Angel: After the Fall
Encyclopedia
Angel: After the Fall is a comic book
published by IDW Publishing
. Written by Brian Lynch and plotted with Joss Whedon
, the series is a canonical
continuation of the Angel
television series, and follows the events of that show's final televised season. Angel: After the Fall was prompted by IDW Publishing
and Joss Whedon after the success of Dark Horse Comics
' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
which is the official comic continuation of Angels mothershow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Angel: After the Fall sees the heroic vampire, Angel, coping with the apocalyptic aftermath of the television series after he took over and subsequently betrayed the demonic law firm, Wolfram & Hart
. The city of Los Angeles has since been sent to hell
by Wolfram & Hart as a result of Angel's actions. The series follows his attempts to rescue the people he has sworn to protect. The first issue was released on November 21, 2007.
Originally intended as a 13-issue limited series
, After the Fall expanded into a 17-issue Angel series. After the Fall was then followed by an ongoing series, with rotating writers and artists but without the input of Joss Whedon. In addition to this, After the Fall has also spawned multiple spin-offs of its own. Spike: After the Fall bridges the gap between Spike's "First Night" mini-arc and his first appearance in After the Fall over four issues. A second five-issue spin-off, Angel: Only Human, picks up after #23, following Gunn and Illyria. A third four-issue spin-off, Spike: The Devil You Know was released. A fourth four-issue spin-off featuring Illyria, titled Haunted, was released beginning in November 2010. IDW also announced an ongoing Spike
title, another "canon" title featuring explicit Buffy Season Eight crossovers.
In the editor's column in the back of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Riley one-shot released by Dark Horse Comics
, Scott Allie
announced that the Angel comics would return to Dark Horse in late 2011. It was officially announced on August 19, 2010 that the series would come to an end with a six-issue arc titled "The Wolf, the Ram, and the Heart," and Dark Horse reacquiring the license to publish Angel titles, beginning with a new line of comics named Angel and Faith (co-starring Faith, 25 issues) in August 2011, tying in with a launch of Buffy Season Nine
. The planned Spike ongoing spin-off instead became an eight issue mini-series.
' ongoing series Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
, an official continuation to the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, series creator Joss Whedon
wished to continue the story of Buffy spin-off Angel in the same medium. In September 2006, comic book writer Brian Lynch met Joss Whedon by chance in a restaurant near his home where he told Whedon about the imminent release of a spin-off comic by himself and artist Franco Urru, Spike: Asylum, published by IDW and based upon the character of Spike, a central character in both Buffy and Angel. To Lynch's surprise, Whedon was thrilled with Spike: Asylum, and Joss felt confident he had found a writer capable of capturing his characters' voices in the new medium, and was impressed with Franco's unique style. Whedon would later email Lynch, asking to meet up with him again in the same restaurant. Working together, the two plotted the events of a now 17-issue limited series for a continuation of the Angel saga, drawing from elements of Whedon's plan for a sixth televised season of Angel and several ideas proposed by Lynch. Whedon gave Lynch the freedom to write the series himself, only overseeing the project as if in the role of an executive producer.
taking over for her run, called Aftermath (#18–22). Brian Lynch returned for three stories, focusing on Gunn (#23), Drusilla (#24–25) (co-written with Juliet Landau
) and Angel & Spike (#26–27). At the San Diego Comic-Con 2009 it was announced that Eisner Award
-winning writer Bill Willingham
was taking over as ongoing writer with issue #28 with a six-issue arc named "Immortality for Dummies" launching in December 2009, joined by artist Brian Denham. The series will show how Angel is kidnapped by the newly formed 'Immortality Incorporated'. While Angel fights to escape, his son Connor takes over the reins of Angel Investigations. Willingham will finish his run on the series with #38, then David Tischman
and Mariah Huehner will write a six-issue arc named "The Wolf, the Ram, and the Heart" (#39–44) that will conclude the final Angel story arc at IDW Publishing
before it moves to Dark Horse Comics
.
" and After the Fall, continuing directly from the Angel: After the Fall issue "First Night, Part Three," focusing on the characters of Spike and Illyria. A second spin-off miniseries, Angel: Only Human, focuses on Gunn
and Illyria following the After the Fall Epilogue wherein both seek redemption and an opportunity to come to terms with their humanity and the good and evil within them both.
Brian Lynch later announced a second, this-time-ongoing Spike spin-off from the Angel: After the Fall franchise. Spike will be set "a few months" after Spike has left hell, and feature in its supporting cast Groosalugg
, Beck from Spike: Asylum, Betta George and Jeremy from Spike: After the Fall. Due to Dark Horse Comics' use of the Angel character in the Buffy Season Eight storyline "Twilight
", Whedon allowed Lynch use of Buffy character Willow Rosenberg
for his Spike series. Additionally, it is to feature the supporting cast Spike brings alongside him to Season Eight in "Last Gleaming
" and act as a canonical lead-in to Buffy Season Eight, and therefore a spin-off to both.
" and shows that Wesley remains contractually bound to the sinister Wolfram & Hart
and the Partners after his death, Gunn
has become a vampire capturing victims under the pretense he is rescuing them, that Angel's son Connor, ex-girlfriend Nina and old acquaintance Gwen are working to provide a safehouse for the people of Los Angeles under siege by demons, and that Spike now lives under the protection of Illyria who is no longer in control of her powers, unpredictably assuming Fred Burkle
's appearance and personality at times. Angel himself, along with a dragon he befriended, is trying his best to remain a champion of good under the circumstances.
According to Whedon, the absence of budget constraints allows Angel' s world to expand in ways that were never possible with the television series, "It will definitely use Season 6's proposed stories as inspiration, but it's not exactly Season 6".
:
's Bryan Joel believed that the first issue wasn't as accessible for new readers as that of Buffy Season Eight, claiming that it read "less like the season premiere of the next season of Angel and more like episode 23 of season 5". He felt that the tone and characterization remained "true to its source material and fans will be happy to know Whedon's trademark dialogue knack is, for the most part, intact", but warned that the elaborate visuals of Angel flying through the hell-bound Los Angeles on a dragon may be too far removed from the television series for some readers. In an "Additional Take" review, Joel's colleague criticized the dialogue for lacking "the trademark witty banter" and worried that the hellish new setting might detract from the reality of the characters, describing it as "an interesting turn for what was once a very grounded fantasy series".
The artwork by Franco Urru was described as "reasonably good" by Brownfield, who claimed that while it captures the likeness of the characters, Urru's work lacks sharpness and "the weight of that terrific Tony Harris cover." IGN believed Urru is talented when he "lets loose" creating demons, but less impressive when it comes to matching characters to their respective actors.
The series has been a success for publisher IDW Publishing, who report that it has become the company's highest-charting comic book release ever.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
published by IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
. Written by Brian Lynch and plotted with Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
, the series is a canonical
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
continuation of the Angel
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
television series, and follows the events of that show's final televised season. Angel: After the Fall was prompted by IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
and Joss Whedon after the success of Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight is a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The series serves as a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and follows the events of that show's final televised season. It is produced by Joss Whedon, who wrote the...
which is the official comic continuation of Angels mothershow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Angel: After the Fall sees the heroic vampire, Angel, coping with the apocalyptic aftermath of the television series after he took over and subsequently betrayed the demonic law firm, Wolfram & Hart
Wolfram & Hart
Wolfram & Hart − Attorneys at Law is a fictional international, and interdimensional law firm featured in the television series Angel, as well as other extended materials in Joss Whedon's Buffyverse.-Fictional history:...
. The city of Los Angeles has since been sent to hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
by Wolfram & Hart as a result of Angel's actions. The series follows his attempts to rescue the people he has sworn to protect. The first issue was released on November 21, 2007.
Originally intended as a 13-issue limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
, After the Fall expanded into a 17-issue Angel series. After the Fall was then followed by an ongoing series, with rotating writers and artists but without the input of Joss Whedon. In addition to this, After the Fall has also spawned multiple spin-offs of its own. Spike: After the Fall bridges the gap between Spike's "First Night" mini-arc and his first appearance in After the Fall over four issues. A second five-issue spin-off, Angel: Only Human, picks up after #23, following Gunn and Illyria. A third four-issue spin-off, Spike: The Devil You Know was released. A fourth four-issue spin-off featuring Illyria, titled Haunted, was released beginning in November 2010. IDW also announced an ongoing Spike
Spike (IDW Publishing)
Spike is a comic book series published by IDW Publishing. Written by Brian Lynch, it focuses on the character of Spike, a main character in television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel...
title, another "canon" title featuring explicit Buffy Season Eight crossovers.
In the editor's column in the back of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Riley one-shot released by Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, Scott Allie
Scott Allie
Scott Allie is an American comics writer and editor, currently the Senior Managing Editor for Dark Horse Comics.-Career:Scott Allie is the author of The Devil's Footprints and the editor of the Hellboy, Conan, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Serenity comics, as well as the founding editor of Dark...
announced that the Angel comics would return to Dark Horse in late 2011. It was officially announced on August 19, 2010 that the series would come to an end with a six-issue arc titled "The Wolf, the Ram, and the Heart," and Dark Horse reacquiring the license to publish Angel titles, beginning with a new line of comics named Angel and Faith (co-starring Faith, 25 issues) in August 2011, tying in with a launch of Buffy Season Nine
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine is the sequel to the Season Eight comic book series, a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
. The planned Spike ongoing spin-off instead became an eight issue mini-series.
Publication history
Following the success of Dark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
' ongoing series Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight is a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The series serves as a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and follows the events of that show's final televised season. It is produced by Joss Whedon, who wrote the...
, an official continuation to the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, series creator Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
wished to continue the story of Buffy spin-off Angel in the same medium. In September 2006, comic book writer Brian Lynch met Joss Whedon by chance in a restaurant near his home where he told Whedon about the imminent release of a spin-off comic by himself and artist Franco Urru, Spike: Asylum, published by IDW and based upon the character of Spike, a central character in both Buffy and Angel. To Lynch's surprise, Whedon was thrilled with Spike: Asylum, and Joss felt confident he had found a writer capable of capturing his characters' voices in the new medium, and was impressed with Franco's unique style. Whedon would later email Lynch, asking to meet up with him again in the same restaurant. Working together, the two plotted the events of a now 17-issue limited series for a continuation of the Angel saga, drawing from elements of Whedon's plan for a sixth televised season of Angel and several ideas proposed by Lynch. Whedon gave Lynch the freedom to write the series himself, only overseeing the project as if in the role of an executive producer.
Development into an ongoing series
The series later spun off into an ongoing series, with Kelley ArmstrongKelley Armstrong
Kelley Armstrong is a Canadian author, primarily of fantasy works.She has published sixteen fantasy novels , set in the world of the Women of the Otherworld and the Darkest Powers series, also two crime novels in 2007 and 2009...
taking over for her run, called Aftermath (#18–22). Brian Lynch returned for three stories, focusing on Gunn (#23), Drusilla (#24–25) (co-written with Juliet Landau
Juliet Landau
Juliet Rose Landau is an American actress best known for her role as Drusilla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff show Angel, the latter appearance earning her a Saturn Award nomination. She is also known for co-starring as Loretta King Hadler in Tim Burton's Ed Wood.She has appeared in a...
) and Angel & Spike (#26–27). At the San Diego Comic-Con 2009 it was announced that Eisner Award
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
-winning writer Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham is an American writer and artist of comics.-Career:Willingham got his start in the late 1970s to early 1980s as a staff artist for TSR, Inc., where he illustrated a number of their role-playing game products...
was taking over as ongoing writer with issue #28 with a six-issue arc named "Immortality for Dummies" launching in December 2009, joined by artist Brian Denham. The series will show how Angel is kidnapped by the newly formed 'Immortality Incorporated'. While Angel fights to escape, his son Connor takes over the reins of Angel Investigations. Willingham will finish his run on the series with #38, then David Tischman
David Tischman
David Tischman is an American comic book writer who has been active since 2000, writing for such series as American Century, Cable, Bite Club, and Star Trek.-Biography:Tischman wrote Greatest Hits at Vertigo....
and Mariah Huehner will write a six-issue arc named "The Wolf, the Ram, and the Heart" (#39–44) that will conclude the final Angel story arc at IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
before it moves to Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
.
Spin-offs
On March 11, 2008, it was announced that there would be a 4 issue spin-off titled Spike: After the Fall from July 2008, which will chronicle the time in between the events of the series finale "Not Fade AwayNot Fade Away (Angel episode)
"Not Fade Away" is the 22nd and final episode of season 5, and the series finale of the television show Angel. Written by series creator Joss Whedon and directed and co-written by Jeffrey Bell, it was originally broadcast on May 19, 2004 on the WB network...
" and After the Fall, continuing directly from the Angel: After the Fall issue "First Night, Part Three," focusing on the characters of Spike and Illyria. A second spin-off miniseries, Angel: Only Human, focuses on Gunn
Charles Gunn
Charles Gunn is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series, Angel. The character is portrayed by J. August Richards, and was named by Whedon after filmmaker James Gunn and actor Sean Gunn, both of whom had worked with Whedon...
and Illyria following the After the Fall Epilogue wherein both seek redemption and an opportunity to come to terms with their humanity and the good and evil within them both.
Brian Lynch later announced a second, this-time-ongoing Spike spin-off from the Angel: After the Fall franchise. Spike will be set "a few months" after Spike has left hell, and feature in its supporting cast Groosalugg
Groosalugg
The Groosalugg, nicknamed Groo, is a fictional character on the WB network's series Angel. He appeared in seasons 2 and 3, and is portrayed by Mark Lutz.-History:...
, Beck from Spike: Asylum, Betta George and Jeremy from Spike: After the Fall. Due to Dark Horse Comics' use of the Angel character in the Buffy Season Eight storyline "Twilight
Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
"Twilight" is the seventh story arc of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, based upon the television series of the same name, and is written by novelist and comic book writer Brad Meltzer...
", Whedon allowed Lynch use of Buffy character Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
for his Spike series. Additionally, it is to feature the supporting cast Spike brings alongside him to Season Eight in "Last Gleaming
Last Gleaming
"Last Gleaming" is the eighth and final storyarc of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series of comic books, based upon the television series of the same name, and is written by franchise creator Joss Whedon and Season Eight editor Scott Allie...
" and act as a canonical lead-in to Buffy Season Eight, and therefore a spin-off to both.
Premise
The premise of the series is that Los Angeles is feeling the aftermath of main character Angel taking a stand against the demonic Senior Partners in season five, who have retaliated by literally sending Los Angeles to hell. The series picks up some time after the season five finale, "Not Fade AwayNot Fade Away (Angel episode)
"Not Fade Away" is the 22nd and final episode of season 5, and the series finale of the television show Angel. Written by series creator Joss Whedon and directed and co-written by Jeffrey Bell, it was originally broadcast on May 19, 2004 on the WB network...
" and shows that Wesley remains contractually bound to the sinister Wolfram & Hart
Wolfram & Hart
Wolfram & Hart − Attorneys at Law is a fictional international, and interdimensional law firm featured in the television series Angel, as well as other extended materials in Joss Whedon's Buffyverse.-Fictional history:...
and the Partners after his death, Gunn
Charles Gunn
Charles Gunn is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series, Angel. The character is portrayed by J. August Richards, and was named by Whedon after filmmaker James Gunn and actor Sean Gunn, both of whom had worked with Whedon...
has become a vampire capturing victims under the pretense he is rescuing them, that Angel's son Connor, ex-girlfriend Nina and old acquaintance Gwen are working to provide a safehouse for the people of Los Angeles under siege by demons, and that Spike now lives under the protection of Illyria who is no longer in control of her powers, unpredictably assuming Fred Burkle
Winifred Burkle
Winifred "Fred" Burkle is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Shawn Ryan and Mere Smith on the television series Angel. The character is portrayed by Amy Acker.-Character history:...
's appearance and personality at times. Angel himself, along with a dragon he befriended, is trying his best to remain a champion of good under the circumstances.
According to Whedon, the absence of budget constraints allows Angel
Maxi-series
| Title | Issue # | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| After the Fall #1 | 1 | November 21, 2007 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon Joss Whedon Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures... |
Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Los Angeles has been a demon war zone for months after Wolfram & Hart Wolfram & Hart Wolfram & Hart − Attorneys at Law is a fictional international, and interdimensional law firm featured in the television series Angel, as well as other extended materials in Joss Whedon's Buffyverse.-Fictional history:... literally sent the entire city to hell Hell In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations... in retaliation to Angel's actions in "Not Fade Away Not Fade Away (Angel episode) "Not Fade Away" is the 22nd and final episode of season 5, and the series finale of the television show Angel. Written by series creator Joss Whedon and directed and co-written by Jeffrey Bell, it was originally broadcast on May 19, 2004 on the WB network... ". Angel, having befriended a dragon Dragon A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern... , rescues citizens from the destruction and sends them to Connor, Gwen, and Nina for sanctuary. Meanwhile, the deceased Wesley Wesley Wyndam-Pryce Wesley Wyndam-Pryce is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel... is now an incorporeal representative of Wolfram & Hart, and Gunn Charles Gunn Charles Gunn is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series, Angel. The character is portrayed by J. August Richards, and was named by Whedon after filmmaker James Gunn and actor Sean Gunn, both of whom had worked with Whedon... has been turned into a vampire. |
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| After the Fall #2 | 2 | December 19, 2007 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Angel travels to Santa Monica Santa Monica, California Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and... to protect Connor from a demon lord whose son Angel killed. Gwen tells Angel that there's a new player in the game, and shows him a phrase written in blood. Angel realizes who the person is and heads to Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together... , where he reunites with Spike, who has become lord of the area and lives surrounded by a harem of humans and demons. Angel and Spike fight briefly, and Illyria appears in defense of Spike. Meanwhile, Gunn has kidnapped Betta George and reveals that he blames Angel for being sired and wants revenge. |
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| After the Fall #3 | 3 | January 14, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Angel is attacked by Illyria, and gravely wounded. The Hell dimension is playing havoc with Illyria's powers, and she is time-skipping as she did in "Time Bomb Time Bomb (Angel episode) "Time Bomb" is episode 19 of season 5 in the television show Angel. Written by Ben Edlund and directed by Vern Gillum, it was originally broadcast on April 28, 2004 on the WB network. In "Time Bomb", Illyria rescues Gunn from the hell dimension he entered in penance for his role in Fred's death... ". Connor arrives revealing that he and Spike have been working as partners; Spike's "Hugh Hefner Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston "Hef" Hefner is an American magazine publisher, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises.-Early life:... " lifestyle is part of his act. Angel confronts the Lords of Los Angeles, and challenges them to a battle for all of Los Angeles in two days. On the final page, Angel's inner monologue reveals his wounds are mortal, and he is no longer a vampire. |
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| After the Fall #4 | 4 | February 20, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| At Wolfram and Hart, Angel is healed through mystic chants that fix his mortal wounds. Two demons arrive and beckon Angel to follow them, while outside, Gunn prepares for an attack on the building. Angel and Wes are taken to the town of Silver Lake, which is ruled by their old ally Lorne, who notifies them of his neutral stance concerning the upcoming battle. After Angel has a reunion with Groosalugg Groosalugg The Groosalugg, nicknamed Groo, is a fictional character on the WB network's series Angel. He appeared in seasons 2 and 3, and is portrayed by Mark Lutz.-History:... , Gunn and his vampire minions plant a bomb in the empty Wolfram and Hart building, completely destroying it. Wesley's ghost fades away as Angel prepares for the battle ahead. |
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| After the Fall #5 | 5 | March 19, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Wesley has been transported to a void, where he has an argument with a disembodied voice over his role of being the last representative of Wolfram and Hart. Angel's allies consider their options with Spike being the most vocal about his desire to depart. The battle begins with Angel and all his friends at his side, thanks to Lorne's last minute rousing. Spike asks Angel for help concerning Illyria, as Wesley is returned from Hell and joins his companions. Spike reveals he never would have come to aid Angel had he known Wesley would be there. Illyria turns her attention to the scene, notices Wesley's arrival, and reverts back to Fred Winifred Burkle Winifred "Fred" Burkle is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Shawn Ryan and Mere Smith on the television series Angel. The character is portrayed by Amy Acker.-Character history:... . |
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| First Night, Part 1 #6 | 6 | April 2, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Tim Kane, David Messina David Messina David Messina is an Italian comics artist.His work has included:*Doyle: Spotlight *"Unacceptable Losses"*The Curse *Old Friends *Star Trek: Countdown... , Stephen Mooney and John Byrne |
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| Bookended by images of Betta George in captivity, the 'First Night' stories of Spike, Connor, and Lorne are presented in three sections. In the first section, Spike switches from self-congratulation and thoughts of retirement into defending innocents—including Illyria, who initially appears as Fred. The second segment displays Connor's internal conflict as he considers rejoining the fight, and is then inevitably drawn into it. The third section is presented in a cartoonish rhyming style, showing Lorne's path from Lindsey's Lindsey McDonald Lindsey McDonald is a fictional character from the television series Angel. He first appeared in the series' first episode, "City of," and featured prominently in the story arcs of seasons one, two, and five. Lindsey is the only character besides Angel himself to appear in both the first and last... murder to becoming lord of Silver Lake. |
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| First Night, Part 2 #7 | 7 | May 7, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Tim Kane, Nick Runge and Stephen Mooney | ||||
| The second 'First Night' issue initially focuses on Wesley's after-death awareness, including a visit from an unnamed female temptress who is acting on the Senior Partners' behalf. She pretends to be Fred, but Wesley is not fooled. The scene then shifts to Connor's situation; Kate Lockley Kate Lockley Kate Lockley is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Angel, portrayed by Elisabeth Röhm. Kate first appears in the episode "Lonely Hearts." She is a young, skeptical detective for the Los Angeles Police Department.... arrives, armed to the teeth, and "rescues" Connor, taking him to her well-armed lair. In the present day, Betta George is still held captive by Gunn's lackeys, and it is shown that Gunn's vampires have been training against captive Slayers. |
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| First Night, Part 3 #8 | 8 | June 11, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon and Scott Tipton | Penciller: Tim Kane, Fabio Mantovani, Kevyn Schmidt and Mirco Pierfederici | ||||
| In the first section, Gwen is making out with a guy on the beach when Los Angeles is thrown into Hell. The change in scenery has caused the device regulating her power to stop working, causing her to accidentally electrocute her male companion. In the second section, a crazy guy is preaching about the end of the world when Los Angeles is sent to Hell. Finally, Gunn wakes up in a vampire's lair to discover he's been sired. Learning the vampires were ordered to turn him, he kills their leader and takes charge of the group. | |||||
| After the Fall #9 | 9 | June 18, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Nick Runge | ||||
| Angel and his friends defeat the Lords of L.A., who have misunderstood the true purpose of the Hagan Shafts. Lorne becomes the new Lord of all Los Angeles, while Angel goes to back to the Hyperion Hotel to do what he does best: help people. Connor makes his feelings for Gwen known to Angel. Wesley takes Fred to his corpse, where she reverts to Illyria, who reveals that Fred is still within her. | |||||
| After the Fall #10 | 10 | July 2, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Nick Runge and David Messina | ||||
| Angel has a comic book-esque dream where a superhero version of Spike is protecting the city while the mortal Angel is now an old man. Spike is left looking after Wesley. Angel, Connor, Gwen, Nina, and Illyria question a vampire over who killed the lord in #1. Illyria reveals to Connor, Gwen, and Nina that Angel is now human. Realizing that Illyria knew he was human through her ability to detect power, Angel tells Illyria to use her ability to search for the vampires "sitting on the power". Gunn has Betta George attacked by slayers, and eventually, a desperate George uses his ability to mentally freeze them. Gunn then has George attempt to contact help outside of L.A., but George is surprised to learn that Gunn has tricked him; Los Angeles going to Hell has been covered up. However, Betta George has also contacted Angel for help. Angel arrives, ready to attack, after Illyria detected Gunn's gang, "vampires atop a structure brimming with power". Angel is horrified, however, upon recognizing Gunn in their midst. | |||||
| After the Fall #11 | 11 | August 13, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Nick Runge | ||||
| Angel sends Fred away with Nina on the dragon, while he attempts to rescue Gunn. As Angel discovers that Gunn is now a vampire and his own life is in peril, Connor, Spike, and Gwen return on the dragon to help with the rescue mission. Gunn reveals his visions to Angel, then uses a magical talisman to reverse the spells on Angel: his glamour and all the healing spells. Angel lies bleeding, broken, and dying as the cavalry arrives, only to be shocked by Gwen's apparent betrayal. | |||||
| After the Fall #12 | 12 | September 4, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Stephen Mooney and Nick Runge | ||||
| Connor and Spike confront Gwen on her betrayal. Wesley is taken from headquarters to the scene of Angel's impending death, which spurs Fred's transformation into Illyria as she approaches the scene of a battle between Gwen and the dragon, whose name is revealed as Cordelia. On another plane, Angel is reunited with an apparition of Cordelia, meant to ease his transition. Wesley arrives and confronts Gunn with information from the Senior Partners: the visions are their own, and all they have wrought is part of a larger plan for Angel. He reveals Angel (and Angel alone) is still entitled to the future in the Shanshu prophecy, and delivers Angel a glimpse of it. Angel sees an image of himself as a vampire surrounded by dozens of dead bodies in the aftermath of an apocalyptic battle. This vision however, leads Angel to resign himself to death. | |||||
| After the Fall #13 | 13 | October 22, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Stephen Mooney | ||||
| Spike finds Gunn's captured Slayers, but they overpower him and he is slain. The Senior Partners send their larger army (legions of dragons) to the scene of the rooftop fray, and Cordelia the dragon is killed. Gwen, seeking atonement, sacrifices herself to destroy the legion in an electrical discharge. Connor makes his way into the building and defeats Gunn in combat, kicking him through the window. Connor's pleads to a dying Angel and helps him realize that he would never become a soulless vampire again; Cordelia's spirit bids Angel farewell after reassuring him of his status as a champion of good. While the group desperately encourage Angel to keep fighting and survive, Spike re-emerges seemingly alive, accompanied by the three Slayers who killed him. Gunn, on the streets, encounters Illyria and through feigning sadness and remorse, triggers her transformation into Fred, before he surreptitiously shoots her in the chest. | |||||
| After the Fall #14 | 14 | November 19, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Stephen Mooney | ||||
| A new demon army arrives in Los Angeles and takes Angel's body so that Angel can be resurrected to fulfill the prophecy. The source of Spike's own seemingly impossible resurrection is revealed as a five-minute time reset used by Gunn to train his vampires against Slayers. Groosalugg and his black pegasus, also named Cordelia, slay many of Wolfram & Hart's dragons. Despite being interrupted by the demon army, Gunn manages to successfully restore Illyria to her original demonic form, with the intent of using her fully restored powers to rewind time to before the Fall permanently. However, George looks within Illyria's mind: her frustration at being unable to create order leads her to decide to wholly collapse time - and with it, all existence. | |||||
| After the Fall #15 | 15 | December 17, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Illyria continues trying to unmake everything, believing that Fred would want to end everyone's suffering. She lashes out at and kills Groosalugg and many of the Spikettes. Gunn mortally wounds Connor and is defeated, but not killed, by Angel. Angel comes up with a plan to stop Illyria. Betta George focuses Spike and Wesley's memories of Fred into her mind, which paralyzes her long enough for Wolfram & Hart's demon avatars to take her out. Connor tells Angel not to let them win and then dies. | |||||
| After the Fall #16 | 16 | January 21, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Angel provokes Gunn into killing him after realizing that the Senior Partners' plans hinge on keeping himself alive. Angel's death causes the Senior Partners to reverse time to the moment before Los Angeles is sent into Hell, with everyone retaining memories of their time in Hell. While Spike and a now-humanoid Illyria attempt to hold off the demon army, a revamped Angel saves Gunn from being sired. They rush him to a hospital after discovering that Wolfram & Hart's Los Angeles branch has completely vanished. After meeting a resurrected Connor and several of LA's denizens who retained their memories, Angel realizes that he and his team are now publicly recognized heroes for their roles in saving the city. | |||||
| After the Fall #17 | 17 | February 11, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch with Joss Whedon | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| One month has passed. Angel and Nina research the mystery of the vanished Wolfram & Hart building at the public library (a wing of which has been renamed for Fred and Wesley). Angel leaves Cordelia the dragon in the care of Groosalugg as part of an attempt to reclaim his anonymity. Meanwhile, Spike rescues Betta George from one of the resurrected Lords of Hell, who warns him that the Lords want revenge against Angel and plan to do it by striking against the ones close to him. Realizing who the first target is, Angel, Spike, and George rush to the aid of Gunn (who is in a coma), but Illyria is revealed to be single-handedly protecting him. This allows Angel to peacefully visit Gunn in his hospital room and forgive him for the actions Gunn took while in Hell. Leaving Gunn with an Angel Investigations card, Angel walks off into the night, once more looking to help the helpless. | |||||
Ongoing spin-off series
| Title | Issue # | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aftermath #18 | 18 | February 25, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Kelley Armstrong Kelley Armstrong Kelley Armstrong is a Canadian author, primarily of fantasy works.She has published sixteen fantasy novels , set in the world of the Women of the Otherworld and the Darkest Powers series, also two crime novels in 2007 and 2009... |
Penciller: Dave Ross | ||||
| After the Fall was followed by a five-issue storyarc titled Aftermath starting in #18; two weeks after the finale of "After the Fall", the storyarc will focus on the characters dealing with the events of issue #17. Novelist Kelley Armstrong Kelley Armstrong Kelley Armstrong is a Canadian author, primarily of fantasy works.She has published sixteen fantasy novels , set in the world of the Women of the Otherworld and the Darkest Powers series, also two crime novels in 2007 and 2009... (The Summoning) comes aboard to explore the many repercussions following the explosive Angel #17. Artist Dave Ross also comes aboard to present the first chapter of "Aftermath," wherein we learn who lived, who died, and who will be forever changed from the experience. Kelley Armstrong will write the arc, with Brian Lynch writing another continuation. |
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| Aftermath #19 | 19 | March 18, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Kelley Armstrong | Penciller: Dave Ross | ||||
| As Angel and the remaining survivors from their sojourn to Hell attempt to rebuild their lives and find purpose once again, they must also contend with the threat of a vengeful Lord, a mysterious cat-changer and a winged being from beyond... | |||||
| Aftermath #20 | 20 | April 22, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Kelley Armstrong | Penciller: Dave Ross | ||||
| Angel's attempts to return to normal have been upended by the cat-changer Dez. But who is she, and where does she come from? Find out here, even as a larger question—namely, who is Angel's angelic visitor from beyond, and who sent him here? — comes to light. | |||||
| Aftermath #21 | 21 | May 20, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Kelley Armstrong | Penciller: Stefano Martino | ||||
| The aftermath of the city's return from hell continues to plague Angel, leading to a confrontation with the Powers-That-Be and some winged visitors from beyond the pale, even as Connor and Gwen face off with Dez. | |||||
| Aftermath #22 | 22 | June 17, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Kelley Armstrong | Penciller: Dave Ross | ||||
| With the 'Angels' help, team Angel is able to release already captured 'Angels' but at what cost? | |||||
| After the Fall Epilogue: Become What You Are #23 | 23 | July 1, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| This issue focuses on the character of Gunn and how he went from being comatose in After the Fall #17 to his apparently quickly recovery in Aftermath #18. As Lynch announced: "This one is packed with big shake-ups. We see a couple of reunions, some fun cameos, characters charting new journeys, and Franco and I tell a little tale that serves as a wonderful capper to the AFTER THE FALL storyline." | |||||
| Drusilla, Part 1 #24 | 24 | August 5, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch and Juliet Landau Juliet Landau Juliet Rose Landau is an American actress best known for her role as Drusilla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff show Angel, the latter appearance earning her a Saturn Award nomination. She is also known for co-starring as Loretta King Hadler in Tim Burton's Ed Wood.She has appeared in a... |
Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| This issue sees the return of Drusilla to the Angelverse. Set just before the Fall, we find Drusilla contained in a mental institution. Why is she there, and what will happen when she fights back? | |||||
| Drusilla, Part 2 #25 | 25 | September 16, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch and Juliet Landau | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Continuing from the massacre at the end of the last issue, Drusilla starts to have visions. But are they real? | |||||
| Boys and Their Toys, Part 1 #26 | 26 | October 7, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Stephen Mooney | ||||
| At 'Sci-Fi Fest San Diego' Angel sees how Hollywood views the events of 'After the Fall'. But he is there for more serious reasons - the 'Flaming Sword' that killed him is up for auction. Who wants it the most and why? Spike turns up, curious about the movie, and the two vamps are forced to take on each others identities to stop the sword from getting into the wrong hands. But when Chaos reigns - will Spike make a better Angel than Angel? | |||||
| Boys and Their Toys, Part 2 #27 | 27 | November 4, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Stephen Mooney | ||||
| With a spell having turned everyone at the convention into their costumes, Angel must find a means to stop the spell before Spike - who has turned into a caricature of Angel - causes more damage than he can control. | |||||
| The Crown Prince Syndrome #28 | 28 | December 23, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham Bill Willingham Bill Willingham is an American writer and artist of comics.-Career:Willingham got his start in the late 1970s to early 1980s as a staff artist for TSR, Inc., where he illustrated a number of their role-playing game products... |
Penciller: Brian Denham | ||||
| An all-new adventure begins as Eisner-winning writer Bill Willingham takes Angel down some pretty twisted roads as the group's (and its leader's) fame starts causing tension and testing loyalties. | |||||
| Immortality for Dummies #29 | 29 | January 13, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham | Penciller: Brian Denham | ||||
| Where has the "hero of L.A." gone? While Team Angel Investigations try to figure out how to handle the everyday demons, danger, and evil-doing on their own, Angel's whereabouts turn out to be part of a seriously sinister conspiracy. | |||||
| The Trouble With Felicia #30 | 30 | February 17, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham | Penciller: Brian Denham | ||||
| Things are not going so well for either our famously intrepid hero or his "merry" band of assistant heroes. Spike and Gunn finds themselves committing rooftop shenanigans, Connor is in over his head back at the office, and Angel is starting to wonder if anyone is going to find him before he dies of boredom. And just what is Connor "chosen" for, anyway? | |||||
| The Big Dustup #31 | 31 | March 17, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham | Penciller: Brian Denham | ||||
| While Connor tries to get his devoted army of demon soldiers under control, a new player steps up, and Illyria decides not to take Angel's continued absence lying down. Meanwhile, Eddie Hope finds out that being a force for justice has some major consequences. | |||||
| Roman a Clef #32 | 32 | April 28, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham | Penciller: Brian Denham | ||||
| As more vampires start running around Hollywood, Connor and crew must figure out a way to stop the carnage and deal with his little merry band of demon girls. Meanwhile, Angel has it out with his captors, before learning that things really can get weirder than he thought. | |||||
| Letters Home: A Jamesian Interlude #33 | 33 | May 26, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Now that Angel is back in the fold, Connor must readjust to life as the Chosen One’s son. Luckily, he has an army of demon women at his beck and call. But nothing could really prepare anyone for what Illyria has in mind. | |||||
| #34: Bedroom Follies: Chapter 1 of Connorland / My Dinner With Gunn aka The Long Tale of Gunn | 34 | June 23, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham and Bill Williams | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| In the Angel family 'like father, like son' takes on a whole new meaning. With prophecies practically falling from the sky, Connor and Angel must figure out how to work together without getting back into bad habits. Meanwhile, Illyria's newfound interest in the prodigal son starts to get a little weird and the rest of the team wonders just what to do about ex-watcher Laura Kay Weathermill. | |||||
| #35: Prophet for Profit: Chapter 2 of Connorland / Gunn Smoked | 35 | July 28, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham and Bill Williams | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Sometimes being a 'chosen' one really sucks. Which is something Connor is about to find out when his little band of merry demon warrior women decide L.A. really needs to clean up its act. No human or supernatural thingie is safe from their swords. And not even Angel knows how to get them out of this mess. | |||||
| #36: Prophet for Profit: Chapter 2 of Connorland / Gunfight | 36 | August 18, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham and Bill Williams | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| When L.A. went to hell, everyone thought things couldn’t get any worse. Well, they were dead wrong. Especially now that the new Big Bad is officially out for blood. Meanwhile the magical fall out from The Fall continues to get weirder, and Angel find himself with more enemies than you can wave a sharp wooden type thingy at. | |||||
| #37: Prophet for Profit: Chapter 3 of Connorland / Round One | 37 | September 29, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham and Bill Williams | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Soul-Eaters. Demon armies. Dusting limbs. Prophecies run amok. The Angel-verse is always a little bit strange. But with Connor's life in danger, Angel must step up and take back his city. The only problem? It may already be too late! | |||||
| #38: Cats in the Cradle: Chapter 3 of Connorland / Knockout Punch | 38 | October 27, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Willingham, Bill Williams, David Tischman David Tischman David Tischman is an American comic book writer who has been active since 2000, writing for such series as American Century, Cable, Bite Club, and Star Trek.-Biography:Tischman wrote Greatest Hits at Vertigo.... and Mariah Huehner |
Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Death. Destruction. Destiny. None of these can compare with the betrayal Team Angel is about to face, the old enemy that's about to re-surface, and the epic showdown Angel and Connor are going to have to tackle together. And someone other than the readers finally wonders, just what the hell is really up with Spike? With this issue Bill Willingham finishes his run on the Angel series. | |||||
| The Wolf, the Ram and the Heart, Part 1 #39 | 39 | November 17, 2010 | |||
| Writer: David Tischman and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Now that all the weirdness has been explained, Angel and company are looking to get back to what they do best. Except an old enemy with the letters W and H comes back, Angel gets transported, and a whole new can of demony worms is opened. Literally. | |||||
| The Wolf, the Ram and the Heart, Part 2 #40 | 40 | December 15, 2010 | |||
| Writer: David Tischman and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Jason Armstrong | ||||
| Angel discovers an old nemesis with a common foe, as James continues to turn L.A. into his own private demon farm. Can the enemy of his enemy be his friend, or is Angel about to get major league betrayed? | |||||
| The Wolf, the Ram and the Heart, Part 3 #41 | 41 | January 26, 2011 | |||
| Writer: David Tischman and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Stephen Mooney | ||||
| Angel quickly adapts to his new situation, only to discover that Wolfram and Hart and James are the least of his worries, as someone unexpected decides it's time to stop playing nice. Meanwhile, Connor and the gang are under attack at the new headquarters from yet another threat! | |||||
| The Wolf, the Ram and the Heart, Part 4 #42 | 42 | February 16, 2011 | |||
| Writer: David Tischman and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Illyria finds Angel in deep trouble, and Angel finds Illyria altered. The two of them must confront Wolfram & Hart, and the Big Bad, if they have any hope of rescuing L.A. Of course, it's not nearly that simple, and Illyria must make a sacrifice. | |||||
| The Wolf, the Ram and the Heart, Part 5 #43 | 43 | March 23, 2011 | |||
| Writer: David Tischman and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Time is quite literally running out for Angel. He must stop the ultimate Big Bad, Wolfram & Hart, and somehow get back to Connor before L.A. becomes a permanent demon farm. Can Illyria help, or is the sacrifice too great? | |||||
| The Wolf, the Ram and the Heart, Part 6 #44 | 44 | April 27, 2011 | |||
| Writer: David Tischman and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| In the final issue, storylines dating back to After the Fall #1 all tie together in this explosive last hurrah for Angel and his team. Don't miss your chance to say goodbye to the original vampire with a soul before he heads off into the twilight. | |||||
