IDWEEK: JOSS WHEDON TALKS ANGEL, AFTER THE FALL

[MattBrady]

by Chris Ryall

Earlier today, we talked to Brian Lynch about his second Spike series, Shadow Puppets, and talked briefly about handling Angel’s post-season 5 return. And now a few words from his comrade-at-arms, Joss Whedon. Spoil alert! (not because he’s giving anything away here, y’see—we would’ve said “spoilER alert,” then. Rather, because we just spoil you with all this great content and… oh, why are you wasting time reading this inane intro when the actual Q&A is waiting for you in the very next sentence?

Newsarama: When word broke that you planned to partner with writer Brian Lynch and continue Angel’s adventures where the final episode left off, the decision was met with pretty unanimous praise. But do you feel any pressure about picking up from what many fans regard as the perfect ending to a TV show?

Joss Whedon: Actually, a lot of people thought it was a cliffhanger, so they can't be too sad.

NRAMA: Fans seem very concerned about “official canon” (which is something Brian references in a very funny way in issue #1 of his Spike: Shadow Puppets in June. Do you understand the uproar? What does “canon” mean to you?

JW: Canon is key, as is continuity. If you are massive nerd. Which I am. I believe there's a demarcation between the creation and ancillary creations by different people. I'm all for that stuff, just like fanfic, but I like to know what's there's an absolutely official story-so-far, especially when something changes mediums, which my stuff seems to do a lot.

NRAMA: What was it about Brian Lynch’s work on Spike: Asylum that got you thinking he’d be the right person to develop this book with you?

JW: The voices. Not just of the characters from the show but everybody. I knew from the moment [at the beginning of Asylum] Spike took the job he didn't want because the guys thought he was Angel and he felt pissy that this was gonna happen with Brian. I even emailed Tim Minear about it that night.

NRAMA: Along the lines of “why him,” let’s also look at “why now?” Did your work on the Buffy comic book rekindle a desire to revisit these characters? Or had you always planned to get back to them at some point?

JW: Brian gets the cred. I ran into him at a restaurant and Asylum was coming out that day so I figured, gotta read it. Read it. See above. I can't make the same kind of commitment that I'm making to Buffy, but I thought Brian could handle being the show-runner with continued input—and a basic rundown on where were heading—from me.

NRAMA: Without spoiling anything, can you give fans any idea of what they can expect to see, or not see, in the comic?

JW: Season six—that is, the storyline we were planning to pursue—made much more epic and fleshed out quite a bit. We're looking at it as a 12-issue miniseries, to keep it tight and intense. Brian and I have been exchanging juicy ideas. And some that are more bran-y. For health.

NRAMA: Finally, when the show itself ended, did you have an idea in your head of where things would go? Did you know all along who would, or wouldn’t, survive that fight in the alley?

JW: I've always known exactly, unless someone brings me a better idea. (It was Jeff Bell and the Angel staff who pitched me Wesley's death—once we knew we'd got the chop.) The better idea makes it to the canon. But the line up is pretty much what I planned. It's not pretty.

I'm pretty.

[KyleV]

Looking forward to this more, dare I say it, than Season Eight of Buffy. David Fury gave an interview a while back (it's online somewhere) with details on what Season Six was to be and it sounded pretty amazing.

Personally, I feel like Angel can expand into a larger story much more naturally than Buffy.

[Derf]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

I can't make the same kind of commitment that I'm making to Buffy, but I thought Brian could handle being the show-runner with continued input—and a basic rundown on where were heading—from me.

I was hoping for a bit more involvement from Joss but this I'm sure this is still going to be awesome.

[Haunt]

*sigh* Well I'm going to have to work through the stages of grief, make my peace with the fact that this project is really going to happen even after perhaps the single most PERFECT series finale ever.

Still, ecstatic that Brian (luckiest bastard in the universe) Lynch is the writer tapped to make it happen. And of course it should never even be considered without Joss' direct involvement. So... all things being relative, I'm pretty happy.

(Joss... Brian... call me. I've spent every day since NFA writing Season Six in my head. I know what's gonna happen, and I'd be happy to give you some hints. )

[Chtrav]

I'm stoked. I LOVED "Angel", excellent series. The first two issues of "Season Eight" are incredible. I have no doubt in my mind that this Angel series will be top shelf.

[Brian Garside]

Originally Posted by KyleV

Looking forward to this more, dare I say it, than Season Eight of Buffy. David Fury gave an interview a while back (it's online somewhere) with details on what Season Six was to be and it sounded pretty amazing.

