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Angel & Faith: Season 9
Angel & Faith Volume 3: Family Reunion
Angel’s quest to resurrect Giles has brought an old friend to London—Willow! Tensions run high as these two confront the loss of Giles, but before blood can be shed, Willow has a proposition. She’ll help Angel on his quest if he’ll help her find magic. To do that, she’ll need Connor to get them into Quor’toth, a hell dimension where magic runs deep. Collects issues #11–#15.
* Ties into the events in Buffy Season 9!
* Christos Gage takes Willow to other worlds!
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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492 people want to read
About the author
Christos Gage
1,533 books128 followersChris N. Gage is a writer for comic books and television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
October 20, 2021
Actual rating 3.5 stars. No, 3.7 - the extra .2 is for Lavinia and Sophronia.
I liked the beginning of this volume. The tension between Angel and pretty much everyone (lol).
Willow came to London with the Scythe and she made a deal with the brooding vamp that she would let him have in exchange for his help.
Although, it wasn’t really Angel she needed… it was Connor!
I liked that they brought Connor back, not to mention
I loved that Connor has a happy life but he also got to spend some time with his father.
I kinda wish we were shown a little more of Quor’toth.
Not story wise (because that was long enough) but art wise. Mostly, it was depicted as a lot of rocks and demons.
I think I would’ve liked a little more two page spreads to really show off how horrible that place truly is.
I said this before but I did not like how Dark Willow and then ‘overwhelmed by hunger’ Angel were ‘taken down’ (for lack of a better term).
It seemed they fluffed about with those dog demons then rushed the Dark Will part. Which is a shame because I feel like they could’ve done more. Something about the goddess Willow fighting her evil side (she was holding the Scythe after all).
Then the last issue in this collected edition was split into two parts.
The first told us the story of Whistler. I was really intrigued about his parents. I would love to know how they met and fell in love.
The second part was Pearl and Nash’s backstory.
I will say their mother had my interest. I wanted to know more about her than just the little hints of her life before.
I honestly think this story made the siblings less interesting to me. I want the mum to come back!
Overall, I liked the Connor parts but this story line did not hold that much interest for me.
I liked the beginning of this volume. The tension between Angel and pretty much everyone (lol).
Willow came to London with the Scythe and she made a deal with the brooding vamp that she would let him have in exchange for his help.
Although, it wasn’t really Angel she needed… it was Connor!
I liked that they brought Connor back, not to mention
I loved that Connor has a happy life but he also got to spend some time with his father.
I kinda wish we were shown a little more of Quor’toth.
Not story wise (because that was long enough) but art wise. Mostly, it was depicted as a lot of rocks and demons.
I think I would’ve liked a little more two page spreads to really show off how horrible that place truly is.
I said this before but I did not like how Dark Willow and then ‘overwhelmed by hunger’ Angel were ‘taken down’ (for lack of a better term).
It seemed they fluffed about with those dog demons then rushed the Dark Will part. Which is a shame because I feel like they could’ve done more. Something about the goddess Willow fighting her evil side (she was holding the Scythe after all).
Then the last issue in this collected edition was split into two parts.
The first told us the story of Whistler. I was really intrigued about his parents. I would love to know how they met and fell in love.
The second part was Pearl and Nash’s backstory.
I will say their mother had my interest. I wanted to know more about her than just the little hints of her life before.
I honestly think this story made the siblings less interesting to me. I want the mum to come back!
Overall, I liked the Connor parts but this story line did not hold that much interest for me.
July 21, 2021
Ah, a family reunion indeed. Angel patching things up with Connor was a long time coming. Can't say I ever was a fan of Connor in the show but he was okay in this. Wouldn't mind him popping up from time to time.
May 4, 2015
Review originally posted on my blog Dee's Reads
The Angel & Faith graphic novels have become popular as they have surpassed the quality of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics. This volume has made it so clear to me that Angel & Faith is the only series I wish to follow at the moment. I'm putting down Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics and instead focusing on these as they are much more interesting and very well-written.
