Pretties! :)

[elisi]

earth_vexer made icons. Like - OMG stunning, hot, gorgeous, *amazing* icons. Of Spike. And nakedness. And *guh*! I want them all! *whines*

And then (via Petzi) I found a link to Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus Volume 1 where you can read the first 26 pages of 'Viva Las Buffy' (set pre-Season 1) which looks *great*! Might very well invest once it's published over here. The story is fun and fairly zips along and Buffy looks like Buffy!!!! It can be done! Go have a look! :) (OK the cover is pretty awful, but the stuff inside is lovely. Simple, clean lines and a great likeness.)

Comments

[shapinglight]

I didn't like that Viva Las Buffy thing much. Dark Horse seem to have decided that they couldn't cope with the storyline of the show after season 6 so they decided to go back to simpler times so they wouldn't have to deal with it at all.

The Spike/Dru at the World's Fair thing is okay.

[elisi]

I didn't like that Viva Las Buffy thing much.
Well it all depends on how it turns out, I guess. And I think I was just overwhelmed by the art not being rubbish. *g* Never heard of it before though, so it's obviously not something people hold dear... reminded me of any number of pre-show fics, actually, in its tone. Bitty Buffy is sweet.

so they decided to go back to simpler times so they wouldn't have to deal with it at all.
Judging by s8 that might not have been a bad call... ahem.

[shapinglight]

Plus, I think Scott Lobdell is a rubbish comics writer.

[elisi]

What I saw seemed OK. Buffy sounded right, which is my main concern - the story was a little slow I guess at some points, but as I said, I'd have to read the rest to make up my mind.

But I must go pick up children from school...

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Yes, someone totally needs to make an icon out of this picture :

It actually looks like Buffy for once.

[elisi]

Well Buffy with a touch of Lisa Kudrow...

[diachrony.livejournal.com]

Er ... more like Lisa Kudrow with a touch of Buffy, I think!

[elisi]

Well the artist is certainly no Jo Chen...

[mefnord.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like that so much better than the current S8.

I'm not a comic person, so I always like when the art work isn't *too* artsy, but more like an actual comic. And Buffy looks and behaves like Wee!Buffy does.

But then maybe I'm just thinking that, because a canon for pre-Series Buffy sort of exists. I know how I expect her to talk and act... But with S8 Buffy everything is (was) open. So she's not as familiar as this comic's Buffy. And since Gellar isn't there to sell the differences I'm still not sure if I'm liking S8.

*pouts*

[elisi]

I always like when the art work isn't *too* artsy
Makes it easier to follow. Although I do love the pretty... *ogles 'Spike:Asylum' again*

And Buffy looks and behaves like Wee!Buffy does.
Exactly. *pets Wee!Buffy*

a canon for pre-Series Buffy sort of exists.
I think that's an important point. This story reminds me of pre-series fics I've read, and I know where Buffy's at emotionally etc. There are points of reference. With post-show Buffy that all changes - esp when she looks nothing like SMG. ::sighs:: I'd like s8 SO much more if the art was good.

[yourlibrarian]

That's a good choice for them to offer as a preview. A preseries story (with Dawn!) is interesting and the artwork is nice.

Oh and the 1930s con wank was pretty amusing. Really people get set off by the same things over and over so no great surprise there.

[elisi]

A preseries story (with Dawn!) is interesting and the artwork is nice.
My thoughts exactly. Also bringing in Pike is a lovely touch. :)

Really people get set off by the same things over and over
And react just the same. The capslocks of rage were hysterical.

[diachrony.livejournal.com]

I plan to get this collection ... I think. Just because it's Buffy ... but I've never seen a Buffy comic that had even a smidge (heh) of the magic the show has. I really have never been able to care about any BtVS comics.

Maybe I'll be surprised, though ~ I haven't read many, I admit.

[elisi]

I plan to get this collection ... I think.
Well I'm mildly curious, but still not sure I want to actually spend money on it.