Spike: After the Fall
| Title | Issue # | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spike: After the Fall #1 | 1 | July 16, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Spinning out of Spike's First Night story, the first issue of Spike: After the Fall shows Spike and Illyria watching over a group of citizens. Illyria keeps turning back into Fred, and Spike is forced to keep turning her back into Illyria to protect her. Spike questions whether he may have feelings for Fred, and the group of women that Spike is with during Angel: After the Fall make their first chronological appearance. | |||||
| Spike: After the Fall #2 | 2 | August 13, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| The issue opens with Spike meeting the dragon: while Spike considers ways of killing it, the dragon communicates that Spike should mount it. Once together, the dragon takes Spike to Wolfram & Hart, where a figure whom Spike does not recognize is suspended inside an energy field, writhing in pain. Meanwhile, the civilians are at the mercy of the group of women. Spike encounters one, commandeers her truck, and finds the hostages, then tries to run down their leader of the group of female demons. She throws Fred in front of the truck, and Fred reverts to Illyria on impact. Illyria and Spike begin to melee the demon women, but their leader drains life from the hostages, turning them into zombies, and Spike and Illyria are subdued. Spike awakens chained in a dark room filled with his zombified wards, and the demon leader tells him she is keeping him alive for his connections. | |||||
| Spike: After the Fall #3 | 3 | September 17, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Non, the head of the female demons, attempts to bargain with a Gunn to return Spike to him. Gunn beats her down and lets her go leading her to decide to kill Spike and all the humans with him. Non attempts to behead Illyria, but the ax shatters on contact. Illyria breaks free and starts killing all the female demons. Non prepares to kill the last human hostage before Connor appears and stops her. | |||||
| Spike: After the Fall #4 | 4 | October 29, 2008 | |||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Franco Urru | ||||
| Connor, Spike, and Illyria continue their battle with Non. In the midst of the battle, Non attempts to feed on Connor, whom she realizes is not human, and on whom she cannot feed. After discovering that Non's Sadecki demon controls her flock of females, Spike tells Illyria to finish it off. During her confrontation with the demon, she again starts reverting between Fred and Illyria, but finally is able to gather herself and kill the demon. Realizing his plan worked, Spike goes mano a mano with Non. After taking a beating from Spike, Non uses the last human hostage that the gang saved to gain some energy back. Illyria realizes this and kills the human, allowing Spike to finish off Non. Spike then becomes Lord of Beverly Hills, and tells the other lords to keep out. Later, Spike and Connor meet up and begin their crusade of saving the remaining humans in Los Angeles. | |||||
Angel: Only Human
| Title | Issue # | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel: Only Human #1 | 1 | August 12, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Scott Lobdell Scott Lobdell Scott Lobdell is an American comic book writer.-Early Career:Scott didn't begin to read comics until he was 17 years old, while lying in bed after lung surgery.... |
Penciller: David Messina David Messina David Messina is an Italian comics artist.His work has included:*Doyle: Spotlight *"Unacceptable Losses"*The Curse *Old Friends *Star Trek: Countdown... |
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| Spinning out of the events of Angel #23, Gunn and Illyria embark on their very own five-part miniseries. Fully restored in body if not in mind, Illyria—infected with humanity—and Gunn—infected with darkness—hit the road in an attempt to find redemption, or die trying. | |||||
| Angel: Only Human #2 | 2 | September 9, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Scott Lobdell | Penciller: David Messina | ||||
| They consider themselves the purest strain of demons they are the Scourge! This race of demon supremacists are determined to liberate an enslaved Old One from the nether-bowels of... Texas! Fortunately Illyria and Gunn are on hand to make sure that doesn't happen. That is, if she's not distracted by a passionate kiss from Fred's long ago prom date! | |||||
| Angel: Only Human #3 | 3 | October 14, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Scott Lobdell | Penciller: David Messina | ||||
| Another Old One roams the Earth! And don't think he's going to go easy on Illyria, his ex master. (Considering she's the one that enslaved him several hundred thousand years ago, it doesn't look like a reconciliation is in the cards.) All this and a glimpse into Gunn's past, revealing the very first time he ever met a vampire... in his beloved Grandmother's kitchen. |
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| Angel: Only Human #4 | 4 | November 18, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Scott Lobdell | Penciller: David Messina | ||||
| Unlike Illyria, this Old One is in its original form and the resulting battle between the demon lord and its pet stretches from one end of Texas to the other! Ever wonder just how powerful Illyria is when she doesn't have to worry about Angel or Spike or Wesley whispering sweet restraint in her ear? Meanwhile Gunn battles The Scourge. | |||||
| Angel: Only Human #5 | 5 | December 23, 2009 | |||
| Writer: Scott Lobdell | Penciller: David Messina | ||||
| As Gunn faces down the last of The Scourge and makes a desperate last stand, Illyria faces off one last time with her old "pet," Baticus. How do you defeat a demon who keeps growing back all his parts? But it's the gruesome discovery that Gunn makes that could change the entire game. | |||||
Spike: The Devil You Know
| Title | Issue # | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spike: The Devil You Know #1 | 1 | June 16, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Williams | Penciller: Chris Cross | ||||
| While out and about (drinking, naturally) Spike gets in trouble over a girl (of course) and finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy that involves Hellmouths, blood factories, and demons. Just another day in Los Angeles, really. But when devil Eddie Hope gets involved, they might just kill each other before getting to the bad guys. | |||||
| Spike: The Devil You Know #2 – The Thundering Hooves of Death | 2 | July 21, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Williams | Penciller: Chris Cross | ||||
| Spike and Eddie continue to butt heads, sometimes literally, as they try to figure out what to do about some baby Hellmouths, blood manufacturing, and oh yeah…world destruction. | |||||
| Spike: The Devil You Know #3 – The Thunderous Hooves of Death | 3 | September 1, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Williams | Penciller: Chris Cross | ||||
| Reluctant teammates Spike and Eddie Hope are having a hell of time getting information out of the demon world about their newest nemesis and her agenda. They’re also having a hard time not strangling each other. But a high stakes card game, some new Hellmouth problems, and a really big killer demon, could force them to have to get along in a hurry. | |||||
| Spike: The Devil You Know #4 – The Last Demon Standing | 4 | September 22, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Bill Williams | Penciller: Chris Cross | ||||
| Trading quips along with punches, Spike and Eddie Hope make a last desperate effort to save Los Angeles and stop some hostile demons from setting up shop with their baby Hellmouths. Which is all in a day's work until something goes horribly wrong. | |||||
Illyria: Haunted
