Is that Illyria?! If so, I'm ecstatic! Sorry, haven't read any of the comics yet...

romanceguru | May 03, 03:23 CET

Methinks it might be Spider. Something in me just doesn't see Illyria and Spike together, "pet" or no. ;)

deepgirl187 | May 03, 03:53 CET

Yeah, that cover disturbs me more than a little. I just... I don't see it. I'll cross my fingers and put my faith in Lynch here, but... I'm not exactly liking what I'm seeing there (of course, the art's fine, but I think you catch my drift).

Supersymmetrical | May 03, 04:05 CET

Why would Spider be wearing Illyria's clothing, though? I think it's safe to say it's Illyria.

patxshand | May 03, 04:19 CET

Spike did describe himself as "prisoner with benefits" early in Angel: ATF so perhaps he meant this?

catalyst2 | May 03, 04:54 CET

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?

I'm also wondering if the attraction is more between Spike/Illyria or Spike/Fred. Neither has the sufficient setup so far, and I'm biased in Wesley/Fred's and especially Wesley/Illyria's favour, but if I had to choose, I think I'd prefer Spike/Illyria, if only because Fred has hooked up with or had a crush on almost every single member of Angel Investigations already (Wesley, Gunn, Angel himself). Amy Acker even joked about it with Joss in their A Hole in the World commentary.

Enisy | May 03, 05:51 CET

This is gonna start some shit.

(I'm rather excited at that prospect. I know, I'm all kinds of wrong. And I actually kind of dig the development.)

UnpluggedCrazy | May 03, 07:45 CET

Love it!!!
I'm suprised at my own reaction, but it got me so excited! I guess it's been a long draught, for Spike, I mean, but for his fans too. :) And that is such a beautiful picture, they both are so moving, and the kiss makes me all gooey. Battlefield romance of two warriors...

Never was a fan of this pairing, but I don't think it's really a pairing that we see. My guess is it's either some kind of symbolism, setting the mood - and setting a contrast to the other BDSM cover with Spider. Or it's a brief comfort-in-Hell thing like with Anya in Enthropy, which is clearly over by Angel:ATF.

In any case, it gets me all kind of intrigued and excited about this arc. Lots of conflict and angst potential, in both Spike and Angel comics. Love it love it love it.

[ edited by Nata on 2008-05-03 05:09 ]

Nata | May 03, 08:08 CET

Yay! I thought Fred/Spike would make a good couple since First Night Issue #1.

But I'm guessing either this is a mislead or it obviously doesn't last very long...

Or prob just Illyria and not Fred...

Your teases guys!

vampmogs | May 03, 08:09 CET

Wow.
All else aside, I think the cover is lovely--I really like the demon/Art Nouveau look. I am also intrigued.

JessicaMelusine | May 03, 09:10 CET

There was TOO a precedent for Spike/Illyria, back in the episode "Origins", where she asked if she could keep him as her pet.
I really hope we get to see a Wes/Spike/Illyred triangle. Can you imagine Wes and Spike having a go at each other? Hilarious.

That cover is indeed so very gothically gorgeous. Can't wait to see it in colour!

missb | May 03, 12:51 CET

I can't tell if it is Illyria or Spider, but either way, why does it have to be any kind of Spike/? pairing? Whichever it is, according to the present day story he isn't really involved this way with either of these women (well, he might be with Spider, but they really haven't shown that). I think it's about time Spike enjoyed a little physical comfort from someone who wants to give it to him. Good for him! I can't wait for this series.

luvspike | May 03, 19:02 CET

Intriguing - I really love that cover.

Shade of Pale | May 03, 23:34 CET

OK for the cover and the implications here.

cmbackshane | May 04, 04:38 CET

I really wish I hadn't looked at that.

ShanshuBugaboo | May 04, 09:54 CET

I immediately thought it was Spider. Only after I had been looking at it awhile, did it occur to me that it might be Illyria.

[ edited by newcj on 2008-05-05 11:32 ]

newcj | May 04, 17:33 CET

That cover is all kinds of excellent. Very nice work, Franco.

