The series finale of Angel was the most brilliant episode of television I've ever seen. It was just a poignant, sad, and epic send-off to the characters I'd been following for so many years. It ended in the middle of a fight, because the point was that Angel would always be fighting to make things right. It was the perfect way to end the show. So needless to say, I wanted more. I mean, it's "Angel." When the day came that "Angel: After the Fall #1" was released, I held it in my hand for a second and realized that I would probably be disappointed. How could this book live up to my expectations. So again, needless to say... it didn't. It exceeded them.
Brian Lynch understands the story and world of Angel in a way that only we passionate few--the fans--do. He takes what was great about Season Five and continues it, starting us off with an Angel who is broken and half the man he was, but still--as always--trying to make things right. The environment is different, because LA has been sent to Hell. Angel's situation is different, because... well, you'll have to read that to find out, because it's one of many revelations that will shock you with just how ballsy Joss and Brian are... because they take it to THAT level.
These are literally the best comics I've ever read. The story is clear, so large scale, and really tugs hard at the heartstrings. The art is stylized but always beautiful. Artist Franco Urru is great with character moments and facial expressions, but his true appeal is in his action sequences, which bust with life. I've read these five issues about fifteen times each. So last night, when I sat down to read them in the hardcover collection format, I thought I'd just read the first issue and falls asleep. But I read the entire book in the one sitting, after already having read each issue so many times. And I was still utterly captivated. Such is the power of Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, Franco Urru, and Angel.
The book itself is beautiful and has a gorgeous cover and nice thick pages that will stand up to many readings. There is a nice design to the inside of this hardcover, which really shows that IDW put their all into this product. I've had complaints about IDW's Angel TPBS in the past, because some of the books have very weak spines, but this is simply a very handsome book that really stands out on your shelf. And unlike the Buffy: Season Eight collections, this book is packed with extras. There is an introduction by Brian Lynch, chapter page, a cover gallery, the original series proposal by Joss Whedon and Brian Lynch, the script to the first issue with commentary by Brian Lynch, and even a cloth bookmark for you to mark your place.
10/10 Classic.