PeterDavid.net

In three words or less:

Way cool.

(And if you're doing this for IDW, I'm hoping the rumors about "Fallen Angel" are true as well ... but I assume you'll comment on that one way or the other when it's feasible to do so.)

TWL

Looking forward to it!

Did you get any input from Whedon himself?

"Did you get any input from Whedon himself?"

Ostensibly comments came from Whedon, although for all I know, it was from an associate.

PAD

Can't think of anyone better, with the (only) possible exception of Whedon.

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!
I'm a huge Buffy/Angel series fan. So i'm lookin forward to the one shot! Do we have any idea who might be the artist on this?

Just a question PAD; do you allow folks to pimp thier sites on your BLOG?

If not, no worries :)

Thanks.

Hey, that's good news. Spike was an interesting character. Does this take place place before or after the series? I'm assuming by 'shedding light on his origins' you either mean it's before-hand or there's some kind of flashback?

Or is that... classified?

Y'know, my wife and I agree that Spike should just have his own TV show.

I never liked the buffy show or angel for that matter. I have seen my fair share of the series (an old roommate of mine was addicted so I watched it with her) but never flipped through any of the comics.

To be honest the only thing that could possibly draw me to any of the characters would be if they were written by Mr. David. So nuts to you Mr. David for making me spend an additional 3 bucks on comics whenever this one shot comes out. I'll buy and I'll probably love it, but I don't have to be happy about it.

This is GREAT news. With your respect for the series and characters, I'm anticipating GREAT things. Buffy has always had a great mix of horror and humor, which has also been true of your writing. I can only hope that this becomes a full-time gig . . . PAD writing a monthly BUFFY-VERSE comic? Now that's heaven!

Best of luck to all involved!!!

DJ

Cool. But I thought Dark Horse had the rights to Buffy?

Dark Horse still has BUFFY and picked up SERENITY, but let ANGEL lapse. IDW picked up ANGEL. Think of it like when BUFFY moved from the WB to UPN, save for the fact that IDW's Chris Ryall has stated a willingness to do crossovers if DH is interested.

To say that I'm looking forward to this, PAD, would be an uinderstatement, even moreso now that you've revealed a little of the plot.

I am curious, as well, about the character relations between BUFFY and ANGEL. I guess IDW gets Spike because he was last a regular on ANGEL? But then, it sounds like your story would have to take place before the end of BUFFY, given Hallie's involvement. Of course, this is the Jossverse, so resurrection is always a possibility, too...

A_Greene, better be prepared to spend more than $3. IDW's standard cover price is $3.99. But they put out gorgeous books with the highest possible production values, and I believe they're longer than the standard DC/Marvel 22 pages, as well.

Hoping that the other PAD/IDW runors are true, and knowing that PAD will comment on them when he can...

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Though I prefer my Buffy or Angel on the small screen, given that both shows are over, I'll take them where I can get them. And when PAD's writing, it's a given the book will be good.
I'm there!

Great news! I always believed that Hallie was Cecily, Spike's first love, and I hope the comic will confirm it!

Cool, but what does this have to do with how evil the Conservatives are? ;)

I had the opportunity to read most of the Buffy Universe tpbs and was disappointed for the most part. I look forward to this and my gf (Who was only introduced Buffy last year and is finishing up Season 5. I'll just make sure that we are past that particular episode in Season 6 on DVD before she reads it.) will as well.

Fred

Congrats, I'll definitely pick it up!
Hope the rumors about Fallen Angel moving to IDW are true as well.

I'm sooooooooooooo there. Whenever I would send emails to Peter David, I asked him if he'd ever do a B/A story, esp. a Spike/Dru story. Well, there's no Dru (as far as we know), but Spike'll do. You'll get my money, that's for sure.

Let's hope this leads to B/A novels, so PAD'll corner that market like he did w/ Trek.

