Post by Brian Lynch on Oct 8, 2009 16:19:57 GMT -5
If you guys want to do a Q and A, re: ANGEL 26, or 27 or LAST ANGEL IN HELL, or unlimited SPIKE, by all means, I'm here for you.
ETA by Emmie: Brian, I hope you don't mind if I nose in and organize your answers here in your original post.
1. neowhobaz: I'd love to know what your inspiration for the boys and their toys issues was .
Brian Lynch: Literally walking around the convention and thinking how cool/scary it would be if everyone suddenly became what they were wearing. I was thinking of turning into a movie, but then thought "might be too close to the BUFFY episode". And then I thought "wait a minute..." and the rest is history (history = ANGEL 26-27).
2. Hellbound Hyperion: Can you talk about some of the ideas you have bouncing around for the SPIKE series yet? Or is that very hush-hush at the moment?
Brian Lynch: Sure. Spike starts in Los Angeles, but spends a stretch of time in Las Vegas (if you thought Los Angeles in the Whedonverse was evil...).
Angel will definitely be appearing, Beck will have an arc, Jeremy will pop up.
The general consensus is people like when Spike and Lorne are together, so if I can find a way to do it without making it seem odd or morbid after Andy Hallett's unfortunate passing, I will.
It will have funny moments, and won't be morbid, but it's dealing with some dark themes.
There will be a musical issue. Kidding, kidding. Or am I?
I would love a 3-D issue (I even know the storyline) but I'm not sure of the pricing/possibility.
3. jellymoff: Is Last Angel In Hell just a straight up adaptation of the "movie" or will the actual characters make an appearance as well? I'd really like to see what Gunn has to say about his, um "changes".
Brian Lynch: It's an exact adaptation. Save for one of the covers, this is exactly the comic adaptation Angel could pick up in his world. Everything about the comic is fake. The movie it's adapting, the story, the fake ads...
4. hitnrun-17: You say Angel will make an appearence(s) in the Spike series, as well as other characters. Will there be a chronological continuity between the Angel and Spike series? Or will the Spike series just be his own world?
Brian Lynch: I hope so, I really do. I will not intentionally negate anything Bill does, this much I promise.
5. iloveromy: With Spike now open to a world of possibiilties, what are some of the broad strokes for how you would like to see the character grow. He is probably one of the most changed characters throughout the entire Buffyverse. I am very interested to see where you take him. Also if I may, will his past come in to play a bit? Sunnydale, Pre-Sunnydale? Thanks!
Brian Lynch: I don't want to get into Spike's growth as a character, it's too spoilery, but yes, his past most definitely comes into play. It's a huge part of who he is.
6. Wyndam: Have you pinned down a name for Spike's series yet? Is "No Bad To Big" the name of an arc?
Also, if I can ask another. Since Willingham has said Spike will be appearing in #28+, will that move back Spike's launch date, so Spike isn't in two series at once?
Brian Lynch: It will have different names for the arcs, but so far it's just SPIKE. Sometimes I call it SPIKE UNLIMITED, which has a nice ring to it.
Things I saw in the preview pages have made me alter a few things in my planning, that's for sure. But I think Spike can be in two comics at once, there's time for Spike to participate in two adventures every month.
7. Wyndam: All the stuff about Spike's series sounds great. Are there any plans for Groo to show up? You write him so well.
Brian Lynch: He probably will, but nothing concrete for him yet. I love the hell out of writing him. Someone pointed out that I don't write him exactly how he was written on the show, but I kind of like the turn he's taken, so I'm torn.
8. bamph: Do you ever foresee down the line of doing a occasional large scale crossover event storyline with Bill Willingham on the Angel monthly? Where the stories from Spike and Angel crossover into each others books and the plotline runs between the two monthlies? Would you be open to that if Willingham is at some point?
I know at DC and Marvel this is done too often, but done well and not too much ,they can be great for a larger scope storyline.
Brian Lynch: You know, I would kill to work on ANYTHING with Bill, I've been a fan for years. I still can't believe that George actually gets dialog written by someone as awesome as Bill.
That said, I have the first arc of SPIKE stories planned out. Roughly ten issues, and there's no crossover event in the mix.
9. kaleidoscope: Is there any possibility of Tok visiting Spike ?
Brian Lynch: I think Tok is my favorite character I've created for the ANGEL/SPIKE books (runners up include Beck, Jeremy, Non and George), but there's really no place for her yet. If I can find a way to bring her in, absolutely. But I don't want to throw her in just to throw her in, you know?
Of course, this could all change tomorrow and she'll be in issue 1 or something. So don't hold me to it.
10. AndrewCrossett: His [Groo's] scene confronting the demon furries was hilarious. I think he's funnier now than he was in the TV show. Your writing of him is pretty consistent with what we could expect him to be like now, since he's had more time to observe our world and absorb some pop culture.
Anyway, my question... without mentioning any specifics, did Joss ever give you any hints as to his long-term plans for Angel and Spike? If so, do you take that into consideration while writing them, or are you pretty much flying free?
Brian Lynch: You know what helped me write Groo? Reading Mark Lutz interviews and talking to him a little in email. He is wonderfully funny and charming. I wish he was made a regular on ANGEL, I think he would have been awesome. If I ever have control over casting on ANYTHING I write movie/tv-wise, I'm going right to Mark. And Nick Brendan.
But thank you for your kind words about my take on Groo. He's so much fun to write.
Onto your question: when Joss and I sat down, he absolutely told me scenes/stories they planned, including the SPIKE movie. The SPIKE movie and AFTER THE FALL (or, as it would have been called on TV, season 6 of ANGEL) could not have happened together as they both went down different paths. But he said specific moments/scenes that I used in ATF and I have in the back of my head and will sprinkle into SPIKE UNLIMITED, which I'm calling it today. Tomorrow I will probably call it something different.
11. angeliclestat: Congrats on a great issue Brian - you're gonna be missed on Angel!
Just a kind of follow up question to the whole continuity issue.I was kinda surprised to see Spike appearing in preview pages Ryall posted for Angel #28 - I was worried that we were going to have a repeat of the whole 'Illyria and Gunn going off in a car" thing in #18 because Armstrong hadn't seen the final pages for #17 and didnt know Gunn was in a coma. Luckily you managed to rescue that with #23 which lead into 'Only Human', but this is slightly bigger.
So with things like Angel appearing in Spike, will you be informed as to what is happening in 'Angel', and will Willingham be made aware of what you are doing on 'Spike' so that there will be no major contradictions.
And were you aware that Willingham was using Spike in his Angel story?
Brian Lynch: Bill told me he was using Spike at Comic Con. I was a bit surprised to see Spike and Illyria in the same room in the ANGEL 28 preview, so it altered plans for SPIKE FOREVER, which I'm calling it for this post.
12. Hellbound Hyperion: I'd like to follow up on that with a more generalized question - have you and Joss talked much about the ANGEL comics post-Aftermath, or is it all you just doing whatcha wanna?
Brian Lynch: I answered this a few posts back, but it's an important question so I will say again. SPIKE will be a storyline from my adorable head sprinkled with ideas/themes that were to be covered in the SPIKE movie. In a way, it's not unlike SPIKE:AFTER THE FALL in that sense. So if you like that, you'll like SPIKE EVERLASTING. Although SPIKE EVERLASTING (which is the name I'm going with at this moment) will much more epic in scope.
13. iloveromy: I don't have my issues in front of me so I can't remember the exact resolution but I think it's still kind of in play. Do you think the Shanshu Prophecy is still important to Angel and or Spike's storylines? Or at this point has it become an obvious "carrot on a stick" and these characters should move away from that resolution?
Brian Lynch: It's important to Angel because of what it means he'll become. Spike isn't dwelling on it.
14. bamph: Spoilers for Season 8:
Brian Lynch: Wait, who's together? Wow. Okay. Off the top of my head---
15. Wyndam: This is kinda just for housekeeping purposes, but is there any kind of overall arc name or anything that you describe #23-28 with?
Brian Lynch: I don't, no. I'm sorry.
16. sagewoman: First with the adoration - I love how you do Groo. Actually, I love how you write everyone. I just read Boys and their Toys - FANTASTIC!!!! And, Stephen Mooney's art - I love that man!
Okay, now I have to ask a question...hmmm...I love being surprised...you are a genius at writing...I trust where you are taking us.....okay, I've got one.
What kind of instructions do you give Stephen about the scene for the art? Your story and his art are beautiful.
Brian Lynch: Thank you so much for your kind words.
As for Stephen, same with Franco. I give them panel-by-panel breakdown, but rarely point of view camera angles or anything, I've worked with them enough that we have a wonderful shorthand. I trust them both 100%.
If you want to see any page of script from ANGEL 26, let me know which one and I'll put it up. That'll help you get an idea of how we do it.
17. AndrewCrossett: Is there a good chance that Drusilla will be popping up in SPIKE ETERNAL at some point? And if so, would you collaborate with Juliet again on writing her?
Would you like to use Harmony, and are you allowed to since she's in BtVS season 8?
Brian Lynch: Keeping in mind I only have a very rough outline, I can say that for now, Dru is not in the first 10 issues of SPIKE. If I continue beyond that, she may.
I would like to use Harmony. I think I'm allowed to, but she's not in the first 10 either.
18. Malsad: Besides Juliet, what other Whedon-verce actor would you love to co-write a comic with?
Brian Lynch: Well, I have my future in the Whedonverse mapped out, so I guess I'm not going to co-write with any of them because I'm just doing the SPIKE series. That said, if James himself wanted to do something, I could hardly pass that up.
19. Hellbound Hyperion: With SPIKE INFINITY, are you going to do something like what was done in ANGEL with flashbacks through some of Spike's life? I know we've seen a good portion of his vampire life through both BUFFY and ANGEL, but there's always potential for more story there, as well as his human life, which we know little about.
You may have already sorta touched on this, but I wanted know as an ANGEL fan if you thought the same sort of flashback-type episodes from ANGEL would work well for Spike.
Brian Lynch: There will be some flashbacks, I do believe. Yes.
I think flashback episodes of SPIKE would be great, sure. They could definitely work.
20. Paul: How come the Drusilla issues never had a subtitle? It's weird, considering IDW's obsession with them (Angel: After the Fall: Epilogue: Become What You Are?)
Brian Lynch: IDW doesn't have an obsession with them. They want to have a subtitle on their books so people can tell them apart, but for the most part, it's up to the writer. Blame the EPILOGUE title on me.
Oh, forgot to answer your question, sorry. I think everyone thought ANGEL:DRUSILLA: SOMETHING SOMETHING would be too much. I know everyone involved just calls them DRUSILLA.
21. Thorn N' Roses: Hey, did you have to get permission by Nicholas Cage and Jorge Garcia to use their likeness?
Brian Lynch: We had Stephen draw them JUST LEFT of the actual actors so we're okay. It's kind of parody anyhoo. Cage and Garcia are both comic fans, so I'd imagine they'd dig it.
22. iloveromy: You should try to get Lady Gaga as a side kick. Her ability to wear anything might be helpful to team Spike. Oops not a question, just sayin'.
Brian Lynch: I agree. She'll be on team SPIKE in the new book SPIKE GAGA, as I'm calling it starting now.
23. Moon Eyes: What about any of Spike's past loves coming to make an appearance?
Brian Lynch: That's spoilery, but the first issue starts with the death of BUFFY.
I'm kidding, come on. It starts with the death of disco. It's a period piece.
24. Paul: What made you pick Nicholas Cage of all people to play Fictional Angel?
Brian Lynch: He's been attached to play so many superheroes, and he's been in so many Bruckheimer movies, kinda HAD to be him.
25. bamph: Is SPIKE:BRAND NEW DAY going to occasionally reflect or give small nods to the status quo of the current larger Buffyverse with vampires being loved by the public at large and slayers hated/hunted?Sort of like how you had slayers appear in After The Fall?
Brian Lynch: Yes, I will do my best.
26. buffycomic: Regarding the Drusilla story arc, given the fact that stories like Gunn appear in separate mini-series like "Angel: Only Human", why was a story that didn't focus on Angel whatsoever take place in his main book and not in a separate one-shot or mini-series.
I'm still also confused by the ending, I interpretted it that the Senior Partners had something to do with transporting her to the previous timeline, but will the ramifications of this story play out somewhere down the line such as your upcoming Spike series.
Brian Lynch: Where the story went isn't up to me. Sorry.
27. bovy: Is Urru going to be the only artist on ALL-STAR SPIKE? Just curious, since that makes it hard to make it a monthly book. On the other hand, too many comics strive to make a monthly deadline, just because a lot of fans are used to it. Better to have 8 astonishing issues a year, than 12 average ones.
Just for the record, I realise that Urru is no slow artist. It's just that it takes more time when he prefers to ink his own pencils. During the timespan of AtF (18 months?)he produced 12 issues (8 Angel + 4 Spike). You'd have to be John Byrne or David Messina to beat that speed.
Brian Lynch:
I think, if we have someone come in and do an issue or two or three, it won't be in the middle of a storyline. Does that make sense?
28. Wyndam: Any chance that Mooney might do some alternate covers for Spike? It's almost depressing thinking that Last Angel In Hell might be his last Angelverse stint for a while.
Brian Lynch: I really super hope so.
29. Paul: Regardless of your feelings for Aftermath overall, how do you feel about the characters of Dez and James, both as a fan and a writer? Personally, I think they have potential, and would rather see them developed than thrown away.
Brian Lynch: I haven't read all of AFTERMATH yet (my bad, my work schedule is crazy right now), but I absolutely think you have to develop them. Even if people didn't like particular issues, they're a part of the series and can't just disappear.
30. [not so much a question, but...] angeliclestat: Ya I agree....if IDW just ignored the events of Aftermath just cos people didnt like it....there would be people complaining about that. So you cant win either way!
Brian Lynch: Exactly.
31. claytonm: Congratulations on a brilliant issue. It's been a while since we've seen angel and spike together and reading issue 26 was terrfific. You nailed Spike to perfection and I am so looking forward to the new Spike series.
Since you're leaving Angel and we wish you all the best, you'll be missed is Angel still the official continuation of the show since you and Joss Whedon are not really apart of it no more.
And what are your thoughts on Buffy season eight so far.
Brian Lynch: I haven't read BUFFY season 8 in a while. After AFTER THE FALL ended, things picked up in terms of screenwriting. I'm currently writing a couple of movies for Universal so I haven't had a lot of downtime.
That, coupled with a few subtle digs at the ANGEL series in the letters column of BUFFY have not made me anxious to go out and pick it up. I'm always afraid I'll read something that will bring me down. I do plan on buying all the trades and catching up before I plunge into SPIKE PROPER as I call it today.
As for official continuation, I just write stories when they ask. I don't know what you'd call it. I have a sneaking suspicion that Bill's run on ANGEL is going to be one of the best ANGEL comic stories ever, whatever it's labeled, so I'm excited for it.
EDIT: I should mention, the majority of stuff I read in SEASON 8 I really dug. The Dracula arc, the Faith arc. It's epic.
32. Ethros: Going back to ATF, just wondered your opinion on something. For newbies to ATF reading it for the first time in the collected hardcover/TPB format, where would you recomend is the best place to read Spike: ATF is? (ie. after Vol.2 (First Night)? in between Vol 3 & 4? etc)
Brian Lynch: Hmmmmm. I think either before the entire ANGEL:ATF series, or AFTER volume 2 of ANGEL:ATF. Excellent question!
33. girlinquestion: If you could completely problem-free, would you do a Betta Geroge mini-series? I know I'd like to see that.
Brian Lynch: I have an idea for it and I think it would be awesome. But I don't think IDW or the majority of fans would go for it.
34. fear: HI.This is an ‘After the fall’ question so I hope it is okay... how much involvement and hesitation did Joss have with the reappearance of Cordelia in Issues 12-13 ?
Brian Lynch: I'm hesitant to answer because at this point, I don't remember what was what. I think the original pitches and summaries and Q and A's address it but it's been a while and I've had my mind on other works for a while. I definitely came up with the idea of having Cordy appear there. It was supposed to be someone else but for the life of me, I can't remember who it was. I'm sorry.
