Spike: After the Fall Vol. 1

Spike Comics (Buffy Vampire Slayer)

by Brian Lynch

Poet, vampire, murderer, lover, hero, prisoner, slave—Spike has been called a lot of things. But, by the time this fight is over, he’ll have one more name—Lord! Or “dust”... maybe we’ll just call him dust, considering how it seems things are going in his immediate future. But after enjoying this collection of the four-issue Spike: After the Fall series you’ll be looking at the events of Angel: After the Fall in a whole new light, courtesy of Brian Lynch and Franco Urru!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Buffy The Vampire Slayer

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2008

About the author

Brian Michael Lynch is an American film and comic book writer.

Reviews

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Scribd for getting my passion for Btvs and Ats back.

Los Angeles has been transported to hell and Spike, happy that he survived another fight, decides to retire from fighting evil. 2 minutes later he is back in business saving humans with Fred/Illyria by his side.

I enjoyed this volume quite much. It's been ages since I watched Ats and I think I actually need to rewatch the whole series. Should probably finish rewatching Btvs first. Anyway, great volume. Nice art, lots of action. Some Spike & Illyria smooching, me like very much.



Review also posted on And Now for Something Completely Different and It's a Mad Mad World

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well...plot wise, it was all over the place. So Spike and Illyria end up teaming up somehow, and fighting the monsters in L.A. after Team Angel threw open the whole can of worms. Gunn has a brief cameo in which he's acting weird, and even Connor makes an appearance. And the villain is annoying and took way too long for them to kill, considering that her powers were barely explained. Nothing's really properly explained, actually, but since this is a prequel, I guess it's just setting up things that happened (and get explained?) in Angel: After the Fall. Even so, I felt like I was missing big chunks of information, and the timeline didn't seem to match up with the end of S8 of Buffy very well either. Why are Spike and Illyria kissing? Why is Fred so helpless? She might be human, but she survived years alone in Pylea. Why are Fred/Illyria suddenly separate entities sharing the same body?

The artwork is passable. There are some truly great panels and the movement is well done, and the color palette gives it all a doom's day feel, which is appropriate. But there were many times when I couldn't tell one character from another because the faces are kind of indistinguishable. I think some finer line work would have helped.

Overall, not too impressed with this, but it was fun to dip back into the Buffyverse for a little while, even if comic books aren't really my thing.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

In case you were wondering after reading my review of this other Angel comic (note: you were not wondering), I experienced library-associated intrigue via-à-vis the Angel: After the Fall comic series. The exciting continuation of that story is, I really wanted to start with volume 1 of the Angel series, but when I requested it through intra-library loan, I was sent Spike: After the Fall, which is actually a spin-off ARGH CAN I NEVER WIN?! (I learned recently that there is a proper punctuation mark for "?!" which is basically a scrunched, bolded question mark, which no one really knows and thus it's probably pretty useless, but the best part is, it is called an "interrobang" which I think we can all agree is an excellent name for a band).

But yes! I can win! Because despite being a spin-off, S:ATF actually (once again!) takes place chronologically BEFORE volume 1 of the stupid series I have been repeatedly trying and failing to actually read! Hooray!

So, the actual comic: it's ok. Do you like Spike? This book is all about him. I like Spike, but more during seaons 2-5 of Buffy, before he kind of became a pansy. But there's some good dialogue and some action and a dragon! 3 stars.

Except now I can't put the actual volume 1 on reserve from another library because the system thinks I already have it checked out, and if I return this one and try to reserve it again, they'll just give me this because it's from my home library! Life is shit.

Oh, what's that you say? Illegal internet downloads? No, I can't do that. Why? Because it's wrong.*







*Haha I just made a super-nerdy reference to the show and you didn't even know.**







**I will send $5 to anyone who actually bothered to read this drivel.***








***No I won't.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spike is one of my favorite characters so it’s unsurprising that I liked this collection.

I’m not a huge fan of the Spike x Illyria romance (if it can even be called that), but I think it makes sense why Spike would be attracted to her and she does work well as a comparison to Spike’s previous lovers for Spike’s development.

I also feel like Gunn and Connor were woven seamlessly into this, which worked well plot-wise. I’m so interested in how their characters will advance, which is interesting since I never liked Connor on AtS.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spike: After the Fall follows Spike after everything went to hell! And of course that entails Spike getting beat up by demom ladies sporting skin-tight unitards! I enjoyed that we got the same snarky Spike but underneath it all, we saw the guy that wanted to do the right thing. Overall, a good volume to read to fill in the gaps of Spike and Illyria's story in the Buffyverse!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had extremely high hopes for this (not expectations; I've been disappointed before). Spike is my favorite character from the Buffy-verse and from several other 'verses besides--and hands-down the one I most want to look at a book full of pictures of--and it's not all because of how hot he is. I like his character, his personality, his attitude, the things he says, and yes, the depth of feeling he has always been capable of, soul or not. And I don't like it when he's written out of character, or misunderstood or not appreciated by the author. As I said, I've been disappointed before. But, thankfully, not by this. Not AT ALL.

This was Spike: The humor inherent in the way he talks and thinks, which here we were privy to. His interesting and unique (I hope) worldview. His passionate loyalty to the few people he allows into his world. His talent for both buttkicking and being tortured (if an tendency to attract torture--dare I say a propensity?--can really be called a skill, which in Spike's case I think it can). The leather coat. Lots of other little habits and quirks that are part of all that is Spike.

Plus there was the incredible cover, which I could stare at for a very long time (I'm so glad I waited for the softcover--even the clerk who rang me up commented on how great it looked). I also really liked the art inside, even of Spike, although I do agree with another reviewer that he could have been "cuter." One page in particular blew me away so much that I have a bookmark there and want to blow it up and frame it.

I should probably also mention the plot. It's great. Basically it's the story of how Spike, along with Illyria/Fred, came to find his place in the world of LA-gone-to-Hell and to collect his ersatz Scooby Gang. He meets people, some of them human and some less so. Some try to kill him, some try to have sex with him. Pretty usual for Spike. The first chapter was funny and a good set up for the darker story of the other three. The end is both a resolution and promise that Spike goes on.

[Mignon DeLarre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only three stars... no telepathic fish

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spike, just after the final fight of the Angel tv series wherein Wolfram & Hart drops LA into Hell, develops a following of human refugees from the chaos. They, along with Fred/Illyria are captured and tortured by a group of sword wielding female demons, one of which is a beautiful part arachnid that takes a liking to Spike. It's been awhile since I watched the series and it was good to get back into reading the graphic novels that continued the adventures of the awesome characters. I highly recommend this book.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Spike. It's almost impossible to work with a chaotic primordial god.

[Amanda J Barton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh... I choose to believe this story was never written.

[Dann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spin-off/prequel to the Angel: After the Fall series, Spike: After the Fall is an entertaining and action-packed 4-issue fantasy comic. In the wake of the events in the Angel television series finale, Los Angeles has been transported to a hell dimension and Spike has teamed up with Illyria and taken a group of human refugees under his protection, until one day they’re attacked and captured by a demon warlord. Spike and Illyria prove to be a good pairing (just as in the television show) and have great banter, and a couple of other characters from the show make interesting appearances. However, some of the supernatural creatures that are brought in are kind of goofy and don’t seem to have a clear power-set. And the artwork isn’t really that good, as it’s a kind of sloppy and doesn’t have a lot of definition. Yet there are some impressive alternative design covers in the supplemental art gallery as well as an author’s commentary. Spike: After the Fall has some problems, but overall it’s a fairly solid graphic novel.

[Lani · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Spike

Staying of pretty much right after the Angel series finale, we find out what became of Illyria and Spike. There's never enough Spike for me, so this is good. The dialogue was exceptional. Though I think I need to be a comics proofreader... I find "typos" in every one.

[The_Mad_Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume collects Spike: After the Fall four issue mini series, which ties in with the Angel: After the Fall storyline.

Written by Brian Lynch and drawn by Franco Urru (who had to temporarily leave his art duties over on Angel: After the Fall to do this series) has joined forces to make their third Spike series; the first two being Spike: Asylum and Spike: Shadow Puppets (neither of which I've read). And the result is well worth it.

This is the Spike's story in L.A. gone to Hell, the story of what happened between his First Night story and the start of Angel: After the Fall. But its also, in a manner of speaking Illyria's story, and also, though to a much, much lesser degree, Connor's.

At the end of the day, this volume, while a separate entity (and one that can certainly be enjoyed on its own), deserves to be properly considered an important part of the whole Angel: After the Fall storyline.

Now I just have to chase down Spike: Asylum and Spike: Shadow Puppets, because maestros Lynch and Urru certainly know how to handle the character of Spike and to tell good stories.

[Arie ☂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. After Spike and Illyria's mysterious and hilarious appearance in After the Fall (they were honestly my favourite part of the whole thing), I had high hopes for their little Hell origin story. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with the conclusion of Brian Lynch's Spike trilogy.



I guess the thing I missed most was the humour. It was definitely funny in the first couple issues but it got super dark pretty quick, and the villain was mostly annoying.



I wanted more Illyria/Spike bonding but they spent a good portion of the volume apart. Good thing the dragon made a cameo!




I do love them together and this cover/panel has definitely inspired some crackshipping.

[kory. · Rating 3 out of 5]

spike: shadow puppets ★★★☆☆
spike: old times ★★★☆☆
spike: asylum ★★★☆☆
spike: alone together now, vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
spike, volume 2: stranger things ★★★☆☆
spike: after the fall ★★★☆☆
spike: into the light ★★★☆☆
spike: a dark place ★★★☆☆

eh, not my favorite, but not horrible.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this is what was happening with Spike and Illyria before they jumped back into action. I was actually kind of surprised by this miniseries. Spike's characterization (and, most importantly, narration) was exactly as it should have been, and the relationship dynamic between him and Illyria was very interesting to read. But the mainline plot was pretty generic (though I suppose it had to be, being essentially a side story) and was underwhelming. Non was a threatening villain, sure, but not really given enough time to blossom into a fully fledged threat.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it wasn't all I wanted it to be. (You can tell Brian Lynch isn't a girl. ;) )

And I do wish the artist (Frank Urhu? Is that how it's spelled?) drew Spike a little cuter. :P

Let's face it, I'll buy and read anything with Spike in it. Because I adore the character with a love usually only found in fourteen-year-olds.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the final show down in the alley, Spike decides to retire from fighting evil. There’s Illyria the sometimes hell goddess/sometimes Winifred Burkle to think about. But he takes in a few strays, then a few more. And lots of folks think that humans are tasty. Wackiness ensues.

It’s got some great touches.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a set-up piece than anything else. The story was already sort-of told in earlier Angel comics, but it gives the background to Spike's becoming a lord in hell. It was all right, but nothing to write home about. Although the constant jabs at having only one tv show to watch in hell was funny. I can see the point. Nothing but Charmed, for months. Pure hell.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot get enough of Spike. Spike Spike Spike forever, need I say more. It fills the gap after the fight in the alley, SPIKE!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Spike! What more needs to be said?

[Bahia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better installments of the "After
The Fall" continuation of Angel.

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd Read: 8/23/2015
Original Read: 7/17/2014

3.5 Stars

[Ricardo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am late to the party, but I had recently enjoyed Brian Lynch's run on Angel after the fall.
So I didn't expect to dislike his Spike after the fall spin off so much.
in the Angel books, Brian had alluded to Spike's time away from the gang as being that of a cool, badass nature. Leading a group of either "sexy" or "kind of gross" female warriors depending on your take. Going from prisoner to lover to leader of the group.
In this series we get to see how it happened, and it was nowhere near as cool or badass as I had expected. For starters Spike had a group of humans he was protecting, one being a kid. This group of females he was leading we find out kills them all, including the kid.
The going from prisoner to lover part, while in a dungeon and surrounded by the bodies of the people he was trying to save, who are now zombie like and watching him, including the kid. This is when we find out he's been having sex with one of the female warriors, right there with all the people he failed to save watching, in their half dead or mostly dead state, including that kid.
Sure there is some quick line about how she was blocking the kids view. It still felt disgusting and tore away the idea I had of spikes transition from prisoner, to lover to leader as being that of legend.
For one, losing everyone you promised to protect is not badass.
Two, doing the deed Infront of the ones you failed to save with one of the ones responsible for it, is not cool.
In the end when he fights the main bad woman responsible for it all, and they say oh, these other woman had no choice, she was controlling them, so he frees them. It still felt wrong. Like okay you beat the main big bad here, you still lost everyone.
I kept hoping they'd somehow still be saved and brought back, especially the kid.
You end up getting everyone saved and back from the dead by the end of Angel after the fall.
Disappointingly they never show spikes gang, or that kid for some closure. They do however note that everyone remembers everything that happened. Which means Spikes group remembers you know what, with you know who, while they were you know, fucking zombies lol.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me this was the best plotted and scripted After the Fall -- the art is not my fave, but at least it is consistent and I get used to the conventions used. The faces and the action are better than average for After the Fall series.

Chronologically it takes place right after First Night. So if one wanted to read in order, one would read Angel ATF Vol 2, then Spike After the Fall, then proceed with Angel AFT 1, 3-6. Note I have given myself in my third re-read to skip Vol 3 & Vol 5. YMMV.

Spike as usual wins the day in his reluctant hero persona and the story fills out how he ended up as seen in Vol 1. The plotting is true-to-character AND fills in character development missing in Vol 1 AND is readable and coherent and engaging even if read outside of the full ATF series.

Recommended for Spike fans, Bryan Lynch fans, and anyone who wants to get a full story of Angel Season 6.

[Sammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were parts of this i love but also parts that were eh, but its fine bc i mean i probably committed to the comics simply bc i wanted more spike in my life so therefore i love THAT! how many evolutions can one man go through? Spike says hold my beer.

this was dark and it makes sense given they are in hell and we need spike where he is in ATF 1 so it was interesting to see how he got where he did given his entrance in the first volume. but some parts were eh (we need more women writing spike again sorry Brian!!), and the Illyria / Spike romance feels left field and kind of a bummer bc i do really like their friendship, and didn’t need it to hit the next level besides a deep affection. And enough of these men have been in love with her, give her a rest? so we will see where that goes… anyways that being said, love him protecting his people however best he can, love him offering to train Connor, love his friendship with Jeremy (rip rip)!

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picking up after the events of the final season of Angel, this volume serves as a bridge between the TV series and the Angel: After the Fall, Volume 1 series.

It's fine. It includes some of the major players from the TV show and sets them in motion for their role in the comic universe but, overall, it's fairly humdrum. I read this out of order, having already read volume one of Angel: After The Fall. While this certainly filled in the gaps, it turns out that the gaps weren't that interesting.

If you're a completist, you won't be mad that you read this. It's perfectly serviceable. But if you just want the best parts of the Angel and Buffy comics, you can skip this one and not have missed out on anything important.

[Silvana Zago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me siento tentada a darle una calificación mas baja.
Estoy muy confundida. ¿Qué me perdí de la serie Angel? ¿En qué momento se desarrollaron esta relación y estos sentimientos entre Spike e Ilyria/Fred? Se querían, sí, eso era más que obvio, pero siempre me pareció que era un amor no-romantico. Después de todo lo que pasó Spike en BtVS agradecí esa dinámica entre ellos dos. Y lo último que supe es que Fred murió en brazos de Wesley, enamorada de Wesley; e Ilyria había desarrollado ciertos sentimientos hacia Wes (aunque éstos no eran románticos, no estoy segura de si Ilyria es capaz de sentir eso o no).
En fin, estoy confundida, no me encantan estos cómics de After the Fall, pero seguramente los seguiré leyendo solo para saber cómo conectan eventualmente con Buffy otra vez.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this volume for the second time around. This time reading it after having read Lynch and Urru's other work in Asylum and Shadow Puppets. I wasn't as into this one as much, but I still really dig the pairing of Spike and Illyria. Lynch really nailed Illyria's presence and way of speaking. I also liked their addition to Spike's evolution as a character (a character who has probably seen the most evolution in this universe).

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this at the right time made it a lot better, IMHO. Though it chronologically takes place after First Night and before Angel: After the Fall, I’ve been reading these in order of publication / release. It makes the reveal in After the Fall v1 that much more fun and shows how Spike got to be where he’s at as After the Fall begins.