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Fallen Angel (DC) #issues 1-6
Fallen Angel
Criminals conduct their business unafraid, and the uncommon is commonplace. And moving through it all like broken glass--smooth, yet cunning--is the woman called the Fallen Angel, who helps people in need when they find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. But the Fallen Angel's help isn't always what it seems.
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,568 books1,363 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 9, 2019
'fallen angel' - a divine messenger "who has rebelled against God and was exiled from Heaven" (Oxford Dictionary definition, though the term does not appear in the Bible or other traditional texts)
On the streets of a troubled city called Bete Noire nothing good ever happens after dark. For the bold few that venture outside there is an urban legend that assistance can be sought - for a price - via a mysterious, magenta cape-and-cowl clad and scarlet-haired young woman who appears every night at the corner table of Furors Pub. Not much is really known about this tough, supernaturally-powered mercenary (she's not quite a vigilante or super-heroine), but she is called the Fallen Angel.
This graphic novel is stylishly very reminiscent of and like a sister publication to the other early 21st century DC crimefighter volumes (it was in fact published in 2004) like Batgirl or Birds of Prey. It's a dark and violent little piece of work, with its cynical heartbeat or nature almost outpaced by the increasingly splatterific graphic violence. However, it certainly wasn't trash or a waste of time. The Fallen Angel character is a peculiar but shrewd operator, and I liked the way she handled business and alliances with a definite street justice angle . . . but just make sure you don't make her angry. ;-)
On the streets of a troubled city called Bete Noire nothing good ever happens after dark. For the bold few that venture outside there is an urban legend that assistance can be sought - for a price - via a mysterious, magenta cape-and-cowl clad and scarlet-haired young woman who appears every night at the corner table of Furors Pub. Not much is really known about this tough, supernaturally-powered mercenary (she's not quite a vigilante or super-heroine), but she is called the Fallen Angel.
This graphic novel is stylishly very reminiscent of and like a sister publication to the other early 21st century DC crimefighter volumes (it was in fact published in 2004) like Batgirl or Birds of Prey. It's a dark and violent little piece of work, with its cynical heartbeat or nature almost outpaced by the increasingly splatterific graphic violence. However, it certainly wasn't trash or a waste of time. The Fallen Angel character is a peculiar but shrewd operator, and I liked the way she handled business and alliances with a definite street justice angle . . . but just make sure you don't make her angry. ;-)
February 23, 2021
Fallen Angel is dark and clever, like the superhero noir it aims to be.
May 27, 2025
Fallen Angel was a pleasant surprise! I hadn't heard of the series until recently, but I'm really glad I picked it up.
While not explicitly a DC Vertigo title, it definitely falls into that "mature readers" line that DC sometimes released, similar to Green Arrow by Grell. And it makes sense, given the heavy themes of prostitution, death, and sexual assault that it tackles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the brisk pacing of the story. The dialogue was solid and flowed nicely most of the time, reminding me of titles like Stray Bullets, though not quite on that level. That said, I really liked Lee, our main character, and the supporting cast seems interesting enough.
Overall, it's a solid start, initially a 3.5 but I'm bumping it up to a 4!
While not explicitly a DC Vertigo title, it definitely falls into that "mature readers" line that DC sometimes released, similar to Green Arrow by Grell. And it makes sense, given the heavy themes of prostitution, death, and sexual assault that it tackles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the brisk pacing of the story. The dialogue was solid and flowed nicely most of the time, reminding me of titles like Stray Bullets, though not quite on that level. That said, I really liked Lee, our main character, and the supporting cast seems interesting enough.
Overall, it's a solid start, initially a 3.5 but I'm bumping it up to a 4!
July 21, 2016
3.5 stars.
(READ DURING BOOKTUBE-A-THON 2016! *throws confetti*)
Okay, first of all, that introduction was quite possibly the most annoying thing I've had to read in a real long time. Thank God the rest of it wasn't written by Ellison because I would not have gotten through it, let me tell you. It'd probably be in several pieces after being thrown against my wall. Anyway. Moving on.
This really did feel like the beginning of a good series in the way that there were lots of plot lines introduced that interconnected nicely. A good amount of them were left open for future installments, but not so many that I was left completely frustrated and lost. Speaking of being lost through, the art was occasionally difficult to follow; not in the way of panel to panel, just the little jumps back from past to present were often rather unclear. In Part One: Night and Day I got especially confused, and it took a few rereads to finally get it. Perhaps I'm just incredibly slow though, and my oblivious tendencies are once again rearing their ugly head.
I will certainly continue the series. Hopefully I can pick it up from a library this week (I must admit I haven't checked to see how many volumes have been released, fingers crossed both the authors/artists and the TPL have kept up with this one).