Guessing this will occur, timeline wise, before or during season 7 of Buffy. I think Joss is saving what happens to Angel and Spike after the end of Angel's run for himself, either a TV movie, big book, or something significant (I hear the first line will be "Angel ducked....) so that rules out anything occuring after Angel ended.

Any word on who's doing the art?

Isn't the connection between Spike and Hallie the Vengeance Demon is that she was the object of his desires before he became a vamp.

Hell no! No B/A story! There's no room for vomity sappy endings in the Whedonverse. I wish someone would write a Spike and Darla comic/novel instead. That's unchartered territory -- so many ways you could go with that. She could haunt his dreams the way she haunted Angel's. And since they were both part of the great fanged four gang, there could be interesting flashbacks written into the story as well. Basically I just want my favorite characters featured in the same publication together. Yeah, I'll just go read some more fanfic.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Peter David + Buffy = me obnoxiously happy at 9:30 on a Sunday morning.

HELLS YES.

I'm gonna coast for a week on this goodness. Oh my God. You have no idea how squealy I am over this.

Hee.

My happiness is far too easily bought off. :)

Let's hope this leads to B/A novels, so PAD'll corner that market like he did w/ Trek.

B/A novels have been around for quite a while, actually -- I haven't read 'em and have no idea about quality, but that's a market PAD would have to enter before he can corner it. :-)

TWL

Finally, PAD is doing a Buffy comic! I've been waiting forever for this moment! One of my dreams is to see him on an ongoing Buffy series. This is the first step.

Bwahahahahahaha!!!!

I have to say I am in agreement with A_Green. I'll buy this, and probably love it, but I don't have to be happy about it.

That said...I hadn't heard the *rumor* until reading this thread, and I will add my hopes the rumor is true. If enough people think something is true...isn't that supposed to make it true?

This is absolutely fantastic news! The wife & I are both looking forward to it.

A couple o' different points brought up by others:
A_Greene, better be prepared to spend more than $3. IDW's standard cover price is $3.99. But they put out gorgeous books with the highest possible production values, and I believe they're longer than the standard DC/Marvel 22 pages, as well.

Given this is a one-shot, and they've announced a string of Angel mini-series, if they follow the format they've established with their other big licensed property (CSI and CSI: Miami), the one-shots are prestige format books, priced around 7/8 bucks. But, I still can't wait...and I think it'll be worth every penny. :-)

I think Joss is saving what happens to Angel and Spike after the end of Angel's run for himself, either a TV movie, big book, or something significant (I hear the first line will be "Angel ducked....) so that rules out anything occuring after Angel ended.

When IDW announced the deal, they also announced that the first scheduled Angel mini-series is set after the end of the tv series.

Does this occur after "Not Fade Away" or does this strictly take place in Spike's past? The character has worked so hard to become a better man that I'd hate for his character to be reduced back down to stories that only portray him as evil.

This is pretty kickass.

Add me to the list of squealers. Since essentially everything on television these days comepells me to yawn uncontrollably, lately I've been reading, imagine this, the X-men and other comics for fun. And nosing through old volumes at the cool local comic shop has even led me back to some of my old favorites, like Neil Gaiman. Another yay. And get this, even my bf who hates Buffy loved my recent purchase of Firefly, which was the perfect WhedonFix after a year of Whedonless televsion.

So a Spike comic? Bring forth and multiply!

I thought the joke about Hallie seeing Spike in 6 was just that it was the same actress... yet, her "William?" could have just conveniently opened a yet-unexplored relationship in the Whedonverse. It's never been explained beyond that. I would love to see Cecily-turned-Hallie. We did see Hallie and Anyanka dining once during the French revolution, but I can't date the French Revolution on the spot so I hope it was after Dru sired Spike. Sheesh. Now I have to go and check dates. Hallie couldn't be Cecily if the French Revolution took place before Spike was sired. But if it took place after Spike was sired, well then... unless... unless... Cecily was a vengenance demon all along? Interesting.

