Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Want More Spike?

Whedonverse is taking yet another opportunity to spotlight those fans who refuse to fade away by showcasing their efforts to keep the verse alive. Previously, we wrote about the efforts of fans to promote a Faith spin-off and a Buffy/Angel movie. This time, we’re highlighting those fans who want more Spike.

Spike Raffle

For those of you who miss the striking blonde one, here’s a chance to take him home with you. From now until August 22, every $5 you donate to the Whedonverse Multimedia Project will automatically enter you into our drawing to win a 12" Sideshow Human-faced Spike action figure. According to Sideshow Collectibles, this action figure is a limited edition with only 7500 in circulation and is completely sold out. With each entry, you will be assigned a raffle ticket number. The winning number will be chosen at random on August 23rd.

Coincidently, a representative of the Whedonverse Multimedia Project will be attending the Sci Fi Expo in Toronto to see James Marsters. According to Steve Himber, fans will be given the opportunity to wish James a belated happy birthday at the event - his birthday is August 20th. It would be an honor for the Project to be able to tell James about love fans still have for him, the desire to see more Spike as well as all the generous donations fans have provided to place Buffy, Angel and Firefly DVDs into public libraries and other organizations. A birthday card will be handed to him containing the names of all those who donated during this raffle.

We are currently trying to complete the funding needed to provide the Horicon Library in Wisconsin with a set of Buffy, Angel and Firefly. In addition, we hope to begin fundraising to send care packages to soldiers in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. The care packages would include at least one dvd, plus other essential items as requested by the soldier on AnySoldier.com. Our waiting list contains those organizations who have contacted the project to request dvds.

Interview with the Support Spike Campaign

Whedonverse.org corresponded with Teep from Support Spike to talk about the efforts of Spike fans.

The campaign is called Support Spike, in what ways does the group support the character?

Spike’s story became important to so many of us that we wanted to do what we could to see that his character was important to the story on BtVS. Over the years, we have contacted the networks and those responsible for licensing requesting more Spike merchandise as well as just expressing that we would like to continue to see Spike as often as possible.

Why do you think Spike is a good character for a future project?

Although Spike had a strong story on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, many of us feel that the character has enough strength to support a story of his own. In some circumstances, the character was there to serve the story or to make a point about other characters or other situations. We’ve seen glimpses of Spike’s past and his potential and it has left us wanting more.

Is the campaign open to other characters being included in the project as well?

Support Spike has always supported other characters and any and all characters from the Buffyverse are welcome. We’ve included postcards showing Spike featured with Andrew, Xander, Illyria, Faith, and Buffy but we have a multitude of preferences and wouldn’t exclude any character in the ’verse from being included.

Have you gotten any feedback from James Marsters, Joss Whedon or others about the campaign?

Both James and Joss have been strong supporters of the campaigns over the years. Joss made a point of mentioning the Support Spike "Destiny" advertisements in Variety and Hollywood Reporter during one of his interviews and has sent thank you letters to those who participated in our Valentine’s Charity Fundraiser for the American Heart Association last year. Additionally, James expresses his interest in continuing the character in interviews and at public events as well as mentioning that his importance in the story, his addition to Angel, and his interest in continuing the character can be directly attributed to the fans and our support.

Has the campaign tied any of its work toward supporting charity?

Support Spike and The Bloody Awful Poet Society have co-coordinated several charity projects. Over the last few years, we’ve actively supported the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, James Marsters charity of choice, through direct donations, charity auctions, and other fundraising drives. Additionally, our 2004 Valentine Campaign last year included charity donations to the American Heart Association in honor of our favorite couples and for our 2005 Valentine campaign we commemorated the anniversary of the cancellation of Angel by sending a Lily bouquet to Joss Whedon and the WB where one dollar from every flower purchased was donated directly to the AHA as well.

This year, in addition to our usual charity drive, SS and BAPS are also supporting a charity project that has a Traveling Spike doll visiting various locations around the world. Pictures of his travels and stories about his adventures will be collected into a scrap book that will be auctioned for charity. More information can be found at Traveling Spike’s blog:

http://travelingspike.blogspot.com/

How can fans participate in the campaign?

Campaign information can be found at http://www.SupportSpike.com or by joining the Support Spike Yahoo! Group at http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SupportSpike/