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FreakAngels #5
FreakAngels, Volume 5
Twenty-three years ago, twelve strange children were born in England at exactly the same moment. Six years ago, the world ended. Today, eleven strange 23-year-olds are living in and defending Whitechapel, maybe the last real settlement in flooded London. They've made a new friend, and together they've successfully defended their home from outside attackers, a ghost from the past, and threats from within.
In Volume Five, everything you thought you knew about the 'Angels is wrong. In fact, much of what they thought was true simply hadn't been sufficiently examined. While Alice keeps watch over Whitechapel from the watchtower, the twelve reunited Freakangels down below are forced to re-examine their lives... and their deaths!
In Volume Five, everything you thought you knew about the 'Angels is wrong. In fact, much of what they thought was true simply hadn't been sufficiently examined. While Alice keeps watch over Whitechapel from the watchtower, the twelve reunited Freakangels down below are forced to re-examine their lives... and their deaths!
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,971 books5,767 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 22, 2016
Our young revolutionaries have not exactly achieved Utopia ever since they ended the world as we know it, have they? So what is it they need in order to make a better job of things? Why, an upgrade, of course. And that’s literally what they get in this penultimate volume of the series, in appropriately trippy fashion.
What I like about the upgrade on a conceptual level is that it does not turn our flawed protagonists into more awesome and aloof individuals, quite the contrary. It gives them a new humility, teaches them that in order to make the world a better place they must first “get past all the constant fucking moaning and hating and fighting.”
In other words, our heroes must overcome their egos and finally pull together in the same direction - Sham 69-style, that's right. Cause “if the kids are united, then we'll never be divided...” :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GQMI...
What I like about the upgrade on a conceptual level is that it does not turn our flawed protagonists into more awesome and aloof individuals, quite the contrary. It gives them a new humility, teaches them that in order to make the world a better place they must first “get past all the constant fucking moaning and hating and fighting.”
In other words, our heroes must overcome their egos and finally pull together in the same direction - Sham 69-style, that's right. Cause “if the kids are united, then we'll never be divided...” :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GQMI...
August 28, 2016
Hard to see how the story is going to wrap up in one more volume.
March 23, 2012
Almost at the end of this series with only one book left to plow through.
So a lot happens in this volume. A lot. The Freakangels not only discover new powers as well as enhancements of existing ones but a major ability is revealed. Getting this far into the series, it's almost impossible to talk about anything without giving away spoilers so you can understand that these reviews are proving difficult.
I will say that if you're just starting out on this story, it's worth sticking through as it shows no signs of weakening.
Some great overall stuff here from both Duffield and Ellis. You can really see Duffield's progression as an artist over these 5 books with some jaw dropping panels and splash pages. Ellis writes a pretty rousing speech from Luke that blows away a lot of his previous scenes.
So a lot happens in this volume. A lot. The Freakangels not only discover new powers as well as enhancements of existing ones but a major ability is revealed. Getting this far into the series, it's almost impossible to talk about anything without giving away spoilers so you can understand that these reviews are proving difficult.
I will say that if you're just starting out on this story, it's worth sticking through as it shows no signs of weakening.
Some great overall stuff here from both Duffield and Ellis. You can really see Duffield's progression as an artist over these 5 books with some jaw dropping panels and splash pages. Ellis writes a pretty rousing speech from Luke that blows away a lot of his previous scenes.
April 18, 2018
Finally this series is kicking into gear!
February 6, 2017
Well despite the turn for the worse last volume, this one is actually filled with hope. The FAs learn some new information and while it isn't all hugs and kisses afterwards, I'm starting to see where this is headed. But then again it's Warren Ellis...
Read
April 13, 2023Slight spoilers. We learn in this volume that when the Freakangles die or almost die, they come back with upgraded powers (which explains Arkady's teleportation abilities post-overdose). The first twenty or so pages is Luke theorizing about this. It's the most text-heavy part of the series, and while it does drag some, his monologue is necessary for the story. Trippy stuff follows. Yeah, this is Ellis is his abstract writing mode, but it's not hard to follow, and all of it brings the story to an interesting place. I don't know how this is going to wrap in one more volume. I've trusted Ellis and Duffield this far though, so I suppose I shouldn't be worried.
August 27, 2011
A lot of s#!t just got real in this one. I can finally say that I really like where things are going. As in, I'm sure they're going somewhere for more reasons than just, "Oh, but it's Warren Ellis!"
I can also say that thanks to Duffield's incredible panels, I think I love Luke. I mean, he was always interesting, but the head-bleeding speech in the beginning? That was totally my favorite moment, and I swear to god Duffield gets more and more incredible every week.
And in other news: Connor, why are you so amazing?
I can also say that thanks to Duffield's incredible panels, I think I love Luke. I mean, he was always interesting, but the head-bleeding speech in the beginning? That was totally my favorite moment, and I swear to god Duffield gets more and more incredible every week.
And in other news: Connor, why are you so amazing?
April 10, 2015
4.5 or so. Took it to next level with this one. I don't want it to end.
May 30, 2021
(Zero spoiler review) 4.5/5
I'm running out of ways to say how much I love this series. How much it melds suburbia and superhero stories into something wonderful and compelling. How this is, in all likelihood, Ellis at his absolute best. How Paul Duffield's art jumped another notch on this run, with some of the most gorgeously unique panels I've seen in quite some time. I really can't express my gratitude at artist continuity in series. Its series like Freakangels that demonstrate why this is the only way stories should be told. Surely you're not reading a volume 5 review without having read at least some of this series already. It's bloody good, OK. Read it or miss out on something pretty damn special. I'd sell a kidney for an oversized hardcover collection. 4.5/5
OmniBen.
I'm running out of ways to say how much I love this series. How much it melds suburbia and superhero stories into something wonderful and compelling. How this is, in all likelihood, Ellis at his absolute best. How Paul Duffield's art jumped another notch on this run, with some of the most gorgeously unique panels I've seen in quite some time. I really can't express my gratitude at artist continuity in series. Its series like Freakangels that demonstrate why this is the only way stories should be told. Surely you're not reading a volume 5 review without having read at least some of this series already. It's bloody good, OK. Read it or miss out on something pretty damn special. I'd sell a kidney for an oversized hardcover collection. 4.5/5
OmniBen.
September 29, 2017
Penultimo numero per FA. Ovviamente, trattandosi di Ellis, si scopre che i nostri eroi sono poco meno che onnipotenti, di sicuro immortali. La cosa dona alla storia un ritmo più rilassato: non ci sono veri e propri pericoli per chi, una volta ucciso, ritorna in vita dopo poco. Ma una minaccia si avvicina, ancora senza nome. Senza contare che uno di loro, il figliol prodigo Mark, ha una visione del mondo ben diversa dal resto della truppa. I disegni, con questa mescolanza fra stile occidentale e occhioni orientali, e con queste tavole complesse ma sempre leggibilissime, continuano a convincere.
June 22, 2017
Big days for the Freakangels as Warren Ellis's take on the Midwich Cuckoos start to unlock the full potential of their powers. Mark's back and Luke's been shot in the head - he gets better but he doesn't improve as such - and there's something out there circling and trying to get in so the question is can they get their act together in time to avoid being turned into drones by Mark or overwhelmed by the outside force?
May 22, 2022
This is a quite verbose-y entry into the series trying to establish the angels realising how they get to upgrade their powers to a very high level..
Once again, set within a hourly period, we see the events unfold after they learn / suspect a way to upgrade their powers and get on with it...
Comparatively a bit average than the last 4 volumes, especially because of the first tooo verbose-y pages...
Once again, set within a hourly period, we see the events unfold after they learn / suspect a way to upgrade their powers and get on with it...
Comparatively a bit average than the last 4 volumes, especially because of the first tooo verbose-y pages...
Read
November 27, 2025This one slows a bit, but only because it has to cover the gap between what has been and what will be, ultimately setting up the final volume—where I sure hope they figure out utopia. Not a big ask, I think; especially if you can increase your powers through violent means, and maybe that levels the playing field between them to build a better world together...? It's not like they can wreck the world again (I assume).
May 27, 2017
La serie de Ellis continua increíble.
August 10, 2017
i loved the art in the "time zone " or whatever you want to call it. story keeps moving, but I have no idea how Ellis will wrap it up in one more book.
January 2, 2018
5 stars, based solely in the ongoing dickhead joke. because I'm mature. ok, the beginning was pretty great too.
December 9, 2020
El libro más psicodélico de la serie. Me puso a pensar mucho en el tema de la historia y la capacidad de la mente humana.
February 13, 2022
Can they fix up the world next? I doubt it, but could they 🤔?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2012
SPOILERS
This is quite a trippy book in the series: Luke and Mark are both supposed to be dead and yet are alive. Luke begins theorising about how they are immortal and that their powers, “the package”, are revealed more as they have actual death experiences. And there is an unseen presence on its way to Whitechapel that Mark was afraid of and the others have not seen yet.
Fans of Warren Ellis will know he has a tendency to go very abstract in his writing (a la Grant Morrison’s default writing style) and he does so here talking about time moats and upgrades to powers and the deeper meaning of it all. In places he takes the action into some multi-coloured dimension where time and space intersect and we catch glimpses of a future Whitechapel and what the Freakangels become.
The only downside to this book is the amount of exposition needed to get these points across so the book has a largely static pace and muted tone to the previous volumes. It’s necessary for the overall series but not particularly exciting. That said, I still enjoyed the hell out of this book as it further develops the characters I’ve fallen for and shows the potential directions the stories can go in.
I know this is the penultimate book in the series but it seemed from the way Ellis is writing that this is the first phase in a vast story and the Freakangels series could easily go further than 6 slim volumes into even more varied futuristic, steam-punk stories.
If you’re a fan of the series this volume won’t let you down and if you’ve not discovered this series yet but are a fan of Warren Ellis’, give “Freakangels” a go, it’s brilliant fun.
This is quite a trippy book in the series: Luke and Mark are both supposed to be dead and yet are alive. Luke begins theorising about how they are immortal and that their powers, “the package”, are revealed more as they have actual death experiences. And there is an unseen presence on its way to Whitechapel that Mark was afraid of and the others have not seen yet.
Fans of Warren Ellis will know he has a tendency to go very abstract in his writing (a la Grant Morrison’s default writing style) and he does so here talking about time moats and upgrades to powers and the deeper meaning of it all. In places he takes the action into some multi-coloured dimension where time and space intersect and we catch glimpses of a future Whitechapel and what the Freakangels become.
The only downside to this book is the amount of exposition needed to get these points across so the book has a largely static pace and muted tone to the previous volumes. It’s necessary for the overall series but not particularly exciting. That said, I still enjoyed the hell out of this book as it further develops the characters I’ve fallen for and shows the potential directions the stories can go in.
I know this is the penultimate book in the series but it seemed from the way Ellis is writing that this is the first phase in a vast story and the Freakangels series could easily go further than 6 slim volumes into even more varied futuristic, steam-punk stories.
If you’re a fan of the series this volume won’t let you down and if you’ve not discovered this series yet but are a fan of Warren Ellis’, give “Freakangels” a go, it’s brilliant fun.
February 18, 2013
Hach, ein schöner Band. Erst war ich von einigen Dingen ziemlich erschrocken und schockiert, aber am Ende stellte sich ja alles als recht gut und hilfreich heraus und - ja, das mag ich sehr. Irgendwie ist um einiges mehr Ruhe in die Gruppe genommen und die neuen Upgrades machen alle irgendwie glücklicher - und vor allem haben sie gelernt, dass sie gemeinsam so viel erreichen können. Das ist echt toll. Sogar Luke ist wieder recht normal und irgendwie süß, auch wenn er eigentlich die ganze Zeit nur über seine Genitalien spricht :D
Ein Rätsel ist mir aber wirklich noch - wie allen anderen auch - was Mark wohl so viel Angst gemacht hat, dass er zurückgekommen ist. Ich meine, sie alle haben unglaubliche Kräfte und sind im Grunde unsterblich - was soll ihnen da noch etwas anhaben können? Hm. Ich bin wirklich mehr als gespannt ...
Ein Rätsel ist mir aber wirklich noch - wie allen anderen auch - was Mark wohl so viel Angst gemacht hat, dass er zurückgekommen ist. Ich meine, sie alle haben unglaubliche Kräfte und sind im Grunde unsterblich - was soll ihnen da noch etwas anhaben können? Hm. Ich bin wirklich mehr als gespannt ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2012
I swear, reading this comic is some sort of weird, transcendental experience where everything makes sense, and the themes are almost out-of-reach (more on that in the last volume).
In this one, things get really strange, as possible explanations or whatever about the package are explained, and definite answers as to how to improve are given. Which maes everything a very strange Jesus allegory (more on that for the last volume, too). Just excellent.
In this one, things get really strange, as possible explanations or whatever about the package are explained, and definite answers as to how to improve are given. Which maes everything a very strange Jesus allegory (more on that for the last volume, too). Just excellent.
July 8, 2016
This is definitely my favourite volume of this thus far. The art is so much more complex than it once was, very fine tuned and gorgeous *though it always was*. And the story, God the story is just...wonderful. The thought of the whole expanded FreakAngel package is amazing.
I don't want to like Luke, because he's despicable, but there's something there in this volume I just can't explain.
My favourite is still Kirk, and the bit at the end was brilliant.
I don't want to like Luke, because he's despicable, but there's something there in this volume I just can't explain.
My favourite is still Kirk, and the bit at the end was brilliant.
May 22, 2018
***4.5 STARS
Okay this volume is easily my favourite now. Firstly, it was actually laugh-out-loud funny at several points, and secondly I finally got more of Connor and I love him so much. Also, Arkady is lovely and what we've seen of her friendship with Connor is also really great. (Although in this volume I was once again reminded what a ridiculous name 'Freakangels' is when they used it in sentences repeatedly...)
Okay this volume is easily my favourite now. Firstly, it was actually laugh-out-loud funny at several points, and secondly I finally got more of Connor and I love him so much. Also, Arkady is lovely and what we've seen of her friendship with Connor is also really great. (Although in this volume I was once again reminded what a ridiculous name 'Freakangels' is when they used it in sentences repeatedly...)
January 1, 2016
If the past volume was the darkest, this one is the tripy shit ever. God, this is freakangels in acid. So, so psychedelic. I'm just wondering what Ellis took when he wrote this. God, so psych ...
Go and read it !!!
Go and read it !!!
February 18, 2016
I love this series, and it's something I have been wanting to read for some time. This is a webcomics classic, and we discussed it on a recent episode of the podcast: http://comicsalternative.com/webcomic....
November 11, 2016
Дуже добре. Після овердраматизму попередньої частини цей розділ місцями дуже кумедний. Смішні жарти, нові штуки в арті. Цікавий розвиток сюжету. Про сюжет треба сказати, що окремі випуски не самостійні. Так що тут ні початку, ні кінця.
June 7, 2017
This really continues to get better.
August 3, 2011
The Freakangels come to a dysfunction understanding, as they try to make the world better. Great series.
October 7, 2011
nothing happens. I'm bored with this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews