Actual rating 3.5 stars (the extra .5 is for Sebastian!) I’m going to go right out and say, this is the weakest Spike spin-off (that I can remember). It felt like the writers, much like Spike, had no idea where to go, which direction they wanted to take the character. The best thing out of this series is that they finally made me like the alien bugs! … Right before they leave Spike. But that’s okay, I’ve been wanting them to go for a while. The addition of Morgan was kinda interesting. I feel li...

I'm not really here for the Buffyverse going to space or the almost-romantic subplot. But I am always here for Spike adventures, so this was pretty fun.

I looooooove me some Spike. I was always a Spuffy, especially after watching Angel and now reading the season 9 comics and how much Angel SUCKS in comparison. Also, Buffy's wishy-washy whiny character is starting to annoy the crap out of me, so I was happy to be able to read something new that focuses only on my favorite guy from the entire Buffyverse.Spoilers AHEAD! Do NOT Read if you have not read Buffy Season 9!!This volume picks up where Season 9 Volume 2 of Buffy ends - with Spike back in s...

Spike: A Dark Place finds Buffy’s favorite “frenemy”, Spike the vampire, moping about his failed attempt at a relationship with the Slayer aboard a spaceship with some robot insects, who feel they must “take steps” to help their master out of his dark state. This all eventually leads to both Spike and his crew of bug bots heading back to Sunnydale as prisoner of some other unsightly creatures who are looking for shards of a seed that will help them open a gate to their home…as well as another ch...

Rating 3.5 starsI just jumped right into the on-going Spike graphic novels series with this one. Spike has always been one of my favorite characters in the Buffyverse. I have to say, jumping in mid-stream may not have worked in my favor on this one. I was kind of confused at the whole space ship and the bug-like creatures that seemed to worship Spike. I decided to just roll with it and take it for what it was.The story arc itself was typical Buffyverse and worked well with Spike’s particular cha...

I love Spike, and the bugs aren't as annoying as I expected, but why waste so much story on Morgan?

Review posted on http://diamondlovestoread.blogspot.comI am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. When it comes to comics and graphic novels there is nothing that has monopolized my collection more than Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spike, and Angel. I have all the Omnibus, Season 8, and Season 9. I have been a little behind with season 9 of Buffy but had read enough to understand this story of Spike in the timeline. Spike is one of my favorite characters of Buffyverse. Even on the show, Marsters’ ch...

REVIEW COURTESY OF ALL THINGS URBAN FANTASYI almost didn’t bother to read A DARK PLACE because I absolutely could not stand the whole Spike and the alien bugs plot line that first popped up in Season 8. I decided to give it a shot and, ugh, Spike’s still with his alien bug pals. Blah.Call me weird, but I don’t want hardcore sci-fi in my Buffyverse. Every single panel in this collection seems to have either an alien or a spaceship in it and I hated every second of it. Even the surprise visit from...

This story occurs after Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 issue #10 or if you're reading the collections after Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9, volume 2: On Your Own.Read the beginning of BtVS season 9 first to get all the relevant back story.

3 going on 3 & 1/2 stars. this is a slight entry, designed to bridge a gap, and it shows a bit. should be a fine one, there's Spike in the spaceship with the bugs which is always fun, with his cheekbones intact (nice artwork) so bonus, gone all broody about his last encounter with the Slayer which is amusing (i mean, does this inevitably happen to everyone who takes up with Buffy?). there's this succubus that comes along, see, a Spike flashback, and a trip to Easter Island. and some insight into...

A decent enough miniseries. Really, there are two purposes to this book: to make money and to settle the alien bug question. It does both, decently enough, so I guess it does what it set out to do. The actual storyline itself isn't terribly interesting. But at least Spike speaks and acts recognizably like himself, and the the art makes him look like himself, which is enough for me to give it a pass. I just realized that I have low standards for side stories in tie-in comics.

One one hand, I feel like Gischler got a lot of things right, with Spike's characterization and the dialogue between characters. I think he even manages to make Spike's space bugs amusing. But this also felt like it was trying way too hard. I mean, you do a Spike miniseries, and this is what you come up with? Kind of weaksauce. But ultimately harmless.

Seeing Spike sunbathing behind protected glass on the moon is worth the price of this comic. I think alien bugs is even too far for the Buffy verse, but if there can be demons, there can be aliens. So Spike goes to the moon. We meet a few interesting characters and we end up on Easter Island. This is more cartoon than Buffy. It’s devolving into silliness. I guess Spike is the character to find the silliness. Spike is one of the best characters in the Buffy verse. So, it’s great he gets his own s...

Read this as part of the Angel & Faith Season 9, Volume 2 Library Edition. Really enjoyed the deep dive into Spike's character, his ongoing feelings for Buffy, and especially his relationship with the bugs.

Spike goes to space because...why not! Spike now has a bunch of bug like creatures following him around as he goes off to Space. When he lands on Mars (or something similar) he decides to live there. However, the bugs won't let him become too depressed and tell him to get up! Then demons/aliens attack and off we are to a new adventure. Good: The art is solid, the bug army is entertaining, and Spike is funny as usual. Bad: The story is just...there. The villains are weak. The love interest is bor...

Not a lot happens in this mini series within season 9. Set between Buffy trade paperbacks 4 & 5, this is Spike's personal exploration after being turned away from Buffy -- yet again. Of course there are things happening around him with his bugs, his space ship and a new succubus character, but most of that sets a frame for what is going on for him internally.There were no extra things from the writers at the end of this, no insights on the series or mini comics right at the end, though I did lik...

It would have been nice if the Willow/Spike spin-offs could have assembled creative teams as strong as the Buffy S9 and Angel& Faith comics have managed to do, but it was also wishful thinking to believe that would have been possible. In the end this miniseries is just one of those comics that is produced just to keep things ticking over, "oh yeah, we can have a Spike miniseries to bridge the gap between x and y because... we can and it'll make a bit of money from Buffy completists, which will u...

So, I did not realize that this comic was set during Season 9 of Buffy or that there even was a Season 9! I haven't quite caught up on 8 yet and this threw me into the deep end of things without any real clue what was happening. All I know is that Spike is somehow Captaining a spaceship to the dark side of the moon (literally) and in charge of his own army of buggy, alien minions. The artificial sun-room on the ship was awesome and Spike trying to drown himself in alcohol was definitely in char

I mean, I love Spike, but this was still a so-so for me. I wasn't interested in the story and the femme fatale Succubus character was cliche and one dimensional. I did find the bugs who were serving Spike and piloting the spaceship amusing though.

Spike: A Dark Place follows Spike, the vampire, to the dark side of the moon. After being dumped by his love interest, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spike indulges in heavy drinking to cope. However, he seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when he is forced to guide dangerous demons to an old temple that held powerful shards, which can open world-destroying hellmouths. Much of this story is Spike’s internal battles. He deals with the demons of his past, while also trying not to die at th...