Paul
Ensouled Vampire
[Mo0:34]
Posts: 1,173
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Post by Paul on Dec 28, 2009 0:23:11 GMT -5
As far this: I don't really get that. It is the latter. The titles aren't even on the actual book, so it makes it easier. The title is "Angel." The issues have their individual or arc titles, the same way Buffy does. It's the exact same thing, only without the "season" subtitle. Hmm, you make a good point about the titles not being on the book, but I've still seen it written as Angel: Whatever in most sources. I think IDW have generally ballsed up the titles for this series, as many news sites aren't even sure what it's called anymore. I've seen previews listed as Angel: Aftermath #28, when there's no such book.
I just realised, with all my insane whining about titles, I haven't actually posted my thoughts on the issue. I read it on Christmas Eve, and I'm actually quite excited about the new direction. A big sticking point for many people seems to be the team roster. This is a pretty huge A.I. team we've got (9 members, including Angel) and some would rather it was whittled down. I'm quite happy with how it is. Angel Investigations is quite similar to the current X-Men now, in that there's no close-knit team with a set roster. Instead, we've got a large, fluid cast coming and going as needed (Gwen, Nina, and Groo are presumably still in circulation as well). This has worked in some X-Men books but not others. The trick seems to be keeping everyone in rotation, not trying to deal with everyone at once, and not being afraid to focus on the less popular characters. Writing Angel out and letting Connor take charge seems like a great way to keep the team dynamic interesting. As for the actual writing, it's not perfect. The Connor recap was a waste of panels, anyone reading this title will already know all that. The Hyperion scene was a little hit and miss; some awkward dialogue for Kate ("girls tend to make themselves known to him with disgusting regularity") and Connor ("We should talk about the nature of the help I received"). I also didn't care for all the comments about Angel and his girls... Angel hasn't had that many girlfriends, and the joke went on too long. However, Spike's anecdote about the cub scouts was funny, as was James' inadvertant sexism. I really like James, I think he has comedy potential as the Anya-style social outcast. He could clash with Groo though, who also fills that role. In any case, he's probably the character I'm most interested in. Finally, the art. I don't like it. It's not as bad as the Aftermath art, but it's not great. The actor likenesses are good, but it's incredibly static and lifeless. When you have long scenes of people standing around talking, it's up to the artist to make that visually interesting. Even if it's something minor like Buffy eating noodles in "Time of Your Life"... the characters need to act. Instead, Denham gives us 6 pages of frozen talking heads, some of which don't have backgrounds. It's incredibly boring. The characters look pretty, but Denham needs to work on his panel layout if he wants to keep our attention. The rain-soaked action scenes were a lot better. I want to know why IDW has David Messina drawing episode adaptations, spin-offs, and back-up strips when he should be on the main title. He's the talent that this book desperately needs. So, overal... 7/10. Not brilliant, but it has my interest.
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Post by Emmie on Dec 28, 2009 1:03:59 GMT -5
I want to know why IDW has David Messina drawing episode adaptations, spin-offs, and back-up strips when he should be on the main title. He's the talent that this book desperately needs. Yes, I've been wondering this for a long time. Why are the more talented artists being used for the episode adaptations (which I don't even want - some do, but it shouldn't be detracting from the main title's quality imo) when their talent is needed for the actual ongoing story? This seriously bothers me about IDW's run with their art. Who's doing the art for the Spike title? Is Lynch paired up with Franco again? At least that will promise to be a good match - even better if Fabio Mantovani is back for the coloring. That team of writing and artists is made of win.
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patxshand
Ensouled Vampire
Writer/director/Amy Acker's husband.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,918
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Post by patxshand on Dec 28, 2009 2:11:03 GMT -5
Emmie, yeah I'm pretty sure SPIKE is Brian/Franco. Which is kickass.
I think that Denham is really good, though. He just needs to get more comfortable with the likenesses, so he can match the action with their faces. Like, he seems to be super comfortable with Connor, which is why the opening scene had such great movement. He tried a bit too hard to nail the likenesses of the other characters at the Hyperion, so he definitely needs to work on his conversation pieces.
EDIT:
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Billie Erin
Ensouled Vampire
"I go back to December"
"I picked up a hitchhiker. You've got to when you hit them."[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,536
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Post by Billie Erin on Jan 3, 2010 13:57:39 GMT -5
It is confusing about the titles . . . I've just been calling them Angel Aftermath #28 etc. Is that wrong? They really should make it clearer by having it on the comics
I actually really liked this issue, I think the dialogue at the Hyperion was the best beacsue it was just so funny- "they say they want to hear about my trip to Vegas . . ."
I found the Connor recap a waste of pages hoenstly; just a re-telling of the story so far, and I'm not sure I like the idea of his "army" mainly because I personally don't like how powerful all the characters are getting. I think the great thing about After the Fall was that all the characters were stripped of their power and this allowed us a real insight into their basic morals and personality traits. I admit I did really enjoy the comic element of the "Angel's famous" twist but I think this is maybe just a step too far.
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Hellbound Hyperion
Bad Ass Wicca
$20 per soul, no refunds[/B]
Dude, you just rescued a puppy![Mo0:18]
Posts: 2,268
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Post by Hellbound Hyperion on Jan 3, 2010 16:57:01 GMT -5
Technically, Aftermath is Angel #18 thru Angel #22. That, by the way, is the easiest way to refer to issues of ANGEL - Angel #xx where xx is the number of the issue. We can figure out arc titles after the fact.
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Billie Erin
Ensouled Vampire
"I go back to December"
"I picked up a hitchhiker. You've got to when you hit them."[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,536
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Post by Billie Erin on Jan 4, 2010 10:34:45 GMT -5
Thanks
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Post by angeliclestat on Jan 8, 2010 10:37:04 GMT -5
I re read it last night. Found something funny. If you look close on the page where Connor is in the cab...in the background there is a small van whose logo is slightly obscured by a speech bubble. But it is the logo for the Magic Bullet Bookstore featured back in Season 4's Jasmine arc:)
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BenTaylor3907
Wise-cracking Sidekick
Illyria's Qwa'ha Xahn
~ Listening To Fear ~[Mo0:25]
Posts: 2,958
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Post by BenTaylor3907 on Jan 9, 2010 14:03:50 GMT -5
So I read this issue a while back but just forgot to post my review. I liked it. I knew I would though. lol. So those demons Connor went up against are more powerful that an ubervamp? Sounds a little lame but whatever. Wasn't a fan of Armstrong's character in here but I guess we can't let them go to waste. I wasn't too fond of Illyria's dialog either but I just took it with a grain of salt. Is anyone else hot for those army chicks like I am? lol. I wonder why Angel is getting a blood transfusion and why he was to be covered up to do so. And whats up with Connor having all those muscles? The interior art was beautiful. Out of everything, I'll give this issue 8/10 stars. Can't wait to see whats ahead.
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Hellbound Hyperion
Bad Ass Wicca
$20 per soul, no refunds[/B]
Dude, you just rescued a puppy![Mo0:18]
Posts: 2,268
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Post by Hellbound Hyperion on Jan 9, 2010 19:48:23 GMT -5
He's getting prepped to become a mass vampire-making machine. The blood transfusion setup is probably so he can take in tons of peoples' blood all at once, which makes his job as the sire much easier. Just one bite and you're on your way to immortality!
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patxshand
Ensouled Vampire
Writer/director/Amy Acker's husband.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,918
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Post by patxshand on Jan 9, 2010 20:00:47 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure they're draining him of his blood and using that to sire people, and then pumping him full of human blood so he can feed.
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Hallow Thorn
Bad Ass Wicca
Oh and You're Welcome
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,306
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Post by Hallow Thorn on Jan 9, 2010 20:02:13 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure they're draining him of his blood and using that to sire people, and then pumping him full of human blood so he can feed. Why not just get a random Vamp for that? why Angel?
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Post by Wyndam on Jan 10, 2010 1:39:42 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure they're draining him of his blood and using that to sire people, and then pumping him full of human blood so he can feed. Why not just get a random Vamp for that? why Angel? Probably because of his soul and/or celebrity status. "I WAZ SIRED BY ANGEL! I'M SO L33T!"
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patxshand
Ensouled Vampire
Writer/director/Amy Acker's husband.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,918
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Post by patxshand on Jan 10, 2010 2:22:12 GMT -5
Haha, that. And also, he has a soul. That makes things different. Didn't Willingham, in the Buffyfest interview, essentially admit his arc is going to explore that?
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Hallow Thorn
Bad Ass Wicca
Oh and You're Welcome
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,306
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Post by Hallow Thorn on Jan 10, 2010 6:09:40 GMT -5
Haha, that. And also, he has a soul. That makes things different. Didn't Willingham, in the Buffyfest interview, essentially admit his arc is going to explore that? Like Sam Lawson from Season 5.
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Malsad
Descendant of a Toaster Oven
Attack Attack!
[Mo0:37]
Posts: 684
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Post by Malsad on Jan 10, 2010 16:03:36 GMT -5
yeah, he considered that angles soul might have had an effect on his vampireism
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Post by Skytteflickan88 on Jan 12, 2010 22:50:39 GMT -5
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Hallow Thorn
Bad Ass Wicca
Oh and You're Welcome
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,306
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Post by Hallow Thorn on Jan 12, 2010 22:57:46 GMT -5
I saw one at my comic book store, if it's still there and really rare I will pick it up.
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gelious
Innocent Bystander
Fear denies faith.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 26
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Post by gelious on Jan 20, 2010 13:00:18 GMT -5
While reading this issue I was a bit confused. At one moment Angel says that he is bored. At second (and on the next page) someone speaks about a man from the list and a bar. I mean - it wasn't Angel's speech, was it?Was it a speech of that mysterious killer?
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Post by Wyndam on Jan 20, 2010 13:08:40 GMT -5
The scene after the final scene from Angel is a secondary story that will be told in conjunction with the main story. It is plotted by Bill Willingham and Bill Williams and features Eddie Hope, who is on a mission to kill people that did terrible things in Hell-A. Every issue will have 20+ pages devoted to Angel's story and then 4-5 pages will feature Eddie's story at the end. The two stories aren't connected (yet).
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gelious
Innocent Bystander
Fear denies faith.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 26
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Post by gelious on Jan 20, 2010 13:22:04 GMT -5
The scene after the final scene from Angel is a secondary story that will be told in conjunction with the main story. It is plotted by Bill Willingham and Bill Williams and features Eddie Hope, who is on a mission to kill people that did terrible things in Hell-A. Every issue will have 20+ pages devoted to Angel's story and then 4-5 pages will feature Eddie's story at the end. The two stories aren't connected (yet). Wow. Thanks. When I was reading the comics, I decided that Eddie's story was a part of the story how Angel was captured and imprisoned. ;D
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