As for the story behind it? Reckon I'll just wait and read it before I worry about what it means. Not that I mind if something has developed between Illyria/Fred and Spike. When were relationships ever easy in the Slayerverse? A love triangle between a woman possessed by an ancient demon, a vampire with a soul and a ghost contracted to Wolfram & Hart? Happens all the time.

Actually, would that be a love square?

RockManic | May 04, 20:33 CET

I really wish I hadn't looked at that.

I'm with you, amigo. Not to sound like a Whiny McWhiningstein, but that cover's giving me some doubts.

[ edited by Supersymmetrical on 2008-05-05 02:40 ]

Supersymmetrical | May 04, 22:13 CET

Not to sound like a Whiny McWhiningstein...

Yeah, keep working on that. ;)

RockManic | May 05, 03:33 CET

I'm sorry. What I said sounded a little wimpy and over-dramatic. What I was trying to say was that, while I'm still looking forward to the story, based upon what the cover *may* represent, I am a bit wary about it.

[ edited by Supersymmetrical on 2008-05-05 02:49 ]

Supersymmetrical | May 05, 03:57 CET

I simply can not understand how or why people would jump to conclusions about liking or not liking a story that quickly. It baffles and upsets me. I need to just stop reading these threads because someone always says something ridiculously negative based on seeing a picture and it just pisses me off.

TamaraC | May 05, 05:12 CET

TamaraC, I'm right there with you.

RockManic | May 05, 13:40 CET

I'd like to think posters here are entitled to their views on the cover art without getting slammed for it.

Simon | May 05, 13:58 CET

Absolutely, Simon. The cover art is there to be seen and everyone should be entitled to their opinion on it. I think what TamaraC is saying, and if so I totally agree, is that it's one thing to talk about that particular piece of art and another to suggest that you are allowing it to overshadow your hopes for the entire series, as was suggested above. It's just taking negativity to the extreme.

After arguing the case for Franco over the whole Boobgate issue a while back I actually did choose to step away from all AtF related threads for a while because the amount of negativity towards the art (and to an extent the artist) was actually spoiling my enjoyment of the series. Even though I understood the reasons behind the opposite opinions being offered I still, and still do, believe that people were allowing insignificant aspects of what they were seeing get in the way of a damn fine comic book. I feel the same thing here.

At the end of the day I just feel it's a shame that anyone can look at a cover and allow it to ruin their belief in an entire series. Especially such a beautiful piece of work as the one we are discussing. It's such a downer to read those comments based on nothing but assumption and guess work when for all we know the cover represents nothing more than a dream sequence. Have an opinion but at least try keep it to what you know. Y'know?

RockManic | May 05, 15:16 CET

Given that we're now 6 issues into the After The Fall storyline, I think people are entitled to look at a cover and let it prejudice their view of the series as a whole.



It is the very nature of fandom to seize upon a snippet of information or image and chew upon it endlessly. I've seen major criticism of Dollhouse on blogs/LJs that was based on the information we have about the show before. Criticism of future issues/episodes is part and parcel of being part of the fandom. But yes constant negativity is a downer.

Simon | May 05, 15:35 CET

Sorry, Simon. I wasn't slamming any particular poster. Just noting an offputting trend. Maybe it is time for me to step back from any ATF or Season 8 threads.

TamaraC | May 05, 21:17 CET

It's such a downer to read those comments based on nothing but assumption and guess work when for all we know the cover represents nothing more than a dream sequence.

For the record, Brian said it's not a dream sequence. But he also said not to worry (which we were indeed wrong to, in all previous cases -- the complaints about Spike's characterization in Issue 2, about the possibility of Spike overshadowing Angel, about Nina, about Betta George, etc).

Enisy | May 05, 22:16 CET

I'll try not to worry. I've just got to have faith in Mr. Lynch's ability to tell a story. But, like Simon pointed out, it's hard not to jump to conclusions based off of snippets like that.

Supersymmetrical | May 05, 22:58 CET