ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL – Issue #1
IDW Publishing
Written by Brian Lynch Art by Franco Urru
It’s finally here. After a few hit or miss specials and limited series featuring our beloved vampire with a soul and a few of Spike, IDW Publishing lights up the fireplace and gives Angel fans what they truly want: A continuation from the anti-climatic ending of Season 5. “Let’s go to work” appears to be the mantra for writer, Brian Lynch, because in my opinion, the dude totally spazzed out with a blessing from king Joss Whedon himself to pick up where Season 5 left off. I don’t blame him either as I would have done the same. Right away, we get to see Angel and the Buffy Dragon fight the hordes of demons unleashed from Wolfram and Hart… but then Angel heads back to evil law firm to meet up with Wesley. Say what??? Yeah, I actually popped in the Season 5 DVD “Not Fade Away” after I saw that, just to make sure I wasn’t high off the two cans of Lysol sprayed in the bathroom ten minutes before picking up this book. No, Wesley is alive, and that’s just one mystery we’re going to have to learn about in the coming issues. I have to say, I didn’t like the re-introduction though. Wesley is dear to us Angel fans, and I think this appearance was better suited for a character like Hamilton or Lindsey. In fact, I thought it was Hamilton at first. Another surprise is the return of my two favorite ladies, Gwen and Nina. (I STILL dream of having a threesome with those two ladies!) I’m loving Brian Lynch already. You can’t have a war against Hell in Los Angeles without Connor either, right? Cool, as long as he stays away from Cordy. And finally, the ending of this book reveals what all Angel fans had feared happened to Gunn. It’s a good start, with some of the “WTF” moments like Wesley being alive, strange demons threatening Angel that are generic and unwelcomed, and the missing Illyria kind of ruin the pace in this book and the memories of Season 5. A smoother ride is definitely needed in future issues. Still, the familiar faces are pretty darn cool to see on the page and continue on. I’m excited that Spike will return in the next issue, and as long as Nina and Gwen don’t get “Munson’d” right away, I’ll treasure this series like no other. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, your big brother has finally arrived as Angel Season 6 apparently begins here… after the fall.
GRADE: A- CONTINUE READING? I think that’s the idea with the way the first issue was scripted, so get aboard and hope things don’t end up like the first four issues of Buffy Season 8.
THE WALKING DEAD – Issue #44
Image Comics
Written by Robert Kirkman Art by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Holy crap, Mr. Fish finally reviewed The Walking Dead. Why has it taken me so long is for a very, very good reason. Ready? Because for the past 10 issues, the same shit happens over, and over, and over again like that catchy Hot Chip song. “Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal.” It would take 10 issues to write a one-sentence summary of what generally happened in the prison palace that Rick and the Gang live in. Robert Kirkman is a good writer. Don’t get me wrong there. I have the first two trade paperbacks of The Walking Dead, and that’s how I was introduced to the series. 24 issues straight-through, and it was brilliant. A refreshing take on the zombie apocalypse filled with characters that were both realistic and reliable. The only real drawback of the book was (and still is) the black and white, no color restriction on the art duties sometimes made it hard on the reader to figure out who was talking sometimes. It made the obnoxious BET standup comedy hour joke, “White people… you know you all look alike!” come to life with a glimmering realization that hey… maybe we really are just Jango Fett clones according to Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn!! Art difficulties aside, The Walking Dead is to be read in the same way I started out reading it: Trade Paperbacks. Do not read this book on a per issue basis, and if you do, save three to four at a time to read it. Kirkman gets plenty of complaints about this current pace he has, and I admire him for continuing on this way. Writers should tell the story the way they want to tell it, hell I know some are not fan of my character plotting, but that ain’t changing my structure or style of writing neither, so I say keep on trucking Bob. For those that totally know where I’m coming from though, wait for issues to be collected in a trade paperback to read this series. The big picture is definitely better than the fractured, decomposing skull.
GRADE: C+ CONTINUE READING? Like I said, save a few issues to read at once or wait for those trade paperbacks.
2001 MANIACS - SPECIAL
Avatar Press
Written by Tim Sullivan Art by Raulo Caceres
So how did it all begin for the sex-crazed Southerners from the recent, cult classic horror flick, 2001 Maniacs? Well, your answers exist here as Tim Sullivan, the director of said flick, uses the comic book format to tell the origin of Buckman and the family, and basically, how they have a festival of sex and severed limbs every year. Turns out, they just loved each other too much as the North came stomping into Pleasant Valley, Georgia and forced a virgin to kill herself, all because the Yankee touched her boobies. As a son is killed on the North side, the two leaders clash in Pleasant Valley, causing the mass murder of Buckman’s family, but not before a slave named Crow casts a voodoo spell on them all. “An eye for an eye, until all are avenged.” It’s an interesting and original concept, and Sullivan does a great job at revealing how it all began in Pleasant Valley, even pleasing those that just want some tits and ass like the film so graciously showed. The art is excellent as Raulo Caceres goes all out to make this book shine, creating some inventive paneling and cool spreads, not to mention, appealing private parts that fly free in the Georgia air and garner a second, long look from male (and maybe female) readers. This is a fun book, not to be taken too seriously as it rides a rollercoaster through the horror movie format with appealing flair, entertaining as it reveals the source for the unholy vengeance and gore from the film. And Robert Englund actually creates another horror icon here as his likeness is pretty close on the page, but also far away from that popular burned killer with steak-knives for fingers. For those that enjoyed the film, this comic book is essential to learn more about your favorite Southern Psychos. No annoying Spring Break kids either!! I would still stay clear of Miss Peaches though. She’ll take your manhood away with just one bite.
GRADE: B+ CONTINUE READING? Is there more? I don’t know. I hear there’s a sequel to the movie coming out, so we’ll see.
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