Anyway, I've been hunting around for some old graphic Buffy/Angel/Whoever-in-the-Whedonverse novels, and well, wasn't overly thrilled by some results (but my Fray trade collection does come in this Wednesday). All that said, now's the time for some great new reading. With great new visuals. I'll be one of those geeks who pays in advance. :)

Actually, IIRC, that was the Russian Revolution the two Vengance Demons were dining during. Which, while I can't recall the exact dates of said bloody event off the top of my head, it was in the early 1900s, so safely after William became Spike.... :)

Googled it - the Russian Revolution began in January 1905.

Spike was sired in the 1880's or 1890's, yes? I'd have to rewatch "Fool For Love."

RE: If Cecily was Hallie. One thing to remember if that D'Hoffryn was a powerful demon and the concept of time and space aren't linear to him. He could've turned Cecily and given her powers to go back in time. Food for thought.

Let's just give PAD the time to write his story. I know he'll do Spike justice.

I thought I heard somewhere that Whedon confirmed that even though it was never said on screen, Hallie was Cecily, there to serve vengeance on someone undercover (much like Anya was undercover as a high-school student).
Or maybe that particular tid-bit was something from a fanfic my wife related to me.
I can't remember.

Halfrek existed during the Crimean War, which took place during the 1850's. You can find the reference in "Lessons". Fool For Love took place in the 1880's. So, that rules out human Cecily turning into Halfrek.

Awsome!! Spike is sooo cool. More Spike. I believe that just making a Spike series would have been a huge deal! People would love it!
I know I would anyway. Spike is an interesting character with alot of different sides to him...

My favorite writer and my favorite character of the Buffyverse, it's like the Reeses Peanut Butter cup of genre.

Or as they might say in the United Kingdom:

TOO RIGHT!

-- Ken from Chicago

OMG, I'm soooooo giddy right now! Peter David's run on Supergirl is my FAVORITE comics run ever....

Buffy and Angel? My two favorite shows.

This is like...heaven...

But Hallie was vanquished in season six be dehofron. I think I spelt that right!

Hallie was killed in the Season 7 episode "Helpless" by D'Hoffryn.

I've never really followed Buffy, but if this makes you happy, then write it.

Grr. "Selfless," I mean.

This sounds great! I will ceritnly buy it.

Although didn't Hallie/Cecliy die in season 7 ('Selfless')?

after i posted earlier i read a lil more and realized i was wrong about the notFrench but Russian Revolution. my bad.

however,
"Halfrek existed during the Crimean War, which took place during the 1850's. You can find the reference in "Lessons". Fool For Love took place in the 1880's. So, that rules out human Cecily turning into Halfrek."
not really. Hallie could have very easily been playing the role of Cecily when William was smitten with her. As Anyanka played the role of a high school student when she got stuck in Sunnydale. That would TOTALLY explain why she said, "William?" in a Cecily voice, when Hallie saw Spike in season six. or seven. (five?) or whenever it was she she bumped into him and recognized him again.

I am so happy to hear about this comic and to have one of my favorite writers working on it (LOVED the Babylon 5 novels, btw).

I just really hope that the comic doesn't focus on evil Spike but on pre-vamp Spike and post-soul Spike. I think there has been enough evil Spike books and comics and it's time to explore the more complex aspects of his character.

Vengence Demons are attracted to chaos. Spike caused a lot of chaos. So they're knowing each other chould also be explained by them simply bumping into each other in the past - without her necessarily being Cecily.

I didn't think she was using a Cecily voice when she said William, but that I suppose is open to interpretation.

Also, in "Entropy" Spike sees Halfrek with her human face. If she were Cecily, surely he would've reconized her then, even if he hadn't quite reconized her when she was wearing her demon face in "Older and Far Away."

Anyway, I thought Joss already established that they were two different characters and that the recognition was just a nod to fans who remembered the actress as Cecily.

