elisi | The devil is in the details. Review of ‘Shadow Puppets 1’.

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The devil is in the details. Review of ‘Shadow Puppets 1’.

Why is the Bryan Lynch/Franco Urru team so great? Because they love details. Details *make* a story. OK, so if the story sucks then nifty details won’t save it, but starting from saying that we have a *good* story, it’s the details that’ll pull it further up. Because it’s the little things that help ground a story, make it real and tangible - and often funny. Lynch/Urru have a great line in playful, whimsical details and I will make no secret of the fact that this endears them to me like you wouldn’t believe.

First of all I should probably point out that there won’t be many constructive thoughts here. This is mostly to register my squee - ‘cause this story is *fun*! :)

I’d seen the first 5 pages already, so don’t have much to say about them, except of course that I *love* the card (that we don’t see!!) and the internal monologue. Not just is Spike’s voice spot-on, it’s the fact that we can tell that he isn’t entirely honest with himself... to choose the funniest example:

“Even duck behind a hot dog cart when a car backfires to make sure there are no small children in peril.”

But going with the ‘I value my freedom’, then there is of course truth in that - but also it’s a way of covering up the fact that there isn’t anyone in his life. As

powerofthebook said: the comic is two-dimensional, but the writing is not so. Indeed. The writing is very, very clever and accomplished!

Also just gotta say that the brimstone demon from The Third Rung of Hell (details! details again!) is great - as is the reason he’s after Spike:

“I guess I was too busy being a selfless defender of the weak and oppressed to pay him back.”

Angel just *has* money, goodness knows where from. Spike? Not so much. And that I love.

Anyway, going back to Spike walking home, then here is the first standout moment (for me):

“There you are! I made some scones. Your kind likes scones, right?”

I am SO putting Mrs Konikoff in a fic at some point. The fact Spike has a nice old lady neighbour who makes him scones is just too wonderful for words. That’s what I’m talking about - that’s what grounds a story (and what makes it fic-able). And he’s all sweet and polite to her! *squishes Spike*

And then came what might be my favourite part - Spike’s apartment. ‘Dungeons & Dragons meets Freshman College Dorm’. This in an instant makes up for his spartan hovel in S5. But - it was the ‘Klippan Love seat with lumbar support’ that nearly did me in. The thought of Spike in IKEA is... *has no words*

See this ties in with something I said to

stormwreath re. s8 (you can also check out this comment to

aycheb):

Buffy was an extraordinary person, in an ordinary world. People go on about 'Sunnydale forgettyitis', but that was partly there so we could keep the illusion that Buffy was part of *our* world. She went to school, she went out clubbing, she had to get a job to pay the bills. That was our key to her, the thing that made us identify - all the monsters were metaphors. And although I loved S6, I know a lot of people hated the fact that the supernatural took a back seat and that the problems were mostly RL related. Now we have the opposite situation. Buffy is so far removed from a normal life that I quite simply can't connect with her. Sure she still has problems with *people*, but that's not the same. She's a supernatural person in a supernatural world.

Spike is very much an extraordinary, supernatural being - but he is firmly grounded in our world. Angel f.ex. is very much *not* of the world, and watching him trying to connect is where a lot of the interest comes from. Not so with Spike. There was “Let’s see what’s on telly” way back in ‘School Hard’, and that trait never changed. He likes this world - and Klippan love seats. *happy sigh* Contrast with Buffy’s room in the castle: there is not a single thing to show that it is hers rather than any other slayer’s. But Spike... oh we can *totally* tell that this is his place:

And I didn’t even notice it until third read-through!!! The devil is in the details...

Whimsical. Where is the whimsy in s8?

Anyway, this also brings up Lorne, whom I’m loving. Remember my complaints about how Willow is being written in s8? This is how it should be done. Lorne is hiding something. We don’t know what, or why, but he has secrets. And I have *no idea* what it could be. This makes it fun!

Speaking of details (again), this is a great exchange:

“Little One-Eyed Turk should be waiting for us. Again don’t bring up the fact that he only has one eye.”
“So... don’t say his name?”
“No, that’s fine. Because that’s a title.”

The whole thing is funny, but what makes it especially good, is that the reason behind the name ties in with the fact that we know that Spike likes to play poker, has a short temper and is good at turning friends into enemies. So the whole thing is in itself a shout-out to to Spike’s history and character. (It’s exactly the sort of thing Jane Espenson talks about in her blog. Humour that springs from the characters works a lot better than just funny quips. That said, the dialogue in s8 is of course great. Buffy banter is *always* a good thing!)

Oh and the arrow! *fangirls Spike catching the arrow liek whoa*

And then puppet ninjas! There is no bad!

“Do we fight them or merchandise them?”
“Fight. Then maybe merchandise.”

Heeeeeee! Also Spike is *totally* adorable:

“Try it Lorne! It’s fun!”
“I can see that.”
“If you’re not going to do anything, give me yours.”

That’s my Spike! :)

Then arrive the Smile Time puppets - *new* puppets except for Horatio.

“Dammit, that was Polo! I’m his roommate, Marco!”

*snickers* Lynch has *such* a way with names.

And then the cannon! ::laughs and laughs:: Bryan Lynch is *so* my god now! :)

Finally - thousands and thousands of puppet ninjas... I really can’t wait to see what happens next, but I’m 98% sure I’m not going to check out the preview pages. I really am a spoiler-phobe.

This turned out a lot longer than I anticipated. Huh. Anyway, now I can go read other people’s reviews. When, you know, I find some more time. I’ve *seriously* neglected the family...

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Terrific review. I fell in love with S:SP and I'm trying to collect my thoughts as I'm trying to write about it.

Re Puppet!Angel in Spike's room.

1) your clipping is very creative! :))))

2) I've got the impression that Urru has used the sketch Joss drawed for Chosen

3) Could it be a set-up for some unusual plot twist?

I have to finish my own review...

Thank you! Falling in love is great, isn't it?

1) I *can* cut-and-paste. But that's as far as my skills stretch.

2) I thought so too! Forgot to mention it, so thank you for reminding me. As I said - *details*!!!!!

3) Doubt it, but it's fun to speculate.

And I'm looking forward to what you have to say! :)

A truly excellent review. I adore what Brian's done with this series, as well as his work on Spike Asylum.

Whilst I've found myself to be utterly disappointed with Buffy season 8, I've never once had any qualms with what Lynch has done with this part of the franchise.

Even I don't truly understand what he does to make it all seem to true to character and authentically the 'Bufyverse', but I wish he'd pass some tips onto Joss!

A truly excellent review.
Aw, thanks! 'Tis just unfiltered squee. *g* (And I'm working on a spoilerfilled review of 'Asylum', which will be similar but also focus on Spike's development)

Whilst I've found myself to be utterly disappointed with Buffy season 8, I've never once had any qualms with what Lynch has done with this part of the franchise.
Same here. Well I've been reading s8, but it's just not made me squee. At all. And Buffy *always* made me squee. ::is sad::

Even I don't truly understand what he does to make it all seem to true to character and authentically the 'Bufyverse'
I don't know either, but he's just hit that perfcet mixture of what-ever-it-was. I am *really* looking forward to s6! :)

I was just so bouncy-bouncy when I read my copy because I loved Brian's characterization of both Spike and Lorne. He has the voices down so pat that you can actually see JM and AH acting out this story. And the artwork is so much better than S8's.

I'm hoping that BL attends a comic con that I can attend so I can get his autograph on both my Asylum and Shadow Puppets first issues. :)

And dammit, I still need to make a Shadow Puppet icon.

I was just so bouncy-bouncy when I read my copy
Goes for most of us I think! :) And it makes me so happy for S6! :)

so I can get his autograph on both my Asylum and Shadow Puppets first issues. :)
Oh that would be *awesome*!

Angel! Hanging from Spike's lamp! *DIES* I am SO HAPPY that they're using this writer and artist for Angel S6.

Angel! Hanging from Spike's lamp! *DIES*
I know!!!! *squees loudly* Oh and have you bought 'Spike: Asylum' yet?

I am SO HAPPY that they're using this writer and artist for Angel S6.
We don't know who the artist will be yet, but I am currently asking the patron saints of comics for intercession so Franco Urru will get the job! (The Catholic Church can be totally awesome! *g*)

It's great, isn't it?

I suppose Joss will probably read it (after all, it was reading Spike: Asylum that made him decide Brian was the guy to write season 6). Hope he learns something from it.

It's great, isn't it?
Oh yes! :D

Hope he learns something from it.
*prays*

Lynch/Urru have a great line in playful, whimsical details and I will make no secret of the fact that this endears them to me like you wouldn’t believe.

And me! Spike sitting on Ikea furniture and being fed scones by his elderly next door neighbour is a really entertaining picture, whereas Buffy moping in a Scottish castle and pining for sex is just depressing and not what I hoped her future held at the end of Chosen. I can't wait to see what Brian Lynch does with Angel.

And me!
:) Yes to everything you said - S8 quite imply hasn't engaged me in the way I was hoping, whereas this has! There will be fic - which is, IMO, the litmus test! :)

I can't wait to see what Brian Lynch does with Angel.
Me neither! I'm all a-squee!

My copy of Spike: Asylum arrived Friday, and I'm saving it to read on the commute to work tomorrow. This makes me really look forward to Shadow Puppets.

The thing is, I want so badly for a GOOD Buffy comic with GOOD artwork, it gives me mixed feelings reading all the Spike comic squee. It's great for him, but WHAT ABOUT BUFFY?! Argh! (Then I read how

stormwreath liked S8 and I have very faint hope. I'm waiting for S8 to come out in graphic novel format.)

I'm saving it to read on the commute to work tomorrow.
Sounds like a good plan. :)

It's great for him, but WHAT ABOUT BUFFY?! Argh!
I *know*! I hope you'll like S8, because I want to... I just don't. But

stormwreath and

aycheb really enjoy it, so there's hope, yes? A lot of people like it I think, just not a lot on my flist.

*snerks at your icon*
See I knew you'd enjoy that line.

Spike is very much an extraordinary, supernatural being - but he is firmly grounded in our world. Angel f.ex. is very much *not* of the world, and watching him trying to connect is where a lot of the interest comes from. Not so with Spike.
Yes, this is what draw me to both characters, and also part of why I think they play so well of each other. They have nothing and everything in common all at once. It makes for fun.

“Dammit, that was Polo! I’m his roommate, Marco!”
*snickers* Lynch has *such* a way with names.
And the Bert and Ernie references, dear goodness I almost fell out of my chair. This thing has so much of the same humor that 'Smile Time' did. Insanely silly yet serious at the same time.

Now I stop rambling whilst I am ahead.

See I knew you'd enjoy that line.
I see! Yes, I get it now. And I'm v. pleased to be assosiated with it. :) (icon by

stormwreath)

They have nothing and everything in common all at once. It makes for fun.
I really can't wait to see what Bryan Lynch does with them in S6. I should be worried, I guess, because my expectations are growing all the time...

This thing has so much of the same humor that 'Smile Time' did. Insanely silly yet serious at the same time.
'Asylum' went to some pretty dark places, so I'm hoping for more of the same. *crosses fingers* And as for the layers, then I'm taking them pretty much for granted!

Now I stop rambling whilst I am ahead.
Hey, my LJ was *made* for rambling. Please knock yourself out! :)

I loved the comics and your review is spot on :D

I wasn't exted at all that about the Spike or the s6 comics and then I read s:sp and I'm hooked and loving it. there's something so gratifying about seeing spike again and so nicely done!!!

It makes me sad for the s8 comics though, they keep bringig old faces and themes but i cant seem to conect with the characters or feel anything for the villians (you're probably tired of my complaints on the lameness of Warren and Amy teaming up ) but this was brilliant! is like Lynch wants to say something about Spike so he takes something funny like the Smile time puppets and makes it into a Spike story while the Puppets themselves seem to have more bite than bark. Aand Lorne as the sidekick!! also, we arent guessing on the emotional side of Spike, it's subtle but is there.
plus pretty arwork!!

so I'm in love with this story. I wish it upon the internet gods that i always have nice lj-ers around that will give me accses to them :D

I loved the comics and your review is spot on :D
Yay! And thank you! :)

then I read s:sp and I'm hooked and loving it. there's something so gratifying about seeing spike again and so nicely done!!!
Exactly. I keep saying this, but it's like an extra pretty fic! :)

It makes me sad for the s8 comics though, they keep bringig old faces and themes but i cant seem to conect with the characters or feel anything for the villians
Same here. I really *wish* that s8 had some of this... energy. Maybe it will in the future, who knows? I mean Faith is *bound* to be fun, right? ::clings to vain hope::

this was brilliant! is like Lynch wants to say something about Spike
Have you read 'Spike: Asylum'? I think you'd love it. You can get it in TPB (in one big volume) on amazon. It's definitely worth your money. :)

we arent guessing on the emotional side of Spike, it's subtle but is there.
plus pretty arwork!!
Which are the two things I'm most missing from s8. But I've got high hopes for s6 now. :)

so I'm in love with this story.
Welcome to the club! *hands you badge*

And I'm sure the internet gods will be gracious... ;)

Your review is spot on! You really nailed it. Lynch adds little details that just about have me wanting to throw all my Season 8 comics in the trash. The insight into Spike's character that I'm getting from just 20 or so pages is astounding. And the whimsy! You are so right. I read it and tittered like a little girl.

The other thing I liked is that I had no problem following the story, unlike the Season 8 comics. I am not normally a comic book reader, so with S8, I have a hard time with the weird cutting between scenes, and not being sure which panel is dream sequence, and which isn't. But reading Lynch's comic was like watching it on my television--I could hear Spike & Lorne's voices in my head perfectly.

Your review is spot on! You really nailed it.
Which goes to show how useful squee can be! ;)

Lynch adds little details that just about have me wanting to throw all my Season 8 comics in the trash.
Aw... but yeah, Jeanty really is lacking.

The insight into Spike's character that I'm getting from just 20 or so pages is astounding.
And it's subtly done too. Why oh why can't Joss do this with Buffy? We've had four issues and only a fragment of what we get here. (Have you read 'Spike: Asylum'?)

And the whimsy! You are so right. I read it and tittered like a little girl.
This, I think, was one of the great things about the show - and it was usually just there in the background. But it's so important.

The other thing I liked is that I had no problem following the story, unlike the Season 8 comics.
This is partly due to the nature of the story. S:SP follows one character and his journey, whereas s8 has multiple strands and a big cast. This works well on TV, less so in comics. We can't really compare until we have s6...

But reading Lynch's comic was like watching it on my television--I could hear Spike & Lorne's voices in my head perfectly.
*sighs* I miss my shows...

Great review.

This has to be the most squee-worthy comic to date. I sort of think the cannon joke is the best one, but then I keep thinking of all the other little ones and I want to nominate them instead. But the cannon joke feels so great because it's as if he's actually been listening in on all our angsting about season 8.

Like

shapinglight I really hope Joss reads it and learns.

Great review.
Thank you. :)

This has to be the most squee-worthy comic to date.
My feelings too. :)

But the cannon joke feels so great because it's as if he's actually been listening in on all our angsting about season 8.
*nods a lot* And I am really looking forward to s6 now, which is a lovely feeling. (the icon is by

stormwreath btw and very sharable... *g*)

I really hope Joss reads it and learns.
We can always hope...

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The devil is in the details. Review of ‘Shadow Puppets 1’.

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