Broken Frontier

Ever since the Buffy and Angel TV shows were cancelled, die-hard fans have had to rely on the Dark Horse and IDW books to sate their vampire-slaying cravings.  Personally, I’ve felt that the comic adaptations fall a bit short of the original series, in that they lack the flavor that the actors bring to the characters.  While creator Joss Whedon’s writing has always been and continues to be very witty and sharp, without the presence of the actors making the lines their own, the characters feel a little flat.  Spike: The Devil You Know #1 somehow overcomes this problem. 

Writer Bill Williams is Whedon-ishly funny without being a direct copy.  He captures Spike’s devil-may-care attitude extremely well.  Aside from a few strange moments, everything that Spike says or acts like would be exactly what Spike would say or do.  This mastery of the characters is not only limited to Spike either.  There are a few cameos from other fan favorite characters, and plenty of show references that fit in flawlessly with the story.

The cool thing about comics is that you can have any character make an appearance at any time.  You don’t have to worry about the availability or cost associated with getting the same actors to appear.  The artists can draw anyone and, most likely, would probably prefer to draw a variety of interesting characters.  That’s something Williams really takes advantage of.  At the same time, he keeps the focus on Spike, and makes him a character that is worthy of being the center of attention.

While the writing is great, the art is the star of the show. Every panel is so exciting and flawlessly designed.  Artist Chris Cross is amazing at drawing monsters, action, dynamic poses, and expressions.  As Williams provides the wit and charm, Cross, through his art, supplies the bad-ass attitude and style.  His work with the character design of the newest renegade is especially incredible.  While he doesn’t look or act anything like Spike, he very clearly gives off the same vibe. 

Cross and Williams do a great job with this newcomer, Eddie.  Spike’s always been a bit of an outsider, picking up companions and teaming up with unlikely allies, but never with someone like himself.  Eddie is like him. He’s not a tragically heroic hero/heroine like Buffy or Angel, and he’s not a former sidekick trying to prove himself like pretty much the rest of the cast.  He’s a sneaky loner, like Spike.  Only time will tell if two Spikes is too much of a good thing, but this issue is good.  The coordination is amazing.  Cross knows how to draw a great bad-ass, and Williams knows how to write one.