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

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Um....er...announcer of doom? I think under character archetypes that falls under 'herald'.

[coalitiongirl.livejournal.com]

Scout, I guess? No one's asking anything of him, really (tbh it isn't that organized a Scooby gang in the comics and no one's asking anyone for anything, though Buffy does [canonically] appreciate what he's doing), but he's been hunting down "rumblings" (aka enemies or rumors of such) and reporting them back to Buffy as he learns more- and at one point attempts to bail her out of trouble when he finds out that she's under attack.

Oh, and the one time a Scooby meeting is called, he's texted, but unavailable to show up. It's a more major role than, say, Xander and Dawn's (and usually Willow's), and certainly a more pertinent one (especially considering that the next arc is apparently very Spike-centric and he'll start working with the SFPD), and he's been getting between 2-6ish pages exclusively devoted to his arc per issue in most of the recent comics.

Plus, hints of a bromance with a friendly demon! At least, he's confided in him and they worked together in #4 (and may continue to in the future, as this demon is tied to Buffy).

[joans-journal.livejournal.com]

Spike's role in S8 appeared to be as a support to Buffy. He does come to her aid to help her defeat Twilight, and supposedly sticks around to support her. He seems like the only person who understands Buffy's decision to destroy the seed. As for this season, I'm really not sure where the writers will take him. We know he'd play a big role in her life, so whether it will be helping her raise her child or continuing to fight by her side, we'll just have to wait and see.

[shapinglight]

I think he's chief cheerleader.

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

He seems to be somewhere between Buffy's sidekick and the more independent vampire he's been in the past few years. Not much seems to be asked of him, he's just kind of expected to be around.

ETA: Which, to me, speaks well of his role. Even though it may not be romantic (and I strongly suspect it won't), there is a relationship there that's as important as anyone else's - with the possible exception of Willow who is now gone for quite a while.

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

This got long...


In 8.40 Spike tells Buffy that he's "keeping his ear to the ground" and has heard "rumblings" that "somebody's coming for you". He doesn't know who or what.

He tries to be supportive of Buffy, but she pushes him away with sarcasm. ("Wow. Thank God you've got my back." "Why did we ever break up?") Spike responds with a supportive talk about how wonderful she is, which causes Buffy to burst into tears (which she tries to hide) and leave hastily.

Skip ahead to the first issue of Season 9. Buffy invited Spike to her housewarming party by text. She flirts with him, but Spike is detached ("Hmm. Any chance I can make you beg?" "Not this year".). After that, she doesn't interact with him at the party at all that we see. He's shown to be on very friendly terms with Willow, talks to Buffy's male flatmate Tumble, and in one panel is apparently making out with a random girl.

Next night, Buffy and Willow are patrolling together when Spike joins them. He repeats that Buffy is being targeted, but has no new information. Buffy is impatient and dismissive; she doesn't like him "protecting" her. Later on, though, she admits to herself that she's started watching her back because of his warnings.

In 9.02, Buffy is arrested: the police are looking for a serial killer and suspect her. She goes on the run, hoping to find the killer herself. Spike tracks her down ("You'e a hard girl to find"). That's when they have the conversation where Buffy says "I'd probably miss you". She's looking away from him as she says that. Spike replies "Bloody hell you would" and says he's still planning to help her: at this Buffy smiles, turns to look at him and says, "Thanks, Spike".

Next issue, we see Spike at work trying to find who is "targeting" Buffy. He beats up a demon estate agent (!) until he reveals that a new demon came to town looking for Buffy. Spike tracks this demon down. (It's while he's doing this that Buffy texts him inviting him to a Scooby meeting.)

Spike finds the demon (Eldre Koh), but he turns out to be on Buffy's side. He wants to help her against "the Siphon", an entity which can "rip mystical energy from all he touches", and whose prophesied coming is feared. Spike and Koh team up, and engage in some male bonding on the way back to town.

Koh wants to know why a vampire would want to help a Slayer. Spike say that he and Buffy "go way back" and that he would "do pretty much anything to keep her safe". Koh pushes for more information on their relationship: Spike is defensive and avoids answering directly.

"Things are not as you'd like them with the Slayer."
"Sorry if you're looking for a supernatural soap, but there's nothing sudsy to tell here. After everything that Buffy's been through, she needs one thing, and that's normal. Which I am decidedly not."

Buffy, meanwhile, is fighting the Siphon. Just to make matters worse, the warehouse they're in is surrounded by the police. Spike and Koh make their way inside where they're confronted by Dowling, a homicide detective. Spike goes into vampface to warn Dowling to back off, then Spike and Koh join the battle.

It doesn't go well. The Siphon knocks Koh out with a single blast of his powers; Spike is conscious but down on the ground. He then grabs both Spike and Buffy and starts draining their energy at the same time - all the power he's draining makes him stronger.

Spike and Buffy are helpless, held at arm's length facing each other; she says, "Spike... don't...". he says Buffy's name, and a tear leaks from the corner of his eye. At this point Dowling comes back and saves the day by shooting the Siphon. (Which doesn't kill him, but disrupts his power enough for Spike and Buffy to escape.)

While Buffy is talking to the police Spike takes the opportuity to slip away. Koh tells him Buffy will want to talk to him, but Spike isn't willing, for the reasons he gave earlier - he thinks Buffy "needs normal".

And that's where we left it with Spike.

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

Buffy's main love interest. I think he'll have a story arc that's linked with Buffy later in the season.