Ethros
Novice Witch
I beat the bad guys[Mo0:0]
Posts: 291
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Post by Ethros on Apr 21, 2009 11:31:44 GMT -5
After looking at the preview pages I can safely say that's it I will not be buying this series anymore. Like Henz said, the artisit has zero grasp of the show or the characters, and I would add the writer as well. That is not Angel, that is not Kate. That doesn't look at all Angel, that doesn't look at all like Kate. Angel wouldn't dress like that, kate wouldn't dress like that, etc etc
I had my misigvings about Aftermath the very first time I saw those crummy looking covers, and the first two issues of it did nothing to apease those feelings.
I won't be wasting my money on 20, 21 or 22, and I doubt I'd even want to buy the TPB either. The upcoming Gunn & Dru issues sound interesting so I'll just sit back and wait for them instead. And I hope IDW have something actually good planned for after that, and not more trash like this
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Post by Wyndam on Apr 22, 2009 20:07:39 GMT -5
All things said and done, this issue wasn't half bad. Don't get me wrong, the series still isn't at the level of quality that it should be, but at least the arc's main story was moved forward.
The biggest story element of this issue was the introduction of the Potentate's, or warrior angel's that were sent to L.A. on some sort of mission by the Power's That Be. The concept is decent enough. I didn't like how Kelley tried to shoehorn them into being involved with After the Fall, given that we were told the PTB's had very little influence while L.A. was in Hell, so it is hard to believe that they were able to send these Potentate's in the first place. That was my only major gripe, story wise.
At the end of the issue the "Suits" lead Angel to believe that James (the Potentate Angel rescues at the hospital) may not be telling the truth about Cordy's message for Angel or the Potentate's true mission, so I am interested in seeing who is really good here and on Angel's side.
The best part of this issue was watching Gwen doing some pretty good detective work. Tracking down Dez and subduing her with Kate was an awesome scene, and her dialogue was good as well.
All in all, I didn't see any major issues with characterization in this issue. Everyone more or less sounded like themselves, and the actual dialogue decent enough. Nothing spectacular though. Art hasn't changed any, so I doubt those that hate it will find much to like here. Ross did handle the Gwen/Kate/Dez encounter nicely, as well as the Angel and James fight with the slew of demon's outside the hospital.
Dez's backstory continues to stay interesting, but I am glad it wasn't the entire issue's focus, like #19. Right now I like that we don't know who is being truthful with Angel. The "Suits" or James? Keeps the story interesting enough at least.
While this issue wasn't a huge improvement over the last two, it was definitely better. I love Rodriguez's Kate cover as well. Really nice work.
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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 Apr 22, 2009 23:15:37 GMT -5
Hey guys. I posted my review. First one on time in a while, and I'm thinking I'll make it a trend! buffyversecomics.blogspot.com/2009/04/armstrong-takes-step-in-right-direction.html It's... cautiously positive, though I don't shy away from being really critical about the stuff that takes away from the issue. It's a really mixed bag, this arc, but at least the things that need improvement are clear and fixable. I hope it happens in the next two issues. But hey, if not, #23 comes out in July and features the return of you know who.
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Post by Emmie on Apr 22, 2009 23:47:49 GMT -5
I miss Lynch.
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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 Apr 23, 2009 0:16:35 GMT -5
I had a bit of a read of it in the comic book shop today... I didn't think it was that bad, I am liking the 'higher being/ Angel' storyline so far.
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Post by AndrewCrossett on Apr 23, 2009 8:37:12 GMT -5
This was the best issue of the three so far story-wise. I'm still not jumping for joy, but I'll continue reading.
James's story about the Potentates and their attempt to intervene in the battle of Hell-A doesn't seem to square with what Cordy told Angel in AtF, but it's possible that James is lying or that Cordy didn't know. As we've seen, the Powers aren't the most efficient communicators in the universe.
Dez's backstory is interesting, although she seems a bit shoehorned into the story. I think Kelley Armstrong just loves to write about werecreatures, and Nina already had a backstory. But Dez is interesting (and sexy) enough that I don't mind.
Still not buying Gwen's sudden need to please Connor at all costs. That's just not her. I can picture her finally being sick of loneliness and trying hard to make friends, but the change in personality has been too sudden and complete.
Kate was a bit more in character in this issue. Connor still looks stoned every time we see him. The two Oracles (or whatever) are mildly interesting, but isn't Angel still technically under contract to W&H?
I'm not sure whose ass Kate is kicking on the cover, but it's a good image. Probably my favorite cover of the series.
This still has time to turn into a pretty good story if the ending is handled right.
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Malsad
Descendant of a Toaster Oven
Attack Attack!
[Mo0:37]
Posts: 684
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Post by Malsad on Apr 23, 2009 14:59:54 GMT -5
as i predicted before the series would pick up around issue 20
and since W&H are gone the contracts might be null and void, maybe
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Post by hitnrun017 on Apr 24, 2009 17:01:55 GMT -5
Wow, I'm actually surprised by the lack of discussion.