Finally, PAD is doing a Buffy comic! I've been waiting forever for this moment! One of my dreams is to see him on an ongoing Buffy series.

Heh. You ever read his Supergirl series? To some people this will just solidfy the theory that PAD was angling to do a Buffy story all along.

Yo, I've never watched Buffy or Angel, I have a vague knowledge of who Spike is and what he does. Would I get anything out of this comic or not?

Heh. You ever read his Supergirl series? To some people this will just solidfy the theory that PAD was angling to do a Buffy story all along.

I woulndn't say that. I'd sooner say that Buffy was Whedon's attempt to put Supergirl on TV. Seriously, I don't think anything's going to be helped by bringing up all that Supergirl/Buffy nonsense.

I prefer evil, kick-ass Spike to season 6/7 mopey, slayer whipped Spike anyday...

That said, I wish you the best of luck with this comic.

At least don't say anything about "railroad spikes" as William's fellow club members did on teevee -- Brits don't have "railroads", they have "railways", and i believe that the rails are held to the "sleepers" (not "crossties") by bolts, not spikes.

This is some wonderful news! PAD playing in the Whedonverse!

The one shot shall be added to my pull list!

This news is so wonderful that such a truly intlelligent and talented writer will be taking on the most interesting and multi-layer character in the Jossverse. Ecstatic doesn't cover it. I would be horribly disappointed if the story only covered the old hat story of "evil" Spike. He had grown into such a complex character by the end of both series that I hope that his journey will continue from where it ended in that alley. Two dimensional Spike holds nothing for me, but the Spike that had transformed and matured by the end of "Angel", sparked my imagination and anything that would explore his future story will command my loyal attention. Simple evil is banal and easy to write but focusing on a character's intricacy and depth is where the challenge lies. I know you will not disappoint your fans, the Spike fans or those that are both, like I am and
I am looking forward to reading about Spike's continued journey as seen through your eyes.

i would love to see a series about spike after the angel finale. he's far more unique then angel.

see ya

this is great news. I love Spike and all the rest of the chaacters from Buffy and Angel but I have a question for you Mr. David. Is this going to be before or after "Not Fade Away", the Angel finale? And if it is before the Angel finale, does it involve Evil Spike or Souled Spike?

I'm ecstatic that you're doing this comic. Hopefully this will be wicked fun Spike instead of cardboard whipped and worthless S6/7 Spike. He was once a great character but in the hands of Noxon and Espenson he was turned into a virtual Mary Sue. Thankfully back in the hands of actual talent, I hope to see that rectified.

I'm also ecstatic that you're doing this comic, but I very truly hope that it ISN'T evil Spike. The thing that makes Spike so fascinating is his changeability and adaptability that allowed him to slowly transform from a villain into a champion, yet some would deny him that, and force him back into the role of two-dimensional villain. That's like only wanting Star Wars comics that have Luke Skywalker as a farmboy on Tatooine with his aunt and uncle. Yet Dark Horse never released a single comic that showed Spike as a hero. There were evil Spike and Dru solo comics, plus tales set during Season 2, and the duo made an appearance in Tales of the Vampires, so that side of him has been more than covered in graphic form. He's had small roles as the semi-evil "wacky neighbor" Season 4 Spike, and ONE issue had him as Buffy's Season 6 secret lover, but no comic writer has accepted the challenge of writing Spike as a hero. Snarky, impulsive, insightful, brave, heroic Spike, fighting the good fight because it's what's right. Any hack can write evil Spike, but it takes a writer of Peter David's caliber to really do justice to the complexities that make up the Spike we saw during the last season of Angel. Anyone who saw that character as cardboard and worthless just wasn't paying attention to the spectacular multi-layered character that Joss and company had slowly developed over the seasons.

This is great news, Mr David. I've been a fan of your writing for a long time - from back when you were writing The Hulk - and I can't think of a better writer to further Spike's story than you.

I'm sure that you will honour all aspects of the character, who changed from one-dimensional, disposable villain in season 2 of BtVS to be one of the most interesting and heroic characters in Joss Whedon's world. If any writer can give us all the complexities of that character, I know you can. I look forward to reading the comic.

I'm really looking forward to a Spike book, though I'm really hoping it's set after Spike moved to Angel and with the Halfrek scenes in the past. I'm interested in the complex good man that saved the world and how he's moved on and grown from what he was, not cartoon Evol Spike.

I am a huge Angel fan (and Buffy) so I am very excited about the Angel comics. I hope this Spike comic is one that shows earlier Spike when he and Dru were a lot of fun. I also enjoyed the Spike and Angel relationship that developed in S5 of Angel.

Spike is my favorite character in Jossverse and I'm very excited by the news of this comic. Hopefully it will take place after AtS season 5 and we can learn what happened to Spike. Or at least the main story is when Spike is redeemed. I prefer Spike with a soul or when he was in love with Buffy and struggling with being a vampire to season 2 Spike.

I am really looking forward to getting this. Peter is one of the few people that I feel can nail Spike down (pun intended).

I am really impressed with the actor who played Spike, James Marsters. If they wanted an American to play John Considine, it should have been him.

Also looking forward to this comic. I find the journey of souled Spike fascinating.

CURSE YOU PETER DAVID!!

YOU STOLE MY ONE-SHOT STORY TO BREAK INTO LOYAL FRATERNITY OF COMIC BOOK WRITERS!

The Spike/Hallie storyline was one I was working on. It contained the whole backstory on how Cecily became Halfrek and how Spike fit into all of this, and it featured an epiloge with discourse between the two of them after Spike's one time tabletop dance with Anya.

mumbling under breath and ganshing teeth.
Oh well, if it can't be my shot, I'm glad one of the few writers I trust will handle this backstory and live up to the legend of Joss himself.

Count on me to buy it. I'll just add my story up on some fan-fic post somewhere.

So excited to hear this news! Spike's fascinating journey from basic villain to snarky, souled champion has earned him a permanent place in my heart. It'll be interesting to see what you do with him.

I haven't bought a comic in years, but I'll be buying this one.

Sweet, Spike and PAD, can a fangirl squeal any louder? All this talk about evil Spike or champion Spike, me, I prefer the one that called the girl he saved in the alley a halfwit and a retard and the one who read his peotry in public for the first time. Spike the true anti-hero. The guy who saves the day and will never admit he is a hero, cause heroes are wankers.

But hey, the Hallie/William story is one that was left hanging and I can't wait to find out your spin on things.

Go Spike and PAD.

Oh this is exciting! Spike is one of the most complex, fascinating characters in the Whedonverse ,such a mix of evil and humanity in the early seasons and then developing into a true hero and champion . Best of luck I can't wait to see what you come up with.

I have your entire Supergirl run as well as issues of Spider-Man.

I'm looking forward to this and the Angel miniseries.Since the Angel comic is going to be post NFA,is this?Personally my favorite Spike is evil Spike with Dru but even post NFA could include flashbacks to evil Spike.I couldn't stand season 6 and especially season 7 Spike but liked season 5 Ats Spike.Also hope what Chris Ryall,Editor-in-Chief of IDW said at Newsarama happens down the line.That he would be open to doing an IDW/Dark Horse Angel/Buffy crossover.I would love to see a B/A reunion comic.

My favourite TV character of all time is to be turned into a comic book hero, by my all time favourite comic book writer. My cup runneth over !
Sarky,Sardonic,dynamic yet vulnerable - Spike !

