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Post by Wyndam on Jul 17, 2008 13:54:17 GMT -5
I really, really enjoyed this issue. Spike is far from my favorite character (thanks to Season 6 and 7 of Buffy), but ever since Angel: After the Fall started, I have really enjoyed his character. That continued in this first issue, that was just a really excellent start to this 4-issue series.
The dialogue, was of course, spot on. I was chuckling at a number of things that Spike was saying (loved how quick he got annoyed when the civilians would try and speak to him), and I also really loved Fred-llyria in this issue as well. The panel where she says "Ours." and is pushing the demon out of the way just made me lose it, so hilarious.
I really enjoyed Franco's art, especially the demons in this issue.
The Fred and Illyria dynamic was really interesting, and that is easily the main reason I was anticipating Spike: Atf so much. I can't wait to see that explored further.
The character of Jeremy was also pretty interesting too, and makes me wonder where this mini-series is going with that character. He had an interesting story in this issue, and seems like he is Spike's semi-side kick as well. Also looking forward to how that is explored.
So all in all, I really liked this issue and can't wait to see what happens next.
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brandonr
Potential Slayer
"That's mine." "Well you're about to get it back."[Mo0:0]
Posts: 168
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Post by brandonr on Jul 17, 2008 14:30:42 GMT -5
When news of this series first broke, I was a little taken aback. Why do we need a Spike story if we have him in Angel: ATF? Is it really necessary? Should I even buy it?
Well I bought it, and while, after just this first issue, I'm still not totally convinced that its a completely necessary story to tell, I am glad its being told, and I'm glad I picked it up.
There are three things that shine about this initial issue:
1. Spike's "Two Things" line.
2. Spike's conversation with the "masses" about letting them ride the dinosaur ride because they're bored.
3. The Fred-llyria additional info.
Right now, the most interesting thing, to me, about this series, is Fred-llyria. More importance, whether intentionally or unintentionally, seems to have been put on her than anything else in the issue. She's Spike's primary concern, she's on his mind every minute, and all his musings about everything else seem to lead back to her (or his new leadership role). I'm really psyched to see if Spike: ATF provides more background info on the Fred-llyria situation, and hopefully it'll allow us to more fully understand what's going on with her when we see her in Angel: ATF.
Also, Spike seems more Spike-like here then he does in Angel: ATF. This is Spike at his truest, the superbly-reluctant hero, joking and throwing put-downs at people just to get them to shut up and leave him alone. It's good to have Spike running the show rather than being a sidekick (so to speak).
I, too, am a bit underwhelmed, but I'm most definitely in for the ride, and I'm ready to have that WOW moment from this series, even if it does take until the end of issue 4. Good things payoff in the end.
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Whedon Fan
Ensouled Vampire
Joss Is Boss
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Posts: 1,312
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Post by Whedon Fan on Jul 17, 2008 16:26:41 GMT -5
Like some people have said I wasn't to sure If I should buy Spike: After The Fall but I am very happy to say that I did. It was brilliant. Brian really does have Spike's humour down exact! And when people get other people's names wrong it is ALWAYS funny. Have a look at the Buffy un-aired pilot or the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman film "The Bucket List" For those that are saying that the issue was not 'epic' or 'shocking', issue was was a build up issue it was setting things up. I'm guessing that issue 2 will have a few big things with still some more build up and then have a huge/brilliant thing done in issue 3 and then bring it back down in issue 4 and try and blend it into the ending of SATF but set it up for when we seem Spike over on AATF. These are just guess but it is the usual beginning/middle and end approach to writing. Can't wait for issue 2.  Oh and I picked up the ANgel AFter The Fall TPB aswell today but I'll get to that in the AATF Thread.  |
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Post by elfan888 on Jul 17, 2008 18:33:06 GMT -5
I never gave it any deep meaningful thought, but I never bothered with "Charmed" cuz at 1st glance it just seemed to be the standard Hollywood practice of cloning a successful template (to put it nicely: "rip-off concept-piracy plagarism" to not be so nice)
I didn't know if anyone officially connected to the Whedonverse felt the same way, but the "witch-sisters" snark seems to confirm things
Can anyone here enlighten me?
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Post by themaleslayer on Jul 17, 2008 19:37:50 GMT -5
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Got it a day later, but it was awesome.
