|
Post by Emmie on Aug 24, 2010 19:00:48 GMT -5
Billie Erin, your icon is BADASS. Hitgirl is AWESOME.
I'm looking forwarding to bringing the fun, guys! Soon, soon!
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 23, 2010 18:18:49 GMT -5
Right, because women can't be sexist. Except yes, yes they can. Sexism isn't something that only men can do. Jo Chen being a woman doesn't make a difference.
And yeah, I'm going to say that considering Willow and Buffy's characters (who are A, maybe even double AA) breasts become practically porn-star sized--that's not a Chen style. That's a sexist comics style.
Look, we're going to have to agree to disagree. Because I so amazingly disagree with everything you're saying here and to elaborate on all the ways I disagree would require a Master's thesis paper on art and feminism.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 23, 2010 15:48:27 GMT -5
Riker, I do like Chen's covers. I just have concrit analysis about them also. The main reason I write concrit is because the summation of responses to Chen's covers is "OMG AWESOME". I like having conversations about this. There's a difference between a blanket review (love it! hate it!) and constructive criticism. I consider mine the latter. I pretty much always buy Chen's covers and I really enjoy looking at them, but I also have things to say about the art and the messages therein.
I'm perplexed why you're focusing on Marc Blucas when my concrit was largely about how Sam's character had been turned into a Dominatrix Secret Spy Barbie. The idealized versions of women in Chen's comics continue to annoy me because she gives them all unnatural breast enhancement. It sends a bad message to women about body image and I don't think there's any defense for it.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 23, 2010 13:29:00 GMT -5
Ahhh yes, the animation question has been on my mind, too. Absolutely. And there'll definitely be some talk about Season 9 in greater detail, I think.
That's a great concrit, thinky thoughts question about Twilight's amassing of power.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 23, 2010 12:35:22 GMT -5
Not specific questions, no. Just if there's a topic you think won't be covered (something obscure perhaps) but you'd really like to put it up for consideration, go ahead and post.
Basically, you can share something you've been wondering about and if it works, I'll try to fit it in.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 23, 2010 12:20:31 GMT -5
Hey sports fans! And by sports fans, I mean Buffy comics fans! I just wanted to let y'all know I and my fellow mods are planning a big Season 8 extravaganza to be hosted here at SlayAlive for the September 1st release of Last Gleaming Part I. A "Season 8 in Retrospect" event that's going to look back on the highlights of the season and culminate with... The Ultimate Scott Allie Interview This is gonna be spectacular and I mean that literally. A spectacle of positive energy that will seduce you. You will not be able to resist my shimmy shakes, y'all. Be warned. And to be clear, this is a lovefest. LOVE. ♥ ♥ ♥ I've got my positivity back, it is FIERCE, and y'all are gonna be SHOCKED AND APPALLED AND MAYYYYYBE TURNED ON when you see the way I'm spreading the XOXO's. And amidst all the lovin', yes, we'll be sneaking in some thoughtful questions that will make Scott go "ugh, tough, whyyyy, Emmie? Why do you always do this to me?" And the answer is that I love the thinky thoughts. If anyone wants to make a case for a topic they'd maybe like covered in the interview, comment below, but mostly sit back and enjoy the ride 'cause we're here to entertain you.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 20, 2010 18:56:15 GMT -5
Paul, how was Riley's presence justified by this issue? We already knew he was a double agent through the main run. What happened that changed that or added to it? Nothing changed in how much we know about Riley except we were given more details. Further, the complaint that Riley has been completely pointless as a double agent in this season still stands.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 20, 2010 2:25:01 GMT -5
Sorry, Patteo. I feel your pain.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 20, 2010 2:16:00 GMT -5
Wyn, I'm with you on your point, but I'm not crazy over the titles you're suggesting. I think an intertwined BtVS/AtS logo and then a new title for the upcoming multiple series would work.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 19, 2010 13:47:54 GMT -5
LOL! What is up with the pregnancy obsession? James wants demon babies. Illyria wants demon babies. Everyone wants demon babies. BABIES ARE EVIL ZOMG.
How about some thought provoking moral quandaries? I miss those.
As for the Spike story, they're backed themselves into a corner. His OOC behavior isn't explained by soulessness as he's still OOC compared to the soulless Spike of the show. Oh well.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 19, 2010 10:29:38 GMT -5
Ah yes, the DH/IDW schism. Still alive and well, I see. Eh, like I side elsewhere there's leaps of logic, sure, but not baseless assumptions. DH says they're publishing an Angel title in 2011. They've previously said they cannot publish an Angel title without an Angel license. IDW currently holds the Angel license. Presumably two rival publishing companies can't share the same license (can they?) so then... Button, button, who's got the button. My money's on... CENSOREDCENSOREDCENSORED!!!1CENSORED
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 18, 2010 21:20:58 GMT -5
Uh oh, someone brought up the difference in meaning between words which is one of my favorite subjects to debate!
All heroes are champions, but not all champions are heroes.
A champion is a warrior who fights for the cause of others, be the cause good or ill. A hero is a warrior for good.
The terminology is a deliberate choice. As Giles puts it "Buffy is a hero, you see?" while Angel is a champion. Angel is the vampire with a soul who could go either way in the apocalypse. No one knows what side he'll land on, they only know he's pivotal. That's why he's not labeled simply a hero. No one's actually sure he'll always be good.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 7, 2010 19:46:53 GMT -5
*shrugs*
I can see them. Oh well. Since no one else is bothering with the spoilers I don't suppose it matters.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 7, 2010 16:10:39 GMT -5
Aw, I love Sam. Espenson made me love her. Especially this line:
I'm also enjoying Sam's emphatic encouragement based on the very practical reason that it's easier living their settled down life if there's "a planet under us."
I think Sam is going to be another character who benefits from the comics just like Kennedy. Especially with Espenson writing her. Her practicality and subtle humor are already apparent, but without the actress undermining the writing, Sam is appearing to be a very genuine, goodhearted individual.
One thing I'm beginning to get worried about is how this setup works. I'm assuming Riley was approached by the General for recruitment, but was that under Twilight's direction? Was Angel then setting up Riley to be a double agent, somehow knowing that Buffy would be asking him to spy for her? See, the problem with the usefulness of this issue is that the setup of the double agent mystery is not the complaint with Riley's character arc for Season 8. The complaint is that his being a double agent apparently helped zip, nada, nunca. And that's only going to be fixed by showing how Riley actually helped Buffy as a double agent.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 3, 2010 14:27:15 GMT -5
I think the reason we use the spoiler tags is because people can avoid the thread easily enough, but they can't avoid the posts if they like to use the "Most Recent Posts" feature.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Aug 3, 2010 11:47:13 GMT -5
Hey everyone, just wanted to share this update! Scott Allie posted an acknowledgement to fan film Bellflower here. My apologies to the crew of the Serenity fan film Bellflower--
Recently, we made a truly unfortunate mistake regarding the use of art from a fan film in one of our comics. We would like to make an apology to the artists and the filmmaker who were affected by our error. While preparing to draw Serenity: Float Out, artist Patric Reynolds researched ships from the ’Verse online, and mistook some ships designed for the fan film Bellflower for canonical ships. The ships were designed by John Douglass, S. E. O’Brien, Sam Osbourne, and filmmaker Mark James. Their work is terrific, and completely professional, like so much of what the Browncoats do, so no one realized the mistake.
We understand that this was a serious oversight on our part. We want to assure everyone that this is not a usual occurance, and we will make sure to be more careful in the future. Please accept my most sincere apologies, on behalf of Dark Horse and artist Patric Reynolds.
- Scott Allie
It's not surprising that there was a mix-up. So much of the fan works are on a professional level. Nice to read Scott speaking about it.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Jul 30, 2010 10:22:43 GMT -5
Unsouled Spike through making the Buffybot, was shown once again how important real is. Just look at how he reviled the thing after losing what was real, Buffy. He couldn't stand to be in the same room as it in Bargaining.
