This issue is Spike-centric, which is a joy for me! It’s alternative Spike and Angel against this world’s versions, and the aftermath is truly bloody. Can Spike retain his soul or is he destined to turn out like his counterpart?
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
As we begin the issue, we have a showdown of alternative Spike versus this universe’s Spike. Quite a lot of fighting going on. Cordelia tries to help, hitting alternative Spike with a camera, but he merely throws her aside and focuses on his target once again. Finally, Spike stakes his alternative version and we think all is well, but his depleted soul is taking a toll on him. He almost attacks Cordelia before he runs off.
Meanwhile, Angel is back at the hotel trying to find the crew. Gunn, Andrew, and Faith pop out on the attack. They think he’s Angelus and he must do something to prove who he is. Angel reveals that he used to be part of a D&D campaign in Sunnydale with Willow and Tara. A sweet bit of knowledge, and enough to convince the team that he is telling the truth.
The situation is this. Lorne is off chasing Oz, who ran away. And Wesley is scouring the trashed lot to try and find Cordeia and Spike. The team head over there in hopes they can find the duo. Good thing, too, because there’s a situation emerging. Spike has taken refuge on one of the Western sets to try and get his head on straight. Cordelia finds him, but then Spike attacks a security guard. That’s when the team arrive.
They manage to get Spike off the guard and Andrew pops a clove of garlic in his mouth to stop him. Spike recognizes that something is seriously wrong with him and that’s proven true when the brimstone starts glowing around Spike. He is soulless, or near to it. Dr. Daedalus aka Dr. Dead betrayed him when he took the drop of soul to save Wesley’s life.
To solve this situation, they must go to the source. But first, they have to contend with Dr. Dead’s Golem, who attacks them on set. The Golem pretty much beats them down until Oz, in werewolf form, joins the fight. He was drawn to the smell of dead meat and pretty much destroys the Golem in his attack. All that’s left is his head, which the crew takes as a welcome present to Dr. Dead’s house.
They terrorize the place, destroying Dr. Dead’s prized possessions until he agrees to give Spike his soul back. But it’s not going to be an easy transaction. Dru shows up and messes up the plan. She destroys the vial containing Spike’s soul, leaving him distraught. Dru has teamed up with Angelus now and they have an army of vampire followers. We’ll have to wait until next issue to find out what the result of that battle will be. I hope there’s a solution for Spike when it’s all done!
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
You might also like:
