PETER DAVID: CATCHING A FALLEN ANGEL

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

For most, a series ends with its cancellation. But for Fallen Angel, it was only the beginning.

The original series was published by DC for 20 issues before DC decided to no longer publish it. With the title being owned the series writer and creator Peter David, he took steps to find a new home. And so he did, only seven months later, as Fallen Angel resumed publication with a new #1 at IDW Publishing.

Now, over a year and a dozen issues later, the series has been a consistent good seller for IDW Publishing… so much, in fact, that the publisher has announced the release of a deluxe, oversize hardcover edition of the first 13 issues fittingly titled Fallen Angel: The Premiere Collection.

Fallen Angel follows a fallen angel, literally, named Lee. After taking justice into her own hands under the employ of God, she is sentence to life on Earth without the benefit of her angelic status. Walking on earth as a human, she found a new purpose in life as a protector in the New Orleans-esque city of Bete Noire. Corruption runs rampant and the supernatural emerges at night, and the Fallen Angel is tasked to reign in the forces who would cause harm to the city and it's people.

This month, the thirteenth issue and end of the current story is released. We caught up with writer Peter David to talk about it, and the upcoming story-arc with new artist Kristian Donaldson.

Newsarama: This month sees the release of Fallen Angel #13, and the solicits promise a finale to the trial of Bete Noire's most infamous drug dealer, Asia Minor. As readers of the series can attest, he's not just a stock villain but has helped Lee on several occasions. How'd he end up in the sights of Jude?

Peter David:A young female drug addict had a boyfriend, a junkie, who died due to the effects of a particularly pernicious drug called "Glory" that Asia was peddling. Devastated by the loss of her lover, she went to Jude and asked him for justice on behalf of her lover. Jude, who found Asia's activities and his unrepentant practices to be repulsive, acceded to her request. However, as is so often the case in Bete Noire, things didn't go exactly as planned.

NRAMA: Holding the axe over Asia Minor is Jude, so one has to wonder: how this is affecting Jude's mindset?

PD: Jude's mindset definitely isn't in a good place already. He is finding that the "voices" of the city are starting to get to him more and more; his connection with it is becoming overwhelming. With his nerves increasingly frayed, it's a poor piece of timing to be on his bad side.

NRAMA: How is our Fallen Angel Lee handling this situation, of her son having this kind of decision on his plate?

PD: Asia has always been a sort of odd ally for the Angel, and so she finds herself very much in a situation of torn loyalties. Matters are further exacerbated because Ezil, the young man who works as a waiter at Dolf's, is also suffering from the ill effects of the drug (having become infected by it courtesy of the dying junkie.) Asia claims that he's able to develop a cure for Glory's effects...but only if he's kicked loose from Jude's custody. So the Angel is really being pulled in several different directions.

NRAMA: How is Slate, the de facto cop of Bete Noire, taking to this situation?

PD: Slate is the chief examiner. He looks into situations and makes determinations of fact, passes the information on to the Magistrate and steps back as the Magistrate administers justice. In this instance, he doesn't have a lot to do.

NRAMA: Late last year on your blog, you said that fans of your run on Supergirl "must, must, MUST" pick-up issues #14 and #15 when they come out. Not to completely ruin the surprise, but can you tease it out a little bit for us?

PD: Actually it's issues #14-16 now. Let's just say that there's a young woman who, although her name isn't given as "Linda," might well be seen by many as a sort of Linda surrogate. There's definitely some nudge nudge/wink wink nods to Supergirl fans in the storyline, and it should be of particular interest to fans who are frustrated because--according to DC management--Linda Danvers has been dismissed from DC continuity, presumably never to be seen again. Those who are dissatisfied with this decision or are looking for some measure of closure are invited to come aboard and check it out.

NRAMA: The solicits for issue #14 talk about an elderly man with some bizarre dreams that put him on a collision course with Bete Noir. Can you tell us the kind of dreams he's having, and why it's pulling him to Fallen Angel's city?

PD:That's actually not remotely accurate anymore. That was the direction I was taking the story until I found out that Linda was permanently gone, at which point I thought, "Y'know...I got a much better idea." So substitute "young woman" for "old man" and you're pretty much on track. As for why she's having those dreams, and what they mean, to paraphrase Sweeney Todd, What happens then, well that's the play, and she wouldn't want us to give it away."

NRAMA: This arc is advertised to talk about the Fallen Angel's predecessor, who from the solicits we've found is named Lin. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

PD: That's about as much as I care to say about it, actually. Let's just say that Lin is in a certain set of dire circumstances that compel her to seek answers to her life and why she's having recurring dreams about Bete Noire and the inhabitants therein.

NRAMA: Joining you on #15 & #16 is Kristian Donaldson. What's your thought on the work of his you've seen so far on the series?

PD: Honestly, I haven't seen any of his work yet. I did see sample pages of his art and they looked good.

NRAMA: Later this year, IDW is releasing a $75 deluxe collection titled Fallen Angel: The Premiere Collection, collecting the first 13 issues along with a host of extras. Can you tell us what extra material you'll have in there?

PD: I'm figuring maybe a full script or two so people can see what the artist is given, along with previously unseen art...maybe even an original text short story.

NRAMA: Looking back over the publishing history of series starting at DC and then finding a home at IDW, the Premiere Collection is a real testament to the strength of the series. What are your thoughts on making this benchmark?

PD: I'm thrilled that IDW is willing to make that kind of commitment. The prestige edition was entirely Chris's idea, and I really couldn't be happier. That the series has had this kind of life after being consigned to cancellation is truly heartening and a testament not only to IDW but to the fans who have supported it.

Check back to Newsarama.com later this month for an interview with new series artist Kristian Donaldson, as well as a full-length article on the upcoming crossover with Billy Tucci's Shi. Click here for a preview of upcoming issues of Fallen Angel.

[Ace]

There's been mixed messages about Linda from DC.

Didio offhandedly said she was out. Johns rather firmly said she was in, and then Gail said that she'd love to use her.

So take it as you will.

Regardless, with the multiverse on the horizon, she's pretty much in no matter what.

[Snikkas]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

by Chris Arrant... it should be of particular interest to fans who are frustrated because--according to DC management--Linda Danvers has been dismissed from DC continuity, presumably never to be seen again. Those who are dissatisfied with this decision or are looking for some measure of closure are invited to come aboard and check it out.

I might not be the biggest Supergirl expert, but Linda Danvers was a much better Supergirl than the current one. And they didn't have her trying to join every Super team on the planet to find a good fit for her

[Super Guy]

It's funny how the one picture shows a woman carrying another woman, another "inspired by" picture, of how Supergirl was carried after dying or being killed since Crisis On Infinite Earths #7. While that cover was used in different contexts by both Marvel and DC, before and after COIE #7, it's still almost a definite indication that someone has died. Maybe this is what Peter David was talking about when referring to issues 14-16, and maybe some closure to the Linda Danvers character.

[Super Guy]

Originally Posted by Snikkas

I might not be the biggest Supergirl expert, but Linda Danvers was a much better Supergirl than the current one. And they didn't have her trying to join every Super team on the planet to find a good fit for her

I agree with that statement. Linda did have way more appeal than what we currently have. Linda could have cared less what super team she wanted to be on.

[jlawesome]

I was never able to get hooked on David's Supergirl, but I think this is great if it helps him get over his grudge against DC.

[idkidd]

PD: I'm figuring maybe a full script or two so people can see what the artist is given, along with previously unseen art...maybe even an original text short story.

Why haven't we seen ANY of this in the monthly book? I find it pretty frustrating (and baffling) why after a year of publication with IDW, we haven't even gotten a single letters page.

[Ryall]

Originally Posted by idkidd

Why haven't we seen ANY of this in the monthly book? I find it pretty frustrating (and baffling) why after a year of publication with IDW, we haven't even gotten a single letters page.

I find it pretty frustrating and baffling that I haven't gotten any mail to run in a letters page, myself.

I brought back lettercols in our Transformers and Star trek books--why? Because we get mail or posts at our forum discussing those books. I've long told Peter I'd love to do the same if we got the same for Fallen Angel.

[OM]

...There's an interesting parallel or two here. Before Jack Kirby got the chance to do Hunger Dogs and give at least one form of closure to his Fourth World saga, he gave it the same sort of "wink, wink! Nudge, nudge!" treatment in the pages of Captain Victory over at Pacific Comics. If you read between the lines, you realized that Victory was the son of Orion, and that his entire origin was set on what was left of Apokolips after the "Final Battle", and that Apokolips didn't exactly -lose- that fight. Since DC was still using Darkseid and all the New Gods, Jack couldn't come out and say this, but he did get the message across to a lot of fans.

...Another one, IIRC, was Steve Englehart's "Celestial Madonna" plot, which started in The Avengers and wound up getting "resolved" in JLAand then at some other company in some other book I never read. I'm sketchy on the details on this one, because the whole "Mantis takes a plant to bed and has a kid" bit was a rather bit too strained for my tastes. Then again, wasn't it Englehart that put Wanda and the Vision together in the first place? Maybe the guy has a thing for women and toys :-P

Of course, if you wanted to stay within the company, there's always JM DeMatteis' constant recycling of his long-rejected The Dark crossover series into pretty much every book he's done since his Forever People mini...

Originally Posted by Ryall

I find it pretty frustrating and baffling that I haven't gotten any mail to run in a letters page, myself.

...Dear editor: I like Fallen Angel. It is my favorite book next to Transformers. Could you please send me a page of original art, or at least a cocktail napkin signed by PAD? Also, I think Lee needs a pet cat, an orange one with these oldy-style streaks of lightning down its sides. Also, could you have Lee crossover wtih Transformers? I think she could kick Decepticon butt really easily, and PAD's really experienced in writing books that have been shoehorned into crossovers! I think he'll love this!

Thanks, and give PAD a raise! He deserves it!!!

Signed,

Ann Avid Fan

[matchesmalone]

That Action Comics #1 homage is some funny stuff.

[CodeGuy]

Originally Posted by idkidd

Why haven't we seen ANY of this in the monthly book? I find it pretty frustrating (and baffling) why after a year of publication with IDW, we haven't even gotten a single letters page.

Originally Posted by Ryall

I find it pretty frustrating and baffling that I haven't gotten any mail to run in a letters page, myself.

I brought back lettercols in our Transformers and Star trek books--why? Because we get mail or posts at our forum discussing those books. I've long told Peter I'd love to do the same if we got the same for Fallen Angel.

I'm sorry, but...

Burn!

[DoctorTom]

Originally Posted by Ryall

I find it pretty frustrating and baffling that I haven't gotten any mail to run in a letters page, myself.

I brought back lettercols in our Transformers and Star trek books--why? Because we get mail or posts at our forum discussing those books. I've long told Peter I'd love to do the same if we got the same for Fallen Angel.

I'm glad to see your quick response to the question - next post down - I haven't seen service like that from other companies! :-)

Congratulations and thank you on going with the oversized hardback treatment for Fallen Angel; it's one of the series that deserve it. I plan on buying one and hope you'll expand the treatment to some of your other books such as Grimjack. Also, while on that subject of Grimjack - if you were looking for any kind of crossover between different series, Grimjack and Fallen Angel seem like they'd have a good fit together for something like that, and might also give PAD and John Ostrander some fun. Normally I'd take the idea of crossovers with a grain of salt, but those two together work a lot better than, say, CSI: Bete Noire.

[idkidd]

I find it pretty frustrating and baffling that I haven't gotten any mail to run in a letters page, myself.

I brought back lettercols in our Transformers and Star trek books--why? Because we get mail or posts at our forum discussing those books. I've long told Peter I'd love to do the same if we got the same for Fallen Angel.

oh, ok. I guess I'll write a letter.

[Evilomar]

This is such a great series and PAD is the man!

[IvCNuB4]

Originally Posted by matchesmalone

That Action Comics #1 homage is some funny stuff.

Blatant .. but funny

[csGuy]

Msrs Ryal and David,

Since we're seeing an oversized hardcover of the IDW issues of Fallen Angel, is there any chance of seeing the original 20 DC issues in that format too? ...or does DC own the publishing rights to those?

[Disco Cookie]

I recently re-read my collection of David's Supergirl series and wow do I miss Linda. I can understand DC not using her as Supergirl (they're publishing a title called Supergirl after all) but I don't understand them not giving her a new name and using her elsewhere. I can only hope for some Steel-type resurrection (like Linda Steel helmed his own series then vanished from sight for a few years).

But should that never happen seeing a 'Linda' in Fallen Angel will be very, very welcome.

[Wonder Boy]

I can't wait for this issue to come out. It's seriously going to rock. I mean, the entire series HAS rocked so far, but yeah. :-) I'm glad that PAD actually loves and respects his fans and thinks a bit about them when writing. There are so many other writers out there who just seem to think of themselves when they're writing, or just do stories to bring back their comics universe to the way it was when they were kids.

It's what makes PAD's stories more enjoyable. :-) He forges ahead instead of looking back.

[Ryall]

Originally Posted by csGuy

Msrs Ryal and David,

Since we're seeing an oversized hardcover of the IDW issues of Fallen Angel, is there any chance of seeing the original 20 DC issues in that format too? ...or does DC own the publishing rights to those?

DC owns the publishing rights to every issue that came out under their banner. They did just release issues 6-10 of their run in a TPB last December, though, so half those issues are back in print and accessible to anyone who wants them. Can't speak for them, but the way these things usually work is, if the TPBs prove successful enough, it could show them that an oversize collection might be worth pursuing, too.

[EMeadow]

And Peter David did say in his intro to the Sachs and Violens TP that DC will be making a 3rd trade collecting the rest of the series as well.

[EmeraldGuy32]

me love fallen angel long time.

[sumo]

Originally Posted by Ryall

I find it pretty frustrating and baffling that I haven't gotten any mail to run in a letters page, myself.

...Oh mighty and powerful editor: I lust for Fallen Angel. It is my favorite book next to Cavewoman. Could you please have a funny letter page like they have in The Goon? And PAD did so well with the Bizarro© Supergirl© that I want him to include a bizarre Fallen Angel. Also, could you have Lee crossover w/ Aliens & Predators & Robocops & maybe Marty McFly? She could go back to the future with him and maybe even save the cheerleader. Like Ann Avid Fan said "and PAD's really experienced in writing books that have been shoehorned into crossovers! I think he'll love this!"

Signed,

Anne Uthur Avid Fan

PS Thanks, and give PAD a BIG raise! He really, really deserves it!!!

[csGuy]

Originally Posted by Ryall

DC owns the publishing rights to every issue that came out under their banner. They did just release issues 6-10 of their run in a TPB last December, though, so half those issues are back in print and accessible to anyone who wants them. Can't speak for them, but the way these things usually work is, if the TPBs prove successful enough, it could show them that an oversize collection might be worth pursuing, too.

Its too bad there's nothing concrete. I'd love to own it all in the same format if possible!

[speedbaldwin]

I miss the Linda Danvers Supergirl. That was such a good series. All 80 issues of it, never disappointed. Speaking as a fan of Supergirl in general, I've liked most of the incarnations of the character. But the new one has got to be the worst, most annoying version I've read. DC really needs to bring back Linda Danvers in some way, even if she doesn't go by Supergirl (although I'd prefer if she did).

I'm glad to see that PAD is attempting to do what he can to tie up the loose ends for the fans, even if it's not officially Linda Danvers. I think it goes to show how much he appreciates his readers and also how much he loves the character.

[Peter David]

Originally Posted by idkidd

oh, ok. I guess I'll write a letter.

Can't help but notice that it's been three days since you said that and, checking at the new Fallen Angel forum over on the IDW board that Chris set up specifically because you asked for it...there's not much in the way of letters.

These things don't happen unless you make them happen.

PAD