffy and they struggled with the fear of the curse, no, now. I saw nothing else but 'I want something for myself now'. I had hoped for a little more in terms of motivation but I guess it could still come.

The art is good at atmosphere, but the action flow is kinda crap. Most vamps seem to stand still and pose to be staked. Also not crazy about an entire issue of Angel running through the woods while staking some vamps and summing up his own resume. But then this may be one of those stories that reads better in trade paperback, when you can read the whole thing in one go.

EdDantes | July 20, 21:32 CET

I'm in "the second issue was much better" club. Totally thought the first one was crappy, but had already ordered the second and said oh well. To my surprise, I liked the second one much more than I thought I would. Not saying it's the coolest Angel story ever, but I don't consider it a financial loss and it was enjoyable for the reasons stated above.

April | July 20, 22:32 CET