ANGEL: THE CURSE #1

**MattBrady** · 03-11-2005, 07:28 AM

IDW has provided Newsarama with peeks of its upcoming Angel miniseries, The Curse, written by Jeff Mariotte, with art by David Messina.

As the publisher said of the story in its press release about the new miniseries:

IDW Publishing returns Angel to comics in Angel: The Curse, the first five-issue Angel miniseries that sees him going it alone. Angel is on the run in a mysterious forest in Romania, searching for the Gypsy clan that cursed him so many years ago. But he discovers that the landscape of Romania has changed considerably since he's been gone — now, the Gypsies are oppressed, living under the thumb of a local warlord who holds his power by using a vampire army. Angel is forced to take a stand, and the resulting conflict may well doom any hope Angel has of ever reversing the curse.

Included in this preview are two covers for issue #1, by Tim Bradstreet (photorealistic) and Igor Kordey (puppet), and seven pages by Messina.

Angel: The Curse #1, the first issue of a five issue miniseries, is slated to reach stores in June.

Click on the thumbnails for larger versions.

samnoir · 03-11-2005, 09:17 AM

Does this mean puppet Angel will return in this series? It might be interesting to see Puppet Angel in full out action in a medium where SFX budgets aren't a limitation.

What I'd really love to see is Ben Edlund write an Angel mini. Don't know how likely that is with him so busy with television stuff.

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Sunless · 03-11-2005, 09:54 AM

Please not puppet Angel, I hated Smile Time.

twoarmman · 03-11-2005, 10:01 AM

I'm confused... Why would Angel want the curse reversed? Wouldn't that just take his soul away and make him Angelus? Do they mean he is trying to become human? If so that isn't exactly having the curse reversed.

Anyway, even thought I'm usualy very against IDW because of their prices I'll be getting this. Damn you IDW!!!

Michael P · 03-11-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheSunless
Please not puppet Angel, I hated Smile Time.

You're about the only one.

Tavir · 03-11-2005, 10:31 AM

Looking forward to this...

KyleCowstar · 03-11-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Michael P
You're about the only one.

Yea, that episode ruled.

Sunless · 03-11-2005, 11:02 AM

I dont like novelity episodes like Smile Time, Buffy and Angel work best when it takes itself seriously.

The other 21 episodes were way better.

Randy Hassan · 03-11-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

I'm confused... Why would Angel want the curse reversed? Wouldn't that just take his soul away and make him Angelus?

Maybe "the curse" only refers to the part that makes him lose his soul if he experiences the "one true moment of happiness" dealie...

Pack · 03-11-2005, 11:22 AM

What I want to know is if this takes place after the series ended and answers the question about who, including Angel, survived.
I suspect it doesn't though. Kinda hope not. I sorta liked the Butch and Sundance ending.

tridon · 03-11-2005, 11:26 AM

Oh, this looks so good. And the puppet cover rules. I hope this isn't like all other IDW series though and costs $3.99U.S. Their comics are so ridiculously expensive!

Julio Diaz · 03-11-2005, 11:32 AM

To call that Bradstreet cover "photorealistic" is beyond correct. I looked at the picture before reading the story and assumed that it was a photo cover, as IDW has done photo covers on other media projects. It was only after I clicked it to see the full-size version that I realized it's actually a stunning piece of art. That's scary good.

As to "the curse," is it possible that this is a flashback story? Would a gypsy from 200 years ago still be alive for Angel to find?

I can't believe there is a fan of BUFFY/ANGEL that didn't like "Smile Time." That's just crazy.

Pack · 03-11-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Julio Diaz
To call that Bradstreet cover "photorealistic" is beyond correct. I looked at the picture before reading the story and assumed that it was a photo cover, as IDW has done photo covers on other media projects. It was only after I clicked it to see the full-size version that I realized it's actually a stunning piece of art. That's scary good.

As to "the curse," is it possible that this is a flashback story? Would a gypsy from 200 years ago still be alive for Angel to find?

I can't believe there is a fan of BUFFY/ANGEL that didn't like "Smile Time." That's just crazy.

I was a fan of "Smile Time" but, hey, different strokes, right? I thought the best X-Files were the off-beat ones too like War of the Copraphages and the one where the shape-changer assumed Mulder's form but isn't it nice that there are series like these that offer all kinds of episodes for all kinds of fans?

As for the gypsies, I think the preview specifically describes it as the "tribe" and refers to changes that have been made. Jenny Callendar was a member of the tribe so it's possible it's a present-day series.
I still think they'll keep it pre-final episode of "Angel" though because there's probably more hope of doing a future "Angel" project than a new "Buffy."

Tom Daylight · 03-11-2005, 12:06 PM

The Bradstreet cover looks to me simply like a modified photo.

Sunless · 03-11-2005, 12:11 PM

I cant believe Smile Time is so popular, but ya know different strokes for different folks.

marvscap2killer · 03-11-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tridon
Oh, this looks so good. And the puppet cover rules. I hope this isn't like all other IDW series though and costs $3.99U.S. Their comics are so ridiculously expensive!