In this graphic novel we have some new (old) characters reappearing and I absolutely loved it. Willow is part of this whole volume, and so is Connor who is Angel's son (if you watched the show at all you know this, if not it's okay because they introduce his character really well. Gunn is along for a brief bit, as are two fantastic new characters from Giles' past (his aunties) who are immortal due to magic. They're hilarious and vain and I really liked that they continued form the last volume and seem to be regular characters now with Angel & Faith.
In a world without magic, Willow is desperate to recover it. To do so she needs to rip through to another dimension and gain her magic back. To do that she needs Connor, who is the only one with enough dark magic to rip open a portal to the dimension he spent 17 years in—fighting for his life in hell.
In a world without magic, Angel is desperate to recover the pieces of Giles' soul in an attempt to bring him back from his natural death.
These two plotlines are present in this volume — the Willow one is also seen in the Buffy comics. Willow and Angel work together (with Faith)
What I really liked about this volume was that it was written in such a way that a complete newbie to the series and the shows would be able to pick it up and understand it fully. Not only that, but actually enjoy it! I loved the action, humor, horror, and atmosphere. The drawings and style was impeccable.
I have to state that I read this in one day. I can't remember the last time I finished anything in one day. Due to my busy schedule it's logistically extremely difficult. But I powered through this one and literally didn't get up off the couch until I was done with it. Following that I immediately went on Amazon and ordered Volume 4. It can't come soon enough. I plan to continue binging on this series and loving every minute of it.
The Angel & Faith graphic novels have become popular as they have surpassed the quality of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics. This volume has made it so clear to me that Angel & Faith is the only series I wish to follow at the moment. I'm putting down Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics and instead focusing on these as they are much more interesting and very well-written.
In this graphic novel we have some new (old) characters reappearing and I absolutely loved it. Willow is part of this whole volume, and so is Connor who is Angel's son (if you watched the show at all you know this, if not it's okay because they introduce his character really well. Gunn is along for a brief bit, as are two fantastic new characters from Giles' past (his aunties) who are immortal due to magic. They're hilarious and vain and I really liked that they continued form the last volume and seem to be regular characters now with Angel & Faith.
In a world without magic, Willow is desperate to recover it. To do so she needs to rip through to another dimension and gain her magic back. To do that she needs Connor, who is the only one with enough dark magic to rip open a portal to the dimension he spent 17 years in—fighting for his life in hell.
In a world without magic, Angel is desperate to recover the pieces of Giles' soul in an attempt to bring him back from his natural death.
These two plotlines are present in this volume — the Willow one is also seen in the Buffy comics. Willow and Angel work together (with Faith)
What I really liked about this volume was that it was written in such a way that a complete newbie to the series and the shows would be able to pick it up and understand it fully. Not only that, but actually enjoy it! I loved the action, humor, horror, and atmosphere. The drawings and style was impeccable.
I have to state that I read this in one day. I can't remember the last time I finished anything in one day. Due to my busy schedule it's logistically extremely difficult. But I powered through this one and literally didn't get up off the couch until I was done with it. Following that I immediately went on Amazon and ordered Volume 4. It can't come soon enough. I plan to continue binging on this series and loving every minute of it.
November 5, 2016
This was actually really great. Finally getting to see Quor’toth was weirdly satisfying, and checking in with other Angel characters like Gunn and Connor was, well I wouldn't say fun because eesh, but I liked it. I'm enjoying these Angel & Faith comics much more than I am the Buffy ones right now, TBH. There's a purpose behind Angel and Faith's actions, whereas Buffy sort of feels aimless.
November 21, 2015
The Good: This volume is pretty amazing. Willow crosses over from the Buffy comics and Connor drops in for an important visit. We revisit the hell dimension Connor grew up in and find some pretty spectacular changes caused by his time there. It was a follow up I never considered and apparently really wanted. I wasn't always a fan of Conner, but here, in this volume, is the person I always wanted him to be. He's got his issues together and he's making a difference. He's, dare I say, delightful.
The Bad: There was less focus on resurrecting Giles than in previous issues. Granted, everything Angel does is working towards that in some way, here it is less pronounced. While I absolutely love the guest spots from familiar characters, their involvement here stalls the overall plot progression of the series. Like a time out to visit with friends and their our of nowhere subplots.
The Bad: There was less focus on resurrecting Giles than in previous issues. Granted, everything Angel does is working towards that in some way, here it is less pronounced. While I absolutely love the guest spots from familiar characters, their involvement here stalls the overall plot progression of the series. Like a time out to visit with friends and their our of nowhere subplots.
October 3, 2013
So season 9 is all about fixing the mistakes of season 8? Ok. Well, there's plenty of mistakes to go around. It seems like the most important events are actually happening here, in Angel & Faith, and not in the main Buffy comic. And this particular volume has a lot going on. Angel is still trying to resurrect Giles, meets up with Gunn, and reunites with his son. Willow is making some progress on her quest to restore magic to the world. Which, as it turns out, is a much more serious thing than I had originally thought. The art remains pretty good, and the characters look like themselves. But I can't help but feel that this season is meant to be an apology for the previous one.
December 8, 2014
Oh, of course Willow knows Giles’s preternaturally young great aunts. Oh, of course. Connor would be one of the keys to restoring magic to the world. Oh, of course there’s a reason that Quor’toth is a hell dimension and raising a human/vampire child there would have unforeseen consequences.
I liked this a lot. I ESPECIALLY liked when Faith launches Angel into the air like Colossus launches Wolverine. Nice metatexualism.
I liked this a lot. I ESPECIALLY liked when Faith launches Angel into the air like Colossus launches Wolverine. Nice metatexualism.
February 28, 2023
What a treat this volume is! Connor and Willow are here and we get a portal rift trip to QUOR'TOTH!? YES! I will never turn away from a time for Dark Willow to emerge, either. But it definitely felt quick and easily overcome here as compared to her going dark before. Good stuff and I am happy to be chugging along this season... enjoyed a lot of the backstory for The Whistler, too!
July 21, 2020
So good! Loving this series so far. The Angel/Faith pairing (non romantic) just works! The series has the golden age feel of Buffy where you had good monsters but it was primarily about the characters and I love that.
July 3, 2017
4.5 Stars
In Season 9, the Angel & Faith story line is better than the Buffy one.
In Season 9, the Angel & Faith story line is better than the Buffy one.
August 24, 2024
2.5 stars
June 12, 2013
Connor is the Angelverse's very own "fetch." Stop trying to make Connor happen, people. It's just not going to happen.
This issue was too "seedless-magicless-world" focused for my liking, almost as if it were an extension of the current Buffy comics rather than an issue of Angel & Faith. All the Quort'toth stuff was so silly.
I loved the final two issues in this installment, which gave a little backstory to Whistler, Pearl, & Nash. Whistler's story was especially fun, since he's been a pretty constant Buffyverse staple but we never got to learn much about him before. I'm not sure how I feel about him being the "Big Bad" of this season, as per the the description on the back of the book.
One major issue:
ETA:
All in all, 2 stars for all the silly Quort'toth stuff (though the art in some of those panels was pretty awesome), and around 4 stars for the latter backstories. I was disappointed, because I have loved all of A&F so far, but am going to chalk some of this stuff up to a fluke. Or I can blame it on Connor. Yeah, let's blame it on Connor.
This issue was too "seedless-magicless-world" focused for my liking, almost as if it were an extension of the current Buffy comics rather than an issue of Angel & Faith. All the Quort'toth stuff was so silly.
I loved the final two issues in this installment, which gave a little backstory to Whistler, Pearl, & Nash. Whistler's story was especially fun, since he's been a pretty constant Buffyverse staple but we never got to learn much about him before. I'm not sure how I feel about him being the "Big Bad" of this season, as per the the description on the back of the book.
