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| The TV series "Angel" went off the air last year after five seasons and Dark Horse Comics let its license to Angel lapse, though it still holds the comic-book rights to Whedon’s "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." "Angel: The Curse" is set an indefinite time after the conclusion of the "Angel" TV finale. The story finds the hero on his own and searching for the Gypsy tribe that cursed him years ago. It is written by Jeff Mariotte, author of several "Angel" novels. A second comic-book miniseries, featuring the whole cast of characters from the television show, is planned for the end of the year. In August, look for an IDW single-issue comic book featuring Spike, the sardonic vampire who stirred things up on "Buffy" and "Angel." |
| QUOTE (prophecy girl @ Jun 5 2005, 06:02 PM) |
| hopefully they will bring back dru in the comic |
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| I've learned that Joss and Fox have approved the second Angel miniseries. While The Curse is strictly an Angel solo story with the other characters just showing up in flashback, this one will include most of the gang (those who survived NFA, anyway)--although some of them in unexpected ways. More than that I will not say. It's the only approved, official continuation of the TV series, though, so if you like Angel you'll want to be on board. probably out in November. |
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| Info On Angel: The Curse....And a second Angel comic-book miniseries. It's the only approved, official continuation of the TV series. I don't know if that means the Spike one is not official then. I bet the "unexpected ways" is higher being Cordy and maybe Ghosty Wes(like Spike was) and Gunn(if he died). Hopefully Lorne too and Connor. And of course both vampires. (Either Shanshuing would not be unexpected). But I bet the most surprising will be Fred is back. Or at least back in control of Illyria. |
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| Cancelation, like death, doesn't seem to stop vampires. Characters from three defunct Joss Whedon series — Buffy, Angel and Firefly — are being resurrected this summer in comic-book form. First up, on June 29 is Angel: The Curse, IDW Publishing's five-part story set after the events of last year's apocalyptic series finale. The story finds Angel in Romania searching for the Gypsy tribe that cursed him with a soul a century ago. IDW also brings back Angel's former rival for Buffy's affections in the one-shot Spike: Old Times in August. The blond Brit will reunite with a vengeance demon and former crush. In between these two Buffyverse comics, the first issue of Dark Horse Comics' Serenity, based on the space-cowboy TV show Firefly, goes on sale July 6. The three-part comic serves as a bridge between the series and the upcoming movie, directed by Whedon and due in theaters on September 30. Additionally, Whedon is regularly penning the best-selling title Astonishing X-Men from Marvel Comics. Here, the busy writer/director takes a break from editing his feature-film debut to tell TVGuide.com all about his comic antics. TVGuide.com: What is your exact involvement with these different comic-book projects? Joss Whedon: It ranges... For the Angel and Spike comics, I basically told [the writers] areas to stay away from, just in case those were stories that we still might get a chance to tell on film. Otherwise, I pretty much let them do their thing, although I kept peeking over [their shoulders]. For the Serenity comic, I worked out the story with the writer Brett Matthews and have been sort of overseeing the editing and giving notes. TVG: How will the comic lead into the movie? Whedon: Well, when the series ended, certain things were happening and, in the movie, certain things have already happened. So the idea was to bridge the time gap and act as a kind of prequel for the movie. Inara has sworn she's going to leave the ship, and this deals with Mal's reaction to that. It also showcases the crew in their usual state, with lots of heists going wrong. And it features the return of a villain from the series... a couple [of them], in fact. It's an action/heisty romp that hopefully gives the characters a little more resonance. It does leave you prepped for the movie should you want that, but you don't need to have seen the series or be planning to see the movie for the comic to w**k. TVG: You're known for being very hands-on when it comes to controlling the direction of your worlds. Is it hard to watch other people write adventures for these characters? Whedon: I get the usual mix of feelings: horror, pride and fun. You do want to do everything yourself, but every now and then, someone shows you something you haven't thought of and it's really charming. It's tough because I'm very strict about the canon of my shows, but at the same time, you have to let people create. As long as it's responsible, all they have to do is make it engaging and I'm satisfied. TVG: What advantages do comic books offer over film? Whedon: For one thing, there's no budget. The artists can't say, "I can't afford to draw a dragon." Also, you can tell stories in all kinds of odd ways and you're not beholden to sponsors. But at the same time, while you can do almost anything, a Buffy comic is going to be picked up by younger people, so you have to look out for what you're doing there. And ultimately, you don't have four acts and an episode a week — you have 22 pages and an episode a month. So, in a way, it's very similar. But you do have great leeway to do whatever you want in terms of visuals. We have a space-heist sequence in the Serenity comic. That's an expensive proposition in a movie or TV show. It's zero gravity and Nathan Fillion [who plays Mal Reynolds in Serenity] hates harnesses. But his comic-book self doesn't mind floating at all! He's the most perfect gentleman I've ever worked with. [Laughs] TVG: Do you think any of these comics will become ongoing series? Whedon: I could see it happening. But for me, it's about getting the story out that you're telling right now. Don't worry about the next thing. You have to keep your eyes on the prize, and right now that prize is trying to make a three-part comic that's worth your time and spare change, and a movie that's worth putting your butt in the theater. If both of those things w**k, then I'll have to w**k more. And if they don't w**k, I'll wish I had to w**k more. TVG: Finally, will we ever learn what happened in that alleyway in the series finale of Angel? Whedon: Of course. I have every intention of keeping the Buffyverse alive — and not just in flashback tales that I'm not connected to. And if I can't do it with the actors I love, I might just do it with drawings of the actors I love. |
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| Title of IDW's Next Angel Mini Series Revealed: Angel: Old Friends. "It's five issues [that] Jeff Mariotte is writing, which will have a lot more of the characters from the television series, and take a few steps toward answering what happened after the television series ended," Ryall told Newsarama. |
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| IDW will release second Spike Comic One Shot in January 2006 From Newsarama.com - 2005-08-16th IDW IS DOOMED IN OCTOBER Appropriately in October, IDW debuts the first issue of its new bi-monthly black & white anthology title Doomed, and unless you have a very unusual outlook on life, you’re probably already figured out by now that it’s a horror anthology, adapting classic horror short stories and published works from established authors in newsprint format, all presided over and narrated by the magazine’s eyepatch-wearing Ms. Doom. Ms. Doom had a meeting with the Head of Development at Dreamworks today, so we settled for a chat about the series with IDW’s own Editor-in-Chief and writer-in-his-own-right, Chris Ryall. Doomed is our version of, and nod to the old illustrated horror magazines and good short horror stories from year’s past ... the IDW version of the EC comics and Warren’s Creepy or Eerie of old, to even the good horror anthologies that ‘80s publishers like Pacific Comics put out," Ryall explained right off the bat. "The horror anthology is just something I always loved and would like to see more of. And luckily, I’m in a position where I can help make that happen." "In each issue, people will find four illustrated horror stories, 15 pages each, as well as some editorial bits. The first issue features an extended interview/retrospective of writer David J. Schow (one of the four writers whose w**k is being adapted in the mag)." Ryall explained the project got rolling largely due to creator Ashley Wood’s hankering to dip into the horror waters for some time. Wood not only had the initial idea, but decided he wanted a very involved role on project. As such, he’ll serve as the series art director, assembling the entire project as well as illustrating one of the stories and covers each issue. "Ash brings the same things to Doomed that he brings to everything with us, an amazing design sense, a tireless ability to handle all these projects, and art and art direction that will really give this book life," said Ryall. "I’d be happy to have him just illustrate one of the stories, but I’m ecstatic to have him involved to the degree that he is." Ryall explained why IDW decided to go with adaptations of classic horror stories and works from established writers rather than tell brand new stories in each issue... “Primarily because these classic horror writers, whether older names like Richard Matheson and Robert Bloch, or more contemporary writers like F. Paul Wilson and Schow, have such a great body of w**k,” he said. “Basically, they’re people who’re masters at the short horror story, and I wanted to use this chance to expose people to their w**k. People might know Robert Bloch from things like Psycho, but too few people know what an amazing short story writer he was, too. “Also, too often, new stories are informed by new sensibilities; we wanted stories that felt timeless and weren’t necessarily influenced by the same types of horror