Its only a dollar more than the big two's comics. I only get 30 Days of Night from IDW so I don't mind paying the extra buck for Angel, as long as it keeps the books coming out. Anyways, wait a few years when Marvel and DC raise thier prices to 4$ a pop.

Kamandi2 · 03-11-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marvscap2killer
Its only a dollar more than the big two's comics. I only get 30 Days of Night from IDW so I don't mind paying the extra buck for Angel, as long as it keeps the books coming out. Anyways, wait a few years when Marvel and DC raise thier prices to 4$ a pop.

It's only a dollar more the *some* of the big 2 comics. DC only has a handful of $2.99 books. Most are $2.50 with some even $2.25.

By the time Marvel and DC are regularly charging $4.00 for a comic, IDW will be charging $5-6

The only reason I haven't picked up the new GrimJack or Desperados books is the price. I may break down and try Angel since I like the character so much, but the first issue is going to have to blow me away to get me to buy more.

bubblecat · 03-11-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pack
As for the gypsies, I think the preview specifically describes it as the "tribe" and refers to changes that have been made. Jenny Callendar was a member of the tribe so it's possible it's a present-day series.
I still think they'll keep it pre-final episode of "Angel" though because there's probably more hope of doing a future "Angel" project than a new "Buffy."

I thought that it was post season five, so we might actually get to know what happened in the alley?

Personally I think that he's after getting the "happiness" clause lifted - rather than the curse itself, or trying to become human. It's the only option left open to him after signing away the shanshu mcthingie imo.

yahwehfreek · 03-11-2005, 01:19 PM

I am so far behind on the Angel Tv episodes I had to tape do to work that I do not know if Spike survived to be in this book but if so I will buy it....

Ryall · 03-11-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by samnoir
Does this mean puppet Angel will return in this series? It might be interesting to see Puppet Angel in full out action in a medium where SFX budgets aren't a limitation.

Ha, no, no--I just wanted to do a series of variant covers (all offered in equal quantities to avoid any price-gouging) that offered fun looks at the character. I thought the puppet visual was too fun to pass up, especially the way Igor Kordey just nailed the look and feel of it. But that one's just a fun thing for the fans, nothing more.

As to the timeline of this miniseries, it's left deliberately vague, but it does take place at some point after the TV show ended. Not right after--that tale, as to who survived and what they're up to, has yet to be told.

By the way, no feedback on David Messina's art? He's doing all pencils, inks and color on this and I love what he's done so far.

As for Bradstreet, I supplied some photo reference to him, and I can assure you that his cover is not just a photo that's been manipulated. He works from photo reference the same way lots of guys do (Alex Ross, anyone) but that's just to get facial details down--this work is all his. I can't believe anyone could find fault with Bradstreet art...

All you Spike fans, look for a one-shot in August, too, written by Peter David.

David Bird · 03-11-2005, 01:28 PM

Reversing the curse? Maybe they mean revising the curse? I loved Smile Time, but I have run into others besides The Sunless who don't. Check out the season 5 DVD package. Extras include interviews with the puppets and the blooper reel has the puppet Angel dancing around just like Boreanaz does during his bloopers.

bubblecat · 03-11-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yahwehfreek
I am so far behind on the Angel Tv episodes I had to tape do to work that I do not know if Spike survived to be in this book but if so I will buy it....

No one knows who survives after Not Fade Away, we can assume that Angel did (unless this is a flashback, but I'm pretty sure that it's post season five).

I would also think that Spike survived (being one of the most popular).

I picked up a rumour from Whedonesque that Peter David is possibly writing a one-shot of Spike in the Autumn. Being new to this game (Buffy and Angel fan first, followed Joss to comics), I know he's a big name, I just don't know why

tralfaz · 03-11-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheSunless
I dont like novelity episodes like Smile Time, Buffy and Angel work best when it takes itself seriously.

The other 21 episodes were way better.

making everything stale and boring. funny episodes are fun, you do remember fun dont you? I guess you dont like the Tick either... poor boy, must have been dropped several times on your head as a child

DavidJSnyder · 03-11-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryall
Ha, no, no--I just wanted to do a series of variant covers (all offered in equal quantities to avoid any price-gouging) that offered fun looks at the character. I thought the puppet visual was too fun to pass up, especially the way Igor Kordey just nailed the look and feel of it. But that one's just a fun thing for the fans, nothing more.

You know, if you did an actual PUPPET ANGEL miniseries, that I'd be likely to buy. There is that window of time right after the episode ends...

Julio Diaz · 03-11-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryall
By the way, no feedback on David Messina's art? He's doing all pencils, inks and color on this and I love what he's done so far.

It's gorgeous. I am really looking forward to this.

Quote:

All you Spike fans, look for a one-shot in August, too, written by Peter David.

Whoo hoo! Chris, my friend, you just said the magic words!