June 17, 2005

Spike Coverage in TV Guide

I believe it's been mentioned elsewhere, but I thought I'd let you guys know that the new issue of TV Guide features a half-page write-up on page 12 about the "Angel" and "Spike" comics coming from IDW. They feature the cover from my "Spike" one-shot and a capsule description of the plot. No, my name isn't mentioned, but that's fine; it's not like my name is going to mean anything to TV Guide readers. Meantime IDW got a bunch of new orders in for the book that they directly attribute to the TV Guide write-up.

Best of all, there's going to be a full page ad on the inside cover of the one-shot for "Fallen Angel," so it'll be a nice way to let potential new readers about the book's existence.

Very shortly you'll be seeing artwork from the new artist, either here or on Newsarama. You won't believe how gorgeous it looks.

PAD

Posted by Peter David at June 17, 2005 12:38 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commenting
Comments
Posted by: Joe Krolik at June 17, 2005 02:05 AM

The fun part about all this will be that Fallen Angel will likely do much better through IDW than it did through DC. The success will be well-deserved indeed!

Posted by: cal at June 17, 2005 02:35 AM

I had a lady come in tonight looking for the Angel and Spike comics that she had read about on the internet. I had my Previews with me at work, so I pulled it out and showed her that the comics were at IDW now, she hadn't paid attention to that part, explained about newstand versus direct, and gave her directions to the two nearest specialty stores.

Posted by: Luigi Novi at June 17, 2005 02:57 AM

Peter, let me ask you something: I've never seen an episode of Buffy or Angel, but since it's you, I might be curious enough to pick it up. Will I be able to understand it? Is there enough exposition for newbies? Thanks. :-)

Posted by: Peter David at June 17, 2005 03:06 AM

"Peter, let me ask you something: I've never seen an episode of Buffy or Angel, but since it's you, I might be curious enough to pick it up. Will I be able to understand it? Is there enough exposition for newbies? Thanks. :-)"

I certainly think you should be able to, yeah. I mean, there's certain things that are a given, such as the existence of vampires, so I don't bother to explain what vampires are. But I knew that people unfamiliar with the protagonists might still be giving the book a shot because of my name on it, and so I did my best to make the story easy to understand for newcomers to the Whedon-verse.

Now if you read it, like it, and want to know more about the specific episodes that inspired it, I'll refer you to them, and you can rent the appropriate "Buffy" DVDs and watch them to get the full picture.

PAD

Posted by: gvalley at June 17, 2005 03:26 AM

Sweet. I'd Make sure that ad says 'from the writer of Spike, FN Spider-Man, and The Hulk' in it, or something.

Posted by: Peter David at June 17, 2005 03:38 AM

"Sweet. I'd Make sure that ad says 'from the writer of Spike, FN Spider-Man, and The Hulk' in it, or something."

I'm figuring it will simply say "From the writer of Spike: Old Times," since most Buffy fans won't give a damn about Spidey or the Hulk. Very simply, if they like the comic they just read, they may want to check out this other one.

PAD

Posted by: Scott Iskow at June 17, 2005 04:57 AM

TV Guide, eh? I guess it pays to do the occasional TV/movie tie-in book. Especially if you get some of those people turned on to Fallen Angel.

Of course, there's two tie-in comics I'd love to see PAD write: An ongoing Buffyverse title, or an ongoing Star Trek title in which he has more creative freedom. (With Star Trek gone from television and the big screen, they have the potential to thrive as comics. There's always novels, of course, but I'm sure the fans will be hungry for new stories.)

Posted by: Michael A. Burstein at June 17, 2005 08:01 AM

But your name does mean something to TV Guide readers. Or at least, this one. I was reading the letters column one day and saw a letter attributed to "Peter David," and said, "Aha! It's that Peter David." And I was right.

Posted by: Dan Taylor at June 17, 2005 12:51 PM

I saw the art just this morning. Gorgeous.

Posted by: Michael J Norton at June 17, 2005 01:03 PM

Congratulations PAD! I know lots of writers would love to have their own creation advertised in the most widely read magazine in America.

Michael

Posted by: John DiBello at June 17, 2005 01:35 PM

FN Spider-Man

An unfortunate abbreviation. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's mentally saying "Effin' Spider-Man" when I read that.

Then again, that would be a great book!

Posted by: cal at June 17, 2005 01:43 PM

I'm slow this morning. I hadn't thought "effin" until John pointed it out. It'll be stuck there now though.

Posted by: darrik at June 17, 2005 02:02 PM

"FN Spider-Man

An unfortunate abbreviation. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's mentally saying "Effin' Spider-Man" when I read that.

Then again, that would be a great book!"

Well, it _would_ get rid of the kid mentality that some customers might have.

Posted by: Mark at June 17, 2005 04:12 PM

Peter,

Have you thought about this:

1) Random Buffy fan picks up the Spike one-shot and likes it.
2) Random Buffy fan sees the add for Fallen Angel and seeks it out.
3) Random Buffy fan gets pissed when they realize that Fallen Angel is not about the Angel they were thinking of.

Posted by: Steve Horton at June 17, 2005 04:48 PM

Yes, but is it "gorgeous to look at" as Randy Lander says in every other review he writes? :) (Just kidding Randy, I love The Fourth Rail)

Posted by: Scavenger at June 17, 2005 05:49 PM

"I'm figuring it will simply say "From the writer of Spike: Old Times," since most Buffy fans won't give a damn about Spidey or the Hulk."

Makes sense...lets be honest..who's going to be reading this...Buffy/Angel fans and Peter David fans. The B/A fans won't be swayed by Spidey/Hulk (unless they're serious fans of the 3 Geeks, or whatever they were called)..and PAD fans already know.

Posted by: BBayliss at June 17, 2005 05:54 PM

Posted by: Michael J Norton at June 17, 2005 01:03 PM
Congratulations PAD! I know lots of writers would love to have their own creation advertised in the most widely read magazine in America.

Michael


I'm pretty sure he meant the ad for his own creation will be in the Spike book, which wouldn't (much to PAD's dismay) be the most widely-read magazine in america.

Although, hey! let's be optimistic here. Maybe it will be when it comes out!

Posted by: Queen Anthai at June 18, 2005 09:32 PM

*sigh*

You're going to make me buy TV Guide when I only have one channel, you know.

Posted by: Luke K. Walsh at June 18, 2005 10:30 PM

I knew there was a reason I was getting the feeling that I should be buying TV Guide again! ;)

Also, I think Michael was congratulating PAD on getting the SPIKE ONESHOT advertised in the most widely-circulated magazine in the country... which is pretty cool! (And hopefully that free press will, through the ad in "Spike", help Fallen Angel, too!)

Posted by: dranj70 at June 19, 2005 08:11 AM

Has the artist for FA been officially named?

Posted by: Sage at June 19, 2005 03:27 PM

When are these projects coming out?

Posted by: Peter David at June 19, 2005 03:42 PM

"Spike: Old Times" is out in August, and "Fallen Angel" will be in December. Yes, we have an artist for the latter. We'll be announcing him shortly.

PAD

Posted by: Jerome Maida at June 19, 2005 04:08 PM

Darrik,
I think 'random Buffy fans" will realize Fallen Angel is different from the Angel they are familiar with when they see - probably in the ad - that she's FEMALE!

PAD,
Congratulation on getting some press for your Spike one-shot.

Posted by: Kathy at June 20, 2005 09:00 AM

Peter...I think the Spike one shot will do VERY well, especially with Buffy and Angel fans.I pre-ordered mine as soon as it was announced , but the TV Guide ad will probably help get the news out as well. . The art work for this comic is incredible. Most of us still have hope that Spike will become a major part of the Angel mini series, and personally I would love to see Spike get his OWN miniseries. I know I would buy it.
This characters popularity has grown to mega status over the past few years and it would be a great way to continue his story in his owm comic series. Spike is HIS OWN man...he is NOTHING like Angel...it's Spike's turn to shine now.
Please think about doing a Spike series, hopefully with stories post NFA.

Posted by: Sassy at June 20, 2005 04:27 PM

It is so good to see how well BOTH comics are doing. Both of these comics will do VERY well with fans and that is very good to see.


I for one am glad that the Angel comic is all about him. I missed that.

