Angel: After the Fall (season 6)

[shred]

bringonthenight said:

However, I heard somewhere that Angel would appear on Buffy season 8, but sparingly.

I thought Angel can't appear in any of the Buffy comics as the Buffy comics are done by Dark Horse and Angel is not.

[Allan]

Strictly speaking, that is the case. That said, both Dark Horse and IDW have indicated that they'd be happy to crossover the characters if necessary. I wouldn't expect much of it, though.

[Kana]

I think that would better anyway to be honest. They both will have very different stories to tell and hopefully it wont get too shippy.

[Allan]

They've both moved on and are living separate lives. That said, if the story calls for it, I could stomach small appearances. For instance, if Buffy wanted to check in on Angel after everything that went down. But it's something that should be necessitated by the plot.

[Allan]

The first five pages from Angel: After the Fall #1 have been released online, and I've linked them below for your reference. So, thoughts, guys?

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5

[Allan]

Here's an interesting interview with writer Bryan Lynch about After the Fall in which he gives some interesting bits about the direction for the series.

[Forsaken]

Well, gotta say: Not as psyched about this book as I was about season 8. However, having read the interview with Lynch I think I'll pick up the first couple issues and see where it goes. I do like some of the writing for Shadow Puppets but the art left me a little cold. Here's crossing my fingers.

[Allan]

I read a preview of the issue (not one that was published online, sadly) and Bryan Lynch really showed that he "gets" Angel through the monologue. One thing that looks like it will be prevalent (and this has been mentioned by Lynch in interviews) is Angel blaming himself - whether rightfully or wrongfully may be open to interpretation - for what's happened to LA at the end of season 5.

To me, this should be interesting. He's a character constantly trying to atone for his previous wrongs, so seeing his reaction to something catastrophic that he at least feels responsible for while trying to do the right thing will be interesting. Hopefully it'll translate into a great story.

I'm not as excited about this as I was for season 8, either, and I think the main problem is simply that Joss is not involved. We have Bryan Lynch, who admittedly told a couple of fun non-canonical Spike stories, and that's it. With Buffy season 8, we have Joss himself, and he's bringing along some of the shows writers as well as some of the top talent in the comic industry. Buffy season 8 just has a better pedigree.

[Forsaken]

Well having read the first issue now I still have some serious concerns. I do want to reserve judgement for at least a couple issues though. I'm inclind to agree with you Allan, this book didn't get the full package of advantages that Buffy did so it's not right to count that against it. I am a bit confused as to when it's supposed to take place. Is it shortly after Fade Away? or is it much later. Nice addition of some familiar faces.

[jeanvic]

Who cares? Angel isn't a vampire anymore!! He has, we think, shanshued!!!

[Allan]

Hmm... I think that's what we're supposed to think.

[Paul]

ashamed to say i havent read any of these yet "bad fanboy" think i may just wait till the collected edition comes out now

[Allan]

They're definitely worth reading, though I wouldn't say they're up to the standard of Buffy season 8, though.

[Forsaken]

I'm gonna have to agree with Allan here again. There are worth a read but don't expect too much. Interesting dichotomy between Gunn and Angel though huh?

[Allan]

I think the Gunn angle is probably the most interesting thing of the series (which apparently Joss was planning for season 6, had it gone ahead anyway).

SPOILER: Click to show

The idea of Gunn as a self loathing vampire resenting Angel for allowing him to be turned is great. It appears that he doesn't have a soul, which is a good thing for the story, but he still manages to retain his dislike of vampires. I'm really looking forward to it getting explored further.

[Paul]

i have actually lost all intrest in reading this now, but i may pick it up if i see it in the libary, does any one actually like after the fall? i dont think i have heard any feed back on it

[Allan]

I think it's enjoyable. It has taken a couple of interesting directions, and time will see how they play out. It's not as good as Buffy season 8, but I think it's still worth a read.

[Forsaken]

I'd say it's worth looking into for sure. After all it's just the cost of a comicbook.

And that's why I spent almost my entire teen years broke and behind mounds of comics.