Buffyfest Interviews IDW's Mariah Huehner at SDCC

Today was the official first day of San Diego Comic Con and besides Joss' exciting panel with JJ Abrams, we also had the pleasure of catching up with the kids over at IDW for a quick chat about all comicy things Angel. We also got a few sweet little secret tidbits that we'll reveal in a couple of days. In the mean time, check out our interview with IDW's editor supreme, the lovely Mariah Huehner:

Buffyfest: This is Dan a.k.a Bitsy live from San Diego Comic Con (not really live because I'm recording this) and I'm standing here with editor at IDW of the Angel series, Mariah Huehner. I've said some words, now say hello.

Mariah: Hi!

Buffyfest: It's very exciting. How are you doing? How have things been here so far?

Mariah: Really busy. Really, really busy and it's only Thursday so...

Buffyfest: Good.

Mariah: Yeah.

Buffyfest: I feel like we'll make it through.

Mariah: I think so.

Buffyfest: I believe it. Let's talk about Angel.

Mariah: Let's.

Buffyfest: Because I watch that show and read the comic book.

Mariah: You know I do too.

Buffyfest: And I feel like you do something with it.

Mariah: I do.

Buffyfest: So you and I used talk about how difficult it is to continue a story through a comic medium. What do you feel like has changed in your philosophy now that you're eight issues in with how you continue the Angel story?

Mariah: I think the thing that really becomes apparent really quickly is how big the cast is and how much we really need to still find ways to focus on the core Angel relationship with other people. I think that's always a really big challenge so I think the more that we're kind of looking at the story going forward the more we're like "Okay, what do we need to do with Angel, where does he need to go, where does he need to be by the end of this issue and what are his most important relationships" so I think that's what we've been trying to focus us on now especially going forward.

Buffyfest: If there's a big cast, should people be expecting someone to die?

Mariah: Yes.

Buffyfest: Is the herd going to get thinned?

Mariah: It is. I mean it is a Whedonverse kind of thing so, you know there's going to be death, yeah.

Buffyfest: Excellent. Let's talk about the theme of destiny versus free will because it's a big part of the show and it feels like that's been a big part of the comic so far because we've had this stuff with Connor and all of the sudden he has this new thing going on, Angel always has his traditional thing and Spike is maybe going to be experimenting with that stuff. How much control do they have right now?

Mariah: At the moment I think we're really going on the basis that they have an awful lot of control and that maybe they shouldn't have been relying so much on the ideas of destiny. I think, the show always kind of kept that a little bit nebulous, like there were clearly that were set up that were, like obviously Connor stuff there's alot of of other stuff that has to do with choices that they make. Things that they're predestined to do or not they still have to make the choice to get there. So, I think that's kinda been a major theme that Bill's been working on atleast, like what is Angel doing and why is he doing it. Does he care? I think other characters are trying to figure it out, too. Especially someone like Spike which is kind of daunting I think. When someone else is like, I knows exactly what my purpose is and the other person'a like, I'm not sure what that is.

Buffyfest: Speaking of Spike...

Mariah: Sure.

Buffyfest: There's a very serious question that fans seem to have on there minds, a bit of a controversy...heart on the underwear. Your thougths?

Mariah: That was really meant to e a playful thing that Bill was doing. A silly, kinda fun irreverent...

Buffyfest: Was that actually scripted in...heart underwear?

Mariah: Yeah, a specific hearted underwear. It was supposed to be kind a fun, silly kinda thing. A kind of levity. Sadly I don't think it quite registered. I thought it was fun and playful.

Buffyfest: That's okay. I just was kind of curious.

Maraih: Yeah, it was defintitely a deliberate, scripted thing.

Buffyfest; Alright, so if we were going to sum up where things were headed thematically and try to do it in a sentence. Give people a taste. It can be more than one [sentence] if you want. What would it be? How would we say where in general things are headed?

