Angel: After the Fall #2 Review

[lady_windermere]

I know I am a bit late, but here is my review of Angel: After The Fall #2



Angel and Wes discuss the events at the end of the first issue, Angel informs Wesley that he has killed Burgue's son the previous night. While Wesley asks to come with Angel as he gets in his car, Angel refuses. Still Angel is unsure how much to trust Wesley, and this adds to his guilt, as he knows that this is yet another consequence of his actions since "Home" and signing the contract(s) to work for Wolfram & Hart. Then his actions in NFA. Great panel with the red tail lights of Angel's car refected in Wesley's glasses.

Angel arrives in Santa Monica, to a very unwelcome reception. Neither Nina or the others sheltering there are pleased to see him. My own thoughts are that they have been informed of Angel's actions in NFA, and that he is responible for the prediciment they are in now. After all if he is saving people and sending them there, should they not be pleased to see him? Unless they blame him for what has happened to LA and the situation they are in now?

Nina confronts Angel, and is very protective of Connor, who Angel wants to see again because he has killed Brugue's son, and of course if Burgue wants to get back at Angel, he will go after Connor. After an uncomfortable exchange with Nina, she tells Angel that the lord of Westwood was killed the previous night, and Connor has gone to deal with the fall out. Angel sets of in his car to Westwood.

Various demons are fighting for control of the area. Have to say that these demons seem some of the most stupid lords of any dimention. I guess they might be from other dimensions, or that the Eye of Ramras somehow gives them power. Connor arrives to save his father, and they have a cordial meeting, Connor only seems to question why it has taken so long for Angel to make contact. Angel was unable to move about for a while, but even afterwards, it is only now that Connor maybe a target that Angel thinks to warn him. Overall the exchange between Angel and Connor is friendly and warm, even to the point of trying to impress each other with fighting skill.

Gwen turns up at this point, but really adds little, except for electricuting a few demons, while Angel sends Connor off to get his dragon, whispering his name in his ear so no-one else can hear. This is after they find the remains of Kh'Ph's hoard. They identify the attackers as vampires, and Angel seems to jump to certain conclusions. More about that later. Now on to the MOST interesting story-line of the issue.

Gunn, vampire Gunn is in deep denial of his state. He has trapped Betta George and is dampening his ablities to read minds. Gunn reacts badly to being called a vampire, and is sure he is still the good guy, fighting the good fight. He is still Gunn, the hunter, but with vampire urges he cannot control, and has a grudge against Angel. Angel seems to be his goal. Gunn argues that, even without a soul, he can be the good guy, that it was the man he was that is still in control, then beats up an innocent captive Betta George. Gunn the humans memories and motivations are still there, but being overtaken by Gunn's vampire urges. Gunn's plight is equally as tragic as Wesley's, he is in hell within his own body.

Angel has gone to Bel Aire to confront Spike is seems. Saying he should've handled this sooner. Which makes me wonder how much he knew about what has been happening outside W&H, and why it has taken him so long to take more action that just scavaging round saving a few humans on a night. Maybe this is what Wesley meant about taking baby steps, in that he has taken until now to take on anything that would make a difference.

Must say, that for a character that always made a major enterence, Spike's enterence is a disappointment. Do not get me wrong, I love Spike, but this one almost seems defeated. Drunk, or perhaps drugged, on Demon Brew, only his verbal attack on Angel seems to draw blood. Physically he seems weak. He does call Angel down on his actions in NFA, but he doesn't fight. Spike was always a fighter, always. Now he has an air of dispondency about him, which I am not a fan of, while Spider is his defender. Illyria arrives and picks Angel up like some weak kitten, and then claims Spike is her pet. Just not something I am kean on, even as a spoiled pet, I an going to wait and see what is going on, and why Spike is hiding behinds the (lack of) skirts of two females, but not fighting his own battles. This is not my Spike.

I hold on to the comment Brian made that he wouldn't tell a bad Spike story, and hope he can turn this round.

I liked the story, it is just what has happened to Spike that is not satisfactory to me.....overall, I loved the Gunn story line, Angel's inner turmoil, feel for poor Gunn and Wesley, the ending with, what looks like a confrontation between Illyria and Angel (maybe the dragon as well), but the introduction of Spike, a minus. I really do not mind the artwork, and the new colourist has done very well. Just this introduction to Spike in a minus for me. But it is a BIG minus.
still like it better than Season 8 Buffy

Comments

[zoesmith.livejournal.com]

I so adore Gunn's storyline, it's very intriguing! I hate what has happened to Wes but I think that Gunn's situation is worse. Poor Gunn...

Spike... there's sth very wrong about him and judging by the situation Gunn and Wes are in I'm guessing he's in a very very bad place too. You're right, Spike is a fighter, what if he can't fight anymore, maybe he's weakened somehow. I can't wait to find out more. I have faith there's a good explanation.

What I'm also very interested in finding out is if Angel knows about Gunn and who sired Gunn. And also, if Angel will do sth to help Spike.

*huggles*

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Yes, the Guun storyline is very interesting. Is this setting him up to be the big bad of the season. He is so conflected.

Yes, I can see Spike being in a bad situation, they all are. Just I hate that he is not fighting, he has always been a fighter. I feel that Slave/Pet Spike stories are fanfic, and do not want them in something with a hint of canon. I would totally dismiss them if that was the case, and they would just be a story after that.

Not sure that Angel knows about Gunn, that might be what he means that when Angel finds out, Angel dies?

*huggles*

[shinodabear.livejournal.com]

I am LOVING Gunn's story. Wes', too. They're very similar. I do agree with you that Spike felt, somehow, off. My favorite Spike part, really, was the cover (gorgeous). I think he's just . . . cocky. Enjoying the moment? I don't know. I was kinda irked with Illyria still calling him her pet. I woulda thought he'd've proven himself worthy or whatever, but hey. Love Illyria. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Yes, Gunn and Wes seem to have lost everything, so maybe Spike has as well. They all seem to have paid a terrible price for the stand they made. Angel does have to pay for it, it was after all his plan. His allies have really been hurt by his actions.

Still not sure about what is happening with Spike, and the Pet comment did not sit well with me. Yes Illyria still seems strong, but I think she might've paid as well. Not sure, but a lord of the smallest area?

[shinodabear.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see what they do with it. I love the . . . strangeness of it all.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

I am enjoying the majority of the story, and really want to see what happens with Gunn. I am sure Brian will turn Spike's story round!

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Great point about Connor telling people in his shelter about NFA and why they are in Hell. Why wouldn't he? He has noe reason to hide it.
As for those people hostility towards Angel: not all of them were saved by him, maybe. And they seem to be generally hostile to any stranger, until proven otherwise.

As for baby steps Angel is now taking: I agree with this view too. That he needs to make a difference, that saving a few humans isn't enough, doesn't cut it with the magnitude of the disaster. Maybe he was so burned up on grand schemes, on making a difference on the global scale, that he was hiding behind the small stuff, scared of the big picture stuff. That would be an interesting reversal of his Angel-5 problem.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Thank You, yes the people (and demons) at the shelter are a bit suspicious of new-comers, but they did seem even more so of Angel. They had weapons this time unlike last time.

I do think this is the start of a turn-round for Angel, and he is ready to take on a major fight again. Maybe before he was unsure of himself?

Hope you have all the goodness of the season, in case we do not speak again.

[elisi]

This is not my Spike.
You know, I think that's the point. Lots more interesting thoughts in this post btw.

Unlike s8, where people being wildly OOC is something we're just supposed to accept (or be prepared to wait for 2 years before an explanation), here I think it's done deliberately to show just how bad things are for Spike!

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Maybe it is that others have had such wonderful enterences, but Spike's was such a disappointment that is getting to me. I know we kind of had the cover as a spoiler for the reveal, but still think it could've been better.

Will have a look at the post, thank you!

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Maybe it is that others have had such wonderful enterences, but Spike's was such a disappointment that is getting to me.
Yes, I get you pain. Spike looks the worst of them all, because with Gunn and Wes we clearly see that they are under something beyond their control. While Spike doesn't have that going for him - yet. There only two things which were more or less going for him here is launching at Angel for causing the end-of-days and Illyria playing on his side. I don't think "pet" is meant literally here, judging by their Angel-5 interactions. Unless something indeed is horribly wrong with both of them.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

I think there will be something wrong with both Spike and Illyria. They did both help to take down the Black Thorn, and were with Angel in the Alley at the end of NFA. I suspect something has happened to them. The SP and Illyria were not fond of each other, so they are sure to have done something to her as well.

*sigh* another month to go before we get any more answers. It is so long to wait!

[shapinglight]

Gunn's plight is equally as tragic as Wesley's, he is in hell within his own body.

This is a terrific insight. Wonderful

I agree about Spike, though I don't mind the 'pet' comment. Am not averse to a good slave fic - having said which, I'm pretty sure that isn't what this is going to be.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Thank You, yes Wes and Gunn are in a bad way.

I am not so keen on slave fic, so wouldn't be pleased if they went down that road with Spike at all. It is something I think should be left for fanfic, not something quasi-canon. I would dismiss it as canon if they did.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

I loved your review, thanks for posting it.

Just this introduction to Spike in a minus for me. But it is a BIG minus.

I hope it's a mislead and Spike is either stuck there unable to act or he has a plan... *le sigh* Brian loves misleads. I wonder if he realises how frustrating they are.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Thank You, I am glad you liked the review!

Yes, it could be a mislead. I am sure Brian will have something up his sleeve. Only thing is, now we have to wait a month to find out :-(.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Better late than never! *g*

You guys are doing such wonderful reviews! I love them all.

I'm liking it way better than season 8 of Btvs too.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Thank You *hugs* Yes After the Fall is so much better than Season 8 to me. Really looking forward to issue 3 now, want more answers.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

*nods* Me, too. Not being a reader of comics, I'm finding it excrusiating waiting each month but it's so worth it. I love that Angel's back and I love the story Brian's telling. I'm liking the different color of this issue, even though I hadn't had an issue with the darkness of first one. (I didn't realize a lighter tone would make such a difference but Lord, it did). The only thing I seem to dislike is the boob sizes LOL.

About Spike:I'm not at all disappointed with the way he was introduced. I often found, on both Btvs and Ats, that things with Spike were not always what they appeared to be. I'm looking forward to seeing what's under the surface of what they have shown in this issue-I have no doubts that Brian will do Spike justice.

As for Angel, well, he's reaping what he has sewn. And he's always been a 'do what I say, not what I do' character anyway. We'll see.

Last but by no means least, I freaking love the Gunn storyline and Illyria's entrance.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Oh the Gunn story line is awsome, truely.

Illyria did have a great enterence, and I think that is what gets me with Spike. I know we were spoiled by the cover as to Spike's enterence, but it just didn't seem to have the impact of the others. When Spike always in the past make such wonderful enterences.

I am sure Brian will tell a good Spike story, it is only that he seems so weak here, and I didn't like the Pet comment.

I love that Angel is back as well, and started reading comics again when IDW started bringing out Spike ones, so I was back in the saddle before this series came out. The new colourist has helped, and the text is a bit easier to read this time as well.

I don't really notice the boob sizes myself. Unsure why everyone goes on about them at all, when there is so much else going on.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

I know it must seem weak to most but it didn't to me. I mean, yeah, when I first read the issue, I was all huh? what? that's so not like Spike but then I read it again, went back and looked at the first issue.

So far, we've seen Angel bounce back from whatever was holding him back from being...well, *Angel*. Gunn is different but at first, he seemed to be himself, when he really isn't. And we have a Spike that appears weak but then Angel shows up and we see that he isn't-at least verbally. He's still the teller of truth, which was always one of his greatest strengths. (I'm excluding Wesley because I'm not sure what to make of him yet.)

None of them are how they should be-how we remember them-at first. Perhaps the same could be said for Nina and Gwen?

In any case, Spike's entry was interesting, to say the least. I think it showed more than anything else that they are each in some sort of personal hell.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Yes, and the comment that Angel reeks of magic, while Spike says that he does a well, with the demon brew, could be what is keeping him physically weak. Revisiting his chipped days, and is now defeanded by females. I am sure that is a hell for him.

First impressions can be so deceptive in this comic, so maybe a big reveal later as to what is wrong with Spike coming up!