Post by Wyndam on Dec 17, 2008 16:42:14 GMT -5
This issue was quite possibly the best Buffyverse comic I've ever read, and easily the best issue we've had so far in Angel: After the Fall.
I'll start with the art: Franco is back and with a vengeance! The art in this issue was amazing, and Fabio's colors were really well done as well. Urru really raised the bar with his art in Spike: After the Fall, and he really delivered the goods in the issue. Those last 4-5 pages in particular are just stunning. From Illyria getting bombarded with Wesley and Spike's memories of Fred, to Angel holding his son, just impressive stuff all the way through.
Now for the issue: Another emotional roller coaster. It was unclear what happened to Groo when I was reading the preview, but I think it is safe to say that he is dead (unless the panel of Illyria chomping down on Cordelia (the flying steed), with blood spraying in every direction as the flaming sword drops to the ground is lying...).
A very quick death for Groo, and while sad, was hardly the emotional pull of this issue. Illyria out and ready to end existence was a really interesting turn for the character, and I really enjoyed the dialogue between Angel and Wes, and later Spike about how to stop it. They realize that Fred is not in there, but they also consider Illyria a friend and I am sure the thought of trying to kill her was difficult to stomach. It was necessary though.
Despite Illyria showing Angel his future, he still continues with his plan, which just continues to prove what a great character Angel is. No matter how dire a situation gets, no matter how many people are getting killed around him, he will never give up, no matter what the future holds for him.
This also relates to the next sequence, where Gunn strikes down Connor. This was easily the most surprising moment of the series for me, and one that I just cannot stop thinking about. Gunn mortally wounds Connor. It was so heartbreaking to watch Angel beat Gunn down and then decide not to kill him. Angel has an epiphany of sorts and realizes that if he kills Gunn and Illyria, without trying to make things right first, that he would become exactly what Wolfram and Hart wanted him to be. A soulless demon that ushers in the Apocalypse.
By not killing Gunn, Angel is able to develop a plan that doesn't involve killing Illyria either, and that worked for me. Season 3, 4 or 5 Angel would have just killed Gunn and gone after Illyria next, but I think at this point, Angel is tired and sick of all of his friends dying around him. Coming up with a unique way to subdue Illyria was a great development for Angel's character, and another reason why I love this series so much.
So, Connor was stabbed by Gunn. Stabbed with the flaming sword, no less. After Illyria goes down, the final panels of Angel and Connor were so emotional. I teared up during the Illyria/Wes panels in #9, and I teared up here as well. I can't even imagine how Angel is going to be able to go on without Connor. I just can't. Angel has fought for so long to make things right with Connor, and now his son has been taken away.
Connor died a hero though, but this was still a devastatingly emotional end for him. Poor, poor Angel. He has lost nearly everyone he has cared for at this point (Doyle, Cordelia, Fred, Wesley, Gunn, and now Connor).
Only two issues left, I can't wait to see what happens next.
I'll start with the art: Franco is back and with a vengeance! The art in this issue was amazing, and Fabio's colors were really well done as well. Urru really raised the bar with his art in Spike: After the Fall, and he really delivered the goods in the issue. Those last 4-5 pages in particular are just stunning. From Illyria getting bombarded with Wesley and Spike's memories of Fred, to Angel holding his son, just impressive stuff all the way through.
Now for the issue: Another emotional roller coaster. It was unclear what happened to Groo when I was reading the preview, but I think it is safe to say that he is dead (unless the panel of Illyria chomping down on Cordelia (the flying steed), with blood spraying in every direction as the flaming sword drops to the ground is lying...).
A very quick death for Groo, and while sad, was hardly the emotional pull of this issue. Illyria out and ready to end existence was a really interesting turn for the character, and I really enjoyed the dialogue between Angel and Wes, and later Spike about how to stop it. They realize that Fred is not in there, but they also consider Illyria a friend and I am sure the thought of trying to kill her was difficult to stomach. It was necessary though.
Despite Illyria showing Angel his future, he still continues with his plan, which just continues to prove what a great character Angel is. No matter how dire a situation gets, no matter how many people are getting killed around him, he will never give up, no matter what the future holds for him.
This also relates to the next sequence, where Gunn strikes down Connor. This was easily the most surprising moment of the series for me, and one that I just cannot stop thinking about. Gunn mortally wounds Connor. It was so heartbreaking to watch Angel beat Gunn down and then decide not to kill him. Angel has an epiphany of sorts and realizes that if he kills Gunn and Illyria, without trying to make things right first, that he would become exactly what Wolfram and Hart wanted him to be. A soulless demon that ushers in the Apocalypse.
By not killing Gunn, Angel is able to develop a plan that doesn't involve killing Illyria either, and that worked for me. Season 3, 4 or 5 Angel would have just killed Gunn and gone after Illyria next, but I think at this point, Angel is tired and sick of all of his friends dying around him. Coming up with a unique way to subdue Illyria was a great development for Angel's character, and another reason why I love this series so much.
So, Connor was stabbed by Gunn. Stabbed with the flaming sword, no less. After Illyria goes down, the final panels of Angel and Connor were so emotional. I teared up during the Illyria/Wes panels in #9, and I teared up here as well. I can't even imagine how Angel is going to be able to go on without Connor. I just can't. Angel has fought for so long to make things right with Connor, and now his son has been taken away.
Connor died a hero though, but this was still a devastatingly emotional end for him. Poor, poor Angel. He has lost nearly everyone he has cared for at this point (Doyle, Cordelia, Fred, Wesley, Gunn, and now Connor).
Only two issues left, I can't wait to see what happens next.
) I am really upset that they are killing everybody off...why? Wow the comics/ show is so deep and Dark, lets kill everyone... try killing off some people in 'Buffy' 
and leave 'Angel'!!! 
.... *Bitch, over* 
