Post by Brian Lynch on Dec 23, 2008 12:14:53 GMT -5
I know the internet is winding down for the holidays, but if anyone has any questions, I'll be more than glad to do one of those fantastic holiday Q and As!
One question each, let's do it!
_______________________
1. Ethros: For a proper question I just wondered when writing for ATF on how much a regular basis were you in contact with Joss Whedon about it? And was the relationship more phone based, e-mails, in person meetings etc?
Brian: I cover this in depth in the back of ANGEL:AFT volume 3. I met with him early on, but it's primarily an email relationship, which is wonderful as you can't detect nervousness and "oh wow I'm talking to my hero" in email exchanges. Except that one time, when Joss was all nervous and literally typed "oh wow I'm talking to my hero" in the email. That was strange.
2. VampSlayer: Can you reveal if any more characters will die in A:ATF?
Brian: Come on now.
3. Wyndam: My question is related to issue #15's BIG death. Was this death planned all along (in a "Okay we have to reach this point eventually" kind of way), or something that developed as the story progressed? Similar to how Cordy wasn't originally planned to appear in the series unless an appearance would benefit the story, which issues #12-13 proved that she would benefit Angel at the time.
Brian: Oh I couldn't kill Connor just because, no sir. Something like this had to be planned. And wait until you see what it causes Angel to...
...well, that's a story for another time. About a month from now, in fact.
4. Jesse: Why are you so awesome?
Brian: I am far from awesome, but thank you very much!
5. Enisy: In hindsight, are there any characters or relationships that you think got less exposure than they warranted, or more exposure than they warranted?
Brian: YES! Originally Nina had more face-time, but Connor and Gwen kinda overwhelmed her story. That said, Nina's tale isn't done, Franco and Chris and I were just talking about her two days ago.
6. dhoffryn: YES or NO,
by the end of issue 17 will we know if fred is truely dead or coming back by some means.
thanks
Brian: By the end of issue 14 you kinda shoulda known that.
7. ligeia: Was Connor's death your idea or Joss' ?
Brian: It was Gunn's.
8. magicegidius: I really liked the timeshift of Angel in #15. But can you tell me why Illyria did not jump back in time when she got attacked?
Brian: When she was attacked after George did his Care Bear Stare? Because she was stunned by all the memories flooding her head.
9. trunkstheslayer: Kinda the generic question from 15: Illyria ate Groo, right? Or at least offed him anyway. Kinda thought I saw blood around her/its mouth-ish area in the following panel but I wasn't totally sure. Also: Have any fun holiday plans?
Brian: Not sure if Illyria ATE Groo. Ripped him apart? Yes. Maybe bit head off? Possibly. Ate him? Maybe?
My holiday plans WERE to be on a plane going home to New Jersey at this very moment, but sadly, my wife got sick so I am staying in California and taking care of her. So we're going home a week late, and spending the Holidays here.
10. iloveromy: Brian, IDW is going back and translating some of the episodes from the show to comics. Besides Not Fade Away and Smile Time, what episode would you love to see printed? Oh and can I say after reading the last ATF issue, You're a Mean One, Mr. Lynch...
Brian: Well, WAITING IN THE WINGS is my favorite, but I think they should do episodes that would benefit from a comic book's unlimited budget. Maybe the Jasmine arc? That was pretty epic. Oooooh the episode where Baby Connor got taken to the Hell Dimension, for sure.
I know I'm mean, and I'm sorry. I wish that issue came out AFTER the Holiday Season, as it was a real downer.
11. hitnrun017: Any thoughts flow through your mind while writing Connor's final words? Such a huge death!
Brian: It was hard to write. Not finding the words, that came surprisingly easy, but I got choked up. But considering Connor's arc ever since he got back from the hell dimension, learning about Angel through Holtz, and then he saw Angel as Angelus soonafter, those were the perfect last words, I thought. Full circle kinda thing.
Though, for me, the Illyria/Fred flashback scene was just as emotional. To put a period on Fred's story like that, and literally have emotions of characters I love save the day, that was a trip.
Those were tough scenes. And I wrote them the same night.
