Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Victor Gischler
Artist: Will Conrad
Cover artist: Scott Fischer
Colourist: Michelle Madsen
Release date: May 6, 2015
Price: $3.50

Vampires and demons and gods, oh, my! A real heady mix of iconic comic book and television favourites. So, fans of Joss Whedon’s Buffy and Angel television programs should be pleased Dark Horse has maintained the series’ quality, and the excellence continues here.

Like its companion Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Angel and Faith comic has had a run of consistently beautiful covers. by Scott Fischer. If he’s not considered one of Dark Horse’s stellar stars he should be. The interior artwork is attractive as well, beautifully drafted and detailed, the constantly shifting camera angles propelling the story forward with an ease and grace not normally associated with the genre.

Writer obviously Gischler understands the series. Characterisations are faithful to the source material at every turn. Angel acts like he’s supposed to, as does Fred, Illyria and Faith. For this season the action takes place in Magic Town as demon Eldre Koh tracks Illyria down to extract revenge.

When the Angel TV series ended we were told that Freddie’s dead (that’s what I said), her body being taken over by Illyria. But the comic has given her the Marvel treatment and she’s baaaack (because you demanded it, oh true believer). And now they’re fighting each other in another dimension for supremacy. The only criticism, it’s a little like the Hulk vs. Bruce Banner, and Gischler hasn’t done anything new with the situation. Maybe he should ask Peter David for help (Illyria as “Miss Fixit”? Can she turn grey? Puny Fred.)

As an Illyria-centered episode the word of the day is purple (and today’s number is 14), and from the cover to through the pages colorist Madsen bathes everything in it.

Whedon fans won’t find much to complain of here; the converted are duly preached to; agnostics might struggle.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker