Buffy (and Angel) Comics Hopes/Ideas/Speculation

[Drogyn]

I just wanted to get a few things I think are gonna happen or what I wish would happen. Feel free to challenge.

I have a feeling that Season 8 will end with a bit of a back to basis ideaology, only 'cos the Twilight threat seems to be pretty big, global, big organisation and I just can't see if all the other slayers, wiccas survive and Buffys status quo stays the same how they will create another such a big threat for Season 9 (if S9 does happen), unless they go for a Season 6ish feel very character driven, battle their own demons but either way I just can't see the need for such a big entourage, or how they'll make it work again.

I also think that they should limit characters they bring back, especially dead ones, as much as I like the characters I don't wana see Anya and Tara brought back, as alive anyway, visions, dreams and stuff, i'm all for it.

Abit on Angel, I think Joss didn't want to call it Season 6 namely because I think he might one day want to write a 'Season 6' so he didn't wana lose that opportunity. Becasue of this I see Angel: After the Fall as in TV terms something similar to Battlestar Galactica: Razor. I think while ATF does include things which would have been apart of Season 6 I think ATF will finish in a way were Joss' Season 6 would fit next to. Does that make sense.

Oh and just an idea I have BEWARE SPOILERS

Spoiler:

I think Wesley is Angels link to the powers, in issue one Angel mentions how he doesn't know who Wes is working for...

[KingofCretins]

Excellent first post, Drogyn

I don't think Joss is kidding about Season 9, but it's possible that the Twilight threat could be an ongoing one, maybe even a cliff-hanger between the two seasons. Most people seem to be gradually swinging over to the idea that the point of Season 8 and Season 9 (at least) is to bridge the Buffyverse we know to the Fray mythos. Not what I'd do, but that's why Joss gets to wear the silly cowboy hat and do podcasts.

Since Joss had an idea for bringing back Tara at one point, and since Marti Noxon plans to do it if she gets an arc, I'd say that there's at least a *possible*, small but *possible* chance that Tara could come back. I don't think it would be as cheap the more time goes by since "Seeing Red". Anya, I really doubt it, though. Maybe as a dream.

[alexa]

I'm glad that Joss confirmed season 9 at the comic con! Because the season 8 storyline has a sense of finale to it.. mostly just because of the Big Bad I guess.

There aren't any characters that have died that I really want back desperately. (Besides Wesley on Angel). Like your idea about him Drogyn, much better then what everyone else is thinking

[ThePoet's<3]

I believe Twilight be a recurring theme as The First was in the TV series. If as KoC mentioned, S8 and beyond are the bridge to Fray - we will see Twilight or others who want to get rid of the the magicks more and more in the coming seasons. But in between that main storyline will be the dozens of Big Bads to fight, quirky relationships, and just general, basic, Buffy-verse stuff happenin'. The show was very good at weaving The First throughout the series.

But it has that feeling for me - this all leading to Fray. I've also heard rumors that Joss may pick up with Fray again. If so, perhaps after Buffy has ended.

I haven't really made up my mind yet as to who Wesley is in ATF... He's definitely playing both sides. He seem sympathetic to Angel and what he is doing - Angel doesn't seem to be concerned that Wesley knows what he is doing. He (Wesley) is almost ineffectual to a degree.

[Nostalgia]

I believe Twilight be a recurring theme as The First was in the TV series. If as KoC mentioned, S8 and beyond are the bridge to Fray - we will see Twilight or others who want to get rid of the the magicks more and more in the coming seasons. But in between that main storyline will be the dozens of Big Bads to fight, quirky relationships, and just general, basic, Buffy-verse stuff happenin'. The show was very good at weaving The First throughout the series.

I don't know if that's necessarily true.. he may make a cameo appearance but Joss was never one to do a two season "season" so to speak. He wouldn't bridge one idea across two seasons, and he already claimed that season 9 is thoroughly different.

[patxshand]

I don't know if that's necessarily true.. he may make a cameo appearance but Joss was never one to do a two season "season" so to speak. He wouldn't bridge one idea across two seasons, and he already claimed that season 9 is thoroughly different.

I second that. With Twilight about to be introduced as a seasonal Big Bad (Issue #11), I'd be a great deal more than shocked if his/it's story wasn't completed by the end of Season Eight. Considering how unlimited this genre really is, I can't imagine Joss not finishing the story over the course of this series.

As for what I hope for...

1. Something very different. I'm very tired of each season simply raising the stakes. The Big Bads went from Vampire<Trio of Vamps<An Ascended Demon<A Creature With Scientific Smarts and Demon Strength<A God<Life<The Essence of Evil. What's next? I want Twilight to be an interesting Big Bad without having to give him a one upper on the other BBs.

2. Oz. Not as a one shot guest, but as a main character.

3. No more resurrection. Tara really needs to not come back. As far as Anya, as much as I feel she would add to this more than any other character, it would sacrifice the little bit of "uh oh, they might really die" tension that we have left.

4. Timing. I want to know when this takes place. We already know "After the Fall" takes place a few months after NFA, so if we get a timeline of where this season takes place in relation to Season Five of Angel, we can determine if it is going on during or after "After the Fall."

5. I want Jo Chen to do the pencils for a one-shot. It's not likely, but I want it. I also wouldn't mind nabbing Franco for an issue. Adrian Alphona would be great as well.

6. I'd like Faith and Giles to spin-off.

[Vampire in Rug]

I must be in the minority here, but frankly, I feel I don't need to know exactly when the comic is set. A rough estimate of a year and a half after season 7 is good enough for me. Often comic universes like DC and Marvel have a sliding timescale. It means that Spider-man's entire history, spanning a good 50+ years of comics takes place in a few years. Could you imagine if the writers for Spider-man had to actually specify when thier comics took place? It's contempory and that's all that matters. It could be another ten years before the Buffy comics are finally finished. Do we really want to see Buffy in her mid thirties, aging in real-time? The alternative is to make the Buffyverse move forward really slowly, it's timeframe making the next decade or so in our time happen within a few years of the Buffyverse... but that would mean that the Buffyverse would no longer be contampory. I think a sliding timescale is the way to go. Keep Buffy as a young adult (for now), but keep the Buffyverse up to current events and social/tech advancements.

[patxshand]

I must be in the minority here, but frankly, I feel I don't need to know exactly when the comic is set. A rough estimate of a year and a half after season 7 is good enough for me. Often comic universes like DC and Marvel have a sliding timescale. It means that Spider-man's entire history, spanning a good 50+ years of comics takes place in a few years. Could you imagine if the writers for Spider-man had to actually specify when thier comics took place? It's contempory and that's all that matters. It could be another ten years before the Buffy comics are finally finished. Do we really want to see Buffy in her mid thirties, aging in real-time? The alternative is to make the Buffyverse move forward really slowly, it's timeframe making the next decade or so in our time happen within a few years of the Buffyverse... but that would mean that the Buffyverse would no longer be contampory. I think a sliding timescale is the way to go. Keep Buffy as a young adult (for now), but keep the Buffyverse up to current events and social/tech advancements.

A sliding timeline is fine with me, as long as I know when the events happen in relation to the events of "Angel." As those stories share a canon, it's kinda essential for me to, if not now, eventually know how these fit together.

[NileQT87]

i'm pretty sure that this is the fall of 2004 (starting in september). i'd bet on it.

and i kind of would like it if ats and btvs are happening concurrently again (a.k.a. 3 months after "not fade away"). it just works better that way. and it's a year and a half since the end of "chosen".

though, that means that joss might want to start watching his pop-culture... not say anything too recent (amy winehouse was around, but a pretty small act--making faith and gigi ahead of their time on fairly underground up-and-comers... daniel craig was certainly not famous as the latest james bond, yet--though he's been acting since 1992 and has been in a few roles, but none of those really made him famous--that's pushing it with the timeline). joss needs to remember to go back 3-4 years here.

[Drogyn]

A few more thoughts.

Wesley, I actually love where this character could go! I see the Angel/Wes bond growing as the story goes on. They both see the 'greyness' of the mission. I think Wes' arc in AtF will end with him being alive.

I also think its possible

Spoiler:

Illyria is calling the shots with Wes? She is definately calling the shots with Spike

It seems that Lynch is avoiding some of things which people like Joss said would happen, like Wes and Ill's relationship.

You could say AFT is before the 'storylines' of 'Joss'' season 6, and that Lynch is following the beats Joss set out, leading me to think that AtF will finish in a similar place to where a televised season 6 would have begun.

Gunn -

Spoiler:

I like where it looks likes its going they without a soulness, I think the desease idea will be played on and I see Gunn breaking down when fighting Angel at somepoint, crying maybe? ala Faith in the Ally, Angel stakes him, saving him - this could put Angel back on the mission 'helping the helpless' not taking a stab at the monsters foot. 'Cos yeah in NFA it seem the right thing to do, but it got people hurt, his people hurt, he needs to redeem from that.

And yeah I rambled for a bit.

[alexa]

I'm with you Vampire in a Rug.. (btw where does someone get that name from? ). I don't really give a crap about the timeline that some are obsessed with. Would be cool of course if ATF and Buffy are happening at the same time, but not sure that's even important if we're not having any crossovers.

Hmm stuff I want...

Faith in more issues
Reconciliation with Giles eventually
Dawn forging her own identity
Some Buffy/Xander action
Although I kinda also want to see Angel especially, and Spike I guess

As far as ATF goes, I'll wait till I read more then one issue to comment.

[KingofCretins]

I want some Buffy/Xander as well, I think you all knew

I'd like to see Oz back as a full-time character.

The less Spike/Angel in Season 8, to me, the better. I think a definite focus on the main characters, the Scoobies, is long overdue. I know put Dawn in that category.

[Koos]

Faith in more issues

Would love it, but it needs to be Scoobie-related.

Reconciliation with Giles eventually

I like it this way.

Dawn forging her own identity

Definetly.

Some Buffy/Xander action

I'm a Xander/Faith shipper. But as that never will happen, I'd love to see some Buffy/Xander action.

Although I kinda also want to see Angel especially, and Spike I guess

Absolutely not. I still hate it that Angel was wasting his time in Chosen. If they want to throw a bone for the Buffy/Angel fans or Buffy/Spike fans than put in Angel's comics. I absolutely loath the idea that they even waste a second of rare comic time on that never ending nonsense.

I would love to see a BtVS /Angel crossover, but with Gunn or Illyria in BtVS. Or for once Xander or Giles in AtS. Characters who never had the pleasure to be seen in the other show.

[alexa]

Absolutely not. I still hate it that Angel was wasting his time in Chosen. If they want to throw a bone for the Buffy/Angel fans or Buffy/Spike fans than put in Angel's comics. I absolutely loath the idea that they even waste a second of rare comic time on that never ending nonsense.

I would love to see a BtVS /Angel crossover, but with Gunn or Illyria in BtVS. Or for once Xander or Giles in AtS. Characters who never had the pleasure to be seen in the other show.

Yeah I know it does feel like the Banike (Buffy/Angel/Spike) ship is a never ending merry-go-round but I can't help myself. It's sad they spent so many years building up both relationships that there's always going to be a group of fans pissed off if Buffy ends up with Angel or Spike. I wouldn't be pissed if she ended up with Spike... just not as happy as I would be if she ended with Angel.

But then again neither might be a good option, because of all the fan baggage, so Id be cool with some long overdue Bander. Then again Buffy on her own is also good... yeah I don't know

Also wouldn't mind seeing Xander or Giles in Ats for a change.

With wanting to see more Faith.. don't mean that to take anything away from the scoobies, but I'd like her to be around more often.

[vampmogs]

Absolutely not. I still hate it that Angel was wasting his time in Chosen. If they want to throw a bone for the Buffy/Angel fans or Buffy/Spike fans than put in Angel's comics. I absolutely loath the idea that they even waste a second of rare comic time on that never ending nonsense.

I agree with you on most levels. But in saying that I do think some issues have to be resolved so we can move on from both ships without people constantly yearning for answers to some issues. The 'Damage' conflict needs to be addressed between Buffy and Angel because it is a huge part of both their stories that is bigger than just their romantic life. And I think we need to at least learn wether or not Buffy knows Spike is alive so we can be done with it.

[Koos]

It's sad they spent so many years building up both relationships that there's always going to be a group of fans pissed off if Buffy ends up with Angel or Spike. I wouldn't be pissed if she ended up with Spike... just not as happy as I would be if she ended with Angel.

I am just more than tired about the whole Buffy/Spike/Angel annoying nonsense. The only real reason why I hope for Xander/Buffy is that we don't have to introduce two new characters for the romantic necessities.

. The 'Damage' conflict needs to be addressed between Buffy and Angel because it is a huge part of both their stories that is bigger than just their romantic life. And I think we need to at least learn wether or not Buffy knows Spike is alive so we can be done with it.

Why? The whole thing between Buffy and Spike ended in Chosen. As did it with Buffy/Angel. I haven't watched that stupid coockie speech for nothing.

There are more pressing issues. As a Xander/Faith shipper I can give you a couple of them.

[Vampire in Rug]

I'm with you Vampire in a Rug.. (btw where does someone get that name from? ).

It's the cameo by Joel Heymen in the episode Blind Date. If I remember correctly, Gunn causes some chaos in the lobby of Wolfram and Hart by releasing a vampire from a rolled up rug. It's what Heyman was credited on IMDB for that episode and I think the name is pretty funny. He also played "Fell Brethren #2" in the episode Time Bomb.

I don't really give a crap about the timeline that some are obsessed with. Would be cool of course if ATF and Buffy are happening at the same time, but not sure that's even important if we're not having any crossovers.

Personally, I hope that by the time LA is returned to earth (this would take several months for Angel) mere seconds have gone by in earth time. This would keep it consistent with every other Hell dimension we've seen, plus it would account for nobody realizing that LA has vanished. I've already got a hard enough time accepting that regular citizens in the Buffyverse don't believe in the supernatural, I don't need Buffy, Xander and Joe Citizen to know that a major city has been missing for a couple of months.

Stuff I want in Buffy:

Giles to stop being a jerk. Seriously.
Buffy/Xander. I feel it's time.
Oz. We need more strong male cast. Plus, werewolves are awesome.
Dawn to be returned to normal size. I find the giant Dawn storyline to be excruciatingly stupid.
Vampires. Thank God we're getting some in the next arc. I hope Buffy gets to stake quite a few over the course of this season.
Warren/Andrew interaction. I think if Andrew is forced to choose a side, and he chooses the right one, it will further cement him as one of the scoobies.
The Damage issue. That really needs to be adressed.

[patxshand]

Giles to stop being a jerk. Seriously.

I don't think he's being that jerky. He's certainly less of a jerk than Season Seven Giles. But... I'm interested in where the Buffy/Giles separation is going to lead to.

Buffy/Xander. I feel it's time.

Hmmm.... It seems like the comics are at least hinting at this, but I really, really hope it doesn't come to fruition. They are so utterly brother/sister to me. Xander/Dawn would feel more natural to me. It would also be interesting to see Buffy's reaction to someone finally letting her know--the hard way, preferably--that Dawn isn't a little girl any more.

Oz. We need more strong male cast. Plus, werewolves are awesome.

Hell yeah. We have the smallest main cast since Season One. It would be wonderful to have Oz back.

Dawn to be returned to normal size. I find the giant Dawn storyline to be excruciatingly stupid.

I thought so at first too. But now, the jury's out until #10. I'm expecting to be wowed by her revelation to Xander.

Vampires. Thank God we're getting some in the next arc. I hope Buffy gets to stake quite a few over the course of this season.

Couldn't agree more. I miss the days when slayers were always known as "Vampire Slayers." The last few seasons, vampires were treated as a joke. IMO, they should still be portrayed as a big threat to Buffy.

Warren/Andrew interaction. I think if Andrew is forced to choose a side, and he chooses the right one, it will further cement him as one of the scoobies.

Yeah, he needs to address his issues with Warren. It would be an interesting little situation. Similarly, I'd like to see Giles cope with Ethan's death. Ethan was pretty much his last childhood "friend," wasn't he?

The Damage issue. That really needs to be adressed.

Yes. I hope it's not a cop out of "Andrew was lying." That would be insulting to the viewers.

[Koos]

Oz. We need more strong male cast. Plus, werewolves are awesome.

I'd love to see Oz, but I'm happy with the size of the main cast as it is. It shouldn't get bigger, it's even too big already. A cast of four main characters is the best in an show. And with comics there's even less time to tell all the stories and give each mian character the attention he or she deserves.

[patxshand]

And with comics there's even less time to tell all the stories and give each mian character the attention he or she deserves.

We have forty issues. We're going to be getting this series for years to come. Only four main characters could be done, but it would be bland--IMO--in comparsion to a larger cast.