And we ain't over yet! Oooooh the emotions in issue 16! I think 16 is my favorite of the entire series, even beating 17 (but you should still read 17, it's sweet, I promise).
12. CowboyGuy: Brian, how do you personally feel about Connor's death in relation to Angel? I think that the characters of Dawn and Connor were introduced to help both Angel and Buffy grow up. But now that Connor has died, it just feels like another thing for Angel to be tortured over. And that makes me so sad, for both of them (father and son). I know that there's a reason for everything, but Angel has already sacrificed so much to protect Connor. And now it seems as if it was all for nothing. It would be the same if Dawn were to die. It would make all of Buffy's efforts as well as her sacrifice in The Gift, to be undercut. Kinda. Still, I loved the scene and it did make me well up. Which is a first in comic book reading for me. I NEVER thought a comic would make me want to cry. So I give you major kudos for it. But, I guess I am just sad about it.
Brian: I think I should wait until the series is over to talk about what it means for Angel, on account of anything I will say will be touched upon in ANGEL:ATF # 16-17.
13. patxshand: Is there any bit of information you can give us about what your future projects with IDW may be? Whether a Spike series, or the rumored _____'s Army, orrrrr.... anything? Teensy (or largeish) (or mediumish) (or anysized) tidbits of information, whether set in stone or just speculation?
Brian: Hmmmmmm...
Teensyish: Just got the PDFs for the SPIKE:AFTER THE FALL book. So pretty. The extras are all Franco this time, a bunch of character/page/cover sketches and new artwork. Sooooo awesome, great volume of work. While I thought they should use the Spike/Illyria cover by Franco for issue 3, I gotta admit, IDW did something kinda awesome: they went with Tony Harris' cover for ANGEL:AFTER THE FALL # 2. It matches the ANGEL collected's covers in the sense that's it painted (Alex Garner is swamped so he couldn't give us a new one). Tony Harris did a beautiful job, and I can only imagine how awesome it'll look slick and embossed.
Mediumish: Stephen Mooney and I are in the very preliminary stages of doing a project together. Non-Whedonesque. I say this is only mediumish news as this will be down the line as I have a lot of story breaking to do before I attempt it.
Largish: I have another Whedonverse series in me, waaaaay down the line but it's coming. I do believe Franco is on board too. We just need a break and a nap and some air. But it'll blow your mind, I do believe. For every person that asks if it's canon I will delay doing it another month. Truth is, no idea if Joss has time to go over this one with me. I'll ask him once I have time to put ideas down on paper, but if he's swamped, I think I still wanna do it. Gonna be awesome.
Anysizeish: Westerberg is coming back.
14. Emmie: I've been singing Fabio Mantovani's praises about the art for #15 since it's release and I was wondering if he'd be continuing to work on the final two issues of After the Fall?
Brian: I think you'll probably cry one more time. Maybe two. And thank you thank you thank you for your kind words.
Fabio is brilliant and beautiful and he most definitely did the colors for issue 16 (best of the series, in my opinion, easily). I think he's doing it for 17 too.
15. BenTaylor3907: My questions are regarding the most electrifying character, Gwen. So um... I was wondering who Gwen was talking to when she said "Love you, so much" while she was pulling a "Terra" (Teen Titans). Was she referring to Gunn or Connor? And Wasn't she ripped apart by the dragons? In one panel they looked like they were chomping down on her and the next panel she was lying untouched on the rooftop. Also, is it just me or did Groo seem to purposely fly straight into Illyria's mouth? Oh, what happened to Illyria's "shell" when she transformed back into her true from? Holla back, ya heard? Thanks. lol. Kudos Brian!
Brian: That's a ton of questions. Let's see:
1. I don't want to say. Who do YOU think?
2. She was bitten down on, yes. I guess Mooney didn't want to make it super gory when we saw here again, and I agree with that.
3. He flew at her, she overwhelmed him.
4. I would imagine it was destroyed.
16. Emmie: What shows are you most looking forward to come January/February (new ones, old ones returning from the break)?
Brian: LOST LOST LOST. CHUCK.
