Angel #1

Angel + Spike (single issues)

by Bryan Edward Hill, Dan Panosian (Cover Artist), Gleb Melnikov (Artist)

Angel walks the line between two worlds; a vampire cursed with a soul, he's spent centuries battling back the forces that would destroy humanity, in an attempt to redeem himself for the crimes committed by the monster he was when he was first turned. But now, when the trail of the most recent demonic uprising takes him to Sunnydale, he realizes that the redemption he seeks can only come with a price.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Supernatural, Vampires

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2019

About the author

Bryan Hill is a screenwriter, photographer, tv writer, and director. He is known for his work on the DC show TITANS and for his work in comics, most notably his outings on DETECTIVE COMICS, POSTAL, AMERICAN CARNAGE, KILLMONGER and ANGEL.
His writing is infused with esoteric principles, which can also be found in his photography and music.
He lives and works in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

This was so generic that if it hadn't been called "Angel" I wouldn't have even made the connection.

[Loredana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 🌟

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel

This comic has great art! I'm excited to see where the story goes. It's nice to see another side of the story.v

[Nathan Haines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little torn. It started off really strong, but I diverged into this really generic preachy critique on 'young' society. I really like the artwork though

[Keifer Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it! The artwork is amazing and the modern elements are great.

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to see them together again.

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up.

I get that they were going for the monster-of-the-week vibe more with this one, but it just kind of falls flat. I mean, c'mon an internet demon that feeds on sadness?

[Kay ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of when comics or novels talk about how teenagers are so into social media and don't have a brain. It started off strong and I was intrigued, but then broody Angel, the broody vampire that we all know, started off with his brooding and I was over it. I was also over the cliche plot. I did enjoy the artwork and more sadness for Angel. I was never an Angel fan. Interesting start but I will not be continuing.

[Amy Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting series. I gave the whole thing three stars because I liked the artwork in some issues, and I liked the story in some issues, but the two never seemed to overlap. This issue had good artwork, and I was interested in the storyline, but it felt like the exposition lasted for at least five issues. (Copy-pasting this review for issues 0-4.)

[Cym Camille Coffman-mitch]

Good reboot

This seems like it will be a pretty good modern roboot.it kind followed along from the new Buffy also by "boom " after book 4 of that one.I'm kinda hoping they continue to go hand in hand while maintaining their own Stories. The writing is good, and the character build up is so far solid.

[Cecilia Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

More please!

I'm loving this new side of angel and this cool storyline we're being led down with him. It's opening up the buffy/angel world even more so. Looking forward to the next issue.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually ended up liking this a lot more than I did Prologue. In fact, I would go so far to say that this is the best comic that BOOM! Studios have produced for their Buffyverse reboot so far. I think it introduces Angel as a character a lot better, slips in Angel's backstory — or rather, this reimagined version of his backstory — for anyone who hasn't seen the television show before, and is just all around a more interesting story than what we were originally given. I'm glad I didn't write this series off after Prologue.

I'll admit that I didn't really enjoy Melnikov's style illustration in Prologue, especially when compared to Dan Mora's. Here it is used to full effect, and somehow just seems to work better. Melnikov's illustrations look like rough sketches, yet they somehow add to the dark tone of the comics. He also manages to pack a lot of detail into 20 pages. The tone of the comics is fairly similar to that of the television show, and Hill pretty much nails Angel's dialogue and broody behaviour. The story that we were given in this issue actually reminded me of the episode 'I've Got You Under My Skin' from season one of Angel, so I'm hoping that Hill has come up with a story of his own (or at least an interesting spin on the original!).

I did enjoy that Hill dived right into Angel's history as Angelus. We open on Angelus murdering what appears to be a Slayer, and it means that the creative team can touch on themes such as redemption right off the bat, which is really what the television show was all about  — after all, one of the most famous quotes from the show is, 'If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.'

One thing I would like to see more once this series gets on its feet is perhaps some connection to the Buffy comics. While I didn't expect a crossover straight away, Angel avoids referencing both its sister comic and the Buffyverse at large. I don't really have any interest in the original characters produced, with the exception of Lilith, and a familiar face would be nice. I'll be interested to see if Cordelia pops up in the Angel comics, since she's currently busy befriending Spike over in Buffy, but also wouldn't be opposed with Doyle, Fred, or Gunn making an appearance.

If the rest of this series is as good as this, I think it's going to be a hell of a reboot.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better though shorter than I expected. The flashback with the LOTR's esque armor was a little over the top, but I like the way evil is using modern technology to gain a foothold. More interested to see where this is going than I thought I would be.

[b · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much improved over the prologue. Tighter pacing, and enough little treats to make us want to read more. Few good jokes too, and artwork I can follow. Really love the flashback looks too; wish I could pull that off as everyday attire.

[Marion Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Angel comic

Great for Angel fans. I am enjoying these comics. Highly recommend for fans of the show. The comics retell the story of angel. Think of an alternate reality where things happen differently

[Shakira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad and disturbing. :(

[Jodi_ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cawpile: 7.86 4*

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I Thought Of Angel Being Broody in 2019 (Or My Thoughts on Angel #1)

1. I really liked the opening sequences. Stupidly, I was hoping Mara was a Slayer who would live, and then I saw that it was Angelus, and I knew there was no hope. Still, it's a really cool way to start the issue and show Angel as Angelus.

2. I am really into Gleb Melnikov's artwork in this issue. It fits the mood of Angel as a character and the world he inhabits, and I love the style, particularly how thick the lines are and the way he draws Angel.

3. Predictably, Angel does not think much of 21st century teens, social media, or how 21st century interact with it. However, there was an unexpected sympathy to Angel's judgement and dismay. It's like he's observing them and feels bad this is the path they're choosing. He wants them to have innocence longer, which is admirable if misguided.

4. Angel's interaction with the Instagram teenager is golden. I laughed so hard. I feel like Angel could have a small following of teenagers if he wanted. I could see 2019 teenagers bein into his aesthetic. Also, though, since when can't Angel be photographed? Is that new? Or is that lore I'm missing.

5. Who is this random dude Angel goes to visit for advice, a kid whom he once saved? Is this supposed to be Doyle? Please say no. I want Doyle to be a real character.

6. I'm not sure who Lilith is. Maybe she's a character from the Angelverse that I haven't gotten to yet, or maybe she's a new character. Either way, I love her. She is goals for me. I love that she just comes to give Angel vague prophecies and cryptic advice. What goals.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan in the earlier 2000’s, and like any Buffy fan, they watched Angel. I hated Angel. The character and the show. I only watched the show for Spike, just so you know.

I was reading this comic and my first thought was “why am I reading this?” because of my hatred for the show . . . which hasn’t changed, by the way.

More importantly, and maybe it’s because I had read this before the Buffy comics . . . none of it made any damn sense. Which, with the flashbacks and all that, is typical for Angel.

Will I continue to read these new modern adaptations? Probably. Perhaps I’ll eventually come to enjoy the series now that it’s being re-imagined with a new storyline.

[James Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering how good Boom's modern revamp of Buffy The Vampire Slayer has gone, it makes sense Angel would follow soon after. This first issue interestingly integrates social media into the conflict, as Angel sympathises with the kids who have to deal with the cruelty of life through this. Other than that, it follows the similar process of issue 0, as it opens with a compelling look at Angelus being a bastard, introduces a human character key to our lead, and gives me little reason to care about them. I'm intrigued about the introduced villain, and how this series will progress, but I do hope we get more interesting supporting characters for Angel to speak to.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

real rating: 3.5 stars!