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brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
This was a quick read (graphic novels usually are), but I laughed my way through the whole thing. Even if Spike was never a favorite character throughout the Buffy or Angel series, I sure enjoyed him here. He brings the funny. The artwork was good, story was great--definitely would recommend this to graphic novel fans, or even fans of the Buffy or Angel TV series.
cmdrchristie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
roboxa's review
2.0
Originally posted on Roberta's Literary Ramblings
I love Spike. He's my favorite Buffy character next to Willow. However, I was a little disappointed with this spin-off series. And despite the claim in the synopsis, I have not viewed the events in Angel: After the Fall any differently. It just explains how Spike got to the position he was in at the beginning of A:ATF.
While the dialogue was pretty faithful for the characters that we know so well, I found that the story was lacking that thought provoking and sometimes heart-wrenching aspect that I have grown accustomed to with anything Buffy/Joss Whedon related. It was a pretty generic storyline with cameos by other key characters that didn't need to happen and felt like a desperate attempt to keep our interest. Also, I actually became a little more confused about the situation with Gunn because of these cameos since he popped up at some point and then kind of disappeared. I felt like some background on him would have cleared up some lingering questions, but his cameo failed to do that and left me disappointed. I also felt that the moments the story was getting deeper emotionally became cliche and slightly overdone. I missed the subtlety that I've come to love from the Buffyverse.
Since it is a graphic novel, I feel that a note should be made on the art. However, other than saying that the art was just fine, there really isn't much to say. The characters looked much like the actors, which is a plus, and the new characters were drawn pretty well. Nothing overtly distracting, but also not anything particularly new or stunning.
Basically, it was all right. If you really want to know Spike's story right after everything goes to hell (literally) than go ahead and give this a read. However, it won't change A:ATF for you very much, and the whole story honestly could have been explained in a couple of panels in A:ATF. It didn't really need a whole series, even though you can never have enough Spike.
I love Spike. He's my favorite Buffy character next to Willow. However, I was a little disappointed with this spin-off series. And despite the claim in the synopsis, I have not viewed the events in Angel: After the Fall any differently. It just explains how Spike got to the position he was in at the beginning of A:ATF.
While the dialogue was pretty faithful for the characters that we know so well, I found that the story was lacking that thought provoking and sometimes heart-wrenching aspect that I have grown accustomed to with anything Buffy/Joss Whedon related. It was a pretty generic storyline with cameos by other key characters that didn't need to happen and felt like a desperate attempt to keep our interest. Also, I actually became a little more confused about the situation with Gunn because of these cameos since he popped up at some point and then kind of disappeared. I felt like some background on him would have cleared up some lingering questions, but his cameo failed to do that and left me disappointed. I also felt that the moments the story was getting deeper emotionally became cliche and slightly overdone. I missed the subtlety that I've come to love from the Buffyverse.
Since it is a graphic novel, I feel that a note should be made on the art. However, other than saying that the art was just fine, there really isn't much to say. The characters looked much like the actors, which is a plus, and the new characters were drawn pretty well. Nothing overtly distracting, but also not anything particularly new or stunning.
Basically, it was all right. If you really want to know Spike's story right after everything goes to hell (literally) than go ahead and give this a read. However, it won't change A:ATF for you very much, and the whole story honestly could have been explained in a couple of panels in A:ATF. It didn't really need a whole series, even though you can never have enough Spike.
lovebeerlearning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
audryt's review
3.0
The stars are for the art. While it had its moments, both AFTER THE FALL: SPIKE and AFTER THE FALL: ANGEL negate female characters who were taken seriously in the original BUFFY and ANGEL television series. They are mostly in need of rescuing or evil bitches, and tend to wear bikinis either way. There's even a point at which Gunn, having encountered a group of sexually enslaved women, jokes that their death can be "erotic" if they play their cards right. Love this artist and love the dragon, but 0 stars for the writing.
mikime's review
5.0
A gorgeous volume telling Spike and Illyria's adventures shortly after "the fall". You'll find, among other things, lizard-men, lethal female demons, an old friend - now vampire, a famous young man who tends to always appear (and disappear) when least expected, and a dragon. And of course quick-witted, not-mincing-words Spike, fighting for his vampire-with-a-soul life and most importantly for Illyria's life, as she too easily rushes to wreak havoc or turns into lovely, vulnerable Fred always at the worst possible time.
kags__'s review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
reasie's review
4.0
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.
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.
joelevard's review
3.0
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.
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.
raypuffle's review
5.0
Hilarious, heartbreaking, action packed and most importantly true to character. I love what Brian Lynch has done with the Angel universe!