17. bamph: Hope it's not too late to ask a question. The main characters that have died so far are Gwen,the dragon,Groo and Connor.What was the creative decision or thought process that went into killing each of these major characters that have died so far in the story and was there one that came most natural to the plotline?
Brian: Do you mind if I answer this once the series is done? I think giving away motivations is gonna shed too much light on stuff. Sorry. Ask another question, any question, my apologies.
18. Ethros: Mind if I ask another? Has there ever been any things (whether it be plot, dialogue, ideas etc) that you and Joss have strongly disagreed on? ie. you were for it and he thought was a bad idea/not right, or vice versa? And also (yeah I'm greedy) was Joss involved at all with the basic ideas/plot for Spike:ATF. Just his name isn't on the credits for it like for Angel:ATF.
Brian: There are a few things that Joss and I disagreed on. I will probably put my original series pitch in the last volume so you can see what he said "no" to. A lot of it remained, but a big chunk of it is different.
This is another question that I can go into more detail on when the series is over. Ooooh! But I did want to reveal Angel as a human in issue one, at the exact same time that Gunn was revealed as a vampire. I thought cross-cutting those scenes would make for wonderful drama.
As for SPIKE:ATF, I've said this before, but we went over Spike's situation early on, and originally it was going to just be told in a flashback or dialog.
19. bamph: What were your emotions during the exact moments you were writing Connor being stabbed and the final last words between Angel and Connor as Connor died?
Brian: It was a mix of being very sad, because of what I was doing to characters I love, and pride because I thought it was coming out reeeeally well. I couldn't wait for you guys to read it, basically.
20. malsad: How is "The Sims Movie" script going?
Brian: I think it's in another writer's hands. Big budget special effects movies often have more than one writer, here's hoping the final movie is good. I'm currently as in the dark as you are. Currently writing my second animated movie for Dreamworks, I love them.
21. ●Shadow: Hey there. I was wondering what you're writing for Dreamworks? Just curious. PS. Connor's death made me cry... so congrats a comic book has never made me do that before. =]
Brian: I wrote the PUSS IN BOOTS movie for Dreamworks (SHREK spin-off) and I can't discuss the next one, it's new and under wraps, but it's wonderful. Still at the outline writing stage for that one.
Sorry for making you cry, get more hankies ready!
22. Joe "Illyria's Pet": Could you give us a description of Volume 3's cover?
Brian: It's either Garner's cover for issue 10 or Garner's cover for issue 11.
23. mindcrime: hello brian, im new here and just wanted to thank you & joss for continuing angel. i was so depressed when the series was cancelled, and i never thought i would know what happened...so thank you. question: i can only imagine how angel is gonna react to conners death, my question is, is this goning to lead to angel becoming a vamp again? and if so, how can he become a vamp again without reverting to angelus?
Brian: That's kinda spoiler-y, my friend.
24. VampSlayer: Brian, after seeing George help Team Angel in issue 15, it made me wonder if my favorite, little, awesome fish was going to have a bit bigger role now than just 'Gunn's kidnapted, awesome fish.' xD Will George be crossing over into Aftermath with Team Angel?
Brian: I don't want to spoil the end of ANGEL:ATF to reveal whether or not George even makes it through, and I certainly don't want to spoil other writer's stories, so I will be mum on that.
And I think George had a HUGE impact on AFTER THE FALL, no? For one thing, we learned all about Gunn through George, and if George wasn't there and able to help out, Angel's plan wouldn't have worked in issue 15. So in a way, George saved the day!
25. Thorn Of Gachnar: Would you like to see a 'Hight power/Ascended being' Connor, Fred, Cordelia and Wesley (if he dies for good...) in the final comic for After the fall? or do you think that you are done with these characters in After the fall? (not wes, because he is still around... ) do you have any say or have talked with Kelley Armstrong about anything that you would like to see happen in Angel: Aftermath?
Brian: I'd like to see any story with these characters if it was done well. Would I like to write that specific story? No sir.
I talked to Kelley for a little bit at San Diego Comic Con, and I emailed IDW a big mission statement on possible story directions and character beats if they wanted to use'em. That said, Kelley is quite capable on her own and she doesn't need me over her shoulder. Except literally, as I've taken to stalking her. She smells like peppermint!