Personally, I feel like Angel can expand into a larger story much more naturally than Buffy.

Totally agree, while I'm enjoying the new Buffy series a lot, it kind of ran its course at the end of season 5. Angel meanwhile had just hit its stride in the final season.

This could be a real winner.

[rwe1138]

[bigmentalross]

Originally Posted by Haunt

*sigh* Well I'm going to have to work through the stages of grief, make my peace with the fact that this project is really going to happen even after perhaps the single most PERFECT series finale ever.

Oh, come on.

If I can enjoy a new Buffy comic after seeing the last episode of Six Feet Under I'm sure I can enjoy a new Angel one too.

[Black Beetle]

Sweet. I'll definitely be checking this out. I didn't even know this was happening.

[rdrsfn82]

I'm sad it's only going to be 12 issues but it's better than nothing. I hope it creates a fire in him and continues beyond that.

[comicfanuk]

YES!!!

I've been waiting for this since The WB Canclled Angel. Idiots.

Joss. One world: CONNOR!!! - PLEASE make him a part of the cast!

This is going to rock!

[Wonder Boy]

Oh, this sounds so awesome!

And I'm praying for a Cordelia apperance of some sort. Even if she is dead. (Because, really, when has that ever stopped anyone from making an apperance?)

[GohanWinner]

Buffy season 8 sounded like an awesome idea to me.

An Angel Season 6 sounds like HEAVEN. I've preferred Angel since I first started watching it, and I felt it was a lot more open for a continuation. And plus...always wanted to know what sort of ideas they had in mind. As long as Gunn doesn't make it through with an eyepatch...like in the IDW issues they've been putting out. LAME.

[God-Man]

I'm so ready for this.

[HNutz]

Originally Posted by KyleV

Looking forward to this more, dare I say it, than Season Eight of Buffy. David Fury gave an interview a while back (it's online somewhere) with details on what Season Six was to be and it sounded pretty amazing.

Personally, I feel like Angel can expand into a larger story much more naturally than Buffy.

NICE!!!

I think it'll rock, too! Never got into Buffy as much as Angel...

[McEddard]

I worship Joss Whedon I always enjoyed Angel more than Buffy, and was sad when it ended. However, that was the best series ending episode I've ever seen, There's no way they survived that. I'll probably read it and enjoy it, but in my sad little mind they all died saving the world.

[darthdad]

I've always been the opposite, I've always been far more interested in Buffy and I only watched the occasional issue of Angel, but I'll give the first couple of issues a look and go from there.

[Clem]

Put me down as one of the guys who enjoyed Angel more than Buffy.

I still cry when Wesley dies...which is strange considering where he began waaaay back in Buffy season 3.

[Frodo]

Hopfully no woof woof girl,Nina.Couldn't stand the character and was happy to see her sent packing in the next to last episode of the show.

[Xanrn]

JW: Season six—that is, the storyline we were planning to pursue—made much more epic and fleshed out quite a bit. We're looking at it as a 12-issue miniseries, to keep it tight and intense. Brian and I have been exchanging juicy ideas. And some that are more bran-y. For health


Weren't the original plans for Season 6 that Angel and co were in a Hell and still fighting...

[Thecrow108]

Even though I haven't seen all the episodes yet, I just watched an episode of season 3 there, so I have to watch 4 and 5 but I really have to get this Angel is so much better then Buffy.

And the Angel fan and the Irish man in me is shout for them to BRING BACK DOYLE!!!! He has been my fav character from the series and I really would love to see him come back, I was sad to hear that Glenn Quinn had died from an overdose and wished he had time to come back to the series. He was great in it.

[CuriousDude]

Ha, great news. I can't wait. Angel ended on a very open note, so it's good to see them following up on the loose ends of the finale. What I want to know though, is how will the previous Angel comics that dealt with finale aftermath be seen, will they be canon? I can't see why they wouldn't be, as taking Joss out of the equation, the guy writing this did half of them.

[Salustrade]

I'm a major Angel fan so this is really good news.

Just wish they could bring the series back or maybe even do a big one shot movie like Serenity or something.

[Shadowcards]

I always figured an army of Slayers would make an appearance to save Angel.

Unless the PTB decide to balance the odds.

[fearlessrees]

I loved Angel, but I also loved the super down-note ending.

I'm gutted about this