ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #2

**MattBrady** · 12-18-2007, 07:03 AM

IDW has provided Newsarama with a look inside this week's Angel: After the Fall #2 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, Franco Urru and Tony Harris.

The solicitation for the issue reads:

Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch and Franco Urru continue to tell the tale of Angel after the climactic battle that ended the Angel television series. Between the array of new enemies and fallen former friends—not to mention the state of Los Angeles itself—can Angel possibly find a reason to go on? And can some familiar faces help provide that reason? Eisner-winning artist Tony Harris once again supplies a special cover, as does series artist Urru.

*2 Regular covers will be shipped in a 1 (UrrU)-to-4(Harris) ratio.

*Retailers: See your order form for special incentives

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Angel: After the Fall #2 is due in stores this week.

KoozyK · 12-18-2007, 08:39 AM

after reading this, i'm still getting the feeling that this story is nothing more than glorified fan fic.

the art and characterizations just seem off (especially the art).

i'll stick around for the time being...

DavetheAvata · 12-18-2007, 09:19 AM

It's definitely not what I was expecting, I'm still deciding if that's a good or bad thing. Angel started out trying to reconnect with real people, this Hell.A. thing just doesn't feel right.

phoenix_24 · 12-18-2007, 09:55 AM

I really like it. I was really disappointed with the way the series ended, so I'm happy for this. It took the Buffy comic a couple issues to back into it's groove, I think Angel will too.

Simon DelMonte · 12-18-2007, 10:05 AM

I missed the first issue - you know how hard it is to find IDW books, even in NYC? But I gotta say, the voice for Angel is spot on.

newfoundma · 12-18-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix_24

I really like it. I was really disappointed with the way the series ended, so I'm happy for this. It took the Buffy comic a couple issues to back into it's groove, I think Angel will too.

I thought Angel had the best finale of all time. I also inferred that the whole cast died in the final battle. I'll pick this up in trade, but in my mind, that's how Angel ended. And I know this is cannon, but I also know this is fiction. So yup, whole cast dead in an alley for me.

KoozyK · 12-18-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfoundma

I thought Angel had the best finale of all time. I also inferred that the whole cast died in the final battle. I'll pick this up in trade, but in my mind, that's how Angel ended. And I know this is cannon, but I also know this is fiction. So yup, whole cast dead in an alley for me.

maybe that still did happen...????

the series ended with the finale for me too. this series just pales in comparison to buffy season 8

Rod1Million · 12-18-2007, 10:59 AM

I too, loved the finale of ANGEL, but I have to say, this new series is a kick in the pants! I was totally surprised by ANGEL'S new ride/ally, the appearance of GWEN,NINA,and CONNER, and WESwas the best surprise of all. It was a shock, but kept with the show's history of LILAH still working for Woffram and Hart. GUNN'S Vampire turn was not surprising , because that was hinted as a direction the following season would have gone. I dont think that ANGEL:AFTER THE FALL l reads like fan fiction. Mainly , because the voices of the characters ring true. And little details from the show are informing events in the comic. Im looking forward to seeing SPIKE and definitely ILLYRIA. Hopefully , ANGELl and BUFFY will sync up ( Angel season 5 is after Buffy season 8) and we can have a crossover....!!!! I recommend this series to anyone that wants more ANGEL

CodeGuy · 12-18-2007, 11:02 AM

That's Nina? The werewolf? Uhhhh, I don't care for that representation of her. I can understand that things have been rough and she's gotten more feral, but she really doesn't look like the same character.

edhopper · 12-18-2007, 11:17 AM

It's hard to believe that the art could actually get worse from the first issue but they were apparently able to lower the bar.

ShadowPsykie · 12-18-2007, 12:22 PM

can't say i am loving the art either (love the art on Buffy much better) but i am kinda liking the story... though i am shocked that Gunn became a vampire, where was that hinted at? i have to wait to see what has become of some of my other favorite characters first/

KyleV · 12-18-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

KoozyK said: after reading this, i'm still getting the feeling that this story is nothing more than glorified fan fic.

Agreed. I feel the same way about the Buffy series, too.

Quote:

newfoundma said: I thought Angel had the best finale of all time. I also inferred that the whole cast died in the final battle. I'll pick this up in trade, but in my mind, that's how Angel ended. And I know this is cannon, but I also know this is fiction. So yup, whole cast dead in an alley for me.

Same here.

greenflameuk · 12-18-2007, 01:03 PM

I'm waiting on the trade for this, so i'll end up buying it....But man that art is not good so i'm hoping the story is decent.

Kal*el · 12-18-2007, 01:27 PM

Yeah, I'm hoping something happens here, because so far this series really isn't working for me.

Brian_Lynch · 12-18-2007, 01:35 PM

Oh man, as a completely unbiased third party, I gotta say this looks great and I (as well as everyone I know, and everyone reading this) should buy sixteen copies.

BillReed · 12-18-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfoundma

I thought Angel had the best finale of all time. I also inferred that the whole cast died in the final battle. I'll pick this up in trade, but in my mind, that's how Angel ended. And I know this is cannon, but I also know this is fiction. So yup, whole cast dead in an alley for me.