Ha! See Maggie already ably handled that one.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Jul 29, 2010 23:11:49 GMT -5
So it confirms that the ending to this issue isn't a twist. Spike has in fact lost his soul and just didn't notice. Right. Okay, then.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Jul 28, 2010 19:25:05 GMT -5
Bitsy, I'm gonna boil this down to one line: Spike is a character of action, not long, drawn-out paperwork plans. Conclusion: Fail. In terms of character motivation, Willingham is kinda sorta in the same ballpark. But the way he's manifesting Spike's insecurities is where it becomes problematic. Spike's always been insecure. This isn't new. His entire character is based upon his insecurities. But these insecurities manifest in the way he acts. The way he embodies his badass facade until the facade becomes reality. That's the problem. He knows these fake prophecies are false where as he's managed to convince himself he really is that badass. It's about the line when illusion becomes reality. With this storyline, there is no potential for Spike to buy into it. He knows it's a lie, what's more, one not convincingly told. Far better for him to fight to be the one the prophecy is about than to create false prophecies to gum up the works in appearance alone--because really, false prophecies are just about confusing the kiddies, not actually mucking up the status quo. It's the lack of substance to his actions that makes it unSpike. The reason Spike acts badass, throws himself into the mayhem, is that in believing himself to be badass, he then becomes badass. With these false prophecies, there is no opportunity for transformation--they will forever be false, and Spike's glory will forever be tarnished. And he'll always be aware that it wasn't worth it and he could've been dedicating himself to something more worthwhile. It's a surface layer, petty realization of a character with incredible depth and complexity. It makes it appear like all Spike cares about is being as famous as Angel. Except Spike also loves being a rebel which means living in defiance of prophecy. The 'Writing Faux Prophecies' schtick lacks flare, and let's call a spade a spade: it's lame. Soulless Spike of Season 6 would hang his head in shame if the best he could do as a rebel was hire a bunch of Hollywood writers to write some stories on a page. The selfsame soulless Spike of "All The Way" would shoot himself with a crossbow and repeat the line, "No. I'm a rebel. You're an idiot" with a sneer of superiority as the arrow drives home. Spike doesn't need to rely on a room full of Hollywood writers to tell a story about him. He wants to tell that story himself. He wants to live that story. To embody that story. And he wants that story to be real. This is why, to a large degree, James Marsters is Spike and Spike is James Marsters. They're both Method. Only Willingham's writing material more suited to a sellout actor with no respect for the artform.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Jul 28, 2010 15:39:42 GMT -5
Oh FFS! Negative response within spoilers: Like Spike not having his soul somehow explains why he gives a damn about prophecy now? It's always been "a bit of both", but his pursuit of prophecy has been about substance. Proving himself worthy through glory and sod all else. Hiring a bunch of Hollywood tools to fake a prophecy is not in character, soul or no. If it's fake, it doesn't mean anything. That's something Spike understands, the value of what's real, whether he has a soul or not. This is the guy willing to be tortured so that he can earn his soul, willing to dive into battle with a Slayer to prove he's got big brass ones. This is a guy who proves himself through actions, not false prophecies. Fail.The entourage of sychophantic scantily clad ladies in AtF was bad at first, but then it was shown that Spike was mostly using them as cover while he went out and fought the good fight. Willingham is hellbent on reducing Spike to a narcissistic sex doll.
Being soulless doesn't make Spike's behavior in character. *headdesks*
Bitsy, while I find it makes for an interesting story development to have Spike soulless, the execution of this story shows a serious lack of understanding of Spike. (If you find the idea intriguing, I'll be happy to direct you to some fanfic that explores this very idea while keeping Spike in character--oh, the writer is also British and talented with character voices besides, so it's miles above this tripe.) It's all well and good to see the potential of an idea, but the execution of this is shoddy as hell. And that's just in talking about the essence of character and not even getting into the character voices.
Attention Everyone: Remember that Marsters interview where he shares how Anthony Stewart Head helped him develop Spike's voice and accent? Yeah, Marsters is basically copying ASH's natural accent. And ASH told the writers to stop writing their characters saying "arse" because they wouldn't say it. Spike doesn't say "arse". Yes, it's British slang. No, it's never been said by Spike on BtVS or AtS. Not all British slang words fit Spike's character, thanks.
|
|