Post by wenxina on Mar 3, 2010 10:55:57 GMT -5
Hey all!
Rules are simple: Maximum of three (3) questions per member until I submit your questions to Jeanty. I will post a note to let you know when I send off questions to reopen the floor. As always, there is a possibility of a delay, so thanks for your patience. Keep it clean, keep it civil. Simple right? Entries are welcome until I post a closing post. Questions regarding Twilight NO LONGER HAVE TO SPOILER-TAGGED! (Thank goodness... it was a pain having to make sure that the appropriate questions/answers were spoiler-tagged).
Anyone who's reading this and not a member, I'm accepting questions at wenxina@slayalive.com. Feel free to send me your questions and I'll add them to the queue with credit to you.
Alright... GO!
1. Charles: When Faith hears Twilight/Angel speaking in his natural, she appears to recognize it faster then Giles or Andrew does and looks very upset. Is that right or am I mis-reading her facial expression there?
Georges: I know Faith is upset at Giles because he already knew about all this, and it's only now catching up to him. There's a lot of backstory here so I don't want to say too much. I could see Faith suspecting because she's confided in Angel before and she has a keen street vibe that would start her Spidey sense tingling. That's my guess.
2. Michelle Klarman: On your last Q&A, you mentioned that with the reveal of Twilight as Angel, you focused prominently on Angel’s face and that you spent a lot of time getting other faces right; Since Angel has played such an important role in Buffy’s life, I would imagine there would be such a mix of emotions coming from her. How difficult was it to get Buffy’s reaction down?
Georges: It was hard, I won’t lie. Buffy wasn't that hard since I've been drawing her for the last 3 years straight. Angel was a little difficult, and still is, because he's so new to me. I started drawing him almost the same time I had to draw him in the book. I always knew that I would have to get to him eventually as well as a few of the other characters. But honestly, I'm really jazzed that the gang is all here (or almost all here). I don't mind the extra hours of drawing face time.
3. bamph: So, what are you feeling on this day that Buffy #33 comes out and the big reveal is finally in the book?
Georges: A huge sigh of relief! There were so many times over the years that I wanted to tell people, when Angel shows up you'll see how things get kicked into hi- gear! Every time someone would come up to me at a Con and try to guess who Twilight was, all I could do was smile and nod and say, “Yeah, that's interesting”.
4. bamph: Scott did an interview that was published last night with Buffyfest about today's issue. The last question and his answer was this.
Would you say that this is going to be reflected in certain ways during the rest of Season 8 in Twilight's/Angel's actions and motives?Also do you agree with Scott that this is Joss's take, that the most important thing for Joss when it comes to Angel is Buffy?
Georges: I would agree, all of these events tie into the Mythology of Slayers and Vampires. There is a reason all of this is happening. It's not a random event. Once it's explained I think you'll understand the whole of Season 8.
5. lmblack21: Re: the new Scott Allie interview mentioned above, regarding what is most important to Angel - Buffy - I have to say as a Buffy/Angel pairing lover, I was very happy to see it. But I can't help but wonder about Connor and Angel's ongoing story arc of redemption. Can you talk about whether or not those factors will be raised?
Georges: The main story is the whole Twilight issue. I don't know what Joss has planned for any fall out stuff, but maybe that's what Season 9 will cover...
6. lmblack21: This might be too spoilery but I can't help but be nervous as a B/A and an ANGEL fan of all the very positive B/A and Angel quotes we've gotten lately. On the one hand it could be a hint to what we might see in the pages, on the other hand it could be a very big setup for heartbreak and that does seem to be Joss' M.O. I'm trying to decide how to ask this question without asking you to tell us where the story is going, but it is hard to do!
Scott Allie once answered "yeah" to a question of 'should fans be worried about Buffy', so I guess my question is, should fans of Angel and B/A be more worried because of all the positive quotes, knowing about the reveal? It almost feels like we're being given SO much in positive, reaffirming quotes that we should be taking on crash positions instead of happily basking in the attitudes expressed by people in the know.
Georges: Well, this is Joss we're talking about. Does anything ever end neatly with his stories? We might see some more surprises in the coming issues. The season isn't over yet! It almost feels like we're being given so much in positive, reaffirming quotes that we should be taking our crash positions instead of happily basking in the attitudes expressed by people in the know. Positive, Negative. It's all so relative. I won’t say the party is coming to an end, but it will shift its focus.
7. Hellbound Hyperion: Glowing Buffy. Your idea, Joss's idea, or Meltzer's idea? I was kinda wondering why Buffy seemed to be outlined more clearly, but then Angel mentioned it in conversation so I was like "hey alright neat idea" and wondered whether this is part of the story or if it was a decision you made on the art side.
Georges: No. That's all intentional. You'll find out more about that glow next issue.
8. sosa lola: I really love the panel where Buffy looks at Xander and says that she's turning into a vampire, you're really great with facial expressions and the Buffy likeness was spot on. And as a Xander fangirl, I adore him in new, different clothes, he really looked cute in that scene with Buffy. My question is mostly about Buffy's hair style, do you choose them according to the TV seasons or somewhere else?
I really wanted to praise you in these first preview panels, you did a wonderful job. I'm guessing this month most of the questions are Twilight related, so figured let's ask about something else for a change.
Georges: Thanks! I do in a way. I try to mix it up with her hair. I tell myself that Buffy is a girl and as such she'll wear her hair differently from time to time. I try and do that in the story where some time has passed and you could understand her doing something to herself like changing clothes and hairstyle. No one tells me to put her hair a certain way. I asked Joss about that once and he said “I don't need to tell you what to do because you get it. Keep doing what you're doing.”
9. Billie Erin: If you had to assign a genre to the issues of Buffy season 8 following Twilight reveal, which would you choose? (E.g. horror, romance, psychological thriller etc.)
Georges: Can I choose all of them? That's always been the coolest thing about the show. It had elements of all those genres and that's what I love. So I would venture a guess and say it'll be more of the same.
10. Billie Erin: Who would you blame Twilight's actions on? Angel, Buffy or a third party?
Georges: How about this for an answer: an older party?
11. cheryl: Can we expect the rest of this season to focus heavily on the romantic dynamic between Buffy and Angel?
Georges: Yes and no. This story is only now being dissected and the romance is only part of it. Keep reading young Padawan, all will become clear.
12. cheryl: Is it safe to assume that just maybe Joss might allow them to finally be together? For real?
Georges: Sure that can happen, but as you well know, with Joss, every monumental occasion has consequences....
13. bamph: Was there any special instructions about designing the glow?
Georges: There were no specific instructions with the glow. It is a story element that arises as a result of Angel and Buffy.
14. bamph: Based off the ending of today's issue, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, how hot will things get between Buffy/Angel in upcoming issues?
Georges: 10.
15. moscowwatcher: Angel says he helps Buffy to avoid bigger body count. But in earlier issues every panel featuring Twilight and his accomplices clearly depicts him as the leader and the head of anti-slayer conspiracy. Did you draw those earlier panels that way because you didn't have enough information about Twilight, or your depiction is correct and in issue 33 Angel is lying to Buffy?
Georges: I think Angel says this more as in the bigger picture. People have died getting to where they are, but in the bigger picture it's not as many as could have if he hadn't stepped in. The Slayer line is very much at the forefront of all of this drama. There is a lot to be said at the end of this season.
16. buffycomic: Angel/David Boreanaz's hairstyle playing Angel has to be pretty unique to the world of comics. I've never seen any other male comic book character have such an intricate hairstyle (with the use of hair gel)... drawing David's face and hair, how did you capture the hair in comic book format? Did it help that so many other comic book artists have drawn Angel before you that you could reference how to simplify his hair for the comic look but still get across that hair-sticking-out-with gel-look, or did you take your own approach just by looking at photos of him and ignoring how other comic book artists have drawn his hair? I noticed some similarities between how you drew his hair and how Stephen Mooney drew his hair in Angel: After the Fall ) i.e. the use of shadows with hints of his brown hair.
Georges: Wow, such an involved question about Angel's hair. I go from pictures mostly. Angel's hair had become more of a regular look on at the end of the show's run, but I know most people seem him as that spiky haired guy. It's interesting when you think about it, how many characters had spiky hair, Angel, Andrew, and Oz. But never Spike.
17. wenxina: As the main artist of the series, do you know how it all ends? Is it a vague Impressionist landscape deal, or do you know all the specific details?
