Auld Lang Syne (comics)

Auld Lang Syne
File:Auld Lange Syne (Angel comic).jpg Cover of #1 by David Messina.
Publication information
Publisher	IDW Publishing
Publication date	November 2006 onwards
No. of issues	Angel: Auld Lang Syne#1+
Main character(s)	Angel Spike
Creative team
Written by	Scott Tipton
Artist(s)	David Messina

Auld Lang Syne is a comic based on the Angel television series.

Story description

'Issue #1: Angel's back on the job in Los Angeles, tracking a mysterious cult and working to solve a kidnapping. The only trouble is, a few old familiar faces keep showing up -- faces he shouldn't really be seeing! And what does Spike have to do with it?'

Issue #2: A quiet night out for Spike turns into a nightmarish trip through his past, as he's repeatedly confronted by familiar, long-departed faces. How will Spike react to meeting the sins of his past up close and personal? And where's Angel in all of this?

Issue #3: Years of animosity boil over as Angel and Spike go head to head in the brawl to end all brawls through the streets of L.A. What set off this knockdown, drag-out battle, and who's really profiting from it?

Issue #4: Angel and Spike put their heads together to discover who's been manipulating them from afar! And what better way to get to the bottom of things than some good old-fashioned breaking and entering! It's an all-vampire museum heist!

Issue #5: Angel and Spike have tracked down the culprit who's been tampering with their minds! Will they be able to free themselves from her influence? Or will Spike be too busy putting the moves on her? It all ends here!

Trivia

• Irish artist Stephen Mooney provides alternate covers for all 5 issues.

• Features the IDW comics debuts of Skip, Holtz, The Master, Nikki Wood and A Chinese Slayer.

Cultural references

• Auld Lang Syne - (Scots; “Days Gone By” lit., “Old Long Since”) is a poem by Robert Burns. "Auld Lang Syne" is usually sung each year on New Year's Eve in many English-speaking countries.

The Lyrics to the song, translated into English follow:

File:Auld Lange Syne (Angel comic)-p01 panels.jpg

Panels from page 01 of Issue #1.

Lyrics

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne ? CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely you’ll get your pint mug ! And surely I’ll get mine ! And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. CHORUS We two have run about the hills, and pulled the daisies fine ; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. CHORUS We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine ; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne. CHORUS And there’s a hand my trusty friend ! And give us a hand o’ thine ! And we’ll take a right good-friendly draught, for auld lang syne. CHORUS

Continuity

• The continuity of this comic is unconfirmed. In an interview Tipon was ambiguous about the timing, but said that it followed Angel comics: The Curse, and Old Friends.

Canonical issues

Main article: Buffyverse canon

Buffy/Angel comics such as this one are not usually considered by fans as canonical. Some fans consider them stories from the imaginations of authors and artists, while other fans consider them as taking place in an alternative fictional reality. However unlike fan fiction, overviews summarising their story, written early in the writing process, were 'approved' by both Fox and Joss Whedon (or his office), and the books were therefore later published as officially Buffy merchandise.

External links

• Singh, Arune, "SCOTT TIPTON SINKS HIS TEETH INTO "ANGEL: AULD LANG SYNE", Comicbookresources.com (September 29, 2006)

• Dodsworth,James, "SCOTT TIPTON Fractal Matter Interview", fractalmatter.com (December 1, 2006)

• Review of Auld Lang Syne at fractalmatter.com, "Auld Lang Syne Fractal Matter review", fractalmatter.com (November, 2006)

• Auld Lang Syne thread at IDW Publishing forums, "Auld Lang Syne thread at IDW Publishing forums", idwpublishing.com