35. Nixxenacht: Is there any chance we're going to see maybe Faith in SPIKE: BEYOND? I loved the chemistry they had together (+ I'd love to read your take on a slayer).
Brian Lynch: She's not in the first ten issues, but if I go beyond that, it would be neat. Tok vs. Faith would be nuts.
36. Da Letter Jay: If you could cross over any one Buffy character permanently (or at least for a long while) over to the Spike series, who would it be?
Brian Lynch: Xander or Willow. THOUGH, and I wonder if Joss would mind, Wood would be awesome because of his relationship with Spike. Would be neat to have them have to pair up.
37. AndrewCrossett: Was all the slaughter and carnage in the second Drusilla issue in her mind, or did it really happen?
Brian Lynch:The slaughter was real, yes.
38. Vampire in Rug: This is going to sound really pedantic, but I always loved Spike as a character right up until he beat the crap out of Wood and told him that his mother never really loved him dispite Spike being ensouled at the time. I think Spike should have been a better person than that. Then for the rest of the season Spike shared zero screentime with Wood and they kinda avoided each other in a totally awkward way.
I love Spike, but that *one thing* has always bothered me. He killed the kid's mother and then shows no class at all when he's confronted by a guy who's rightfully pissed. Brian, if you were to run it past Joss and then maybe have some kind of small, mutual reconciliation between the two, I can't speak for the rest of the fandom but I personally would find it to be awesome. I don't want to make a big deal of it, but that small moment of total jackassery on Spike's part has always kinda bothered me. It really would KICK ASS if you made things right between those two.
Anyhow. I was wondering, is SPIKE: UNLEASHED going to be set in Los Angeles or somewhere else? I hope that question isn't too spoilery... I was just thinking about how Angel moved to a different place when he got his own show. And Spike has got friends who live all over the place.... Las Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Tokyo and and so forth. I think Spike seems versatile enough to fit in almost anywhere.
Brian Lynch:Yes, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, for starters.
39. neowhobaz: Does Spike interact with Gunn and illyria in the first ten or is that to spoilery?
Brian Lynch:I don't want to spoil this kinda stuff. I'm sorry.
40. Paul: My question is kind of pretentious, but I like to make myself feel smart. I actually asked you it while back but it was too early for you to tell us...
What's the basic concept and themes of Spike: Whatever? For example, if Buffy is about female empowerment and the pains of growing up, and Angel is about redemption and the consant struggle of adult life... what's Spike about? If you had to boil it all down to one or two things, what would they be? Does the series have it's own mission statement that separates it from it's ex-girlfriend and big brother?
Oh, and a fun question... would you ever do an Angel Babies series? You've joked about it in the past, and Skottie Young's brilliant X-Babies covers kind of make me want one. You could do it as a back-up strip in Spike.
Brian Lynch: YES, I would absolutely do it. I pitched MOMMY'S LIL' ANGEL to IDW a few times. We may see some in the back of SPIKE INFINITE.
As for the themes, yes, I've decided what they are, but they are spoilery in a way, so, gonna have to make you wait. Sorry.
41. claytonm: Hi Brian,
Thanks for the reply earlier, you should definitely pick up Buffy Season 8 comics now because it's getting really good.
What was it like meeting Joss Whedon and planning Angel After The Fall. It must of been amazing knowing that Joss has let you continue the TV show in comics.
And how much was Joss involved with Angel After The Fall and the latest Angel comics. When you sat down with him did he tell you stories and what direction to go in. Was he planning to do a season 6 at the time.
Thanks
Brian Lynch: Meeting Joss and hearing his ideas was a dream come true. As for his involvement, I've covered it a bunch, the answers are out there, so I don't want to go into it again. I will say he told me what they had planned, gave me a ton of ideas, and then edited/changed/gave thoughts on my series outline.
42. sagewoman: Any chance we will learn of Spike's human last name (William ??)?
Brian Lynch: It's been said a few times in the SPIKE comics.
Paul: Peter David called him William Pratt in Spike: Old Times. Apparently it's a reference to Frankenstein-actor Boris Karloff, whose birthname was William Henry Pratt.
Brian Lynch: Yeah, and in SPIKE:ASYLUM, it's used again, I think in issue.
ETA by Emmie: Brian, I hope you don't mind if I nose in and organize your answers here in your original post.
******
1. neowhobaz: I'd love to know what your inspiration for the boys and their toys issues was .
Brian Lynch: Literally walking around the convention and thinking how cool/scary it would be if everyone suddenly became what they were wearing. I was thinking of turning into a movie, but then thought "might be too close to the BUFFY episode". And then I thought "wait a minute..." and the rest is history (history = ANGEL 26-27).
2. Hellbound Hyperion: Can you talk about some of the ideas you have bouncing around for the SPIKE series yet? Or is that very hush-hush at the moment?
Brian Lynch: Sure. Spike starts in Los Angeles, but spends a stretch of time in Las Vegas (if you thought Los Angeles in the Whedonverse was evil...).
Angel will definitely be appearing, Beck will have an arc, Jeremy will pop up.
The general consensus is people like when Spike and Lorne are together, so if I can find a way to do it without making it seem odd or morbid after Andy Hallett's unfortunate passing, I will.
It will have funny moments, and won't be morbid, but it's dealing with some dark themes.
There will be a musical issue. Kidding, kidding. Or am I?
I would love a 3-D issue (I even know the storyline) but I'm not sure of the pricing/possibility.
3. jellymoff: Is Last Angel In Hell just a straight up adaptation of the "movie" or will the actual characters make an appearance as well? I'd really like to see what Gunn has to say about his, um "changes".
Brian Lynch: It's an exact adaptation. Save for one of the covers, this is exactly the comic adaptation Angel could pick up in his world. Everything about the comic is fake. The movie it's adapting, the story, the fake ads...
4. hitnrun-17: You say Angel will make an appearence(s) in the Spike series, as well as other characters. Will there be a chronological continuity between the Angel and Spike series? Or will the Spike series just be his own world?
Brian Lynch: I hope so, I really do. I will not intentionally negate anything Bill does, this much I promise.
5. iloveromy: With Spike now open to a world of possibiilties, what are some of the broad strokes for how you would like to see the character grow. He is probably one of the most changed characters throughout the entire Buffyverse. I am very interested to see where you take him. Also if I may, will his past come in to play a bit? Sunnydale, Pre-Sunnydale? Thanks!
Brian Lynch: I don't want to get into Spike's growth as a character, it's too spoilery, but yes, his past most definitely comes into play. It's a huge part of who he is.
6. Wyndam: Have you pinned down a name for Spike's series yet? Is "No Bad To Big" the name of an arc?
Also, if I can ask another. Since Willingham has said Spike will be appearing in #28+, will that move back Spike's launch date, so Spike isn't in two series at once?
Brian Lynch: It will have different names for the arcs, but so far it's just SPIKE. Sometimes I call it SPIKE UNLIMITED, which has a nice ring to it.
Things I saw in the preview pages have made me alter a few things in my planning, that's for sure. But I think Spike can be in two comics at once, there's time for Spike to participate in two adventures every month.
7. Wyndam: All the stuff about Spike's series sounds great. Are there any plans for Groo to show up? You write him so well.
Brian Lynch: He probably will, but nothing concrete for him yet. I love the hell out of writing him. Someone pointed out that I don't write him exactly how he was written on the show, but I kind of like the turn he's taken, so I'm torn.
8. bamph: Do you ever foresee down the line of doing a occasional large scale crossover event storyline with Bill Willingham on the Angel monthly? Where the stories from Spike and Angel crossover into each others books and the plotline runs between the two monthlies? Would you be open to that if Willingham is at some point?
I know at DC and Marvel this is done too often, but done well and not too much ,they can be great for a larger scope storyline.
Brian Lynch: You know, I would kill to work on ANYTHING with Bill, I've been a fan for years. I still can't believe that George actually gets dialog written by someone as awesome as Bill.
That said, I have the first arc of SPIKE stories planned out. Roughly ten issues, and there's no crossover event in the mix.
9. kaleidoscope: Is there any possibility of Tok visiting Spike ?
Brian Lynch: I think Tok is my favorite character I've created for the ANGEL/SPIKE books (runners up include Beck, Jeremy, Non and George), but there's really no place for her yet. If I can find a way to bring her in, absolutely. But I don't want to throw her in just to throw her in, you know?
Of course, this could all change tomorrow and she'll be in issue 1 or something. So don't hold me to it.
10. AndrewCrossett: His [Groo's] scene confronting the demon furries was hilarious. I think he's funnier now than he was in the TV show. Your writing of him is pretty consistent with what we could expect him to be like now, since he's had more time to observe our world and absorb some pop culture.
Anyway, my question... without mentioning any specifics, did Joss ever give you any hints as to his long-term plans for Angel and Spike? If so, do you take that into consideration while writing them, or are you pretty much flying free?
Brian Lynch: You know what helped me write Groo? Reading Mark Lutz interviews and talking to him a little in email. He is wonderfully funny and charming. I wish he was made a regular on ANGEL, I think he would have been awesome. If I ever have control over casting on ANYTHING I write movie/tv-wise, I'm going right to Mark. And Nick Brendan.
But thank you for your kind words about my take on Groo. He's so much fun to write.
Onto your question: when Joss and I sat down, he absolutely told me scenes/stories they planned, including the SPIKE movie. The SPIKE movie and AFTER THE FALL (or, as it would have been called on TV, season 6 of ANGEL) could not have happened together as they both went down different paths. But he said specific moments/scenes that I used in ATF and I have in the back of my head and will sprinkle into SPIKE UNLIMITED, which I'm calling it today. Tomorrow I will probably call it something different.
11. angeliclestat: Congrats on a great issue Brian - you're gonna be missed on Angel!
Just a kind of follow up question to the whole continuity issue.I was kinda surprised to see Spike appearing in preview pages Ryall posted for Angel #28 - I was worried that we were going to have a repeat of the whole 'Illyria and Gunn going off in a car" thing in #18 because Armstrong hadn't seen the final pages for #17 and didnt know Gunn was in a coma. Luckily you managed to rescue that with #23 which lead into 'Only Human', but this is slightly bigger.
So with things like Angel appearing in Spike, will you be informed as to what is happening in 'Angel', and will Willingham be made aware of what you are doing on 'Spike' so that there will be no major contradictions.
And were you aware that Willingham was using Spike in his Angel story?
Brian Lynch: Bill told me he was using Spike at Comic Con. I was a bit surprised to see Spike and Illyria in the same room in the ANGEL 28 preview, so it altered plans for SPIKE FOREVER, which I'm calling it for this post.
12. Hellbound Hyperion: I'd like to follow up on that with a more generalized question - have you and Joss talked much about the ANGEL comics post-Aftermath, or is it all you just doing whatcha wanna?
Brian Lynch: I answered this a few posts back, but it's an important question so I will say again. SPIKE will be a storyline from my adorable head sprinkled with ideas/themes that were to be covered in the SPIKE movie. In a way, it's not unlike SPIKE:AFTER THE FALL in that sense. So if you like that, you'll like SPIKE EVERLASTING. Although SPIKE EVERLASTING (which is the name I'm going with at this moment) will much more epic in scope.
13. iloveromy: I don't have my issues in front of me so I can't remember the exact resolution but I think it's still kind of in play. Do you think the Shanshu Prophecy is still important to Angel and or Spike's storylines? Or at this point has it become an obvious "carrot on a stick" and these characters should move away from that resolution?
Brian Lynch: It's important to Angel because of what it means he'll become. Spike isn't dwelling on it.
14. bamph: Spoilers for Season 8:
In Buffy Season 8,they are playing with a love triangle between Buffy/Xander/Dawn.This is now starting to really play out in Jane Espenson's current arc and will probably continue into Joss's upcoming issue in January and Brad Meltzer's arc after that most likely.Basically over the course of season 8,Buffy has developed 'feelings' for Xander and was going to act on them right when he and Dawn have gotten together.Buffy walked in on them.Xander/Dawn has been developing over the course of the season too.Xander at this point is unaware of Buffy's feelings nor is Dawn and Buffy is hurt and angry about catching the two together as seen in this week's issue.
So from a pure fanish perspective,how do you think Spike would react to Buffy developing romantic feelings for Xander and Xander/Dawn being together?If you were actally writing it,how do you think Spike would react to the whole Buffy/Xander/Dawn triangle?For that matter how do you think Angel would react?
Keeping in mind Spike's and Angel's previous history with Xander and Spike's previous relationship with Dawn.Plus assuming,they still don't know that Buffy was never dating The Immortal and that was a decoy.
So from a pure fanish perspective,how do you think Spike would react to Buffy developing romantic feelings for Xander and Xander/Dawn being together?If you were actally writing it,how do you think Spike would react to the whole Buffy/Xander/Dawn triangle?For that matter how do you think Angel would react?
Keeping in mind Spike's and Angel's previous history with Xander and Spike's previous relationship with Dawn.Plus assuming,they still don't know that Buffy was never dating The Immortal and that was a decoy.
Brian Lynch: Wait, who's together? Wow. Okay. Off the top of my head---
1. Spike hears about Xander and Dawn first. Spike pauses, thinks about it, tells Xander if he hurts her, Spike hurts him. And then subtly pats him on the back.
2. Then, Spike hears about Buffy's feelings. It wounds him, he doesn't show it, he makes fun of Xander for two pages very loudly. He then goes away, beats someone up, comes back, and wants to help her with whatever she's going through.
3. He takes Xander aside and says "are you SURE you're not using any spells? Potions? Deals with the devil?" Xander maintains he's not, Spike looks at him, silently for a beat and then says "teach me your ways."
____________
Angel would just want Buffy to be happy and safe. His reaction to Xander/Dawn wouldn't be that big, obviously. His reaction to Buffy's feelings for Xander? I solemn "I knew it."
2. Then, Spike hears about Buffy's feelings. It wounds him, he doesn't show it, he makes fun of Xander for two pages very loudly. He then goes away, beats someone up, comes back, and wants to help her with whatever she's going through.
3. He takes Xander aside and says "are you SURE you're not using any spells? Potions? Deals with the devil?" Xander maintains he's not, Spike looks at him, silently for a beat and then says "teach me your ways."
____________
Angel would just want Buffy to be happy and safe. His reaction to Xander/Dawn wouldn't be that big, obviously. His reaction to Buffy's feelings for Xander? I solemn "I knew it."
15. Wyndam: This is kinda just for housekeeping purposes, but is there any kind of overall arc name or anything that you describe #23-28 with?
Brian Lynch: I don't, no. I'm sorry.
16. sagewoman: First with the adoration - I love how you do Groo. Actually, I love how you write everyone. I just read Boys and their Toys - FANTASTIC!!!! And, Stephen Mooney's art - I love that man!
Okay, now I have to ask a question...hmmm...I love being surprised...you are a genius at writing...I trust where you are taking us.....okay, I've got one.
What kind of instructions do you give Stephen about the scene for the art? Your story and his art are beautiful.
Brian Lynch: Thank you so much for your kind words.
As for Stephen, same with Franco. I give them panel-by-panel breakdown, but rarely point of view camera angles or anything, I've worked with them enough that we have a wonderful shorthand. I trust them both 100%.
If you want to see any page of script from ANGEL 26, let me know which one and I'll put it up. That'll help you get an idea of how we do it.
17. AndrewCrossett: Is there a good chance that Drusilla will be popping up in SPIKE ETERNAL at some point? And if so, would you collaborate with Juliet again on writing her?
Would you like to use Harmony, and are you allowed to since she's in BtVS season 8?
Brian Lynch: Keeping in mind I only have a very rough outline, I can say that for now, Dru is not in the first 10 issues of SPIKE. If I continue beyond that, she may.
I would like to use Harmony. I think I'm allowed to, but she's not in the first 10 either.
18. Malsad: Besides Juliet, what other Whedon-verce actor would you love to co-write a comic with?
Brian Lynch: Well, I have my future in the Whedonverse mapped out, so I guess I'm not going to co-write with any of them because I'm just doing the SPIKE series. That said, if James himself wanted to do something, I could hardly pass that up.
