Angel #1
Boom Comics
Words by: Bryan Edward Hill
Art by: Gleb Melnikov
Color by: Gleb Melnikov & Gabtirl Cassata
Letters by: Ed Dukeshire
As a prequel to the Buffy Series, it’s a refreshing take on how Angel got to Sunnydale. We still get the same gruff Angel that we are used to but just modernized.
An aspect of the Buffy comics that I have enjoyed when they were with Dark Horse and now with Boom is how they adapt to modern times. The overall theme of this issue deals with the tribulations that the younger generations handle with social media. Using that as the theme helps modernize Buffy for the old and new readers.
The story is solid for a first issue. The themes are integrated well into the story and allow them to go deeper into a different meaning. With this helping to set up some crossover from the Buffy and Angel tv series.
The art is good. It doesn’t try to duplicate the exact likeness of the characters it takes and uses their theme. This helps makes the story their own and not seen as a copy of the series. The use of color also helps with the theme and mood.
Overall the issue helps set up the Angel prequel and helps explain how he got to Sunnydale. The weak parts were smoothed over which allowed the creative team to develop the story. If you are unfamiliar with the Buffy Series then no worries. They set up the store to welcome new readers, giving them the opportunity to read without context in the prior series.