| Title | Issue # | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illyria: Haunted #1 | 1 | November 10, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Scott Tipton and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Re-born out of tragedy, older than time, Illyria has been one of the most mysterious and alien members of Team Angel since her resurrection. Infected with the memories of those who loved Fred, Illyria now struggles with the burden of her guilt. Seeking out help from Angel and Spike, Illyria begins a quest that will take her back into her past, and face the consequences of being made whole again in a world she does not belong in. | |||||
| Illyria: Haunted #2 | 2 | December 22, 2010 | |||
| Writer: Scott Tipton and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Illyria must complete a task before she can access the way to The Deeper Well, and she needs Spike's help to do it. What sort of trinket could a demon possibly need, and what will she find when she goes back 'home'? | |||||
| Illyria: Haunted #3 | 3 | January 26, 2011 | |||
| Writer: Scott Tipton and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| The Deeper Well-something about the name fills everyone with dread, even Illyria. The last time she was there, she was entombed in essence only, a prisoner. Now she must face the new protector of the well and its minions and she won't stop until she gets the answers she's looking for... | |||||
| Illyria: Haunted #4 | 4 | February 16, 2011 | |||
| Writer: Scott Tipton and Mariah Huehner | Penciller: Elena Casagrande | ||||
| Reclaiming some of what she had lost, Illyria must choose between what she was and who she could become. Her choice comes at a price as well as a final farewell she never thought she'd make | |||||
One-shots
| Title | Release date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Annual #1: Last Angel in Hell | December 23, 2009 | ||||
| Writer: Brian Lynch | Penciller: Stephen Mooney | ||||
| When L.A. went to Hell in After the Fall, so did thousands of screenwriters, one of whom wrote a movie based on Angel's experiences there. The first-ever Angel Annual presents an adaptation of Angel's travails, Hollywood-style, in Angel: Last Angel in Hell: The Official Movie Adaptation. Mooney presents two movie poster covers, one featuring the real Angel and company, the other with their Hollywood counterparts. | |||||
| Angel/Lorne Special: Music of the Spheres | March 24, 2010 | ||||
| Writer: John Byrne | Penciller: John Byrne | ||||
| The world is in peril (again)! Only the most unlikely member of Angel's entourage is able to save the day. A special book-length tribute to the late Andy Hallett Andy Hallett Andrew Alcott "Andy" Hallett was an American singer and actor best known for playing the part of Lorne in the television series Angel. He used his singing talents often on the show, and performed two songs on the series' 2005 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never.-Early life:Andrew Alcott... and his character, Lorne. |
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| Angel Yearbook | May 25, 2011 | ||||
| Writer: Jeff Mariotte Jeff Mariotte Jeff Mariotte is an author who currently lives in Arizona with his wife, author Maryelizabeth Hart, and family. As well as his own original work, he is best known for writing novels and comic books based on licensed properties.-Biography:... , Peter David Peter David Peter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games... , Scott Tipton, Elena Casagrande, Patrick Shand, Daniel Roth, Brian Lynch, Chris Ryall Chris Ryall Christopher "Chris" Ryall is best known as the Chief Creative Officer and Editor-in-Chief of IDW Publishing , and as a writer in the comic book industry. In February 2011, his Eisner Award-nominated series, Zombies vs. Robots, co-created with artist Ashley Wood, was optioned by Sony Pictures for... |
Penciller: David Messina David Messina David Messina is an Italian comics artist.His work has included:*Doyle: Spotlight *"Unacceptable Losses"*The Curse *Old Friends *Star Trek: Countdown... , Gaetano Carlucci, Stephen Mooney, Elena Casagrande, Franco Urru |
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| IDW's final farewell to the Angelverse is full of the creators who have been telling stories about the vampire with a soul from the very beginning. All new stories by fan-favorite creators from throughout IDW's run! Each tale will be a farewell from the writers and artists who have known him best. | |||||
Collected editions
The series has been collected into a number of volumesTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
| Title | Issues # | Release date | ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel: After the Fall – Volume One | 1–5 | July 16, 2008 | ISBN 160010181X (Hardcover) ISBN 160010343X (Trade Paperback) |
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| Angel: After the Fall – Volume Two: First Night | 6–8 | September 10, 2008 | ISBN 160010231X (Hardcover) ISBN 1600103936 (Trade Paperback) |
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| Angel: After the Fall – Volume Three | 9–12 | March 11, 2009 | ISBN 1600103774 (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: After the Fall – Volume Four | 13–17 | July 15, 2009 | ISBN 1600104614 (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: After the Fall – Premiere Edition | 1–17 | March 8, 2011 | ISBN 160010861X (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: Aftermath – Volume Five | 18–22 | September 9, 2009 | ISBN 1600105165 (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: Last Angel in Hell – Volume Six | 23–27, Angel Annual #1 | May 30, 2010 | ISBN 160010732X (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: Immortality for Dummies – Volume One | 28–32 | July 14, 2010 | ISBN 1600106897 (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: The Crown Prince Syndrome – Volume Two | 33–38 | December 14, 2010 | ISBN 1600107893 (Hardcover) | ||
| Angel: The Wolf, the Ram, and the Heart – Volume Three | 39–44 | June 21, 2011 | ISBN 1600109446 (Hardcover) | ||
| Spike: After the Fall | 1–4 | February 11, 2009 | ISBN 1600103685 (Hardcover) ISBN 160010665X (Trade Paperback) |
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| Angel: Only Human | 1–5 | February 17, 2010 | ISBN 1600105971 (Trade Paperback) | ||
| Spike: The Devil You Know | 1–4 | December 14, 2010 | ISBN 1600107648 (Trade Paperback) | ||
| Illyria: Haunted | 1–4 | May 17, 2011 | ISBN 1600109330 (Trade Paperback) | ||
Reception
Initial reviews have been generally favorable. However, fan reaction has been mixed. Troy Brownfield of Newsarama believed the most enjoyable aspect of the first issue "was seeing members of the extensive cast turn up again in surprising ways" and was pleased to see the return of minor characters from the television series. He described the reveal of Gunn as a vampire as "rather startling" and a "new injection of life" for the character. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Bryan Joel believed that the first issue wasn't as accessible for new readers as that of Buffy Season Eight, claiming that it read "less like the season premiere of the next season of Angel and more like episode 23 of season 5". He felt that the tone and characterization remained "true to its source material and fans will be happy to know Whedon's trademark dialogue knack is, for the most part, intact", but warned that the elaborate visuals of Angel flying through the hell-bound Los Angeles on a dragon may be too far removed from the television series for some readers. In an "Additional Take" review, Joel's colleague criticized the dialogue for lacking "the trademark witty banter" and worried that the hellish new setting might detract from the reality of the characters, describing it as "an interesting turn for what was once a very grounded fantasy series".
The artwork by Franco Urru was described as "reasonably good" by Brownfield, who claimed that while it captures the likeness of the characters, Urru's work lacks sharpness and "the weight of that terrific Tony Harris cover." IGN believed Urru is talented when he "lets loose" creating demons, but less impressive when it comes to matching characters to their respective actors.
The series has been a success for publisher IDW Publishing, who report that it has become the company's highest-charting comic book release ever.