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marobbins's review
4.0
Spoiler Alert: Please only read if you've watched the show!
Overall, I was impressed with this book. The art work was amazing, and it was nice to see the return of some of my favorites from the show, whether in human or supernatural form: Angel, Spike, Cordelia, Connor, Gunn, and Wesley, specifically. I thought some characters could have been either fleshed out a little bit more or just left out, such as the female werewolf who was Angel's former love interest. But I liked how the beginning of the Volume gave accounts of LA being taken over by Hell from the following accounts: civilians, Connor, Spike, Wesley, and Gunn. It made reading Spike: After the Fall Volumes 1-4 and Angel: After the Fall Volumes 1-13 less confusing. Spike: After the Fall gave me more insight into Spike and helped me appreciate his character more, as I've always been "Team Angel." I always thought Connor's end to the show was a bit abrupt, so I was glad to see him come back and his relationship with Angel rekindled. Gunn becoming a Vamp was unexpected, but I can see why the writers took it in that direction. It seems like interesting retribution after the role he played in Fred's death/disappearance, even though he didn't mean to. I liked Wesley as a ghost, although I think they could have dug deeper into that one. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with great artwork and compelling internal dialogue. I look forward to the Angel: Season 7 comic.
Overall, I was impressed with this book. The art work was amazing, and it was nice to see the return of some of my favorites from the show, whether in human or supernatural form: Angel, Spike, Cordelia, Connor, Gunn, and Wesley, specifically. I thought some characters could have been either fleshed out a little bit more or just left out, such as the female werewolf who was Angel's former love interest. But I liked how the beginning of the Volume gave accounts of LA being taken over by Hell from the following accounts: civilians, Connor, Spike, Wesley, and Gunn. It made reading Spike: After the Fall Volumes 1-4 and Angel: After the Fall Volumes 1-13 less confusing. Spike: After the Fall gave me more insight into Spike and helped me appreciate his character more, as I've always been "Team Angel." I always thought Connor's end to the show was a bit abrupt, so I was glad to see him come back and his relationship with Angel rekindled. Gunn becoming a Vamp was unexpected, but I can see why the writers took it in that direction. It seems like interesting retribution after the role he played in Fred's death/disappearance, even though he didn't mean to. I liked Wesley as a ghost, although I think they could have dug deeper into that one. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with great artwork and compelling internal dialogue. I look forward to the Angel: Season 7 comic.
evie5120's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lefthandedmatt's review
3.0
This official continuation of the Angel television show gets a lot right. The first 12 volumes are collected here, along with the 4 issues of Spike: After the Fall. Interestingly (and perhaps logically) they are presented in chronological order rather than published order. That is we begin with First Night (issues 6-8), then Spike (1-4), then Angel: After the Fall (issues 1-5, 9-12). It's a good thing, as the story makes a lot more sense when read in order.
Whether or not this captures the feel of the show well is debatable. It picks up after the massive cliffhanger to show what happened to each of our favourite characters. Los Angeles in its entirety has been sent to Hell by Wolfram & Hart and there's a lot going on. Characters are changed and the events are far more epic than a TV show budget would have allowed (dragon vs. t-rex fight stands out).
There are moments that genuinely feel right, with the character's voices sounding clear in your head as you read. The problem is that the story jumps around a lot and becomes unnecessarily complicated, and there are moments where you just feel confused as to what these characters we love are doing. I'm new to comic books and it seems that they have a need to move very fast without allowing scenes to breathe. It still remains exciting throughout and manages to deliver some real surprises. The artwork is just okay and actor's faces are only captured accurately on occasion, other times I had no idea who I was supposed to be looking at. The backgrounds of a hellish L.A. are all rather gorgeous, however.
Whether or not this captures the feel of the show well is debatable. It picks up after the massive cliffhanger to show what happened to each of our favourite characters. Los Angeles in its entirety has been sent to Hell by Wolfram & Hart and there's a lot going on. Characters are changed and the events are far more epic than a TV show budget would have allowed (dragon vs. t-rex fight stands out).
There are moments that genuinely feel right, with the character's voices sounding clear in your head as you read. The problem is that the story jumps around a lot and becomes unnecessarily complicated, and there are moments where you just feel confused as to what these characters we love are doing. I'm new to comic books and it seems that they have a need to move very fast without allowing scenes to breathe. It still remains exciting throughout and manages to deliver some real surprises. The artwork is just okay and actor's faces are only captured accurately on occasion, other times I had no idea who I was supposed to be looking at. The backgrounds of a hellish L.A. are all rather gorgeous, however.
jmanchester0's review
5.0
Great collection of Angel: After the Fall Parts 1-12 and Spike: After the Fall #1-4.
But don't read this in the order in the book! Read it in publishing order. First, read Angel parts 1-12, then Spike 1-4. It's just better that way. Ask Brian Lynch. (I did!)
But don't read this in the order in the book! Read it in publishing order. First, read Angel parts 1-12, then Spike 1-4. It's just better that way. Ask Brian Lynch. (I did!)
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