26. ●Shadow: I have another question, though...and its about the secret Dreamworks project... when do you think info about that will come out? I love Dreamworks and the Puss movie is bound to be awesome lol. Oooh do you think you'll meet Antonio Banderas!?
Brian: No idea about the other Dreamworks project. It's not that it's secret, it's just that it's so early that it's not worth talking about. Not at script yet, I'm at the outline stage, who knows if we'll get to script. It's not even a project yet, it's a projectette. Or a projectling.
I saw Antonio at the SHREK THE THIRD premiere but I didn't talk to him yet. He's a handsome dude, I man-swooned.
27. BenTaylor3907: Brian, do you believe Ms. Armstrong will do the Angel series justice? Has she gone over anything with you? Anything at all? I was skeptical at first when I heard a new guy was coming to continue where Angel and the gang left off, fighting an army of demons sent from Wolfram & Hart in a alley. But you grew on me and I am now honored to have you as a part of Team Angel. I just don't think I could do it again. I don't want to think that the Angel series is just being passed from person to person. You know?
Brian: I haven't read Kelley's stuff but I have talked to her briefly at San Diego, she's very excited and I think it'll all be sweet, despite her lack of telepathic fish.
28. BenTaylor3907: Sorry, I have another one. I hope you don't mind.
Do you have an idea of what the cover for volume four will look like?
Will it be a new one or an old one?
Brian: I hope it's Alex Garner's cover for issue 16.
29. ●Shadow:[/b[ Um I have a random question... do you like Heroes? If so would you have written some of the things that happened differently..?
Brian: I really like the first two thirds of the first season of HEROES. Ever since then it hasn't really held my interest, I tried to keep up, but I stopped watching maybe five episodes ago.
It is odd how troubled that show is. The creator constantly has to apologize for the show, which is very strange.
30. Ethros: How about Battlestar Galactica? (nuBSG as some say) Are you a fan?
Brian: I haven't watched it. Joss actually recommended it to me way-back-when, so of course I had to immediately go out and get the DVDs. Just haven't had the time to watch'em.
31. Skytteflickan88: So I finally got issue 12 and could catch up. I really love this series now. Specially that Spike is so pathetic. Thank you for humiliating him. The tattoo comment, was that planned from the beginning? Or did you read us complaining about the lack of Angel's tattoo in the early issues and decided to stop the whining and give us a explanation? Because if you did, good save.
Brian: Planned from the start!
Umm...
32. ●Shadow: Okay so theres something I dont understand... was Gwen allied with Gunn all along? Or what? Also this might be sorta spoilerish..but is there anything in store for Nina?
Brian: Gwen was allied with Gunn early on. Certainly before Connor. As revealed in FIRST NIGHT, she was in a horrible place mentally, and Gunn promised that he could fix it all.
Nina appears again, yessir!
33. Ethros: Do you ever get recognized in the street, or asked for your autograph/picture etc? Just wondered if outside of a convention or whatnot a fan has ever spotted you?
Brian: I have, in fact I got recognized at the mall on Christmas Eve. That time it was for ANGEL, but it's usually much more for the Kevin Smith movie stuff.
34. Emmie: Brian, I've got a question about Gunn and his memories of Connor. Obviously, Wes and Illyria's memories of Connor were restored in Season 5 of AtS. But it seemed like Gunn was still in the dark because he wasn't in the near vicinity during Origin. Once in Hell-A, how did Gunn know Connor was "Baby Angel"? Was it similar to how all the demons knew Connor was Angel's son in First Night? Or did Gunn have all his memories of Connor restored and if so, when did this happen?
Brian: It was similar to why the demons knew, yes.
35. BenTaylor3907: I have another question except about Connor's memories. I thought Connor's memories were restored in Origin, but in the First Night segment thing, he suddenly remembers everything. Was there an error or something? Or did not all of Connor's memories come back in Origin? Please let me know if I'm being a babbling idiot, and I really hope I'm not getting on your nerves bey ambushing you with questions.
Brian: ALL his memories came back, from being a baby on. Not even I have my memories of infancy. Plus everything was crystal clear, 100% recall.
One question each, let's do it!
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1. Ethros: For a proper question I just wondered when writing for ATF on how much a regular basis were you in contact with Joss Whedon about it? And was the relationship more phone based, e-mails, in person meetings etc?
Brian: I cover this in depth in the back of ANGEL:AFT volume 3. I met with him early on, but it's primarily an email relationship, which is wonderful as you can't detect nervousness and "oh wow I'm talking to my hero" in email exchanges. Except that one time, when Joss was all nervous and literally typed "oh wow I'm talking to my hero" in the email. That was strange.
2. VampSlayer: Can you reveal if any more characters will die in A:ATF?
Brian: Come on now.
3. Wyndam: My question is related to issue #15's BIG death. Was this death planned all along (in a "Okay we have to reach this point eventually" kind of way), or something that developed as the story progressed? Similar to how Cordy wasn't originally planned to appear in the series unless an appearance would benefit the story, which issues #12-13 proved that she would benefit Angel at the time.
Brian: Oh I couldn't kill Connor just because, no sir. Something like this had to be planned. And wait until you see what it causes Angel to...
...well, that's a story for another time. About a month from now, in fact.
4. Jesse: Why are you so awesome?
Brian: I am far from awesome, but thank you very much!
5. Enisy: In hindsight, are there any characters or relationships that you think got less exposure than they warranted, or more exposure than they warranted?
Brian: YES! Originally Nina had more face-time, but Connor and Gwen kinda overwhelmed her story. That said, Nina's tale isn't done, Franco and Chris and I were just talking about her two days ago.
6. dhoffryn: YES or NO,
by the end of issue 17 will we know if fred is truely dead or coming back by some means.
thanks
Brian: By the end of issue 14 you kinda shoulda known that.
7. ligeia: Was Connor's death your idea or Joss' ?
Brian: It was Gunn's.
8. magicegidius: I really liked the timeshift of Angel in #15. But can you tell me why Illyria did not jump back in time when she got attacked?
Brian: When she was attacked after George did his Care Bear Stare? Because she was stunned by all the memories flooding her head.
9. trunkstheslayer: Kinda the generic question from 15: Illyria ate Groo, right? Or at least offed him anyway. Kinda thought I saw blood around her/its mouth-ish area in the following panel but I wasn't totally sure. Also: Have any fun holiday plans?
Brian: Not sure if Illyria ATE Groo. Ripped him apart? Yes. Maybe bit head off? Possibly. Ate him? Maybe?
My holiday plans WERE to be on a plane going home to New Jersey at this very moment, but sadly, my wife got sick so I am staying in California and taking care of her. So we're going home a week late, and spending the Holidays here.
10. iloveromy: Brian, IDW is going back and translating some of the episodes from the show to comics. Besides Not Fade Away and Smile Time, what episode would you love to see printed? Oh and can I say after reading the last ATF issue, You're a Mean One, Mr. Lynch...
Brian: Well, WAITING IN THE WINGS is my favorite, but I think they should do episodes that would benefit from a comic book's unlimited budget. Maybe the Jasmine arc? That was pretty epic. Oooooh the episode where Baby Connor got taken to the Hell Dimension, for sure.
I know I'm mean, and I'm sorry. I wish that issue came out AFTER the Holiday Season, as it was a real downer.
11. hitnrun017: Any thoughts flow through your mind while writing Connor's final words? Such a huge death!
Brian: It was hard to write. Not finding the words, that came surprisingly easy, but I got choked up. But considering Connor's arc ever since he got back from the hell dimension, learning about Angel through Holtz, and then he saw Angel as Angelus soonafter, those were the perfect last words, I thought. Full circle kinda thing.
Though, for me, the Illyria/Fred flashback scene was just as emotional. To put a period on Fred's story like that, and literally have emotions of characters I love save the day, that was a trip.
Those were tough scenes. And I wrote them the same night.
And we ain't over yet! Oooooh the emotions in issue 16! I think 16 is my favorite of the entire series, even beating 17 (but you should still read 17, it's sweet, I promise).
