Broken Frontier

Angelus has usually been a antagonistic character in Top Cow’s universe, but now the latest bearer of the primal force is former Witchblade wielder Danielle Baptiste, and so the villain becomes the hero. Angelus joins the other members of Top Cow’s trinity, Witchblade and The Darkness, in getting her own ongoing series.

While most first issues deal with some sort of origin story, Angelus does not, instead relying on a brief history lesson on an already well-established character in the Top Cow universe.  If you want to find out how Danielle came into possession of the Angelus force, you had better buy Witchblade #130 as well. 

Ron Marz’s story covers pretty simple ground: Danielle and her “are-they? or aren't-they?” friend Finch have just moved to New Orleans following Danielle being imbued with the power of the Angelus.  Dani must come to grips with the power she now wields, and the heavenly host she commands.

This first issue of Angelus serves primarily as a backdrop for later issues; the characters are introduced and the first major conflict is brought to light.  Not much else of substance happens in this issue, besides a few arbitrary demon fights, banal one-liners, and a discussion of the benefits of bisexuality.  Six pages of “Danielle and Finch get a new apartment” is too much for me. There really was nothing special in this issue that grabbed my attention and refused to let go.

Stjepan Sejic’s art has an interesting and unique watercolor feel, but in some scenes the detail appears rushed and unfinished. Sejic does a great job drawing three-headed demon monsters from hell, but misses the mark a bit when it come to people and faces.

Fans of Witchblade and The Darkness may want to pick up Angelus to complete their Top Cow trifecta, but they should be aware that the comic may not tell them much more than they already know.  New readers will find the issue easy enough to jump into, but the depth of the Mythos is a lot for a new reader to bear, especially when the story is just a set-up.

I would recommend Angelus only to those Witchblade and The Darkness fans that can’t get enough of the Top Cow universe, and to the few remaining issue #1 fetishists. Everyone else should leave it on the shelf.