Question: Spike's Role in the Comics?

[fenderlove]

Quick word: I won't be responding with my own opinions to any comments left in this post, so feel free to answer honestly without fear that I shall pounce upon you. I may have further questions to ask.

How would you describe Spike's role in the comics in Season Nine? And to go further, what is his literal role in the comics? What has he literally been doing? What has been clearly asked of him by any other character or characters? The key words for all this are definitely- literal specifics. I'm looking for less interpretation "if you turn it sideways and squint and read between the lines" type of examples and more for just what has been presented.

Like I said above, I won't be responding with my own opinions. I'm just curious to find out if I've missed something in translation.

Comments

[fenderlove.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to work things out with what you're saying and what other people have written, so bear with me and please understand that I'm just trying to figure out the plot and the arcs here.

We see her flirting with him in #1 but Spike plays it cool.
From what I've read from others, Buffy also flirts with Riley in the issue and possibly Xander. Also, I've read that Spike may believe that Buffy is teasing him when she's flirting with him. What is it that makes her flirting with Spike more relevant? Is it how the scene is set up or the words used?

We see Spike as the only one having Buffy's back in #2.
How so? What exactly is going on?

You mention Spike discussing his feelings for Buffy, but has Buffy made any mentions of her romantic feelings for anyone at the moment in any of the issues?

not to mention a tear in Spike's eye.
Couldn't Spike be crying because of immense pain? I don't know how Severin works, but it sounds like it would be terribly painful to be Siphoned.

There are also a couple of Spuffy covers for future issues: #6 has Spuffy fighting back to back.
There were a lot of Bangel-centric covers in S8, so what makes this cover more relevant? Again, I'm just trying to find out specifics from people.

#7 has Spuffy looking like a normal couple.
Is there an expectation that Spike and Buffy will be a normal couple, i.e. is there an expectation that this cover is being literal? Comic covers usually have very little to do with the interior of the comic unless the publisher is trying to sell something (i.e. Buffy's arm), so do you believe that the reason they have this cover is because they are going to "sell" Spuffy? Again, there were a lot of covers last season that made the Bangels very happy, but they didn't get what they want. What specifically makes you as a member of the audience believe that this cover is a sign that Spike and Buffy are going to either be starting a relationship or begin starting to start a relationship?

ETA: Sorry to resend twice. I had some grammar issues, and I needed to clarify myself in a few places.

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Buffy flirting with Spike at the party - it's drawn as much more intense than the other situations she's shown in at the party. She's leaning towards him, smiling and gazing into his eyes while her hand is playing with her hair. It's practically an illustration from a Manual of Body Language, in the chapter on sexual attraction. :)

Secondly, as I interpret it she flirts with him first, but he replies coolly and doesn't respond in kind. After that, we see Buffy engrossed in conversation, messing about or flirting with several other men at the party. We now know she had sex with someone there as well. You can interpret that either as her wanting Spike but settling for someone else when he turned her advances down; or her just generally looking for someone and hitting on Spike because he was available. I suspect myself that Spike assumes the second, but Buffy meant the first: but that's only speculation.


has Buffy made any mentions of her romantic feelings for anyone at the moment in any of the issues?

No. Rather, the point is made that she's drifting along with no plans for the future (or trying not to think about it).

Though she does tell Willow in a Slayer-dream, "I don't want you to go. Things are starting to get better. There's so much I'm figuring out about my life right now. I need you" - but she probably doesn't mean that romantically. :)

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

What is it that makes her flirting with Spike more relevant? Is it how the scene is set up or the words used?

Maybe because she was flirting with him first. And she wasn't so drunk when she was with him. I'm not sure she was even drunk. She was peppy, but I don't know. With Riley she was obviously drunk. I don't consider her scene with Xander flirting. Xander was pissed off and really sad, she was comforting him.


How so? What exactly is going on?

In the beginning of #2, Buffy was being asked to repay her student loan by a demon. Willow was more interested about the consequences of breaking the seed while Spike was being supportive and giving helpful suggestions to get Buffy out of this problem. Later, when Buffy runs away from the police, she asks Xander and Dawn for shelter and they refuse, she meets Spike later and he's supportive and caring -in a way Xander and Dawn weren't- and he says he'll keep investigation the danger that's after Buffy.


has Buffy made any mentions of her romantic feelings for anyone at the moment in any of the issues?

Romantic feelings? As far as I read, no one. She cares about Spike and her friends and sister, but she didn't show romantic feelings toward anyone yet.


Couldn't Spike be crying because of immense pain? I don't know how Severin works, but it sounds like it would be terribly painful to be Siphoned.

Maybe he's tearing up because he's in pain, but the scene shows Buffy looking at Spike sadly, saying, "Spike... don't..." Spike is looking right back at her and whispering, "Buffy."

The scene is oozing of Spuffy.


There were a lot of Bangel-centric covers in S8, so what makes this cover more relevant?

Because is Spuffy at their best, fighting back to back, looking at each other, Buffy with a look of longing - that's how I see it - and Spike with a confident smirk. I love this cover.


Is there an expectation that Spike and Buffy will be a normal couple, i.e. is there an expectation that this cover is being literal?

We don't know yet. But Buffy is pregnant now and she's going to have a meaningful talk with Spike in the next issue according to Scott, so I think she's going to settle down and have a normal life for the sake of the baby and Spike is gonna help her. Spike told Koh that Buffy needs normal and Spike isn't normal, but I think he's gonna try and be normal for her. That's just me guessing. We'll have to wait and read the issue.