12. CowboyGuy: Brian, how do you personally feel about Connor's death in relation to Angel? I think that the characters of Dawn and Connor were introduced to help both Angel and Buffy grow up. But now that Connor has died, it just feels like another thing for Angel to be tortured over. And that makes me so sad, for both of them (father and son). I know that there's a reason for everything, but Angel has already sacrificed so much to protect Connor. And now it seems as if it was all for nothing. It would be the same if Dawn were to die. It would make all of Buffy's efforts as well as her sacrifice in The Gift, to be undercut. Kinda. Still, I loved the scene and it did make me well up. Which is a first in comic book reading for me. I NEVER thought a comic would make me want to cry. So I give you major kudos for it. But, I guess I am just sad about it.
Brian: I think I should wait until the series is over to talk about what it means for Angel, on account of anything I will say will be touched upon in ANGEL:ATF # 16-17.
13. patxshand: Is there any bit of information you can give us about what your future projects with IDW may be? Whether a Spike series, or the rumored _____'s Army, orrrrr.... anything? Teensy (or largeish) (or mediumish) (or anysized) tidbits of information, whether set in stone or just speculation?
Brian: Hmmmmmm...
Teensyish: Just got the PDFs for the SPIKE:AFTER THE FALL book. So pretty. The extras are all Franco this time, a bunch of character/page/cover sketches and new artwork. Sooooo awesome, great volume of work. While I thought they should use the Spike/Illyria cover by Franco for issue 3, I gotta admit, IDW did something kinda awesome: they went with Tony Harris' cover for ANGEL:AFTER THE FALL # 2. It matches the ANGEL collected's covers in the sense that's it painted (Alex Garner is swamped so he couldn't give us a new one). Tony Harris did a beautiful job, and I can only imagine how awesome it'll look slick and embossed.
Mediumish: Stephen Mooney and I are in the very preliminary stages of doing a project together. Non-Whedonesque. I say this is only mediumish news as this will be down the line as I have a lot of story breaking to do before I attempt it.
Largish: I have another Whedonverse series in me, waaaaay down the line but it's coming. I do believe Franco is on board too. We just need a break and a nap and some air. But it'll blow your mind, I do believe. For every person that asks if it's canon I will delay doing it another month. Truth is, no idea if Joss has time to go over this one with me. I'll ask him once I have time to put ideas down on paper, but if he's swamped, I think I still wanna do it. Gonna be awesome.
Anysizeish: Westerberg is coming back.
14. Emmie: I've been singing Fabio Mantovani's praises about the art for #15 since it's release and I was wondering if he'd be continuing to work on the final two issues of After the Fall?
Brian: I think you'll probably cry one more time. Maybe two. And thank you thank you thank you for your kind words.
Fabio is brilliant and beautiful and he most definitely did the colors for issue 16 (best of the series, in my opinion, easily). I think he's doing it for 17 too.
15. BenTaylor3907: My questions are regarding the most electrifying character, Gwen. So um... I was wondering who Gwen was talking to when she said "Love you, so much" while she was pulling a "Terra" (Teen Titans). Was she referring to Gunn or Connor? And Wasn't she ripped apart by the dragons? In one panel they looked like they were chomping down on her and the next panel she was lying untouched on the rooftop. Also, is it just me or did Groo seem to purposely fly straight into Illyria's mouth? Oh, what happened to Illyria's "shell" when she transformed back into her true from? Holla back, ya heard? Thanks. lol. Kudos Brian!
Brian: That's a ton of questions. Let's see:
1. I don't want to say. Who do YOU think?
2. She was bitten down on, yes. I guess Mooney didn't want to make it super gory when we saw here again, and I agree with that.
3. He flew at her, she overwhelmed him.
4. I would imagine it was destroyed.
16. Emmie: What shows are you most looking forward to come January/February (new ones, old ones returning from the break)?
Brian: LOST LOST LOST. CHUCK.
17. bamph: Hope it's not too late to ask a question. The main characters that have died so far are Gwen,the dragon,Groo and Connor.What was the creative decision or thought process that went into killing each of these major characters that have died so far in the story and was there one that came most natural to the plotline?
Brian: Do you mind if I answer this once the series is done? I think giving away motivations is gonna shed too much light on stuff. Sorry. Ask another question, any question, my apologies.
18. Ethros: Mind if I ask another? Has there ever been any things (whether it be plot, dialogue, ideas etc) that you and Joss have strongly disagreed on? ie. you were for it and he thought was a bad idea/not right, or vice versa? And also (yeah I'm greedy) was Joss involved at all with the basic ideas/plot for Spike:ATF. Just his name isn't on the credits for it like for Angel:ATF.
Brian: There are a few things that Joss and I disagreed on. I will probably put my original series pitch in the last volume so you can see what he said "no" to. A lot of it remained, but a big chunk of it is different.
This is another question that I can go into more detail on when the series is over. Ooooh! But I did want to reveal Angel as a human in issue one, at the exact same time that Gunn was revealed as a vampire. I thought cross-cutting those scenes would make for wonderful drama.
As for SPIKE:ATF, I've said this before, but we went over Spike's situation early on, and originally it was going to just be told in a flashback or dialog.
19. bamph: What were your emotions during the exact moments you were writing Connor being stabbed and the final last words between Angel and Connor as Connor died?
Brian: It was a mix of being very sad, because of what I was doing to characters I love, and pride because I thought it was coming out reeeeally well. I couldn't wait for you guys to read it, basically.
20. malsad: How is "The Sims Movie" script going?
Brian: I think it's in another writer's hands. Big budget special effects movies often have more than one writer, here's hoping the final movie is good. I'm currently as in the dark as you are. Currently writing my second animated movie for Dreamworks, I love them.
21. ●Shadow: Hey there. I was wondering what you're writing for Dreamworks? Just curious. PS. Connor's death made me cry... so congrats a comic book has never made me do that before. =]
Brian: I wrote the PUSS IN BOOTS movie for Dreamworks (SHREK spin-off) and I can't discuss the next one, it's new and under wraps, but it's wonderful. Still at the outline writing stage for that one.
Sorry for making you cry, get more hankies ready!
22. Joe "Illyria's Pet": Could you give us a description of Volume 3's cover?
Brian: It's either Garner's cover for issue 10 or Garner's cover for issue 11.
23. mindcrime: hello brian, im new here and just wanted to thank you & joss for continuing angel. i was so depressed when the series was cancelled, and i never thought i would know what happened...so thank you. question: i can only imagine how angel is gonna react to conners death, my question is, is this goning to lead to angel becoming a vamp again? and if so, how can he become a vamp again without reverting to angelus?
Brian: That's kinda spoiler-y, my friend.
24. VampSlayer: Brian, after seeing George help Team Angel in issue 15, it made me wonder if my favorite, little, awesome fish was going to have a bit bigger role now than just 'Gunn's kidnapted, awesome fish.' xD Will George be crossing over into Aftermath with Team Angel?
Brian: I don't want to spoil the end of ANGEL:ATF to reveal whether or not George even makes it through, and I certainly don't want to spoil other writer's stories, so I will be mum on that.
And I think George had a HUGE impact on AFTER THE FALL, no? For one thing, we learned all about Gunn through George, and if George wasn't there and able to help out, Angel's plan wouldn't have worked in issue 15. So in a way, George saved the day!
25. Thorn Of Gachnar: Would you like to see a 'Hight power/Ascended being' Connor, Fred, Cordelia and Wesley (if he dies for good...) in the final comic for After the fall? or do you think that you are done with these characters in After the fall? (not wes, because he is still around... ) do you have any say or have talked with Kelley Armstrong about anything that you would like to see happen in Angel: Aftermath?
Brian: I'd like to see any story with these characters if it was done well. Would I like to write that specific story? No sir.
I talked to Kelley for a little bit at San Diego Comic Con, and I emailed IDW a big mission statement on possible story directions and character beats if they wanted to use'em. That said, Kelley is quite capable on her own and she doesn't need me over her shoulder. Except literally, as I've taken to stalking her. She smells like peppermint!