I am glad you wrote the Spike one shot, as it will stay in character and not become something he is not. I am not intrested in a mini series of Spike on his own as he is so much better in a group setting or playing off the lead. Spike is popular, but his popularity will never be more then Angel or Buffy's and that is how it should be and why they alone have the series.

Kathy, you are right he will never be anything like Angel, and for that EVERY Angel fan is grateful. Spike shined in the show and now the one shot.

David, any chance of ever looking into Faith as a charatcer for a one-shot comic to be pitched? There are just as many Faith fans for the Eliza driven character that is hugely popular , as well.

I look forward to Fallen Angel. Strong Females, that DON'T need a man are always cool. Even ones who have a man are coolas long as they do sacrafice their personalities and common sense just to be with the guy! Go PAD!

Posted by: Jennifer at June 20, 2005 06:26 PM

Actually there was a poll, wish I could find it, in which Spike was more popular than Buffy. Hmmm, I think he beat Angel in a poll too. I don't know if he is as popular as those two or not, but he sure is close.

Anyway, I'd love to see a mini-series based on Spike in addition to this one shot. Many said Angel couldn't carry a show as the lead and Joss proved them wrong. I'm sure Spike could be the lead. It's not like he'd be alone - there would still be interaction with other characters.

I was very happy to learn that Jeff Mariotte's second Angel mini-series is going to include other characters from the tv show. Looks like we may see Spike in that one.

Posted by: Sassy at June 20, 2005 09:03 PM

Polls are just that and in the long run mean nothing. There is NO Buffyverse without Buffy and NO angelverse without Angel. And NO verse at all without Joss and Fox.

You have to have the right interaction. Like Angel with Cordy and Wes and Buffy with her core four.

hey David, anything new for you in the Star trek verse?

Posted by: Lucy at June 21, 2005 05:14 AM

And there is now Spikeverse without Spike. And I'd also like to see Peter David do a mini-series based in the Spikeverse. That would be great!

Posted by: Lucy at June 21, 2005 05:16 AM

Um, that was supposed to be "no" instead of "now"... (oops)

Posted by: Jennifer at June 21, 2005 10:34 AM

Before there was an Angelverse, Angel was a part of the Buffyverse. So Joss has successfully taken characters from one show and gave them their own verse. Who are you to say he couldn't do it again? Any of the the other characters from Buffy or Angel could certainly have a 'verse of their own.

You mentioned popularity. Polls are an indicator of popularity. Q numbers, which measure favorably of a character via focus groups are a measure of popularity as well - James Marsters had the best Q numbers. Sales is a measure of popularity - Spike related items sell out faster than the other characters.

Who is the title character of a show is based on the decision-making of the writer and the network suits. We all know the suits don't make popular decisions or Angel wouldn't have been cancelled. Joss has never based his decisions on what he thinks most people want - he gives us what he thinks we need.

Yes, you have to have good interaction with other characters. Since Joss created shows with a great ensemble cast in support of the lead, I imagine he'd do so again.

Joss has said he wants to return to the 'verse. There are lots of other factors involved and it may be a long time before it happens, but I can wait.

Posted by: randall cavanaugh at June 21, 2005 03:33 PM

Well-
It should be an interesting read. Whedon and crew did set up some good dynamics and there is a lot of latitude to work various angles. I am a fan of Buffy/Angel series, but have shied away from the comics (excepts Tales of the Slayer). Have a few of the novels (unread). I did sit through "Cordies" reading of Immortal (Charisma Carpenter does not have a career in 'books on tape'). But, since it is a PAD project. I will have a looksie. Once I finish Brimstone, I need to read your latest paperback. Just a bit of curiousity, are you attending the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention this year?

Posted by: rickwj324 at August 25, 2005 02:29 PM

Let me start off by saying that I'm a huge Buffy and Angel fan and was thrilled when I heard they were continuing the comics. I bought every Buffy and Angel comic that was released by Dark Horse.
Without stating any spoilers, I'm sure you Buffy/Angel fans know how Angel (the show) ended. When I read that a new Angel comic was coming I couldn't wait to see the "resolution" to that Series Finale. Well, I read the first comic and I didn't see any explanation/resolution!?? Did I miss something or did they just ignore that final scene from the show?
BTW... I'm glad to see Mr. David is writing these books. I hope to see many to come... :-)