Spike: Into the Light

Spike: Into the Light
Publication	July 16, 2014
Length	72 pages
one-shot
Publisher	Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s)	James Marsters
Penciller(s)	Derlis Santacruz
Editor(s)	Scott Allie
Cover artist(s)	Steve Morris
Inker(s)	Andy Owens
Colorist(s)	Dan Jackson
Letterer(s)	Richard Starkings & ComiCraft’s Jimmy Betancourt

“Spike: Into the Light” is a graphic novel of Spike comic meta-series. It was written by James Marsters and illustrated by Derlis Santacruz.

Synopsis

He played Spike on the show, and now James Marsters writes a poignant but action-packed story of the vampire who chose to have a soul, and now has to deal with his past while being compelled to play the hero.

Continuity

• The story takes place after Spike got his soul (“Grave”), but before he returned to Sunnydale (“Lessons”).
• Spike mentions having killed a Slayer in New York, in reference to Nikki Wood in “Fool for Love”.
• A flashback of Spike in Greenville takes place in 1977.
• Spike mentions that sometimes he still was a poet, as he used to write poetry in life (“Lies My Parents Told Me”).
• Spike’s behavior during this story reinforces the negative influence the First Evil eventually had on his sanity after his ensoulment, in Buffy season 7.
• After Spike leaves, Dylan eventually searches for him in San Francisco (I Wish, Part Two). The two are reunited (In Pieces on the Ground, Part One), and discuss the events from their first encounter (In Pieces on the Ground, Part Two).

Appearances

Individuals

• Darla (Only mentioned)
• Drusilla (Only mentioned)
• Dylan Turner
• Ming
• Spike
• Buffy Summers (Only mentioned)
• Nikki Wood (Only mentioned)

Organizations and Titles

• Slayer (Only mentioned)
• Witch (Only mentioned)

Species

• Demon
• Human
• Rat
• Vampire

Locations

• England (Only mentioned)
  • London (Only mentioned)
• United States
  • Greenville, California
    • Dylan Turner’s residence
    • Greenville Danceteria
    • Pawn Shop
  • Minnesota (Only mentioned)
  • New York (Only mentioned)

Weapons and Objects

• Spike's DeSoto

Death Count

• Unidentified pawn shop worker, killed by Spike (in flashback).
• The three accomplices, killed by Spike (only mentioned).
• Rats, eaten by Spike (only mentioned).

Behind the Scenes

Production

• This is the second comic written by James Marsters, who played Spike in the television show. His debut in the comics had been with issue Spike and Dru: Paint the Town Red.
• This is the debut for artist Derlis Santacruz on Buffyverse comics.
• Marsters has revealed that his idea for the graphic novel had been initially suggested to Joss Whedon, for the Spike TV movie that never came to be.
• The character Dylan was based on Marsters’ wife, Jasmin Marsters, both in her appearance and personality.
• Marsters himself was born in Greenville, California, the town the story takes place.

Distribution

• “Spike: Into the Light” was the 25º best selling graphic novel in its publishing month, with 3,138 sales in July 2014 at comic specialty stores. It also was the 359º best selling graphic novel in all 2014.

Pop Culture References

• Dylan compares her name to Bob Dylan’s.

Gallery

Cover Artwork

Steve Morris cover

Preview

Quotes

Spike: “Once… A long time ago, I was a very bad man. I thought I was protecting myself, but I was only hurting people. Now I’ve… Woken up, and I’m trying to help people.”