Hi, I'm glad to hear you're writing Spike of the Buffyverse. While my favorite characters remain Buffy and Angel (talk about complex!), I'm curious to see what's going on with Spike as well. Personally, I enjoyed the character best during Buffy season 4 and Angel season 5. I love snarky Spike. I wish you the best luck in the new series and I hope to see a return to the character so many fans fell in love with (before being turned off by patethic, pseudo-Angel, slayer-whiped Spike)

I was thinking about commenting on this when it was first mentioned, as a rumor, on an earlier thread. By now, it seems as though just about every possible comment had been made (including someone who watched BtVS, multiple times, and didn't like it !!!! Wow, I guess anything IS possible); but, with one of my favorite comic book writers about to write about one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite - things in all of creation (those three letters in my email address - not a coincidence) - gotta say something.

So ... VERY cool, PAD. One of the first things I remember really getting into on this site were the old discussions of the show back when new episodes were being broadcast, so I'm well aware, and trusting, of your interest in the "Whedonverse". I like Spike all through his evolution, and I'm sure wherever in events your work takes place, it'll be a great read. Thanks!

I think I just saw a cover for this -- by John Byrne? Whassup with that?

So when can we expect the FALLEN ANGEL/ANGEL crossover? :-)

Okay, you're doing a Spike comic. I don't know how DC let you get away with it, but you're doing it. So what happened to Sugar, and will the heirs of Sheldon Moldoff be angry at you?

Or is this the other Spike, the cute li'l bulldog with the protective father with the Jimmy Durante voice, and will Tom and Jerry appear in it? In which case, AOL-TW ought to be happy that someone's doing something with the character.

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2 thoughts:

--Can we get PAD to write a FAITH story (she's my favorite Whedonverse character)?

and, I know I'm likely to regret it, but...

--what's the Buffy/Supergirl can o' worms I've seen a few people talking about?

OOOKay, bit late to this thread, but I'll post anyway, and answer some stuff along the way. This is way TOO COOL for me not to comment on. Congrats, PAD. I can't wait!

David Hunt,
"Seriously, I don't think anything's going to be helped by bringing up all that Supergirl/Buffy nonsense."
I couldn't agree more, especially since I don't see a damn bit of similarity between the two characters.

Talest Fan Ever,
"Yo, I've never watched Buffy or Angel. I have a vague knowledge of who Spike is or what he does. Would i get anything out of this comic or not."

Given PAD's ability to tell a tale, I feel you will get a god sense of the character and care about him and what is going on, regardless of whether or not you currently "know" the character. Especialy since this is a one-shot. That is what a good-let alone great - writer does.

Themis,
"I wish someone would write a Spike and Darla"
Someone has. There have been three one-shots by Dark Horse starring these two characters. They have been reprinted in TPB as well. Happy hunting!

SirsApril,
"Ive been hunting around for some old graphic Bufy/Angel/whoever in the Whedonverse novels, and wasn't overly thrilled by some results."
Yes, few capture the "feel" of the show. One exception is the TPB "Buffy:The Origin", which shows the movie exactly as it was imagined by Joss and not how it was shot (remember how on the TV show they mention Buffy burning down the gym yet t was never in the movie. It's here, along with other darker, cooler stuff.
Anything by Scott Lobdell is good. He seemed to have the charcter down. My favorites are "The Death of Buffy", dealing with the three months between Seasons 5 and 6, and "Viva Las Buffy", which has Buffy going to Vegas...with Pike! Cool stuff all the way around.

Edison,
"Did you get any input from Whedon himself?"
Here is a quote from Chrs Ryall, Editor-In-Chief of IDW on the Newsarama thread concerning this:

"If it helps to sweeten the deal for you, Joss has personal aproval over everything we're doing."

Tim Lynch,
"B/A novels have been around for quite a while, actually. I haven't read 'em and have no idea about quality but that's a market PAD would have to enter before he can corner it :)"

The quality of the B?A novels has actually been quite god. Authors include Christie Golden, whose talents are more on display writing novels than comics, and Jeff Mariotte, who I feel is to Angel novels what PAD is to trek novels.

Tell me if it is after angel tv series.