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Post by snizapman6294 on Jul 18, 2008 11:01:04 GMT -5
Joss took a pretty solid cheap shot at "Charmed" on a DVD commentary, so this was pretty mild. I don't like the show anyway, I LOL'd out loud! at it, actually. But still better was the idea that Spike actually would reflect on the amount of shit that Angel and Buffy have to put up with as he feels his way toward his leadership role. The humor was all spot on, here. I still, however, came over a bit unfulfilled, just because... it *is* a flashback story. No matter what happens, we know Spike is going to be who he is and where he is when the story catches back up to Angel's visit in Chapter 2 of his book. It's Star Wars prequelitis, that way. It's still cool, but it's just sort of okay, let's see the big lightsaber fight. Best truly new insight is Spike and Illyria -- I didn't catch him saying so, but other comments he's made (even back in Season 5) make me think he's actually a little repulsed by her being Fred, and that it's not just because Illyria can defend herself. I would hope he's *not* repulsed, but that's actually because I still hold some hope that, unlike Illyria's Season 5 finger-sparking and impersonation, that actually *is* Fred somehow. But I'm not sure that's where Brian is going with her story. I'm not sure how I feel about Jerry/Jeremy. He has an interesting little role, like that guy in Shakespeare who's always around to comment on the hero's behavior. But at the same time, I assume his full name is Jeremy C. Fodder, if you take my meaning, so I can't get too invested in his own storyline. I think I'll enjoy it more as I see how Spider and Spike's new nemesisisisis come into the story. What season was joss' commentary on charmed? i'm actually interested in what he says. |
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Post by dragonweaver on Jul 19, 2008 20:46:11 GMT -5
Okay, so once again I'm really late to this party. Being a working stiff sucks and I didn't get my issue of Spike: ATF until today. With that said I'm glad I finally got to read it.
I was really looking forward to this issue, but honestly didn't know what to expect. Let's just say I came away quite happy. The dialogue was witty, insightful and just plain awesome. It was nice to see Spike in the leadership role, but still keeping people like Illyria & Jeremy around to pitch in and help. Getting more backstory on Fred-lyria and seeing just how Spike has been keeping her under control was great.
I actually have heard a few people outside of this forum talk about the story not being fullfilling enough, but I always look at individual issues as being part of a larger story. I loved that this issue focused on where Spike & Fred-lyria are, how they are surviving, introducing new allies like Jerry/Jeremy, showing us how Spider and company joined in, and really just setting the ground work for what will happen down the road.
Lastly, and I'm earning huge geek points for saying this, but a big highlight for me was the Duck. Having recieved Asylum and Shaddow Puppets for my birthday, it was awesome to see a call back to the Duck in the issue. I love little things like this.
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Post by Brian Lynch on Jul 20, 2008 2:00:47 GMT -5
We can't say "Dicky"? But "Dick" is my Dad's name!
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Post by Brian Lynch on Jul 20, 2008 2:01:54 GMT -5
Wait, you really can't say that first name? The name of the Duck was a shout-out to my Dad, it's not a curse word. Plus, a private Detective is called a "Private D-ck", the word isn't a curse. Very strange.
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ligeia
Potential Slayer
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Post by ligeia on Jul 22, 2008 6:31:29 GMT -5
Very strange indeed and quite funny I think !
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Post by Tyler Austin "tiewashere" on Aug 5, 2008 11:25:40 GMT -5
Do you guys suggest I pick up Spike: After the Fall or should I just wait until it comes out all together in one volume?
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Post by Skytteflickan88 on Aug 5, 2008 11:37:11 GMT -5
Do you guys suggest I pick up Spike: After the Fall or should I just wait until it comes out all together in one volume? Depends. Do you like reading the letters in the back? Do you like the commercial? If you do, buy the singles. |
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Post by hitnrun017 on Aug 6, 2008 0:03:50 GMT -5
I just read this again to get ready for the new issue tomorrow, and does anyone else think that one of the girls on the last page looks EXACTLY like Gwen? From what we can see of her face, it kind of looks like her, and also she has the curly brown hair with white highlights.
Brian said other characters make appearences, including Connor. If it is Gwen, maybe we will see how she joins him.
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