19. Hellbound Hyperion: With SPIKE INFINITY, are you going to do something like what was done in ANGEL with flashbacks through some of Spike's life? I know we've seen a good portion of his vampire life through both BUFFY and ANGEL, but there's always potential for more story there, as well as his human life, which we know little about.
You may have already sorta touched on this, but I wanted know as an ANGEL fan if you thought the same sort of flashback-type episodes from ANGEL would work well for Spike.
Brian Lynch: There will be some flashbacks, I do believe. Yes.
I think flashback episodes of SPIKE would be great, sure. They could definitely work.
20. Paul: How come the Drusilla issues never had a subtitle? It's weird, considering IDW's obsession with them (Angel: After the Fall: Epilogue: Become What You Are?)
Brian Lynch: IDW doesn't have an obsession with them. They want to have a subtitle on their books so people can tell them apart, but for the most part, it's up to the writer. Blame the EPILOGUE title on me.
Oh, forgot to answer your question, sorry. I think everyone thought ANGEL:DRUSILLA: SOMETHING SOMETHING would be too much. I know everyone involved just calls them DRUSILLA.
21. Thorn N' Roses: Hey, did you have to get permission by Nicholas Cage and Jorge Garcia to use their likeness?
Brian Lynch: We had Stephen draw them JUST LEFT of the actual actors so we're okay. It's kind of parody anyhoo. Cage and Garcia are both comic fans, so I'd imagine they'd dig it.
22. iloveromy: You should try to get Lady Gaga as a side kick. Her ability to wear anything might be helpful to team Spike. Oops not a question, just sayin'.
Brian Lynch: I agree. She'll be on team SPIKE in the new book SPIKE GAGA, as I'm calling it starting now.
23. Moon Eyes: What about any of Spike's past loves coming to make an appearance?
Brian Lynch: That's spoilery, but the first issue starts with the death of BUFFY.
I'm kidding, come on. It starts with the death of disco. It's a period piece.
24. Paul: What made you pick Nicholas Cage of all people to play Fictional Angel?
Brian Lynch: He's been attached to play so many superheroes, and he's been in so many Bruckheimer movies, kinda HAD to be him.
25. bamph: Is SPIKE:BRAND NEW DAY going to occasionally reflect or give small nods to the status quo of the current larger Buffyverse with vampires being loved by the public at large and slayers hated/hunted?Sort of like how you had slayers appear in After The Fall?
Brian Lynch: Yes, I will do my best.
26. buffycomic: Regarding the Drusilla story arc, given the fact that stories like Gunn appear in separate mini-series like "Angel: Only Human", why was a story that didn't focus on Angel whatsoever take place in his main book and not in a separate one-shot or mini-series.
I'm still also confused by the ending, I interpretted it that the Senior Partners had something to do with transporting her to the previous timeline, but will the ramifications of this story play out somewhere down the line such as your upcoming Spike series.
Brian Lynch: Where the story went isn't up to me. Sorry.
27. bovy: Is Urru going to be the only artist on ALL-STAR SPIKE? Just curious, since that makes it hard to make it a monthly book. On the other hand, too many comics strive to make a monthly deadline, just because a lot of fans are used to it. Better to have 8 astonishing issues a year, than 12 average ones.
Just for the record, I realise that Urru is no slow artist. It's just that it takes more time when he prefers to ink his own pencils. During the timespan of AtF (18 months?)he produced 12 issues (8 Angel + 4 Spike). You'd have to be John Byrne or David Messina to beat that speed.
Brian Lynch:
I think, if we have someone come in and do an issue or two or three, it won't be in the middle of a storyline. Does that make sense?
28. Wyndam: Any chance that Mooney might do some alternate covers for Spike? It's almost depressing thinking that Last Angel In Hell might be his last Angelverse stint for a while.
Brian Lynch: I really super hope so.
29. Paul: Regardless of your feelings for Aftermath overall, how do you feel about the characters of Dez and James, both as a fan and a writer? Personally, I think they have potential, and would rather see them developed than thrown away.
Brian Lynch: I haven't read all of AFTERMATH yet (my bad, my work schedule is crazy right now), but I absolutely think you have to develop them. Even if people didn't like particular issues, they're a part of the series and can't just disappear.
30. [not so much a question, but...] angeliclestat: Ya I agree....if IDW just ignored the events of Aftermath just cos people didnt like it....there would be people complaining about that. So you cant win either way!
Brian Lynch: Exactly.
31. claytonm: Congratulations on a brilliant issue. It's been a while since we've seen angel and spike together and reading issue 26 was terrfific. You nailed Spike to perfection and I am so looking forward to the new Spike series.
Since you're leaving Angel and we wish you all the best, you'll be missed is Angel still the official continuation of the show since you and Joss Whedon are not really apart of it no more.
And what are your thoughts on Buffy season eight so far.
Brian Lynch: I haven't read BUFFY season 8 in a while. After AFTER THE FALL ended, things picked up in terms of screenwriting. I'm currently writing a couple of movies for Universal so I haven't had a lot of downtime.
That, coupled with a few subtle digs at the ANGEL series in the letters column of BUFFY have not made me anxious to go out and pick it up. I'm always afraid I'll read something that will bring me down. I do plan on buying all the trades and catching up before I plunge into SPIKE PROPER as I call it today.
As for official continuation, I just write stories when they ask. I don't know what you'd call it. I have a sneaking suspicion that Bill's run on ANGEL is going to be one of the best ANGEL comic stories ever, whatever it's labeled, so I'm excited for it.