One major issue:
ETA:
All in all, 2 stars for all the silly Quort'toth stuff (though the art in some of those panels was pretty awesome), and around 4 stars for the latter backstories. I was disappointed, because I have loved all of A&F so far, but am going to chalk some of this stuff up to a fluke. Or I can blame it on Connor. Yeah, let's blame it on Connor.
April 12, 2014
I really love the Buffyverse and everything Joss Whedon touches, but wow did I hateread this. I feel like this sidetrack for Season 9 is becoming more and more inessential by the moment, and the absolutely unnecessary diversion in the final two chapters really bugged me.
I have little nice to say about this on a whole, and I don't really have high hopes moving forward, unfortunately.
I have little nice to say about this on a whole, and I don't really have high hopes moving forward, unfortunately.
January 18, 2015
I've always been conflicted about Connor, but my faith in him is restored. That hell dimension was pretty damn cool and Willow stole the show, as usual. Could do without the dog demons tho. Now I'm looking forward to the Willow Wonderland.
April 4, 2025
Willow visits Angel and Faith, telling them they need to bring back magic. We're told all of a sudden that the world is worse, there's no more art, people are depressed. Sure would have been nice if one of last 20 issues of this story had bothered to show that. Anyway, Willow needs to go to a reality where magic still exists, but she can't open a portal. So she needs to go to the only universe that doesn't need a portal, instead you need to rip open a rift in reality. Yes, that's right, they go to Quor'toth.
Which is the problem here, right? For all the Warren and Amy of Season 8 it still felt like it was doing something new. None of the typical sequely things of season 9 have been too bad so far, but I'm starting to get suspicious.
They go to Quor'toth, and they bring Connor. Connor inspired a race of demons to worship his mercy and grace even though there's little sign he had any. Anyway, Quor'toth was okay. I liked getting to see it. I wish it was scarier though. I wonder if maybe they should have been trapped there longer.
Angel also defends his actions as Twilight by saying he was going to bring everyone over to the new universe, Buffy just never listens. It reminded me a lot of this conversation from the show:
Angel: I've done things. Questionable things.
Lorne the Host: Yes, you have. But-But you didn't kill those lawyers, Angel. That was slated to happen with or without you. The Powers were just trying to work it so it'd be without you, that's all. You weren't much help in that department, were you, sparky?
I guess there's nothing more Angel then a retcon that tries to make his actions less horrible.
At the end of the issue we get a oneshot. The second half is about the utterly boring Nash and Pearl and they're origins. It has a real "Dunwich Horror" vibe and probably should have been a couple of issues to let the horror marinate a bit more. The first half though is a conversation between Angel and Whistler where Whistler declares his new plan to bring magic back and that he's comfortable with the casualties. The casualties for his new plan is billions, his old one was only going to be millions. This is definitely the problem with deciding how many are acceptable loses. I guess it's good that Angel think billions of deaths are too many, but I'm a little concerned that he thought millions was acceptable.
Which is the problem here, right? For all the Warren and Amy of Season 8 it still felt like it was doing something new. None of the typical sequely things of season 9 have been too bad so far, but I'm starting to get suspicious.
They go to Quor'toth, and they bring Connor. Connor inspired a race of demons to worship his mercy and grace even though there's little sign he had any. Anyway, Quor'toth was okay. I liked getting to see it. I wish it was scarier though. I wonder if maybe they should have been trapped there longer.
Angel also defends his actions as Twilight by saying he was going to bring everyone over to the new universe, Buffy just never listens. It reminded me a lot of this conversation from the show:
Angel: I've done things. Questionable things.
Lorne the Host: Yes, you have. But-But you didn't kill those lawyers, Angel. That was slated to happen with or without you. The Powers were just trying to work it so it'd be without you, that's all. You weren't much help in that department, were you, sparky?
I guess there's nothing more Angel then a retcon that tries to make his actions less horrible.
At the end of the issue we get a oneshot. The second half is about the utterly boring Nash and Pearl and they're origins. It has a real "Dunwich Horror" vibe and probably should have been a couple of issues to let the horror marinate a bit more. The first half though is a conversation between Angel and Whistler where Whistler declares his new plan to bring magic back and that he's comfortable with the casualties. The casualties for his new plan is billions, his old one was only going to be millions. This is definitely the problem with deciding how many are acceptable loses. I guess it's good that Angel think billions of deaths are too many, but I'm a little concerned that he thought millions was acceptable.
December 30, 2023
this volume was fun. loved willows entrance and them going to see Connor - also giving Connor growth beyond what we’ve seen and even with him fully remembering things now was good, hope he will pop up every so often bc it really felt weird Angel was down to be twilight last season and they forgot he had a whole ass son in favor of THE DRAMA. so glad to see them making up and spending time together. do wish we got more gunn, he felt sidelined which was sad. also why did they say angel knew what Lorne was up to bc like guys I DON’T? TELL MEEEEE.
the adventures in quor’toth were fun, it’s been such a mysterious place for so long so it’s great to see it and Connor there. I liked Connor being seeing as a religious figure, a fun twist. dark willow emerging for a hot second was fun but also weird that angel was like a vampire bite will relax her lololol. faith and angels on going squabbles have made me mad, they gotta get on the same page.
also love willow being like holy shit angel actually might be able to bring Giles back. amazing.
whistler back story was interesting but I hate those twins… bye.
the adventures in quor’toth were fun, it’s been such a mysterious place for so long so it’s great to see it and Connor there. I liked Connor being seeing as a religious figure, a fun twist. dark willow emerging for a hot second was fun but also weird that angel was like a vampire bite will relax her lololol. faith and angels on going squabbles have made me mad, they gotta get on the same page.
also love willow being like holy shit angel actually might be able to bring Giles back. amazing.
whistler back story was interesting but I hate those twins… bye.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2018
I loved this volume, and it's been my favorite of this series so far. Willow is my favorite female character from Buffy, so I was glad to see her reappear, even if only for a short while. Faith's complicated thought process gets a glimpse, although she's clearly changed. I know not all fans feel this way, but I've always loved Connor as a character, so I loved the interaction between Father and Son. A part of me wishes they could be closer, but I know that Angel wants to keep Connor safe and to give him a chance to live a relatively normal, fulfilling life. This volume had some great extended metaphors about revisiting the demons of our past, both literal and metaphorical. I am not sure how I feel about Angel's quest, but apparently, the next volume will teach us more about Giles, so I am excited about it. I loved the bonus material in this volume because it gave more backstory behind Angel as Twilight and his history with Whistler. Definitely a worthwhile read!
September 11, 2018
So I actually really liked this one. At first I thought going to Los Angeles and bringing up all these Angel characters was annoying, but it honestly was really nice. It was good to see Angel bridge the gap of his relationship with Connor and it not be all lies. Plus I love Gunn so always good to see him. The thing though that literally drove me up a wall is that apparently he can go outside with a hoodie on and he's protected from the sun, and that his hands were uncovered in the sunlight and he was fine. That's breaking every vampire rule that has been set up throughout the show and comics, I just don't understand how that could be overlooked. So while I was so over the moon to see Dark Willow and everyone grappling with control over their darker side, I also felt like the attention to detail just wasn't there.
June 11, 2018
Angel and Faith: Family Reunion is a volume more interesting than most, in part because Angel’s son Connor has a starring role.
Angel needs help from Willow, Willow needs help from Angel. In his quest to bring back Giles, Angel asks Willow to assist. Willow obliges, but in return, requests that Angel and Connor take her to the demon world where Connor grew up so that she can bring back a bit of magic to the post-magic world. The world, she contends, cannot go one without magic, since magic and hope are so closely linked.
Along with Faith, the four of them head to Connor’s old stomping grounds, which are a horror to behold. However, the group learns that Connor was able to leave a glimpse into a different kind of life for the inhabitants.
Entertaining to read.
Angel needs help from Willow, Willow needs help from Angel. In his quest to bring back Giles, Angel asks Willow to assist. Willow obliges, but in return, requests that Angel and Connor take her to the demon world where Connor grew up so that she can bring back a bit of magic to the post-magic world. The world, she contends, cannot go one without magic, since magic and hope are so closely linked.
Along with Faith, the four of them head to Connor’s old stomping grounds, which are a horror to behold. However, the group learns that Connor was able to leave a glimpse into a different kind of life for the inhabitants.
Entertaining to read.
July 29, 2020
ADORO! Tutti i personaggi stanno avendo una caratterizzazione spettacolare; menzione d'onore alle origini di Whistler, di Pearl e Nash (ognuno di loro ha una storia dedicata auto-conclusiva).
Grandi ritorni in questo volume: per primo Connor, con lui si esplorerà il rapporto padre/figlio con Angel; in secondo luogo torna Willow e una sua particolare versione (che ho amato tantissimo nella stagione 6 della serie tv) che si alleerà con i nostri eroi per riportare nel mondo la magia con qualche difficoltà (tema del potere e del controllo di esso affrontato molto bene).
Super consigliato!
Grandi ritorni in questo volume: per primo Connor, con lui si esplorerà il rapporto padre/figlio con Angel; in secondo luogo torna Willow e una sua particolare versione (che ho amato tantissimo nella stagione 6 della serie tv) che si alleerà con i nostri eroi per riportare nel mondo la magia con qualche difficoltà (tema del potere e del controllo di esso affrontato molto bene).
Super consigliato!
June 30, 2023
I wonder what kind of mood I was in when I read this back in 2014, giving it just 2 stars. I've probably changed the most on this one because...wow. This was a great volume! The storyline dug a bit deeper into the why of things. The bits with Angel and Willow were touching, and Angel and Faith continue to be a great pair. I also loved the richening of the backstories of Whistler, Pearl and Nash. I always find villains more compelling when you see some humanity in them.
May 10, 2017
It's nice seeing Connor in a way that doesn't make me roll my eyes out of my head! Also, having Giles's aunts in the picture is a bit like Angel and Faith living with the women from Absolutely Fabulous, and I heartily approve of that.
August 22, 2019
I mean, I love Connor, I love Willow, I love Faith, I (kinda) love Angel (most of the time) so what could be wrong ? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Those comics are so good, I always wanted a spin-off with Faith as the main character, never imagined for it to be with Angel (or in comics), but it makes total sense.
January 22, 2022
It was a pretty good story arc, but I docked two full stars because it started with Angel (a vampire who turns to ash in sunlight) flying in a plane from London to LA during the day. His sun protection was a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants and a baseball cap?? Several panels depicted Angel in direct sunlight. Even to show itself never got quite that bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2017
Hooray for the return of Willow. Boo for Connor, but glad to see he's not the whining teenager anymore. Nice continuation of the Faith/Angel teamup. Nice complementary series to go with Buffy Season 9.
February 18, 2020
WOW 🤩. Reading this makes me miss the show so much. But I’m glad it continued in this medium. Everyone is able to go so much further. I don’t have the words to describe such a masterpiece addition to the world.
April 20, 2021
The Pearl and Nash sequence in this book is by far the most disturbing thing I have seen in Season 9 so far, and really helps cement Angel and Faith as the older sibling to the Buffy run, just like the TV shows.
November 4, 2023
I love the way this author writes Connor. The reveal on what losing magic means for him hit me right in the gut. There are far fewer shades of brattiness in this Connor than in the Angel comics, thank goodness.
Whistler's backstory was okay if unoriginal, but I am soooo over these creepy children.
Whistler's backstory was okay if unoriginal, but I am soooo over these creepy children.
June 7, 2017
First we had Drusilla in the last installment and now Connor and Gunn? Yay! I hate to admit it, but I am enjoying Angel & Faith far more than any of the Buffy graphic novels.
August 10, 2017
I am liking these Angel and Faith ones more than the Buffy ones.
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