movies or stories that we’ve all grown up with. “And from two other points-of-view: as a fan of these guys’ w**k, it was great for me to be able to have a chance to adapt their stories. Also, from a commercial standpoint, it doesn’t hurt to have names like Matheson or the others associated with the magazine. As much as everyone likes anthologies, I think we all also know they can be very hit-or-miss, content-wise. And they’re always a tough sell. This way, we have good stories from known writers and also give the magazine hopefully its best chance at succeeding so we can do more. If the magazine flourishes, at some point, I’d consider doing new stories in the issues, too.” As previously mentioned, each issue will feature four, 15-page tales, and issue #1 features Wood and Ryall adapting a story by Matheson, F. Paul Wilson adapting his own story (the first of four adaptations of his own stories in the first four issues) with Ted McKeever on art, Ryall (him again) and Kristian Donaldson doing their version of Robert Bloch story, and finally Eduardo Barreto helps Ryall adapt a David J. Schow story. Ryall (as Editor-in-Chief) says he has one simple criterion when choosing artists for the project. “I’m looking for art that pleases Ash, basically,” he said. “As the art director, he has approval over everyone who appears in the magazine. And everyone knows that Ash is an artist’s artist. He knows good from bad, and can pretty much look at any panel and tell you what went right or wrong with it. So he’s a tough critic, which ultimately benefits any project he’s involved with. So anyone appearing here is Ash-approved, which means it’s going to be solid as hell. ”I just looked for, and asked, artists to do their best to emulate the old b&w horror stories from the past. Everyone involved with this issue is very different from each other, and yet all are so good. I love the mix of veteran artists like Eduardo and Ted with new guys like Kristian.” Asked what makes “Ms. Doom” - a throwback to the traditional EC/Warren narrator - stand out among her colleagues like the Cryptkeeper, Ryall had a simple response. ”She’s hotter, even with one eye,” he said. “And her other distinction is that she absolutely loathes me, you, and all men. And this only makes men love her more.” And as to what makes a story a good fit for Doomed? “They just have to live up to the title of the magazine, that’s all,” Ryall said. “Much like my wife tells me when I go to get a massage, ‘no happy endings’.” Trying not to let that image invade our heads, we also asked whom IDW is targeting with this project, including what distribution channels it’s being shopped through? “Since horror mags with violence and nudity (and we’ve got both in the first issue!) would have to be polybagged, therefore making it a tough sell on newsstands, yeah, the direct comic market is our home,” he said. “The magazine is bigger than comics (because it’s a magazine), and is b&w and printed on newsprint, but I really think it’s something special and hope comic fans and horror fans alike give it a look this October.” As to upcoming issues of Doomed, Ryall promises upcoming adaptations from Scott Tipton (also doing a Spike one-shot for IDW in January) of Matheson, along with a story by Tony Salmons and Mike Hoffman in issue #2. ”I was this close to getting Klaus Janson involved, too, before he signed his Marvel exclusive,” Ryall lamented. “Man, I would’ve loved that. ”But there are other great people I’ve got w**king, too. There’s definitely more to come...” |
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| IDW releases solicitation info for titles to be published in January '06. The following titles to be released: Angel: Old Friends #3, Spike: Old Wounds (One Shot), and also Angel: The Curse TPB |
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| IDW releases solicitation info for titles to be published in February '06. New releases include Spike Vs. Dracula #1 and Angel: Old Friends #4 |
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| Angel & Spike Comics - Chris Ryall (IDW editor) - Buffy-online.net Interview From Buffy-online.net - By Chris - 2005-10-22 Chris Ryall is IDW Publishing Editor-in-Chief! He talked to us about the second "Angel" comic-miniseries, about Joss Whedon’s involvement, "X-Men", publishers in Europe etc.! You publish Angel and Spike Comics. Are you a Fan of these TV Shows? Definitely. We decided long ago that we’d never take on any license that we weren’t passionate about. There’s too much money involved, along with the potential disappointment to fans, if we didn’t give these our all. And it’s much easier to give a project your best effort if it means something to you. I’ve been a big fan of Joss’s w**k and especially Buffy and Angel for a long time. Do you think about renewing Buffy Comics too? Well, it’s not our license right now, so we can’t touch Buffy. That said, I’m hoping that when the license becomes available—Dark Horse who currently holds the license—we can get that one, too. I know fans would love to see Angel and Buffy in the same comic. About what is the second Angel Miniseries? I don’t want to say too much yet, so instead I’ll just share the solicitation copy with you: "When a strangely familiar, seemingly vampiric figure is spotted killing victims in Los Angeles, Angel, alone in semi-retired retreat while he figures out what’s next for him, is lured back to the city to put a stop to the string of slayings. The case will reunite the vampire with a soul with old friends and old enemies-but it’s impossible to tell which is which!" Do you think about a monthly Angel series? Technically, we ARE monthly. The final issue of Angel: The Curse ships in October, and Angel: Old Friends begins in November. But we prefer to do these stories in five-issue arcs, so they each function as special episodes of the show. Incidentally, lest the cynical out there think we do this to keep getting a new "#1" issue every five months, the days of relaunched number ones outselling continuously numbered issues are behind us, so that’s not our reason for doing things this way. Rather, we prefer the standalone story, and since the creative teams may change with subsequent 5-issue arcs, it works better this way. Is Joss Whedon involved in your comics ? He approves everything at both the proposal stage and the script stage, and we’ve gotten notes back from his people, so he’s definitely still involved in making sure his characters are handled the way he’d handle them Will we see a Solution of the Final Cliffhanger in “Not fade away” in one of your Magazins? A solution? No. I would never want to pick up directly from that fight in the alley—I felt like that was a perfect ending for the show, and to pick up right from that moment would be presumptuous and something I personally don’t want to see. But will you see stories that take place at some point after that final episode, and see who survived? Oh, yes. Are you in contact with europe comic publishers for Angel or Spike? I’ve spoken to some publishers who expressed interest in publishing our comics in Europe, yes. Do you read Joss` X-Men? Absolutely—it’s some of the best X-Men comics I’ve seen since the glory days of Chris Claremont. He made me care about Kitty Pryde again, which is something no writer outside CC has managed to do, and he brought back Colossus, too. What’s not to love? (Okay, the "sentient Danger Room" thing isn’t exactly w**king for me as well as earlier stories, but still, Whedon and Cassaday on that book is something all X-Men fans should savor with every issue. Great stuff.) |
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| Sideshow Toys announces his new 12" license : "Angel The Series" From Sideshowtoy.com - By Webmaster - 2005-12-17 ANGEL, BUFFY’S LOVE AND SPINOFF LEGACY, BECOMES THE NEWEST 12-INCH SERIES FROM SIDESHOW New Fox License to Include Angel’s Retinue of Investigators Sideshow Collectibles - Westlake Village, CA - (November, 2005) - Angel, the 250-year-old "souled" vampire who spun off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to become an avenger for good is the most recent television icon to be added to Sideshow Collectibles’ family of 1:6 scale figures. In a landmark new licensing agreement with Fox Television, Sideshow will recreate the redemptive hero and many of his cohorts and nemeses from the popular WB drama. Angel, (played by David Boreanaz), recently closed out a run of five highly-rated seasons of supernatural detective w**k amid the netherworlds of modern Los Angeles. And, thanks to the many gifted sculptors, designers, and fabricators at Sideshow, Angel’s legacy will live on in a series vivid, posable action figures. The first figures will be available in the third quarter, 2006 and priced at an MSRP $ 45.00. The figures will be available at comic and collector shops worldwide and directly at www.sideshowcollectibles.com. According to Sideshow Collectibles’ Creative Director, Tom Gilliland, "Our Buffy the Vampire Slayer line-including three previous Angel figures-has been one of our most popular one-sixth scale endeavors. We welcome the challenge of expanding that universe with each of Angel’s many memorable characters." Michael Peikoff, VP of domestic licensing for 20th Century Fox stated "Sideshow has always done a brilliant job of translating our content into collectibles that genuinely resonate with the fan base- and we are thrilled they will be bringing ’Angel’ to the marketplace-their creative team is one of the best in the Industry." About Angel In the gloomy alleys and darkest corners of Los Angeles, there lurks a champion for the lost souls of humanity. He haunts the shadows fighting for those that have no one to help them conquer the many demons that plague them. Angel is their hero - a souled vampire with the mission of helping the helpless in hopes of redeeming himself for the century of atrocities he inflicted on the innocent during his existence as the terrifyingly brutal vampire Angelus. The only spin-off from Joss Whedon’s acclaimed series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel evolved into just as beloved a series with fans, captivating viewers with its darker, edgier stories about the pitfalls of adulthood and the pain of becoming redeemed. For five seasons, Angel and his brave gang of allies took on the challenges of the city, forming Angel Investigations and solving cases that no one else could. Angel’s new life on the series started after leaving his true love Buffy Summers at the Hellmouth. Landing in L.A., fate teamed Angel with the acerbic Cordelia Chase, also formerly of Sunnydale, and the half-demon Doyle (Glenn Quinn), a seer of visions from the Powers that Be which guided Angel’s early missions. In the early days, Doyle was the first to sacrifice his life for their new cause and in his place the team eventually grew to include: the former Watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Price (Alexis Denisof), demon street fighter Charles Gunn (J.August Richards), the green skinned club owner Lorne (Andy Hallett), brainy scientist Winifred Burkle (Amy Acker) and eventually, Angel’s own vampire kin and rival, Spike (James Marsters). Together over the years, they sacrificed their lives, their loves, their security and their futures to joing Angel in a fight against the forces of darkness. Be it the evil law firm of Wolfram & Hart, Angel’s old love Darla, a terrifying demon known as The Beast or even Angel’s own son, Connor, they stood united each week to face the worst that hell could summon. About Fox Licensing & Merchandising A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks. About Sideshow Collectibles Since its inception in 1994, Sideshow Collectibles has been a specialty manufacturer of licensed and proprietary collectible products that reflect a passion toward creating unique, highly sought after figure collectibles, as well as film prop replicas and fine art collectibles. The Sideshow artisans are renowned sculptors, experienced model makers, painters and costumers whose collaborative efforts result in intricately detailed likenesses of popular characters, including film and television monsters, villains, heroes and mystical creatures of fantasy, as well as legendary figures form history. Sideshow artisans have regularly distinguished themselves for their ability to achieve a level of authenticity seldom seen in the figure collectible arena. Sideshow is the premier source for highly collectible figures, statues, busts, framed art, prop replicas and figure-study maquettes. Sideshow products are available online at: www.sideshowcollectibles.com, as well as through specialty shops, comic book stores, and via collectible web sites worldwide. |
| QUOTE (prophecy girl @ Dec 27 2005, 05:00 PM) |
| Buffy and Angel Christmas Ornaments (ok kinda late) http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_122505a.htm |
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| Somehow 'target practice' comes to mind.... |
| QUOTE (prophecy girl @ Jan 4 2006, 11:16 AM) | ||
maybe a box of mini stake is included :lmao: |
| QUOTE (Mehitabel @ Jan 4 2006, 01:31 PM) |
| the strategically-placed bowls of mixed nuts without which her Christmas is incomplete... |
| QUOTE (obnoxious brat @ Jan 4 2006, 04:46 PM) | ||
The one's wearing the Christmas hats? ;) |
| QUOTE (Mehitabel @ Jan 4 2006, 06:41 PM) | ||||
Sadly no.... :thumbsup: .... but at least this year I bought them already shelled, which has avoided the ususal run of nut-related injuries: exploding brazil shrapnel, walnuts which slip out of the cracker just as your knuckle goes in... almonds that bounce in your eye pointy bit first, and hazelnuts which fly off under the telly and cause concusion on the rebund from the VHR. Perhaps I should have bought my ma a new nutcracker years ago? |
| QUOTE (obnoxious brat @ Jan 4 2006, 06:48 PM) |
| Sounds like a dangerous business to me. Best to just claim you've developed a life threatening allergy and be done with it! |
| QUOTE (Mehitabel @ Jan 4 2006, 06:55 PM) | ||
Wise thought- but that's just the damage that can happen for- (a) providing the dutiful daughter back-up nut-cracking service, or (B) being anywhere in the same room while she does it herself (very shortsighted, poor aim, but insatiable appetite for things that come in viscious splintery shells this time of year). It's not as if I'm trying to eat them myself! It's a mother thing, and since I already left home in general terms, there's not much to be done but duck and cover during the festive shrapnel season. (Considered a thick balaclava, but I can't, I really can't.) |
| QUOTE (obnoxious brat @ Jan 5 2006, 12:20 PM) |
| Surely in this modern day and age you can buy already cracked nuts? :ponder: |
| QUOTE (prophecy girl @ Jan 6 2006, 10:44 AM) |
| maybe she should have that one :shrug: |
| QUOTE (The last watcher @ Jan 6 2006, 02:55 PM) |
| if you push the pointy bit of the heart shape into the bottom edge of the 'seam' of the wallnut (it in fact goes in quite easily) then twist....hey presto, the wallnut splits in half....no force required....and definitly no shrapnel...... :lol: |
| QUOTE (prophecy girl @ Jun 28 2006, 10:13 AM) |
| MWC reviews the Deluxe Hawaiian Angel and Spike action figures due in stores soon link |