EDIT: I should mention, the majority of stuff I read in SEASON 8 I really dug. The Dracula arc, the Faith arc. It's epic.
32. Ethros: Going back to ATF, just wondered your opinion on something. For newbies to ATF reading it for the first time in the collected hardcover/TPB format, where would you recomend is the best place to read Spike: ATF is? (ie. after Vol.2 (First Night)? in between Vol 3 & 4? etc)
Brian Lynch: Hmmmmm. I think either before the entire ANGEL:ATF series, or AFTER volume 2 of ANGEL:ATF. Excellent question!
33. girlinquestion: If you could completely problem-free, would you do a Betta Geroge mini-series? I know I'd like to see that.
Brian Lynch: I have an idea for it and I think it would be awesome. But I don't think IDW or the majority of fans would go for it.
34. fear: HI.This is an ‘After the fall’ question so I hope it is okay... how much involvement and hesitation did Joss have with the reappearance of Cordelia in Issues 12-13 ?
Brian Lynch: I'm hesitant to answer because at this point, I don't remember what was what. I think the original pitches and summaries and Q and A's address it but it's been a while and I've had my mind on other works for a while. I definitely came up with the idea of having Cordy appear there. It was supposed to be someone else but for the life of me, I can't remember who it was. I'm sorry.
35. Nixxenacht: Is there any chance we're going to see maybe Faith in SPIKE: BEYOND? I loved the chemistry they had together (+ I'd love to read your take on a slayer).
Brian Lynch: She's not in the first ten issues, but if I go beyond that, it would be neat. Tok vs. Faith would be nuts.
36. Da Letter Jay: If you could cross over any one Buffy character permanently (or at least for a long while) over to the Spike series, who would it be?
Brian Lynch: Xander or Willow. THOUGH, and I wonder if Joss would mind, Wood would be awesome because of his relationship with Spike. Would be neat to have them have to pair up.
37. AndrewCrossett: Was all the slaughter and carnage in the second Drusilla issue in her mind, or did it really happen?
Brian Lynch:The slaughter was real, yes.
38. Vampire in Rug: This is going to sound really pedantic, but I always loved Spike as a character right up until he beat the crap out of Wood and told him that his mother never really loved him dispite Spike being ensouled at the time. I think Spike should have been a better person than that. Then for the rest of the season Spike shared zero screentime with Wood and they kinda avoided each other in a totally awkward way.
I love Spike, but that *one thing* has always bothered me. He killed the kid's mother and then shows no class at all when he's confronted by a guy who's rightfully pissed. Brian, if you were to run it past Joss and then maybe have some kind of small, mutual reconciliation between the two, I can't speak for the rest of the fandom but I personally would find it to be awesome. I don't want to make a big deal of it, but that small moment of total jackassery on Spike's part has always kinda bothered me. It really would KICK ASS if you made things right between those two.
Anyhow. I was wondering, is SPIKE: UNLEASHED going to be set in Los Angeles or somewhere else? I hope that question isn't too spoilery... I was just thinking about how Angel moved to a different place when he got his own show. And Spike has got friends who live all over the place.... Las Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Tokyo and and so forth. I think Spike seems versatile enough to fit in almost anywhere.
Brian Lynch:Yes, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, for starters.
39. neowhobaz: Does Spike interact with Gunn and illyria in the first ten or is that to spoilery?
Brian Lynch:I don't want to spoil this kinda stuff. I'm sorry.
40. Paul: My question is kind of pretentious, but I like to make myself feel smart. I actually asked you it while back but it was too early for you to tell us...
What's the basic concept and themes of Spike: Whatever? For example, if Buffy is about female empowerment and the pains of growing up, and Angel is about redemption and the consant struggle of adult life... what's Spike about? If you had to boil it all down to one or two things, what would they be? Does the series have it's own mission statement that separates it from it's ex-girlfriend and big brother?
Oh, and a fun question... would you ever do an Angel Babies series? You've joked about it in the past, and Skottie Young's brilliant X-Babies covers kind of make me want one. You could do it as a back-up strip in Spike.
Brian Lynch: YES, I would absolutely do it. I pitched MOMMY'S LIL' ANGEL to IDW a few times. We may see some in the back of SPIKE INFINITE.
As for the themes, yes, I've decided what they are, but they are spoilery in a way, so, gonna have to make you wait. Sorry.
41. claytonm: Hi Brian,
Thanks for the reply earlier, you should definitely pick up Buffy Season 8 comics now because it's getting really good.
What was it like meeting Joss Whedon and planning Angel After The Fall. It must of been amazing knowing that Joss has let you continue the TV show in comics.
And how much was Joss involved with Angel After The Fall and the latest Angel comics. When you sat down with him did he tell you stories and what direction to go in. Was he planning to do a season 6 at the time.
Thanks
Brian Lynch: Meeting Joss and hearing his ideas was a dream come true. As for his involvement, I've covered it a bunch, the answers are out there, so I don't want to go into it again. I will say he told me what they had planned, gave me a ton of ideas, and then edited/changed/gave thoughts on my series outline.
42. sagewoman: Any chance we will learn of Spike's human last name (William ??)?
Brian Lynch: It's been said a few times in the SPIKE comics.
Paul: Peter David called him William Pratt in Spike: Old Times. Apparently it's a reference to Frankenstein-actor Boris Karloff, whose birthname was William Henry Pratt.
Brian Lynch: Yeah, and in SPIKE:ASYLUM, it's used again, I think in issue.