I have to admit I was surprised. Out of all three issues, this one is easily the best and there was actually a certain level of enjoyment I got out of it, something that didn't happen with the last two. It still has its fair share of problems, but it wasn't terrible.
Gwen got some great stuff this issue, and that's really what I enjoyed the most about this issue, doing some great thief-like stuff and using her abilities, classic Gwen. And something just occurred to me while typing that, why the hell is she still all electrical?! That is a pretty major plot hole. Anyways, everything with her was pretty good until the "prove myself to Connor" part.... ugh, enough of that please. Kate, while still acting anti-Kate, managed to have some good stuff in this issue too. I had a problem with the whole "stop trying to act like a cop" part because she started doing that way back in Season 1, that was sort of a major part of her story so that barely made sense.
The story really moved forward this issue, and it was pretty interesting. I like that Angel and us don't know who to trust or who is telling the truth. Still don't understand what Dez has to do with any of this, seems like she was just thrown in there because Armstrong likes were-characters, and honestly that's sort of annoying. Hopefully Gwen can get answers out of her that relate to the overall story. Her flashbacks just made me mad and not want to care, it's bad news when the only character that's being developed, and makes sense, is not a character from the show. The art still doesn't work for Angel, the characters still look nasty and bloated.
Meh, I'm going to get the next two issues, but I want Lynch back now.
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Paul
Ensouled Vampire
[Mo0:34]
Posts: 1,173
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Post by Paul on Apr 24, 2009 19:16:38 GMT -5
I've decided to stop buying this series. I'll pick up the HC when it comes out, but there's no sense in buying the issues when I don't even care about the story, it's a waste of money.
I flicked through #20 in the shop... didn't really catch my interest.
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Post by AndrewCrossett on Apr 24, 2009 21:58:49 GMT -5
I've decided to stop buying this series. I'll pick up the HC when it comes out, but there's no sense in buying the issues when I don't even care about the story, it's a waste of money. Why will you buy the hardcover if you don't like the story?
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Post by hitnrun017 on Apr 24, 2009 22:33:51 GMT -5
I know I'll get the HC somewhere down the line just for collection purposes. I'm sure it will have a big "5" right on the spine. Without it, the collection will look nasty and incomplete. That's kind of annoying, actually.
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Paul
Ensouled Vampire
[Mo0:34]
Posts: 1,173
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Post by Paul on Apr 25, 2009 0:03:11 GMT -5
I've decided to stop buying this series. I'll pick up the HC when it comes out, but there's no sense in buying the issues when I don't even care about the story, it's a waste of money. Why will you buy the hardcover if you don't like the story? I don't hate the story, it's just not interesting enough for me to buy the issues (the only series I do that for are Buffy and Angel). I still want to own it in some form, so it might as well be the sexy hardcover collection. Not sure if I'll keep it on my shelf next to After the Fall though... it might be going under the bed with the rest of the non-canon stuff. :unsure:
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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 Apr 25, 2009 4:30:00 GMT -5
Can anyone post Jame's quote about Cordy's message to Angel?
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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 Apr 25, 2009 10:25:09 GMT -5
JAMES: Cordy is still in love with you bro. She's trying to get down to Earth, but it's been really hard. She just wants to be with you. Ain't that what's up?
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Paul
Ensouled Vampire
[Mo0:34]
Posts: 1,173
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Post by Paul on Apr 25, 2009 15:42:05 GMT -5
JAMES: Cordy is still in love with you bro. She's trying to get down to Earth, but it's been really hard. She just wants to be with you. Ain't that what's up? Urgh, that sounds completely out of character compared to Cordelia's mature acceptance of her death in "You're Welcome". "Don't make it hard, Angel. I'm just on a different road... and this is my off-ramp." Now she's trying to get back to Earth? WTF? This James guy must be lying.
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Post by Wyndam on Apr 25, 2009 15:45:05 GMT -5
Hehe Pat, stop fibbing.
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Paul
Ensouled Vampire
[Mo0:34]
Posts: 1,173
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Post by Paul on Apr 25, 2009 16:27:53 GMT -5
Oh right, was that just a joke? Duh... But hey, you never know with Aftermath.
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Malsad
Descendant of a Toaster Oven
Attack Attack!
[Mo0:37]
Posts: 684
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Post by Malsad on Apr 25, 2009 18:29:06 GMT -5
And something just occurred to me while typing that, why the hell is she still all electrical?! That is a pretty major plot hole. Maybe the chip just helps her control her powers and she has to concentrate to use them. Damn, I'm having to try hard to have this make sense.
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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 Apr 25, 2009 22:26:32 GMT -5
That would be so Fu*ken shit if it was true.... can anyone really post?
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Post by hitnrun017 on Apr 25, 2009 23:25:33 GMT -5
That would be so Fu*ken shit if it was true.... can anyone really post? We didn't find out what the message is, we don't even know if there really is one. And woah, didn't even notice the flashback art was different until reading Pat's review. I didn't notice any difference.
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