GeekWeek Reviews Angelus #2

GeekWeek's Iann Robinson checks out this week's in-store comic, Angelus #2:

Fantasy comics are a tough sell sometimes, especially when they’re steeped in light vs. dark, angels vs. demons and that kind of epic stuff. Done incorrectly these books can come off cheesy or boring. Top Cow’s new fantasy series Angelus scripted by Ron Marz and illustrated by Stjepan Sejic seems to be avoiding those pitfalls with not only an interesting storyline but also some killer art. Let me warn you, Angelus is a comic for those that love fantasy so if you’re an indie guy or a superhero nut it might not be your cup of tea. I dig all comics so if you’re like me Angelus could be something to add to the weekly list.

The story centers on Danielle Baptise a young woman from New Orleans who has been chosen by the Angelus, a primal light force, to be its human embodiment. Along with this new power comes all kinds of problems not the least of which is an army of Angels looking to Danielle to lead them in a battle to end their war against darkness. These new allies of Danielle in her Angelus forms aren’t the kindest bunch and while obedient to her thus far may kill her if Danielle doesn’t come up with a battle plan.

Issue #2 kicks off with a strike squad of angels in the realm of darkness robbing a demon train that’s front car is a large demon head with huge teeth. The train could have graced the cover of any early eighties metal album. Meanwhile Danielle has been brought to her Kingdom Of Light that essentially looks like an Old Testament description of Heaven. Tall gorgeous city in the clouds filled with heavenly deities and all apparently there to serve Danielle. The issue does a great job of balancing the mystery of the train robbery with Danielle’s sudden life changing circumstances, a nice mix of action and melodrama.

The only hokey part of Angelus is that Danielle is having a lesbian affair with a punky wise cracking upstart named Finch. My problem isn’t the lesbian aspect but the fact that the story doesn’t really need it. The whole affair aspect seems thrown in as a taboo that stands against the whole religious idea and I could live to be a thousand years old without ever seeing the “punky wise cracking upstart” character and it still wouldn’t be long enough. Angelus is a really interesting comic and does such a great job of taking cues from religious folklore without favoring any religions that I thought the Linch character and affair was a bit beneath it.

Art wise the book is pretty lush which fits in perfectly with the story. Stjepan Sejic has a great eye for combining these classic fantasy elements of angels and demons with a technological edge giving the whole comic a Blade Runner through the eyes of religion feel. I was also really impressed with how the colors were used here. A lot of fantasy has the colors too bright or to almost watercolor looking. Angelus has gorgeous color but it never overpowers the actual art.

With Angelus showing this much promise on only issue 2 I think we’ll be hearing from it for a while to come.


Source: http://www.geekweek.com/2010/02/fantasy-comics-are-a-tough-sell-sometimes-especially-when-theyre-steeped-in-light-vs-dark-angels-vs-demons-and-that-ki.html