Georges: I know how it all ends. Not to the very last frame, mind you, the last few issues haven't been written yet, but there was a syllabus when we all started about where all this was going. All the major points were covered it was just up to the respective writers to fill in the gaps. And like I said, the end of Season 8 opens up a whole new door for "Season 9".
18. wenxina: Last time around, you said that the art for #33 and #34 were some pretty moments for you. Has #35 topped that for you?
Georges: 35 was way involved. There are a crap load of monsters. I drew that issue in sections, I dealt with all the Angel Buffy stuff first and then handled the monsters.
19. wenxina: So, #32 was mostly comedy. A large chunk of #33 was drama. #34, I've heard is where the action's at. Does that leave "tragedy" for #35?
Georges: Interesting train of thought...
20. stormwreath: The three pictures of Xander, Satsu and Willow speculating on what Buffy was doing... apart from Willow's expression in the last one and of course the speech balloons, they all look identical.
So, confession time. Did you individually draw the same panel three times, or was there some cutting and pasting going on there?
(It was a very amusing sequence, by the way!)
Georges: That was described as being identical panel. When that's called for it's usually good for the artist because all you have to do is draw it once and then leave the blank space for the other inserts. I changed Willow's look in the last one because I felt if she says they're having sex she wouldn't have the same expression on her face. I fancied she'd be a little annoyed because she'd be thinking 'how can you guys think of having sex at a time like this?!' Satsu and Xander would still be clueless at this point so I redrew Willow's face. I think that's how comedy works best in comics. No fancy angles, it all has to be timing.
21. cheryl: There seems to be some confusion concerning whether or not the current storyline is meant to undermine the history and connection between Buffy and Angel. What's your take on this? Is the current storyline going to undermine the history of Buffy and Angel's love?
Georges: Not at all. You'll find, either your satisfaction or frustration, that Season 8 served to redefine Buffy and Angel's relationship.
Would it be safe to assume that Angel IS Buffy's romantic interest of season 8?
Georges: Hasn't he always? I mean in the history of great loves there has been Adam and Eve, Romeo and Juliet, Dylan and Donna, and Buffy and Angel.
It's also been stated by Scott A that the curse is not an issue at the moment, can you give us any hints as to why?
Georges: I could but where would the fun be in that?
22. wenxina: Have you already made vacation plans for after your work on S8 wraps up?
Georges: I have been invited to attend a few shows overseas, which I am very excited about. That won’t be until the end of the year, but I'm too focused on Buffy right now to think about it.
23. wenxina: Your sketch books seem to be quite popular with fans, with some people purchasing multiple books at a time to get several head sketches from you. What are your plans in terms of releasing future volumes? Are we still going to get a volume per arc, as originally planned, or have things changed? A jumbo edition, perhaps, with multiple arcs rolled into one?
Georges: I would love, when all is said and done, to make a hardcover edition including all the best stuff from the sketch books and possibly add some color to it. Who knows I might do that. These sketch books started out as something fun to do with all this art I had from Buffy that no one was ever going to see. I never thought I'd be on the 4th edition!
24. Charles: Given how much the original cast has changed from their on air days, are you ever tempted to reflect some of those changes in how you draw them?
Georges: Buffy and the gang, in the comic, have aged maybe a year or two since the end of the show, so me drawing them now is more a reflection of how they would look only a year or so after Season 7. There was a Buffy reunion last year commemorating the 10th anniversary of the show and I think all the cast members still look incredibly good and would be able to slip back into their personas with very little make up! I for one would love to see them all again!
25. Charles: For new characters like Satsu and Renee, were they inspired by any real life people as models and who would you imagine playing these new characters in the scenes?
Georges: I remember looking at Lucy Liu for Sastu not for any great reason only because Lucy's face was very accessible when I started Season 8. Renee, I don't think I had any one person in mind. I want to say I was looking at Elizabeth Montgomery of TV's Bewitched fame, when I finally put her to paper. As far as who would play them in a movie version, I'm so bad at this because I never go with actors as they are today. I'm always 'if so and so were younger they would be perfect!'
26. a2zmom: The panel where Buffy is crying as Angel asks her, "don't you want to be happy?" How should I read her expression? Every person I've asked has a different thought so far.
Georges: That's a very good question. I could give you this whole reasoning as to what Buffy's crying means to me, but it would be conjecture. I wouldn't want to define a certain mood or feeling for anyone. And knowing how Season 8 ends I have my only opinions as to what Buffy is feeling.
27. Michelle Klarman: Georges, is there any one, or maybe several events that you didn't expect to be drawing for Buffy and Angel's reunion, meaning did anything surprise you?
Georges: Yes. All of issue 34.
28. Michelle Klarman: With this next arc seemingly focusing on Buffy and Angel's relationship, could we expect their relationship to be dramatically changed going forward?
Georges: Oh, it'll change, all right. And not everyone is going to be happy about that.
29. Michelle Klarman: One of the most important relationships Buffy has had is with Giles. After all the issues they had in season 7 and the tension between them continuing in season 8, would we expect to see this addressed further in this current arc? Especially for the fact that we've learned Giles knew of the possibility of Buffy's new special powers and her becoming the Slayer to get them.
Georges: I think you'll come to see more and more that Giles is going to be the focus here... more... I shouldn't say.
30. bamph: Since reading the new issue, I've been wondering something. Way back in Season 1 of Angel, we had a tragically beautiful episode called 'I Will Remember You.' In the episode, Angel is exposed to the blood of a Mohra demon and became human. He and Buffy were then able to be happily together. It's one of the most popular episodes of the series with Buffy/Angel shippers and the second highest rated episode of the whole series behind the series premiere.
At the end of the episode, after nearly being killed and Buffy saving him, Angel goes to the Powers That Be and learns being made human at that point in time was a way to take the chosen warriors off the table.
The Mohra demon says to Buffy and Angel that,"Together you were powerful. Alone, you are dead."
Angel's exchange with The Oracles reveals that if Angel stayed human now, Buffy would die sooner.
Angel:"The Mohra demon said the end of days had begun. That others were coming, soldiers of darkness. I need to know if he was telling the truth."
Male Oracle: "As far as such things can be told."
Angel: "What happens to the Slayer when these soldiers come?"
Female Oracle: "What happens to all mortal beings. Albeit sooner in her case."
So Angel had them reverse the day to protect Buffy, who would endanger herself trying to protect him if he stayed human at that point, and he would be the only one to remember it although he did tell Doyle who told Cordelia. Buffy crying in Angel's arms,"I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget" as the day was taken back was such a heartbreaking moment.
After the episode aired that very night,Joss made a post on The Bronze board that Buffy would only remember the lost day if there was a story in it.
Joss likes to seed his stories sometimes years in advance and this episode looking back seems to be setting up big roles for Buffy/Angel and how they are destined to entwine together both as a couple and the chosen warriors for The Powers at some point in the future. "IWRY" also seems to hint at the shanshu prophecy which was revealed at the end of that season.
So my question is this. Is that big End Of Days future battle and Buffy/Angel's destined roles together in it getting closer or coming to pass in Season 8? And Joss said Buffy would not remember or learn of the lost day with Angel unless there's a story in it. Could what is happening now with Buffy/Angel this season finally be that story?
Georges: Hmmm I don't know how much to say here. How about we hold on to what you quoted "Together you were powerful. Alone, you are dead."
31. bamph: There's been a lot of questions and speculation the last few days that this is all about subversion. That Joss's goal is to subvert the Buffy/Angel romance and relationship in season 8.Scott gave his take. Mockery and subversion are not right takes. Evolution is a better word. What are your thoughts on this subversion question?
Georges: I don't know about subversion, but Joss has a focus here and he is very aware of the history of these characters. I speculate he's getting to a point where he can bring them full circle.
32. bamph: Can you give any artistic teases for either next issue or the issue after? Anything you're really proud of in your work coming up that you would like to share with us?
Georges: I'm really proud of certain body parts that I had to draw in the next issue....
Rules are simple: Maximum of three (3) questions per member until I submit your questions to Jeanty. I will post a note to let you know when I send off questions to reopen the floor. As always, there is a possibility of a delay, so thanks for your patience. Keep it clean, keep it civil. Simple right? Entries are welcome until I post a closing post. Questions regarding Twilight NO LONGER HAVE TO SPOILER-TAGGED! (Thank goodness... it was a pain having to make sure that the appropriate questions/answers were spoiler-tagged).
Anyone who's reading this and not a member, I'm accepting questions at wenxina@slayalive.com. Feel free to send me your questions and I'll add them to the queue with credit to you.
Alright... GO!
1. Charles: When Faith hears Twilight/Angel speaking in his natural, she appears to recognize it faster then Giles or Andrew does and looks very upset. Is that right or am I mis-reading her facial expression there?
Georges: I know Faith is upset at Giles because he already knew about all this, and it's only now catching up to him. There's a lot of backstory here so I don't want to say too much. I could see Faith suspecting because she's confided in Angel before and she has a keen street vibe that would start her Spidey sense tingling. That's my guess.
2. Michelle Klarman: On your last Q&A, you mentioned that with the reveal of Twilight as Angel, you focused prominently on Angel’s face and that you spent a lot of time getting other faces right; Since Angel has played such an important role in Buffy’s life, I would imagine there would be such a mix of emotions coming from her. How difficult was it to get Buffy’s reaction down?
Georges: It was hard, I won’t lie. Buffy wasn't that hard since I've been drawing her for the last 3 years straight. Angel was a little difficult, and still is, because he's so new to me. I started drawing him almost the same time I had to draw him in the book. I always knew that I would have to get to him eventually as well as a few of the other characters. But honestly, I'm really jazzed that the gang is all here (or almost all here). I don't mind the extra hours of drawing face time.
3. bamph: So, what are you feeling on this day that Buffy #33 comes out and the big reveal is finally in the book?
Georges: A huge sigh of relief! There were so many times over the years that I wanted to tell people, when Angel shows up you'll see how things get kicked into hi- gear! Every time someone would come up to me at a Con and try to guess who Twilight was, all I could do was smile and nod and say, “Yeah, that's interesting”.
4. bamph: Scott did an interview that was published last night with Buffyfest about today's issue. The last question and his answer was this.
Buffyfest: So then, what do you think is the most important thing for Joss when it comes to Angel and following up on that, in the most general sense, what matters most to the character of Angel?
Scott Allie: One word to answer both questions, and this is not gonna be popular with some fans, but you can see it coming ... Buffy.
Scott Allie: One word to answer both questions, and this is not gonna be popular with some fans, but you can see it coming ... Buffy.
Would you say that this is going to be reflected in certain ways during the rest of Season 8 in Twilight's/Angel's actions and motives?Also do you agree with Scott that this is Joss's take, that the most important thing for Joss when it comes to Angel is Buffy?
Georges: I would agree, all of these events tie into the Mythology of Slayers and Vampires. There is a reason all of this is happening. It's not a random event. Once it's explained I think you'll understand the whole of Season 8.
5. lmblack21: Re: the new Scott Allie interview mentioned above, regarding what is most important to Angel - Buffy - I have to say as a Buffy/Angel pairing lover, I was very happy to see it. But I can't help but wonder about Connor and Angel's ongoing story arc of redemption. Can you talk about whether or not those factors will be raised?
Georges: The main story is the whole Twilight issue. I don't know what Joss has planned for any fall out stuff, but maybe that's what Season 9 will cover...
6. lmblack21: This might be too spoilery but I can't help but be nervous as a B/A and an ANGEL fan of all the very positive B/A and Angel quotes we've gotten lately. On the one hand it could be a hint to what we might see in the pages, on the other hand it could be a very big setup for heartbreak and that does seem to be Joss' M.O. I'm trying to decide how to ask this question without asking you to tell us where the story is going, but it is hard to do!
Scott Allie once answered "yeah" to a question of 'should fans be worried about Buffy', so I guess my question is, should fans of Angel and B/A be more worried because of all the positive quotes, knowing about the reveal? It almost feels like we're being given SO much in positive, reaffirming quotes that we should be taking on crash positions instead of happily basking in the attitudes expressed by people in the know.
Georges: Well, this is Joss we're talking about. Does anything ever end neatly with his stories? We might see some more surprises in the coming issues. The season isn't over yet! It almost feels like we're being given so much in positive, reaffirming quotes that we should be taking our crash positions instead of happily basking in the attitudes expressed by people in the know. Positive, Negative. It's all so relative. I won’t say the party is coming to an end, but it will shift its focus.
7. Hellbound Hyperion: Glowing Buffy. Your idea, Joss's idea, or Meltzer's idea? I was kinda wondering why Buffy seemed to be outlined more clearly, but then Angel mentioned it in conversation so I was like "hey alright neat idea" and wondered whether this is part of the story or if it was a decision you made on the art side.
Georges: No. That's all intentional. You'll find out more about that glow next issue.
8. sosa lola: I really love the panel where Buffy looks at Xander and says that she's turning into a vampire, you're really great with facial expressions and the Buffy likeness was spot on. And as a Xander fangirl, I adore him in new, different clothes, he really looked cute in that scene with Buffy. My question is mostly about Buffy's hair style, do you choose them according to the TV seasons or somewhere else?
I really wanted to praise you in these first preview panels, you did a wonderful job. I'm guessing this month most of the questions are Twilight related, so figured let's ask about something else for a change.
Georges: Thanks! I do in a way. I try to mix it up with her hair. I tell myself that Buffy is a girl and as such she'll wear her hair differently from time to time. I try and do that in the story where some time has passed and you could understand her doing something to herself like changing clothes and hairstyle. No one tells me to put her hair a certain way. I asked Joss about that once and he said “I don't need to tell you what to do because you get it. Keep doing what you're doing.”
9. Billie Erin: If you had to assign a genre to the issues of Buffy season 8 following Twilight reveal, which would you choose? (E.g. horror, romance, psychological thriller etc.)
Georges: Can I choose all of them? That's always been the coolest thing about the show. It had elements of all those genres and that's what I love. So I would venture a guess and say it'll be more of the same.
10. Billie Erin: Who would you blame Twilight's actions on? Angel, Buffy or a third party?
Georges: How about this for an answer: an older party?
11. cheryl: Can we expect the rest of this season to focus heavily on the romantic dynamic between Buffy and Angel?
Georges: Yes and no. This story is only now being dissected and the romance is only part of it. Keep reading young Padawan, all will become clear.
12. cheryl: Is it safe to assume that just maybe Joss might allow them to finally be together? For real?
Georges: Sure that can happen, but as you well know, with Joss, every monumental occasion has consequences....
13. bamph: Was there any special instructions about designing the glow?
Georges: There were no specific instructions with the glow. It is a story element that arises as a result of Angel and Buffy.
14. bamph: Based off the ending of today's issue, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, how hot will things get between Buffy/Angel in upcoming issues?
Georges: 10.
15. moscowwatcher: Angel says he helps Buffy to avoid bigger body count. But in earlier issues every panel featuring Twilight and his accomplices clearly depicts him as the leader and the head of anti-slayer conspiracy. Did you draw those earlier panels that way because you didn't have enough information about Twilight, or your depiction is correct and in issue 33 Angel is lying to Buffy?
Georges: I think Angel says this more as in the bigger picture. People have died getting to where they are, but in the bigger picture it's not as many as could have if he hadn't stepped in. The Slayer line is very much at the forefront of all of this drama. There is a lot to be said at the end of this season.
16. buffycomic: Angel/David Boreanaz's hairstyle playing Angel has to be pretty unique to the world of comics. I've never seen any other male comic book character have such an intricate hairstyle (with the use of hair gel)... drawing David's face and hair, how did you capture the hair in comic book format? Did it help that so many other comic book artists have drawn Angel before you that you could reference how to simplify his hair for the comic look but still get across that hair-sticking-out-with gel-look, or did you take your own approach just by looking at photos of him and ignoring how other comic book artists have drawn his hair? I noticed some similarities between how you drew his hair and how Stephen Mooney drew his hair in Angel: After the Fall ) i.e. the use of shadows with hints of his brown hair.
Georges: Wow, such an involved question about Angel's hair. I go from pictures mostly. Angel's hair had become more of a regular look on at the end of the show's run, but I know most people seem him as that spiky haired guy. It's interesting when you think about it, how many characters had spiky hair, Angel, Andrew, and Oz. But never Spike.
17. wenxina: As the main artist of the series, do you know how it all ends? Is it a vague Impressionist landscape deal, or do you know all the specific details?
Georges: I know how it all ends. Not to the very last frame, mind you, the last few issues haven't been written yet, but there was a syllabus when we all started about where all this was going. All the major points were covered it was just up to the respective writers to fill in the gaps. And like I said, the end of Season 8 opens up a whole new door for "Season 9".
18. wenxina: Last time around, you said that the art for #33 and #34 were some pretty moments for you. Has #35 topped that for you?
Georges: 35 was way involved. There are a crap load of monsters. I drew that issue in sections, I dealt with all the Angel Buffy stuff first and then handled the monsters.
19. wenxina: So, #32 was mostly comedy. A large chunk of #33 was drama. #34, I've heard is where the action's at. Does that leave "tragedy" for #35?
Georges: Interesting train of thought...
20. stormwreath: The three pictures of Xander, Satsu and Willow speculating on what Buffy was doing... apart from Willow's expression in the last one and of course the speech balloons, they all look identical.
So, confession time. Did you individually draw the same panel three times, or was there some cutting and pasting going on there?
(It was a very amusing sequence, by the way!)
Georges: That was described as being identical panel. When that's called for it's usually good for the artist because all you have to do is draw it once and then leave the blank space for the other inserts. I changed Willow's look in the last one because I felt if she says they're having sex she wouldn't have the same expression on her face. I fancied she'd be a little annoyed because she'd be thinking 'how can you guys think of having sex at a time like this?!' Satsu and Xander would still be clueless at this point so I redrew Willow's face. I think that's how comedy works best in comics. No fancy angles, it all has to be timing.
21. cheryl: There seems to be some confusion concerning whether or not the current storyline is meant to undermine the history and connection between Buffy and Angel. What's your take on this? Is the current storyline going to undermine the history of Buffy and Angel's love?
Georges: Not at all. You'll find, either your satisfaction or frustration, that Season 8 served to redefine Buffy and Angel's relationship.
Would it be safe to assume that Angel IS Buffy's romantic interest of season 8?
Georges: Hasn't he always? I mean in the history of great loves there has been Adam and Eve, Romeo and Juliet, Dylan and Donna, and Buffy and Angel.
It's also been stated by Scott A that the curse is not an issue at the moment, can you give us any hints as to why?
Georges: I could but where would the fun be in that?
22. wenxina: Have you already made vacation plans for after your work on S8 wraps up?
Georges: I have been invited to attend a few shows overseas, which I am very excited about. That won’t be until the end of the year, but I'm too focused on Buffy right now to think about it.
23. wenxina: Your sketch books seem to be quite popular with fans, with some people purchasing multiple books at a time to get several head sketches from you. What are your plans in terms of releasing future volumes? Are we still going to get a volume per arc, as originally planned, or have things changed? A jumbo edition, perhaps, with multiple arcs rolled into one?
Georges: I would love, when all is said and done, to make a hardcover edition including all the best stuff from the sketch books and possibly add some color to it. Who knows I might do that. These sketch books started out as something fun to do with all this art I had from Buffy that no one was ever going to see. I never thought I'd be on the 4th edition!
24. Charles: Given how much the original cast has changed from their on air days, are you ever tempted to reflect some of those changes in how you draw them?
Georges: Buffy and the gang, in the comic, have aged maybe a year or two since the end of the show, so me drawing them now is more a reflection of how they would look only a year or so after Season 7. There was a Buffy reunion last year commemorating the 10th anniversary of the show and I think all the cast members still look incredibly good and would be able to slip back into their personas with very little make up! I for one would love to see them all again!
25. Charles: For new characters like Satsu and Renee, were they inspired by any real life people as models and who would you imagine playing these new characters in the scenes?
Georges: I remember looking at Lucy Liu for Sastu not for any great reason only because Lucy's face was very accessible when I started Season 8. Renee, I don't think I had any one person in mind. I want to say I was looking at Elizabeth Montgomery of TV's Bewitched fame, when I finally put her to paper. As far as who would play them in a movie version, I'm so bad at this because I never go with actors as they are today. I'm always 'if so and so were younger they would be perfect!'
26. a2zmom: The panel where Buffy is crying as Angel asks her, "don't you want to be happy?" How should I read her expression? Every person I've asked has a different thought so far.
Georges: That's a very good question. I could give you this whole reasoning as to what Buffy's crying means to me, but it would be conjecture. I wouldn't want to define a certain mood or feeling for anyone. And knowing how Season 8 ends I have my only opinions as to what Buffy is feeling.
27. Michelle Klarman: Georges, is there any one, or maybe several events that you didn't expect to be drawing for Buffy and Angel's reunion, meaning did anything surprise you?
Georges: Yes. All of issue 34.
28. Michelle Klarman: With this next arc seemingly focusing on Buffy and Angel's relationship, could we expect their relationship to be dramatically changed going forward?
Georges: Oh, it'll change, all right. And not everyone is going to be happy about that.
29. Michelle Klarman: One of the most important relationships Buffy has had is with Giles. After all the issues they had in season 7 and the tension between them continuing in season 8, would we expect to see this addressed further in this current arc? Especially for the fact that we've learned Giles knew of the possibility of Buffy's new special powers and her becoming the Slayer to get them.
Georges: I think you'll come to see more and more that Giles is going to be the focus here... more... I shouldn't say.
30. bamph: Since reading the new issue, I've been wondering something. Way back in Season 1 of Angel, we had a tragically beautiful episode called 'I Will Remember You.' In the episode, Angel is exposed to the blood of a Mohra demon and became human. He and Buffy were then able to be happily together. It's one of the most popular episodes of the series with Buffy/Angel shippers and the second highest rated episode of the whole series behind the series premiere.
At the end of the episode, after nearly being killed and Buffy saving him, Angel goes to the Powers That Be and learns being made human at that point in time was a way to take the chosen warriors off the table.
The Mohra demon says to Buffy and Angel that,"Together you were powerful. Alone, you are dead."
Angel's exchange with The Oracles reveals that if Angel stayed human now, Buffy would die sooner.
Angel:"The Mohra demon said the end of days had begun. That others were coming, soldiers of darkness. I need to know if he was telling the truth."
Male Oracle: "As far as such things can be told."
Angel: "What happens to the Slayer when these soldiers come?"
Female Oracle: "What happens to all mortal beings. Albeit sooner in her case."
So Angel had them reverse the day to protect Buffy, who would endanger herself trying to protect him if he stayed human at that point, and he would be the only one to remember it although he did tell Doyle who told Cordelia. Buffy crying in Angel's arms,"I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget" as the day was taken back was such a heartbreaking moment.
After the episode aired that very night,Joss made a post on The Bronze board that Buffy would only remember the lost day if there was a story in it.
joss says:
(Tue Nov 23 22:42:12 1999 152.163.197.71)
Who're you calling Ty? My point is, i had to jump back to clear it up: Buffy doesn't remember what happened. She absolutely posatively definitely never ever will.Unless there's a story in it. Jane, feel free to slump and rest on your hilarious laurels. We were right: Syphillus is ALWAYS funny.
nightums, j
(Tue Nov 23 22:42:12 1999 152.163.197.71)
Who're you calling Ty? My point is, i had to jump back to clear it up: Buffy doesn't remember what happened. She absolutely posatively definitely never ever will.Unless there's a story in it. Jane, feel free to slump and rest on your hilarious laurels. We were right: Syphillus is ALWAYS funny.
nightums, j
Joss likes to seed his stories sometimes years in advance and this episode looking back seems to be setting up big roles for Buffy/Angel and how they are destined to entwine together both as a couple and the chosen warriors for The Powers at some point in the future. "IWRY" also seems to hint at the shanshu prophecy which was revealed at the end of that season.
So my question is this. Is that big End Of Days future battle and Buffy/Angel's destined roles together in it getting closer or coming to pass in Season 8? And Joss said Buffy would not remember or learn of the lost day with Angel unless there's a story in it. Could what is happening now with Buffy/Angel this season finally be that story?
Georges: Hmmm I don't know how much to say here. How about we hold on to what you quoted "Together you were powerful. Alone, you are dead."
31. bamph: There's been a lot of questions and speculation the last few days that this is all about subversion. That Joss's goal is to subvert the Buffy/Angel romance and relationship in season 8.Scott gave his take. Mockery and subversion are not right takes. Evolution is a better word. What are your thoughts on this subversion question?
Georges: I don't know about subversion, but Joss has a focus here and he is very aware of the history of these characters. I speculate he's getting to a point where he can bring them full circle.
32. bamph: Can you give any artistic teases for either next issue or the issue after? Anything you're really proud of in your work coming up that you would like to share with us?
Georges: I'm really proud of certain body parts that I had to draw in the next issue....