Mariah: Well, you know Angel's in store for a lot of dramatic shifts, a lot of things are changing really soon. The status quo is going to be completely upheaved - death, people moving around and Angel Investigations is going to look very different, and there's going to be a lot more with what's going on with James and what's happening with L.A. Angel's going to have to really take stock and look at things and decide whether he's going to stick to what he's been doing or take a different tact.

Buffyfest: Awesome. Thus endeth the first part of the interview.

Live Blogging from SDCC "The Visionaries" Panel - Joss Whedon & JJ Abrams

So here we are. We had a fantastic Interview with the IDW crew earlier (look out for that later today) before scootching over to the massively intimidating Hall H for Entertainment Weekly's "The Visionaries" with JJ Abrams and our very own Joss Whedon. We sat through several panels featuring Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Helen Mirren, Mary Louise Parker and the kick-ass Bruce Willis just to get to Joss. Strange life.

So without further ado, The Visionaries:
JJ & Joss walk on to the stage to cheers & applause.

Moderator Jeff "Doc" Jensen: Do you know each other? Talk to each other often?
JJ: We've partied. But you've both worked with Drew Goddard. Yes, this whole panel would be about him, he told me to say that.

Jensen: Did you always want to write?

Joss: I always wanted to be a storyteller. There's never been any doubt. Never wanted to make an honest living because that's hard. I always had these universe's in my head. When I started television specs because I need food, I realized.

JJ: I always did magic tricks for my relatives. That feeling of illusion and making them belive something they don't expect intrigued me.

Joss: Not to go on about Drew Goddard again, but we always talked about "comic nerds or magic nerds..who's more pathetic"...where do you stand on that?

JJ: Neither are really pathetic, but I THINK MAGIC NERDS.

Jensen: Joss, super hero comics and comics of all stripes are important to you. Now you're directing "The Avengers", is that true?

Joss: "Marvel couldn't afford an official press release, so I'm going to just make it official... I'm directing "The Avengers"!
(Crazy Applause)
It's just a gig."

Jensen: Is it too early to talk about your take on it?

Joss: "I have to have a take? I'm still writing the outline, reworking, reworking. The thing that made me excited is how these people shouldn't even in the same room together...that is the very definition of family."

Jensen: What's your take on 3D?

Joss: I love it. There are certain films that shouldn't be in 3D...'Cabin in the Woods' say.

(applause)

Update: Our video from this panel is up in it's entirety here:

We made it to SDCC!

Walking into preview night as we speak.

Exclusive Interview: Scott Allie on Dollhouse Comic, the Buffy Motion Comic, SDCC and More!

San Diego Comic Con hasn't even begun yet and there's major Whedonverse news spreading all over the internets. With the release of the Buffy motion comic and the announcement of the Dollhouse comic, we thought it was time to talk to Super Scott Allie about the latest developments. Stay tuned for our 2nd interview with Scott and much more info live from SDCC starting tomorrow!

Buffyfest: So, the Dollhouse comic release was announced yesterday and people are really excited to see more of this story. Of course, with most announcements, there's a little confusion. Let's start by clearing the air with some logistical questions.

Will there be a comic included in every Dollhouse Season Two dvd/blue ray or only limited copies?

Scott Allie: I'm pretty sure it's all copies, at least of the first run of these. I don't think it's limited in any way.

Buffyfest: Can people pre-order it from both comic con and Amazon to ensure they get your hands on the comic?

Scott Allie: I believe so. I actually didn't know about the Comic Con preorder thing until yesterday. That sounds like a challenge—my sympathies are with Fox on that. But I think it's important people know the comic itself will not be available at San Diego—you do not leave the show with a comic in hand. Jed and Maurissa and Joss and Felicia and Zack Ward are signing in our booth, and they're signing a litho of the comic cover by Steve Morris. Steve, by the way, is also the cover artist on the Shepherd Book graphic novel. But the comic itself is only getting finalized this week, so no copies will be available until the DVD comes out, which is I believe in October.

