Reviews: Angel and Spike #9
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Creator:Â Joss Whedon
Writer:Â Bryan Edward Hill
Artist:Â Gleb Melnikov
Colorist:Â Roman Titov
Letterer:Â Ed Dukeshire
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
After the events of Hellmouth, Spike is here to stay, and Angel will just have to deal with it. That is, if he ever comes back from the Hellmouth. This whole saving the world from evil can’t be that hard, can it? Spike isn’t used to playing the good guy, but he’s pretty sure he and the team can handle a few lawyers.
Positives
It is no secret that I think Bryan Edward Hill is one of the five best working writers in comics right now. It actually isn’t a secret that other people think so too. His genius is on full display in this new series that takes over from his old series. This is still Angel, but the title is changed. This still has Hill’s excellent dialogue and his wherewithal to leave the page blank for his art team. There is one tiny moment in this book where Angel’s phone rings. He says “I have a phone?” That could have been done poorly, but the way it broke up a conversation Spike and Angel were having about greeting the sunrise was just right. Humor to break the tension.It is like Hill always worked in the Whedonverse.
Of course, it works even more because Melnikov’s art is so good. He captures facial expressions like they are snapshots. Most of this series, he has been drawing Fred, Gunn and Spike because Angel was in the Hellmouth, but here, he reminds us why he was brought on to draw Angel. It is just wonderful. The baddie in this book is a terrifying monster as well and boy, does Melnikov deliver on the nightmares.
Negatives
This is such a well crafted, beautifully drawn, opening act. There is nothing bad to say about Angel and Spike #9.
Verdict
Angel and Spike #9 is really Angel and Spike number 1 or Angel Investigations #1, but it doesn’t matter what you call it, it is really good. I am looking forward to the Ring of Fire. If things go well, we will most likely have another crossover too. That will be aces.
