Spike: After the Fall - Issue 3

[hitnrun017]

Brian Lynch posted one of the issue 3 covers on his new blog: Click Here . Looks like we'll be finding out more about Spike being a prisoner with "benefits".

Spike: After the Fall #3
by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru

Defeated, tortured and beaten. The forces of evil are rising, threatening to destroy everything he holds dear. He is broken, he is alone. And he has them all exactly where he wants them. Spike's story continues, brought to you by the original Angel: After the Fall team of Brian Lynch and Franco Urru! The Sharp Brothers offer a special variant cover. And ask your retailer how to get the "grindhouse"-inspired version of their cover, too! $3.99

Preview from Newsarama:

[rick]

haha how's he gonna light that cig? torture indeed.
it'll be May soon. then June then July ! can't wait to pick this up

[Enisy]

New, spoilerish cover by Franco here.

Well. Won't exactly be dropping the comics over it, but I can't say I'm dancing circles either, especially given how certain cliques are bound to react. The cover is very pretty, though -- one of Franco's best. We'll get a coloured version, too, won't we?

[Wyndam]

That's fantastic! That is going to look really nice once it gets some color.

Spike and Illyria have always had an interesting chemistry, so I can't wait to see how this develops.

[hitnrun017]

I can say that's one of the last things I expected. Wonder how it will play out. Great cover too! Can't wait to see the final version.

[Emmie]

I don't like this for Wes' sake. I pretty much agree with what the commenter on the site said, NileQT87, about this development being Wesley's arc.

[Wyndam]

I don't know. While I certainly think the relationship that formed between Illyria and Wesley was brilliant, I don't think it would ever have become romantic. Wesley became obsessive with Illyria because she looked like Fred. Even though Illyria did begin to soften and show some very human-like qualities near the end of Season 5, I don't think Wesley's attraction to her was beginning to grow romantic.

As for Illyria and Fred living in the same body. I think if Spike is truly developing feelings for Illyria, then he would certainly keep those feelings separate from Fred. He knows that Fred loves Wesley and will always love Wesley. Even though Fred and Spike did form a connection when Spike was incorporeal, I just don't see him falling for her. I can buy that feelings might start to form with Illyria though, but not Fred.

This can lead to some very interesting developments with whatever is really going on with Fred and Illyria though. The team will obviously want Fred back, but Illyria has proven herself a faithful ally, so what is to be done with her. If they find a way to split the two apart at the cost of Illyria's life, what would they do? And if Spike does develop feelings for her, then what would he want to do? Lot's of interesting possibilities could be happening here over the next few months.

[El Diablo Robotico]

I don't know--somehow, I just can't picture Illyria kissing Spike. That's not to say that I wouldn't believe it if it happens, because I believe Brian could make it work, but for now, I'm gonna go with that either being a fantasy in Spike's head, a ruse to fool someone who might be watching, or just something eye-catching (that doesn't actually happen within) to grab attention sitting on comic-store shelves...

[Emmie]

My objection for the Spillyria is because we now know Fred is resurfacing inside her.

I have to wonder when Fred's soul started influencing Illyria. Does it go back to 'Shells' since her soul wasn't destroyed as the evil doc suggested? Any soft or humanlike behavior that Illyria demonstrates I attribute to Fred's influence, from her memories and her soul.

In a who would win situation for me, Wesley/Frillyria wins over Spike/Frillyria.

I also wonder how the God-king Illyria views sex. Haha now we can discuss his sexuality (since wasn't he technically a male old one who was resurrected in a female body). Besides, wouldn't Illyria view Spike as beneath her and maybe even a mild disgust with copulating with a half-breed.

[SlayerLV]

I can't really picture Spike and Illyria kissing either. But the cover is absolutely beautiful, I cant wait to see some color in it.

[D'Hoffryn]

it looks more like a tarot card than a cover.
But then fred always liked spike even when he was a ghost and if fred thought Wes was still dead then why not.
I guess the woman's shadow is Spider and we will see how the two first met in spike after the fall, can't wait

[Rachster]

that looks really cool I'm not sure how i feel about spike and illyria tho

[henzINNIT]

hmm... I really don't buy Spillyria but maybe there's more to it than this cover suggests.

