Spike felt like an authentic outsider partially because Marsters truly did grow up as a punk rocker and a geek. He even cosplayed Spock from “Star Trek” as a young teenager. “I was at the very first ‘Star Trek’ convention in the world in the mid-’70s in Oakland, California,” he continued, adding that he “was not popular in school at all. I think it was junior high and I was a nerd. That was one of the first times I can remember of feeling accepted.”
When Marsters finally owned his outsider status, he ended up finding social success for the first time in his life. “Later in high school I was a punk rocker and I specifically did not want to be accepted, I wanted to be on the outside,” the actor went on. “I was wearing Chinese slippers and Zoot suits and suddenly I was popular, but I don’t know why.”
Despite his newfound popularity, he continued to feel an affinity for communities of weirdos, whether it be at sci-fi conventions or festivals like Burning Man. Being an outsider himself allowed him to connect to “Buffy” and the feminist message of the series, which challenged patriarchal standards.
“I think that both Joss [Whedon] and I are by nature subversive artists,” he told Christopher Golden. “I produced a lot of theater that was subversive. I really enjoy subversive art; it’s my favorite stuff. […] ‘Buffy’ was subverting the idea that females can’t defend themselves. Another part of subversion is undercutting the powerful.”
The actor’s “subversive” nature also allowed him to connect with his character. “[Whedon] hired a real original punk rocker to play a punk-rock vampire,” Marsters added. From his authentic punk background to the romantic spin he put on the character, Marsters made Spike an irresistible part of the series.