Buffyfest: How many copies are being released and will they be sold at the local comic book shop eventually?

Scott Allie: However many DVDs they're making, I guess. I dunno what that number is, but it's a lot by comic-book standards, for sure. And by hook or by crook, we definitely want to offer Dollhouse comics to the direct market down the road. Something will come of this. I know the rollercoaster question of Dollhouse DVDs has been confusing for fans. The truth is, the last time I publicly said there were not gonna be comics was at a time when we were trying to get this very comic going, but it looked like it was gonna fall apart. Joss had once upon a time told me definitely no Dollhouse comics, never. Then when "Epitaph One" happened, he said, If we ever do comics, this is how we do them. That was, I think, over breakfast at San Diego. Then later he said no way. Then we convinced Fox that the best added value item for the DVD would be a comic written by Jed and Mo, and they went for it, and that breathed life back into the idea.

Buffyfest: Is the comic going to be DVD-sized?

Scott Allie:Yeah, really small. And instead of just shrinking a regular-sized comic down to little proportions, this one was written and drawn, and most importantly lettered, for this size.

Buffyfest: For those outside the US, do you know if the DVD will be region-free?

Scott Allie: I don't know about that. Sorry.

Buffyfest: Did you approach Jed and Marissa with the idea of writing it or vice-versa?

Scott Allie: Actually, here's how it went. Michael Boretz, Joss's former assistant, now produces DVD extras for Joss-related DVDs–among other producing jobs. I tend to forge good relationships with Joss's assistants. So when Michael was set up to do material for the Season 2 DVD, he pitched the idea of a comic. He approached Jed and Maurissa and me, and got the ball initially rolling, convinced Fox Home Entertainment. So it was really Michael who pulled the Dollhouse comic-book idea back into the realm of possibility.

Buffyfest: Tell us a little about the story. When does it take place? What characters will we see? Will there be an Alpha citing?

Scott Allie: The comic takes place at 10:07 on the day that the Active technology went global, and it takes place entirely in LA. The characters in the comic are the characters on the cover, and some new ones. Mags, Griff, Zone—we see how the three of them had their lives come to a screeching halt, care of a screeching over the phone lines.

Buffyfest: Was this a story that would have been told if Dollhouse had been picked up for another season?

Scott Allie: I don't know. It's not at all about Echo—but I know that Joss and Jed and Maurissa were increasingly interested in that Epitaph scenario, so it's quite possible that this could have been "Epitaph Three" at the end of season three, or that season three could have been entirely about the end of civilization and free will as we know it.

Buffyfest: Will we see more Dollhouse comics in the future? Do you think there's more stories to tell in the Dollhouse-verse?

Scott Allie: There absolutely is room for more stories, there are real points of fascination for me. There will be at least a little more comics-wise next year, although how much remains to be determined.

Buffyfest: As a fan yourself, what's something you wish was explored if we had another season of Dollhouse?

Scott Allie: Well, honestly, it is the Epitaph stuff I'm most fascinated by at this point. Sounds self-serving in this context, but it's true. I think they set up a cool milieu, a darker milieu, and I'm all over that. The other thing I'd like to see more of would be Sierra and Victor's relationship before that. I'd like to see some relatively good times between them before things apparently fall apart, as happens based on "Epitaph Two". What I find so interesting about them is the bond that they have that transcends their ability to remember each other. They're drawn to each other in a really interesting way, and I know Joss would have gone somewhere cool with that season by season, if he had the chance. I love how he builds relationships over the course of a few years, and theirs was the most interesting to me in Dollhouse.

Buffyfest: Another big story in the Whedonverse yesterday was the release of the Buffy Season 8 motion comic which is also causing a little bit of confusion for fans. What's Dark Horse's involvement with the project?

Scott Allie: Zero.

Buffyfest: And have you seen it? Any Thoughts?

Scott Allie: Nope!

Buffyfest: How do you feel about the idea of motion comics in general?

Scott Allie: I think it's a challenge to do something that's beyond cheap, inferior animation. And animation's so friggin' amazing now, it's easy to look lame up against it. If motion comics is a legit entertainment form, it should probably be more than simply repurposing existing artwork that was never intended to be animated. Dark Horse did a trailer for Umbrella Academy that I was really happy with—it was limited in scope and ambition, and therefore graceful and dignified and didn't try to be more than it could be. I liked that a lot. We're working on some new stuff now, including something we're gonna unveil on the Dark Horse panel at the show. This is more ambitious stuff, work in progress that could be the next step in motion comics.

Buffyfest: Will there be a full 40 issues of Buffy shown in motion comics?

Scott Allie: I don't know. Sounds like it, though.

Buffyfest: Do you know if any of the actor's were approached to lend their voices?

Scott Allie: I don't know.

Buffyfest: Okay, so San Diego Comic Con is just a day away! Let's talk about what's coming up there. Will you be part of the The Guild panel? Any news on that front?

Scott Allie: I will be there, and we will be revealing a new piece of art, if the technology cooperates. The Guild panel was one of my favorite parts of the convention last year, so I'm really looking forward to it this year. We've got a plot for the first oneshot, and we've got some artists on board, and we're pretty psyched to get the word out on that.

Buffyfest: Joss is doing a signing at your booth on Friday. Do you expect there to be no booth left when it's done? How can people get tickets for that signing?

Scott Allie: We are extremely lucky, in that Joss fans tend to be really well behaved and gracious. Honest to god. We do these massive events with Joss and Gerard Way, and for the mass-times-velocity of humans we get through, we get out of it relatively unharmed. We've worked with some famous people in the past whose fans were a little more destructive. We appreciate Whedonites, honest to god. As far as getting into the signing, we generally ticket these things by lottery, so what you do is you come to the DH booth, ask when we're giving tickets. Get a ticket when you can, then come back to see if you won the lottery. That's basically it. Being patient and polite has certain benefits too, sometimes. And do not mess with Tim Wiesch or Amy Huey.

Buffyfest: Thanks for the tip! Joss is also doing a panel called "The Joss Whedon Experience" on Friday. Will he be revealing any Buffy Season 8 or 9 news that day?

Scott Allie: I believe so. That panel will be probably about half Q&A and half him updating folks on what he has going on. That morning Sierra and I are having breakfast with him to talk over some Season 8 and 9 stuff, Cabin [in the Woods], some other stuff, and so some of what we go over there will probably come out in the presentation. Come prepared with questions. Sometimes I'm surprised at what he's willing to answer. I have watched my publicist's jaw drop to the floor during Joss Q&As. It's fun.

Buffyfest: Thanks so much Scott and see you at Comic Con!

Scott Allie: Thanks, Michelle, looking forward to it.

The Dollhouse is Real

So!  Here I am, having my morning walk, minding my own business when HOLY CRAP what do I see as an advert on a bus stop?

Agent Ballard, are you seeing this?  Even the font is nearly identical!  "I want to change the world but first I need a new pair of jeans"?  How transparent is that?  No.  No, I would not like new "jeans" nor would I like a "treatment" you personality stealing bastards!

What's that?  It is?  Really?  Oh.  It, uh... it seems that dollhouse is actually a New York based juniors brand.

Or is it?


duhn, duh, DUHN!

Buffy Season 8 Motion Comic Trailer Now Available

There were some rumors, then voice casting and then it seemed there was nothing. Until now. I'm 100% sure that San Diego Comic Con has nothing to do with this, but the Buffy Season 8 motion comic trailer is now available for free on itunes. Not much to tell from the trailer, except that the theme song seems a little off, kinda like it's playing in slow motion. Either way, it'll be excited to see the characters "come to life" once again.

Take a look for yourself by clicking here.

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