Hell; there's a chance that the kiss never happens in the comic.

[Enisy]

May 3, 2008 9:55:53 GMT -5 henzINNIT said:

hmm... I really don't buy Spillyria but maybe there's more to it than this cover suggests.

Hell; there's a chance that the kiss never happens in the comic.

Nile accused Spike of "stealing Wes's girl", to which Chris Ryall answered:

Er, it's just an attention-getting cover (that does have a raison d'etre in this issue), but I really hope you read the issue when it comes out to see that you actually missed the mark with your comments here.

So maybe you're right.

[henzINNIT]

henz ftw

[Sacred Simplicity]

Wow... I seem to have predictive banner making powers, I uploaded a Spillyria banner just this week... I think they'd be great together, I loved their banter during the fighting sessions, and always thought they had chemistry, but I was still an avid Spuffy shipper.

Fangirly shipping aside, the artwork is awesome.

[curiouswolf]

May 3, 2008 10:45:25 GMT -5 Enisy said:

May 3, 2008 9:55:53 GMT -5 henzINNIT said:

hmm... I really don't buy Spillyria but maybe there's more to it than this cover suggests.

Hell; there's a chance that the kiss never happens in the comic.

Nile accused Spike of "stealing Wes's girl", to which Chris Ryall answered:

Er, it's just an attention-getting cover (that does have a raison d'etre in this issue), but I really hope you read the issue when it comes out to see that you actually missed the mark with your comments here.

So maybe you're right.

Since Brian said it wasn't a dream then maybe that isn't Illyria on the cover, after all? There's a possibility that Spider could have the power to change shape or cast a foolproof glamor. She might use another woman's appearance to seduce or trick Spike. Maybe Spider might use Buffy's image next or Dru's.

[Emmie]

What's the deal with Spider? She's a bit cloaked in mystery for a new character to be so close to Spike. I loaned my Angel comics to a friend otherwise I'd go reread to see when she's appeared.

I like the idea of a glamour, cuz that Illyria/Spike cover is vexing me a bit. I'm very up-in-arms on Wes' behalf

[curiouswolf]

May 4, 2008 22:59:42 GMT -5 Emmie said:

What's the deal with Spider? She's a bit cloaked in mystery for a new character to be so close to Spike. I loaned my Angel comics to a friend otherwise I'd go reread to see when she's appeared.

I like the idea of a glamour, cuz that Illyria/Spike cover is vexing me a bit. I'm very up-in-arms on Wes' behalf

Brian Lynch just posted on the IDW board that it isn't a shapechanging Spider doing the kissing. Even if it was glamour or a dream sequence that would show Spike developing feelings for Fred/Illyria which wouldn't bold well for the long-term future of Wes/Fredillyria even if Wes wasn't an incorporeal ghost.

Maybe, Spike just gets caught up in the moment and kisses Illyria. She changes back to an upset, shocked Fred babbling about Wes. Spike apologises and runs off to get captured by whoever is on the second cover.

[Wyndam]

May 3, 2008 0:58:27 GMT -5 Emmie said:

I also wonder how the God-king Illyria views sex. Haha now we can discuss his sexuality (since wasn't he technically a male old one who was resurrected in a female body). Besides, wouldn't Illyria view Spike as beneath her and maybe even a mild disgust with copulating with a half-breed.

Yeah this got me thinking that Illyria would probably never develop romantic feelings for anyone whether it be Spike or Wesley. Do we even know what Illyria's gender was before "she" took over Fred's body? I think most assume she was female since she did take over Fred, but who knows if she even had a gender?

This makes me think about her relationship with Wesley more. I know that Wes never would have developed feelings for her, and even though she grieved his death, I think that is just because Wes had become more or less her guide on Earth. She was de-powered and trapped in a body that wasn't hers, which I thinkis where her attachment to Wesley formed. Plus I think Wesley's obsession over her, because of her appearance, the memories of Fred she retained, etc., is what really piqued her interest over him.

The whole gender issue kind of makes my head spin though, so I guess it is just best to call her a she.