(READ DURING BOOKTUBE-A-THON 2016! *throws confetti*)
Okay, first of all, that introduction was quite possibly the most annoying thing I've had to read in a real long time. Thank God the rest of it wasn't written by Ellison because I would not have gotten through it, let me tell you. It'd probably be in several pieces after being thrown against my wall. Anyway. Moving on.
This really did feel like the beginning of a good series in the way that there were lots of plot lines introduced that interconnected nicely. A good amount of them were left open for future installments, but not so many that I was left completely frustrated and lost. Speaking of being lost through, the art was occasionally difficult to follow; not in the way of panel to panel, just the little jumps back from past to present were often rather unclear. In Part One: Night and Day I got especially confused, and it took a few rereads to finally get it. Perhaps I'm just incredibly slow though, and my oblivious tendencies are once again rearing their ugly head.
I will certainly continue the series. Hopefully I can pick it up from a library this week (I must admit I haven't checked to see how many volumes have been released, fingers crossed both the authors/artists and the TPL have kept up with this one).
October 10, 2008
Peter David, Fallen Angel (DC, 2004)
David kicks off a new, and very intriguing series, with an introduction from Harlan Ellison. Yeah, that Harlan Ellison, the old version of Mikey in the Life commercial-- the guy who hates everything. Curmudgeon though he may be, Ellison has some high praise for Peter David and his new series. I am certainly not more than a pale shadow of Harlan Ellison; I could spend the rest of my life working on my writing and I'd never get anywhere near that good. So all I can say is, well, the man is right.
Fallen Angel is probably the closest thing I've read in the past twenty years (save a few one-offs like Gaiman's Eternals) to a traditional superhero comic, but like Watchmen, this ain't your momma's superhero. Lee, the fallen angel of the title (we do not yet know if the title is literal or not), has come to the small Louisiana town of Bete Noire and set up shop to help the hopeless and downtrodden. There are, of course, a host of bad guys, though as things go in comics these days, once we meet them, we have to wonder if they're all bad, and the henchmen, of course, are varying shades of grey (usually in direct relation to their intelligence). Everyone's playing everyone against everyone else.
There's a grittiness to the language that reminds me of 100 Bullets without the dialect, though David grabs ahold of his story arc from the get-go (unlike Azzarello, who took four or five volumes to unload everything on us), and it does make for some fine reading. The action is fast, David has thought well ahead into his seemingly minor characters, and the artwork fits the story like a glove. This is quite a beginning. Can't wait to see where he goes from here. ****
David kicks off a new, and very intriguing series, with an introduction from Harlan Ellison. Yeah, that Harlan Ellison, the old version of Mikey in the Life commercial-- the guy who hates everything. Curmudgeon though he may be, Ellison has some high praise for Peter David and his new series. I am certainly not more than a pale shadow of Harlan Ellison; I could spend the rest of my life working on my writing and I'd never get anywhere near that good. So all I can say is, well, the man is right.
Fallen Angel is probably the closest thing I've read in the past twenty years (save a few one-offs like Gaiman's Eternals) to a traditional superhero comic, but like Watchmen, this ain't your momma's superhero. Lee, the fallen angel of the title (we do not yet know if the title is literal or not), has come to the small Louisiana town of Bete Noire and set up shop to help the hopeless and downtrodden. There are, of course, a host of bad guys, though as things go in comics these days, once we meet them, we have to wonder if they're all bad, and the henchmen, of course, are varying shades of grey (usually in direct relation to their intelligence). Everyone's playing everyone against everyone else.
There's a grittiness to the language that reminds me of 100 Bullets without the dialect, though David grabs ahold of his story arc from the get-go (unlike Azzarello, who took four or five volumes to unload everything on us), and it does make for some fine reading. The action is fast, David has thought well ahead into his seemingly minor characters, and the artwork fits the story like a glove. This is quite a beginning. Can't wait to see where he goes from here. ****
March 21, 2011
No le pongo cuatro estrellitas nomás porque estoy medio quisquilloso últimamente y me parecieron medio forzadas algunas situaciones/escenas/actitudes, pero sin duda las roza. Sin contar con "La octava temporada", este comic es lo más parecido que he leído a una historieta de Buffy, y eso es un gran halago. Como me leí #1 y 2 de corrido, seguro les ponga reviews similares, al menos de momento, que estoy en la compu de Rho y la quiere usar.
February 14, 2013
It's okay, I guess. Kind of generic. Painted with a very broad brush. As if everyone in the story just finished watching Casablanca and thought it would be really cool if everybody acted like they were characters in Casablanca.
December 27, 2015
Awesome. The art is great even on cheap paper, and I love the heroine. She's strong without being bitchy, well-matched with all the other characters. Most of them are somewhere between hero and villain, and all of them are interesting.
September 25, 2023
I'm a huge fan of Peter David as a writer and have been since I first encountered it in a Roger Rabbit comic of all places. (Long story.) I've enjoyed the stuff he's done in other people's sandboxes, particularly his runs on Supergirl, X-Factor, Hulk and MOST of his Star Trek books. But what I've enjoyed the most are his original works.
But this one is different, even by his standards. Almost everything else I've ever read of his had more than a hint of comedy. Fallen Angel is more of a brooding, mysterious urban fantasy masquerading as a super hero series. As such, there are a long of storylines in this opening arc where you don't have the answers nor do you really get them. But unlike most of his other comics work, you get the feeling that two things are true. 1. Mr. David does indeed know the answers. 2. If allowed to continue, they will be revealed. But the first six issues do what an opening arc SHOULD do, open the doorway to the world. One that on the outside seems so different from our own but like most fantasy horror if you stop and think for a moment... you start thinking to yourself... it's not THAT different. It's a world you don't just want to know more about, you need to.
Not only that... in rereading this... it's a case where stuff I remember from later in the series seemed to come out of nowhere that first go round makes me go 'wow, how did I NOT see that coming'.
But this one is different, even by his standards. Almost everything else I've ever read of his had more than a hint of comedy. Fallen Angel is more of a brooding, mysterious urban fantasy masquerading as a super hero series. As such, there are a long of storylines in this opening arc where you don't have the answers nor do you really get them. But unlike most of his other comics work, you get the feeling that two things are true. 1. Mr. David does indeed know the answers. 2. If allowed to continue, they will be revealed. But the first six issues do what an opening arc SHOULD do, open the doorway to the world. One that on the outside seems so different from our own but like most fantasy horror if you stop and think for a moment... you start thinking to yourself... it's not THAT different. It's a world you don't just want to know more about, you need to.
Not only that... in rereading this... it's a case where stuff I remember from later in the series seemed to come out of nowhere that first go round makes me go 'wow, how did I NOT see that coming'.
July 2, 2017
Peter David, enough said
January 19, 2019
This and other Peter David books reviewed here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com...
January 30, 2019
An interesting graphic novel. Don't think I pursue anymore to the series though. Would make an awesome TV series
June 3, 2023
Graphic novels are not really my thing but I enjoyed this, having a female character that kept her own agenda in mind.
January 6, 2009
Peter David's Fallen Angel was an interesting blend of his usual sense of humor and solid superheroic genre writing and a darker, supernatural-tinged noir. The result was maybe David's best book, which was published by DC Comics but seemed to be outside their universe.
The city of Bete Noir was like a supernatural Casablanca, where the heroine was a fallen angel (hence the title), her best friend was a guy who ran a bar called Dolf's and *might* have been a reformed Adolph Hitler, her nemesis was also her lover, who ran the city, and... well, there was just a terrific ensemble cast.
The artwork was by David Lopez and Fernando Blanco, and it was beautiful stuff. Reminiscent of Stuart Immonen, Barry Kitson and especially Darick Robertson, the book looked beautiful, and the art emphasized the superhero elements as well as the noir darkness, which made the whole thing work.
This first volume is also probably the best, as it introduces the cast of characters and then sets the lead up against an invisible, powerful, murderous beast.
The book got a second collection from DC (against all odds) but sadly, the third volume, which would have completed the series with a fine ending, remains available only in single issues. Peter David has also continued the series at IDW, but with a different artist, and I'll have more on that when I write up the IDW hardcover collection.
The city of Bete Noir was like a supernatural Casablanca, where the heroine was a fallen angel (hence the title), her best friend was a guy who ran a bar called Dolf's and *might* have been a reformed Adolph Hitler, her nemesis was also her lover, who ran the city, and... well, there was just a terrific ensemble cast.
The artwork was by David Lopez and Fernando Blanco, and it was beautiful stuff. Reminiscent of Stuart Immonen, Barry Kitson and especially Darick Robertson, the book looked beautiful, and the art emphasized the superhero elements as well as the noir darkness, which made the whole thing work.
This first volume is also probably the best, as it introduces the cast of characters and then sets the lead up against an invisible, powerful, murderous beast.
The book got a second collection from DC (against all odds) but sadly, the third volume, which would have completed the series with a fine ending, remains available only in single issues. Peter David has also continued the series at IDW, but with a different artist, and I'll have more on that when I write up the IDW hardcover collection.
