How Should I Read Season 9

[The Ferg]

I'm talking about the meta-series: Buffy, Angel & Faith, Spike, and Willow.

I just finished up with the S8/AtF section of my Whedon run-through and now I'm pondering something I haven't pondered before now. In what order do I read them, having never read them before (besides S9 monthly)? I'm not too interested in chronological order, but if Willow or Spike take place after a certain event I definitely want to read them after said event. Also, I'm not a fan of watching/reading Buffy and Angel concurrently. I like finishing an entire season before moving on to the next one.
Any pointers from people who've read everything so far?

 

[Mischlings]

Spike's series should come after #10 of Buffy and before Angel & Faith 18. Willow should come after Angel & Faith 14 - not sure what you should read it before, since it hasn't finished quite yet and she hasn't reappeared in the Buffy series yet (which I assume she will). There is no real significant crossover between the two main series, so read them in whatever order - straight through or switching every 5 (the trades are structured like that, so it's a logical time to switch, but there's no reason to really go with one or the other besides personal preference).

That help?

 

[Kean]

The two main titles will give you your cue as to when to read Willow and Spike's mini-series.
There is a biggish crossover between the two titles featuring Willow, I'd wait until reading that to start her series. As for Spike I'd wait until the Buffy title gives you the nod before reading that.

While none of that is really necessary, I think it keeps the continuation on track in the best way.

 

[The Ferg]

Alright thanks guys that was kinda helpful. I went ahead and read Spike last night since I knew his involvement in BS9. It was terrible...

And I'll definitely read Willow after Buffy and Angel.

 

[Kean]

Alright thanks guys that was kinda helpful. I went ahead and read Spike last night since I knew his involvement in BS9. It was terrible...

Yeah, it really isn't the best. It is painfully obvious that the miniseries only exists because they had nothing for him to do in the Buffy title and needed him out of the way while they bide time until he turned up in S9 again.

 

[Mischlings]

Yeah, it really isn't the best. It is painfully obvious that the miniseries only exists because they had nothing for him to do in the Buffy title and needed him out of the way while they bide time until he turned up in S9 again.

It felt like it existed solely for the sake of creating a new status quo, which is a common comic book thing that doesn't make for good stories (the most famous example, Crisis on Infinite Earths from DC, is pretty much unreadable). It sets up Spike's status quo by undoing a thing or two, but until I see how it pays off later on, I won't know if it's worth it.

 

[Kean]

It felt like it existed solely for the sake of creating a new status quo, which is a common comic book thing that doesn't make for good stories (the most famous example, Crisis on Infinite Earths from DC, is pretty much unreadable). It sets up Spike's status quo by undoing a thing or two, but until I see how it pays off later on, I won't know if it's worth it.

I can definitely see that. The thing with Spike is that he isn't a lead. He's a beta. He finds his purpose in those he aligns himself with (His mother, Cecily, Dru, Angelus, Buffy, Angel again, Buffy again, and now (it would seem) Angel take three). I think his mini-series tried to break away from that and create and independent and self-sufficient identity for him, but the comic just didn't work. Though, I can't say if that was because of Spike being on his own or because of the mediocrity of the story. As you say, only time will tell.

 

[The Ferg]

I can definitely see that. The thing with Spike is that he isn't a lead. He's a beta. He finds his purpose in those he aligns himself with (His mother, Cecily, Dru, Angelus, Buffy, Angel again, Buffy again, and now (it would seem) Angel take three). I think his mini-series tried to break away from that and create and independent and self-sufficient identity for him, but the comic just didn't work. Though, I can't say if that was because of Spike being on his own or because of the mediocrity of the story. As you say, only time will tell.

I actually disagree and you illustrated why I'm finding it hard to get into Season 9. I hate that they just ignored all of IDW Spike's character growth. I mean, After the Fall and Spike are 100% canon. AtF was overseen by Whedon, and Spike was created to explain where Spike had been, so you have to take those into account. But besides the boring canonicity, Spike went through a HUGE character arc throughout AS5, Asylum, AtF (including Spike: AtF), and Spike. He realized that he didn't need Angel, Drusilla, or Buffy anymore. He could be the lead, and he could lead a team.. which he did. I was really beginning to like his character, even moreso than his characterization in Buffy, and no it's all gone. Apparently, he can't get over Buffy now.. even though he's been away from her for about umm... 3-4 years?.. including a trip to hell. Ugh it's just annoying..