I really have never been able to care about any BtVS comics.
Well I got the first two issues of 'Spike vs. Dracula' and the artwork was so hideous I never got the rest. s8 does very little for me, although it's a fun fannish thing to talk about. But I adore 'Spike:Asylum' (by Bryan Lynch) - great story and beautiful art. Like a really top-notch fic. :) And I am insanely excited by the first issue of 'Shadow Puppets' (should get my copy on Saturday! Squee!).

[diachrony.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting for my copy of Spike: Asylum to arrive from Amazon. I *am* looking forward to that one.

Now if Jo Chen did all the artwork for a Buffy comic ... I'd be squeeing insanely!! :D

[elisi]

I *am* looking forward to that one.
And so you should. :)

Now if Jo Chen did all the artwork for a Buffy comic ... I'd be squeeing insanely!! :D
I'm just crossing fingers and toes like mad that Franco Urru will do the art for s6. 'Cause - wow!

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Hmm. This may shock you, but after reading that story, I've decided I actually prefer Georges Jeanty's artwork. :) It's a lot more detailed, and yet the pictures seem to have an energy to them. Jeanty's halfway on a spectrum that has Spike: Old Times at one end and Viva Las Buffy at the other.

The story was interesting, though (and I was amused to see a pre-season-5 Dawn).

[elisi]

I've decided I actually prefer Georges Jeanty's artwork. :)
This is where the fact that it is Buffy comes into play. I remember reading a higly recommended Spangel fic about half a year ago. OK it was Angelus/William, but still. Supposed to be brilliant. And it was - great story, beautifully written and all that - but it wasn't about William and Angelus. The characters obviously shared certain characteristics with those in canon, such as looks and history and companions, but they were *not* those we saw on screen.

Comics have the same sort of problem - doesn't matter how pretty or well written they are, if they can't convince me that they're representing the characters I care about, they've lost the most important battle. Jeanty's artwork might be far more interesting than this guy's pared down stuff, but his Buffy doesn't look like Buffy. Ergo it doesn't matter that it is Joss himself who's writing, I quite simply can't see her as the character I love. It's like fic!Spike who keeps saying 'Cor blimey' and 'Alright Guv'nor'... if you don't get the basics right what's the point? (Similarly a beautifully drawn Buffy who behaved out-of-character would be just as bad.)

Whoa, that got kinda long, huh? Sorry. It just makes me sad - if s8 was better drwan I'd like it a *whole* lot more.

[earth-vexer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the pimpage, elisi. :)

And thank you also for passing on that link. I always find the pre-series stuff interesting. And heh, I actually sort of liked the cover. Except the fact that Buffy's foot looks like it's going to fall off. :D

[elisi]

Thanks for the pimpage, elisi. :)
My pleasure. I'm still wondering which icons to delete to make space for new stuff...

I actually sort of liked the cover. Except the fact that Buffy's foot looks like it's going to fall off. :D
Oh I like that cover too. I meant the one where Buffy looks like Lisa Kudrow.

[adoxerella.livejournal.com]

I've had the Omnibus on order at my comic shop for a month. It comes out a week after Harry Potter 7. I will be in geek heaven come July.

Also, *please* tell me you can get a hold of 'Shadow Puppets' because this book is love, seriously. There was one line which actually reminded me of you, but, you know, not in the creepy way. I am prepared to be your Spike fangirling enabler.

[elisi]

I will be in geek heaven come July.
Sounds like. :) (I'm looking forward to seeing the HP fandom blow up. It'll be *epic*!)

I am prepared to be your Spike fangirling enabler.
Aw, thank you! But I've found an enabler already, so my issue should arrive on Saturday! (Squee!)

There was one line which actually reminded me of you, but, you know, not in the creepy way.
Ooooh, that's v. flattering. You'll have to tell me which one once I've read it. *is impatient*