Nah, they didn't die. They didn't live, either. They're perpetually fighting in the alley. It's all about the journey, man.

Anyway, this looks good. "Bah" to the naysayers.

FilterKing · 12-18-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoozyK

maybe that still did happen...????

the series ended with the finale for me too. this series just pales in comparison to buffy season 8

Dude, it's been only one issue.

Prozac Man · 12-18-2007, 02:47 PM

I'm liking it. If it fallows the pattern of the shows, the first three episodes/first story ark will establish the characters and their current state of affairs. They also use the first ark to tie up loose ends from the previous season. Then the roller coaster ride of twist and turns start. By mid season/the third ark none of the characters or situations will even remotely resemble where they are now. If you stick around till issue 4 I bet you'll all be digging it.

Mega5010 · 12-18-2007, 03:18 PM

Any self-respecting fan should know that Gunn turning vampire is the most backwards piece of characterization in a long time.

There's NO way that Gunn would willingly turn or allow himself to be turned. If he was turned by force, he'd kill himself, early.

This is NOT the Gunn I know and this shoddy piece of writing has me very weary towards the rest of the comic's future.

brannahdel · 12-18-2007, 03:35 PM

There was already a huge twist at the end of the first issue and if people consider that as something that is boring, I consider myself surprised. Specially because of who the character affected is. Also, the art is not that great but it looks less muddy in this issue. Better line quality and better use of shadows. Will have to see the printed page to give a final opinion but I have to admit, much as I loved the ending of the T.V. series, this comic is giving me a great follow up and the best part... they are not keeping things safe.

angeliclesta · 12-18-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mega5010

Any self-respecting fan should know that Gunn turning vampire is the most backwards piece of characterization in a long time.

There's NO way that Gunn would willingly turn or allow himself to be turned. If he was turned by force, he'd kill himself, early.

This is NOT the Gunn I know and this shoddy piece of writing has me very weary towards the rest of the comic's future.

OH GOD! Where do I begin?

First of all it was a well known spoiler after the end of Angel (announced by Amy Acker) that Gunn was going to be turned into a vampire, in one of the tv movies they were going to do. So Im sure Joss would never have written some thing so 'shoddy'...oh wait - he did!

Secondly very very few people would 'willingly' let them selves be turned into a vampire. Would Liam have let Darla turn him in that alley if he knew what was happening? Would Harmony have 'willingly' be turned in Graduation Day 2?You dont 'willingly' become a vampire (unless you seek it out like Darla tried to in Season 2), so of course Gunn didnt 'willingly' allow himself to be turned. That is the tragic beauty of it. That is why it is great. That is why it is tragic.

And no...it is NOT the Gunn you know, he is now a souless killer (as far as we know), so no piece of humanity is left in him, so he would quite happily remain a vampire once turned....cos that is not Gunn any more. So, sorry, but you are just wrong in your assessment.

But apart fromt that, the pages look great, and I cannot *wait* to read this!

Stunn · 12-18-2007, 07:59 PM

I think the art is either hit or miss. It just lacks detail. I didn't know the vampire on the end of issue 1 was Gunn until someone pointed it out. Nina looks really off to me in this preview.

I'm liking the story better than Buffy Season 8. It feels like a logical approach to the television finale. Angel and Wesley are pretty much in a hopeless situation. They both are pretty much damned for all time along with Gunn. The tone fits in well with the TV show's hopeless mood.

I'm also digging Lynch's writing. I think he writes comic books better than Whedon does. Everything feels smoother. Can't wait for the next issue.

GohanWinner · 12-18-2007, 09:08 PM

The place they're at makes sense given the ending of season five, but it just doesn't gel with what I expected or Angel has delivered in the past. In that respect, it's kind of hard for me to get into, but I'll stay on board for a while. I always liked the more gritty realism Angel presented as opposed to Buffy.

Daut · 12-19-2007, 12:59 AM

Well after reading the first issue I enjoyed the fact that 4 out of 5 of my favorite characters are still around, and as for the story if Joss gave his blessing I'll give it a shot but I personally have to push myself to go through an issue because i personally dislike Mr. Urru's art. I dig Jeantys' work on buffy and the fact that Joss and BK Vaugh did the stories so far is great to me. but in my opinion I believe another artist would have better served the story and made more fans including myself happier. But as for the people that feel it's fan fiction, I disagree If Joss felt it was an awful story I really hope he would have put a stop to it before it was published. And to state for the record the only book i tend to buy from IDW when it comes out is Scarface books, The only reason i even tried to get into this book is totally and without a doubt is because Joss gave his blessing and i really have more faith in Joss' decisions that i will continue to buy both Angel and Buffy till either they kill Buffy or Angel for good. and please if Brian lynch is reading this please kill Connor.......

D

Daut · 12-19-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

I missed the first issue - you know how hard it is to find IDW books, even in NYC? But I gotta say, the voice for Angel is spot on.

dude Midtown comics on 40th and 7th had life 50 issues on the rack and the incentive cover by Urru and the Virgin Cover by Harris. Look there they have butt loads.
D