Once More, with Felt

"Once More, With Felt" is the first issue of the Spike: Shadow Puppets comic book mini-series.

Synopsis
Lorne visits Spike in his secret apartment to deliver an enveloppe containing a video of a Japanese Smile Time episode. They book a flight on a supernatural airline and upon arriving in Tokyo are confronted by the new Smile Time gang, who leave hundreds of demonic puppet ninjas to kill Spike and Lorne.

Continuity
The story takes place after the Spike's stay in the Mosaic Wellness Center, but before the Fall of Los Angeles.

Body Count

 * Old man, killed by demonic puppet ninjas.
 * Unidentified demon, set on fire by Spike.
 * Several demonic puppet ninjas, killed in various ways by Spike.
 * Turk, beheaded by the Smile Time gang.

Pop Culture References

 * Spike refers to Angel is his puppet form as being inspired by Xavier Roberts. Roberts is famous for creating the Cabbage Patch Kids.
 * Marco compares Angel to the A-team and suggests in comparison, Spike is the B-team.
 * After being fired upon with the Official Smile Time Cannon, Spike remarks how he really hates official cannon. This reflects writer Brian Lynch's position on canon.

Individuals

 * Spike
 * Oxley Lhurg
 * Andrew Wells
 * Mrs. Konkoff
 * Lorne
 * Marco
 * Ratio Hornblower
 * Snuff
 * Buffy Summers
 * Turk
 * Fauna
 * Trots

Organizations and Titles

 * The Slayer
 * Smile Time (show)
 * Spike Investigations

Species

 * Vampire
 * Human
 * Unidentified demon species
 * Demonic puppet

Locations

 * Tokyo, Japan
 * Los Angeles
 * Spike's secret apartment

Weapons and Objects

 * Official Smile Time Cannon

Quotes
"My name is Spike and I'm a bad, bad man. But as far as vampires go, I rank in the top two."

- Spike