26. ●Shadow: I have another question, though...and its about the secret Dreamworks project... when do you think info about that will come out? I love Dreamworks and the Puss movie is bound to be awesome lol. Oooh do you think you'll meet Antonio Banderas!?
Brian: No idea about the other Dreamworks project. It's not that it's secret, it's just that it's so early that it's not worth talking about. Not at script yet, I'm at the outline stage, who knows if we'll get to script. It's not even a project yet, it's a projectette. Or a projectling.
I saw Antonio at the SHREK THE THIRD premiere but I didn't talk to him yet. He's a handsome dude, I man-swooned.
27. BenTaylor3907: Brian, do you believe Ms. Armstrong will do the Angel series justice? Has she gone over anything with you? Anything at all? I was skeptical at first when I heard a new guy was coming to continue where Angel and the gang left off, fighting an army of demons sent from Wolfram & Hart in a alley. But you grew on me and I am now honored to have you as a part of Team Angel. I just don't think I could do it again. I don't want to think that the Angel series is just being passed from person to person. You know?
Brian: I haven't read Kelley's stuff but I have talked to her briefly at San Diego, she's very excited and I think it'll all be sweet, despite her lack of telepathic fish.
28. BenTaylor3907: Sorry, I have another one. I hope you don't mind.
Do you have an idea of what the cover for volume four will look like?
Will it be a new one or an old one?
Brian: I hope it's Alex Garner's cover for issue 16.
29. ●Shadow:[/b[ Um I have a random question... do you like Heroes? If so would you have written some of the things that happened differently..?
Brian: I really like the first two thirds of the first season of HEROES. Ever since then it hasn't really held my interest, I tried to keep up, but I stopped watching maybe five episodes ago.
It is odd how troubled that show is. The creator constantly has to apologize for the show, which is very strange.
30. Ethros: How about Battlestar Galactica? (nuBSG as some say) Are you a fan?
Brian: I haven't watched it. Joss actually recommended it to me way-back-when, so of course I had to immediately go out and get the DVDs. Just haven't had the time to watch'em.
31. Skytteflickan88: So I finally got issue 12 and could catch up. I really love this series now. Specially that Spike is so pathetic. Thank you for humiliating him. The tattoo comment, was that planned from the beginning? Or did you read us complaining about the lack of Angel's tattoo in the early issues and decided to stop the whining and give us a explanation? Because if you did, good save.
Brian: Planned from the start!
Umm...
32. ●Shadow: Okay so theres something I dont understand... was Gwen allied with Gunn all along? Or what? Also this might be sorta spoilerish..but is there anything in store for Nina?
Brian: Gwen was allied with Gunn early on. Certainly before Connor. As revealed in FIRST NIGHT, she was in a horrible place mentally, and Gunn promised that he could fix it all.
Nina appears again, yessir!
33. Ethros: Do you ever get recognized in the street, or asked for your autograph/picture etc? Just wondered if outside of a convention or whatnot a fan has ever spotted you?
Brian: I have, in fact I got recognized at the mall on Christmas Eve. That time it was for ANGEL, but it's usually much more for the Kevin Smith movie stuff.
34. Emmie: Brian, I've got a question about Gunn and his memories of Connor. Obviously, Wes and Illyria's memories of Connor were restored in Season 5 of AtS. But it seemed like Gunn was still in the dark because he wasn't in the near vicinity during Origin. Once in Hell-A, how did Gunn know Connor was "Baby Angel"? Was it similar to how all the demons knew Connor was Angel's son in First Night? Or did Gunn have all his memories of Connor restored and if so, when did this happen?
Brian: It was similar to why the demons knew, yes.
35. BenTaylor3907: I have another question except about Connor's memories. I thought Connor's memories were restored in Origin, but in the First Night segment thing, he suddenly remembers everything. Was there an error or something? Or did not all of Connor's memories come back in Origin? Please let me know if I'm being a babbling idiot, and I really hope I'm not getting on your nerves bey ambushing you with questions.
Brian: ALL his memories came back, from being a baby on. Not even I have my memories of infancy. Plus everything was crystal clear, 100% recall.
