Angel #28
Reviewed by David O' Leary
Story
by: Bill Willingham
Art by: Brian Denham
Colours by: David Messina & Jenny Frisson
Cover by: Brian Denham
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
Cover Date: September 2009
Book Summary:
An all-new adventure begins as Eisner-winning writer Bill Willingham (Fables) takes Angel down some pretty twisted roads as the group's (and its leader's) fame starts causing tension and testing loyalties. Starting in December, Willingham and new artist Brian Denham present part one of "The Crown Prince Syndrome!"
Reviewer's Comments:
I dropped this book like a hot potato around the early twenties. The book was about as far removed from the original concept as possible and I found the story was becoming untenable. It could have been argued that it was a natural progression for the characters but I wasn't buying into it and I just said ';no more'. When I heard that Brian Lynch was leaving the book, I was actually kind of relieved as it was pretty obvious that his run was getting stale and hurting the book. The options for a new writer would be open to loads of possibilities and I was very pleasantly surprised to see Willingham's name mentioned. So much so, I jumped back on to see what it could be like.
Unfortunately, for myself anyway, the few issues I missed were actually instrumental in the build up to this opening issue so I admit to having being forced to play catch up a bit. But the phrase, ';a breath of fresh air' came to mind while reading it. I was a long time voice of disinterest to Conor in the book and here he plays a bigger part where he isn't all that annoying and it is down to the whimsical and character focused writing talents of Willingham that for some reason did not resonate well when Lynch was writing the same character. The supporting cast of the book were often misinterpreted in the book and I found that their voices were never really captured correctly and the same could be argued here with the exception of Spike. I really took to the concept of Willingham's take on the character and as long as he is not over used then I don't see any harm in the way he is being used. Particularly good was the sub plot of the man who found himself killing those who committed atrocities in the time that LA was in hell. Willingham is a master at handling numerous plots and sub plots and it showed here that the book does not have to be a one trick story. Overall it was a very positive start to the book and it just about brought back the enthusiasm I felt when the book was initially launched.
Brian Denham is an artist who jumped to the fore in 2008 and 2009 with his amazing run on the X-Files adaptation. So, being a fan of his work I was already excited by his involvement as I know from interviews and podcasts that he is a man who takes any work that comes his way very seriously. He fills the book with a great energy and for a change, the colouring on this title actually fits well where it hampered the book in the past. He is a guy that does not get too caught up in trying to make every character look like the actor who plays them and he has gotten praise in the past about his work with Russ Burlingame describing his art as "beautiful" when he reviewed his work on X-Files. So all around the production team are off to a great start.
I would not hesitate to send someone towards this title for a look which is a remarkable turn around to what I was saying six or eight months ago about it. I hope that this will continue and if so I may find myself drawn back in.
Rating the Issue
| Story Story: Overall 7.66 Concept - 7 out of 10 Plot - 8 out of 10 Dialogue - 8 out of 10 |
Art Art: Overall 8 Style - 8 out of 10 Storytelling - 8 out of 10 Colour/Tones - 8 out of 10 |
Importance Importance: Overall 7.66 To the Title - 8 out of 10 To the Company - 8 out of 10 To the Medium - 7 out of 10 |
Take a Look Inside
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Reviewer Bio
Name: David O' Leary
email: idwfan@yahoo.co.uk
Been reading comics: for about 12 years now.
Review Bio: I am a 26-year-old Hotel Manager from the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and think this is a great way to talk to others about this cool medium. I am a husband to one wife and father to one girl (so far).
Favorites: ONI's Whiteout, Vertigo's Scalped and Garth Ennis Preacher and Punisher in Trades. In comic form I am reading a lot of Marvel and a bit of IDW, Dark Horse & WildStorm among others.
Website: Sorry, I don't have one!
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