Comments on: Fractured Franchise: Dark Horse Reclaims Angel to Go With Buffy

By: Last Minute LinkBlogging: Chris Ryall on Spike, DC Cheer, Candorville Goodbye to Cathy, More » Comics Worth Reading

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:46:02 +0000

[...] a followup to the news that the Angel comic is returning to Dark Horse, IDW Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall has posted a FAQ containing the most commonly asked [...]

By: Dwight Williams

Dwight Williams — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:52:05 +0000

I'll be interested to see the reaction from Saint fandom once Moonstone's new comics series kicks off, given that context.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:14:04 +0000

I liked Lynch’s work, especially on Spike, best, too. I don’t think Willingham’s comments are responsible for the change, but I do think the situation illustrated how much simpler things would be with all the properties reunited.

By: James Schee

James Schee — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:45:28 +0000

Bill Willingham’s quote was monumentally stupid and showed a complete lack of understanding of why the Buffy and related comics have been so successful the last few years. With most other properties (outside of maybe Star Wars & George Lucas I can’t think of any others) the creator is dead or non-important in how fans see new stories.

Heck most original creators families get attacked by fans if they try to lay claim to the characters, see the Siegals and Shusters and the like.

Yet with Buffy Joss Whedon is still as important, known and loved as much as the characters are. To come out and attack him, and even more damning to say you don’t and won’t consult him on the stories makes your stories the equalivant of fan fiction. Which fans can read for free online anytime they want.

IDW tried to save face, by ushering Willingham off the book as fast as possible, yet the damage had been done. Which probably played a part in bringing about this move back to Dark Horse. Which is kind of a shame as the Angel and Spike stories by Brian Lynch (who knows Joss and credited him with plot assists on Angel After The Fall) are some of the best Buffyverse comics there have been. (even better than some of the Joss penned stuff)