Angel

Wow. This book is just such a total “best of times, worst of times” deal. When the first issue was reviewed I hadn’t read the book yet. Couldn’t get it as it was sold out. So when complaints were made about the art I had no idea if the art was really as bad as was claimed. The statement was made that the art was so bad that a major reveal on a major character at the end of issue #1 was ruined because it was hard to figure out WHO the character being revealed actually was. Turns out the art is that bad because I couldn’t figure out who it was either and, truly, I didn’t figure it out until I picked up issue #2.

But the “best of times” element is that as truly shockingly bad as the art is, the story is amazing. The first reason I couldn’t figure out the reveal at the end of issue #1 was the art. But adding to that was the fact that in my mind I don’t think I would ever have imagined that they would do what they do to that character. When I realized what had happened… I was floored. In keeping with Whedon’s normal modus operandi from the series, he’s once again just flipping everything on its head and keeping nothing sacred. And all in a way that grows organically out of what went before. Again, it was said previously that Wesley sticking around as a ghost might cheapen his death. But no way. It’s something that should have been seen coming and that I utterly didn’t. The fact that working for Wolf Ram and Hart extends beyond death was established on the show. Just chilling to think Wes’s good intentions have led to his own contractual damnation. Likewise Gunn’s new place in the world is equally logical while even more distressing. And then they go from those downbeat turns right into Spike’s which is 180 degrees in the opposite direction with how hilarious it is.

I like reading the Buffy comics but mainly for the characters. I’m not deeply concerned about the unfolding plot. It’s good enough to go for the ride but I’m pretty sure everything will turn out okay in the end. With Angel, I’m actually deeply invested in the plot. Whedon and Lynch are sending the story spinning into such unexpected directions that I’m not sure where it’s going or that in the end anything will turn out even close to okay. On this ride the train has jumped the tracks and I’m frightened but thrilled that at any point we might be running straight off a cliff.

If only the art wasn’t just so forgettable. No… it’s worse than that. If it was forgettable that would at least mean it could be ignored and I could focus on the plot. But the art is actually actively distracting from a truly freaky fun plot. That’s bad. The thing is I can tell it doesn’t have to be this bad. There is the odd panel here and there that looks not so bad, like time was invested in getting it to look how it should look, but then the rest look like they were done in a hurry. There’s just no excuse. You can’t do a decent job on just a couple of panels of a book and yadda yadda over the rest. No way.

As bad as the art is the story carries the day and this book will continue to be at the top of my stack every Wednesday it comes out.