February 5, 2016
Best Christmas present ever. I got the Omnibus #0. The original series. I love Peter David. I became a fan of his during his run with DC on Supergirl during the 90s and I think I'll be a fan for life. I was glad to see IDW bought the rights to and released the series and to even add to it (because the original series was canceled because no one wanted to buy the "comic." They wanted to buy the "graphic novel"). Unfortunately Omnibus #1 costs anywhere from $100 to $300. I should have bought it when it came out in 2009 but I was hesitant because of the Buffy the Vampire eliminate. I missed out big time. I'm always going to regret it. I'm not a fan of Buffy the Vampire series. I bought Omnibus #2 (it was only $20) and he was still the same great Peter David style. So I worried for nothing. Maybe some day I can afford Omnibus #1 maybe not. I highly recommend the Fallen Angel series. It's gritty with a strong female heroine who at times seems more like an anti hero. She's not an Angel. Not in the least. She will cross the line and not lose any sleep. She'll make the hard choices no one else will.
September 29, 2014
Reseña de Daniel Gavilán para Zona Negativa:
http://www.zonanegativa.com/antologia...
Antología básica de Peter David 9: Ángel Caído
Englobada dentro de la moda de la desmitificación sucia de finales de los noventa y principios del actual siglo (en la línea de lo que podía verse en Vértigo o Marvel Knights), esta polémica obra centrada en las andanzas de una fantasmagórica justiciera que vagaba por los callejones de una ciudad asfixiada por el crimen y la corrupción en defensa de los inocentes. Alejándose de los habituales derroteros del guionista para apostar por un enfoque mucho más oscuro y deprimente, esta serie con tantos partidarios como detractores a causa de la habitual dispersión del guionista, contaría con los lápices de nuestro compatriota David López, pudiendo ser localizable a través de los tomos de Norma Editorial.
(Reseña completa en http://www.zonanegativa.com/antologia... )
http://www.zonanegativa.com/antologia...
Antología básica de Peter David 9: Ángel Caído
Englobada dentro de la moda de la desmitificación sucia de finales de los noventa y principios del actual siglo (en la línea de lo que podía verse en Vértigo o Marvel Knights), esta polémica obra centrada en las andanzas de una fantasmagórica justiciera que vagaba por los callejones de una ciudad asfixiada por el crimen y la corrupción en defensa de los inocentes. Alejándose de los habituales derroteros del guionista para apostar por un enfoque mucho más oscuro y deprimente, esta serie con tantos partidarios como detractores a causa de la habitual dispersión del guionista, contaría con los lápices de nuestro compatriota David López, pudiendo ser localizable a través de los tomos de Norma Editorial.
(Reseña completa en http://www.zonanegativa.com/antologia... )
May 10, 2012
I didn't remember requesting this and had no clue what it was about so I kept procrastinating reading it. Much to my surprise it was actually very interesting. Bette Noir is a city where things happen at night and they say what happens in Bette Noir affects the rest of the world.
Lee helps people solve their problems and has set herself up as a court of last resort for those who need help. The artwork really adds to the feel and overall tone of this graphic novel.
My only gripe is that I felt like this graphic novel started in the middle of a story and there was just so much background that I felt like I was missing. I am going to look into whether there are volumes of this floating around.
Lee helps people solve their problems and has set herself up as a court of last resort for those who need help. The artwork really adds to the feel and overall tone of this graphic novel.
My only gripe is that I felt like this graphic novel started in the middle of a story and there was just so much background that I felt like I was missing. I am going to look into whether there are volumes of this floating around.
March 24, 2013
Another graphic novel that I am adding to Goodreads just to keeps track.
A superhero character in a very noir city setting. Story and art were not bad but like most graphic novels, the length of time taken to read them, doesn't reflect the price. For $15 it needs to be at least four times this size for me to consider it value for money. Luckily, I get most of mine for free so that's not a factor.
Overall okay but will not follow up.
A superhero character in a very noir city setting. Story and art were not bad but like most graphic novels, the length of time taken to read them, doesn't reflect the price. For $15 it needs to be at least four times this size for me to consider it value for money. Luckily, I get most of mine for free so that's not a factor.
Overall okay but will not follow up.
April 13, 2013
Enjoy the novels by Peter David but this is the first exploration of his graphic novel writing. I must say it's intriguing stuff.Enjoyable and interesting characters especially the man with many hats, he adds humor to what could be a very dark and disturbing book. The main character, Lee is likeable and very interesting and mysterious. Looking forward to learn more throughout the next volume. I am hoping there's an origin or the character at some point.
August 22, 2008
Not quite sure what to make of this one. Much darker than expected.
October 6, 2008
Imagine this combination: If the Punisher was a woman with mystical powers set in the darkest times of Gotham City...that would be Fallen Angel.
July 17, 2011
Pretty interesting. Felt like Batman but with more guts and gore.
January 14, 2012
This is the first time that I have read this author and I'm impressed. Strong story, good art, great heroine. The story kept me guessing and glued. Check it out. A quick read.
March 5, 2012
read it now!!!! its so good!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews