Well I'm curious. I hope it's more than just the 'help the locals out against evil local lord' type story it seemed to be. Sounds like every western ever made. And of course, I hope they explain why Angel does this gypsy thing now after years of completely ignoring the possibility. There is some potential here for a rather standard type of story. I hope it's not the case. If they go a little into those things and motivations and have some surprises, this could be a nice read.

I don't want to sound negative, I just really hope that the first official return to these characters since AtS ended is going to be good and not as sub par as many of the comics were.

EdDantes | June 29, 10:40 CET

Notice they said first printing is already sold out! That is great! I had all the covers reserved in my saver at the comic store, so I got in on the first print.Wonder how many a first print run was. I mean did they unde-print it to sell it out?
But I am so happy so many want to see what is happening with Angel. The artwork I saw was scary and neat all at the same time, so I look forward to getting it tom.

[ edited by FalenAnjl on 2005-06-29 08:42 ]

FalenAnjl | June 29, 10:41 CET

This is only my take about it, but I think Angel didn't think it was possible until recently. Until Spike.

NickSeng | June 29, 12:22 CET

I can't decide whether or not to buy these comics. In my mind, they all died in that alley. Even so, maybe reading the comics would ease the heartache I still feel over the cancellation of "Angel." Perhaps I'll just wait for some non-spoilery reviews from you guys. :)

[ edited by obsessed on 2005-06-29 11:19 ]

obsessed | June 29, 13:19 CET

Well, it's probably because he always thought of his way out of the curse was by fulfilling the Shanshu prophecy and becoming human. But now that he's signed it away that's not an option anymore, so he'll have to look into other means. Plus he probably thinks he deserves it now that he's done so much in the way of redemption (selflessly signing away his one chance of becoming human again, overcoming Wolfram & Hart, saving many lives while losing some of his most beloved friends in the process, etc.), unlike in AtS season 1 when he didn't think he had done enough redemption to deserve it yet.

Storyteller | June 29, 14:25 CET

That goes against everything Angel is.If he feels he know deserves some sort of reward for all his redemption, I guess to me that would say he really has missed the pooint. And since Angel is always about endlessly torturing himself, it would go against that as well. And his own spech to Faith about never being done paying.

I was more thinking he felt the need, now that all his immediate family was dead, his home for over five years, and his job defending that home were gone. He has rarely thought of Spike as family, not like wes, gunn, cordy and Fred. And once again to protect Conner, had to let him go. So he might have been so guilty that maybe he was looking for answers. So he goes looking for them back to were it all started. The gypses. Maybe to find answer why Spike was able to fight for his soul, but he who has faught for all these years for TPTB must endure pain after pain.

Nfa was about never giving up. So followwing Angel's theme perhaps this is a new start again. Looking for a new answer to an old question. Why does he still exsist. What more does he need to do? How much more pain until he can find some peace? And that can only be answered by the ones he wronged in the first place.

Just a thought.

[ edited by FalenAnjl on 2005-06-29 13:32 ]

FalenAnjl | June 29, 15:31 CET

Hello, I am hoping to pick someone's brain over the whole comic thing. I've recently read Fray and was quite impressed with most of it and am eager to read more official comics. It sounds as if this one is official but which others are and are they any good? I've gathered that Tales of the Slayers and Tales of the Vampires are official, plus the Firefly ones, but are there any others? Also, about Angel: the Curse, this is just issue one right? So any idea how many issues there will be and if/when a compilation book of every issue might be released? Thanks in advance. :)

DArtagnan | June 29, 18:20 CET

I think there's five issues, and as far as I can work it's a tale set after 'Not Fade Away' that's officially ok'ed by Joss. But that's about the extent of his involvement. There should be a compilation book released, sometime in the New Year I would reckon.

A lot of the Buffy comic books are hit or miss. However, there are some online here (well till the middle of July anyhow) if you want have a look.

Simon | June 29, 18:30 CET

Is this for sure out today? I can't find it anywhere on Diamond's Shipping List. It should be under the general COMICS heading, since IDW doesn't have its own subcategory like Dark Horse or Marvel Comics.

Kris | June 29, 22:10 CET

My shop says it is in , I just have to get of my ass and go it. They recieved it this morning. You are right it is not marked. Look under misc.

Call your comic book store, as most recieve and fill savers on Wed.

FalenAnjl | June 29, 22:33 CET

Why not buy it directly from IDW?

killinj | June 29, 22:50 CET

Just an FYI, the comic didn't get released today (hence the not seeing it on Diamond distribution). I know I called my comic shop and they said a big "NEIN!"

cubiclesatan | June 29, 23:08 CET

Really? A poster on another board said they picked one up. Very odd. I know sometimes here in the UK we get certain comic books a week late.

Simon | June 29, 23:11 CET

Did this poster on the other board say if they liked it? I've been scouring review sites and comic boards for the last hour to see what people have thought and so far come up with nothing.

Jackal | June 29, 23:21 CET

They it was ok, pretty much a case of exposition/backstory for those who had never seen the show.

Simon | June 29, 23:23 CET

My store has it and I'm getting the last one.

melsta | June 29, 23:33 CET

The Forbidden Planet had it today but I will be strong and wait for the compilation book. Thanks for the info Simon.

DArtagnan | June 29, 23:35 CET

A store here in D.C. has it today. No big "nein" from them.

phlebotinin | June 29, 23:43 CET

<<<<<I hope they explain why Angel does this gypsy thing now after years of completely ignoring the possibility. >>>>>>>>

They do. And oddly enough, it has little to do with any of the possible explanations above.

[ edited by nychick on 2005-06-29 21:45 ]

nychick | June 29, 23:44 CET

Is the explanation a plausible one? Are there any flashbacks to the alley yet? I'm desperate here.

Jackal | June 29, 23:52 CET

And feel free to use invisible text should anyone wish to respond to Jackal's plea . . . some readers might like to find out for themselves.

SoddingNancyTribe | June 30, 00:10 CET

I know not of the invisible test usage, so yeah, for me at least, the explanation was very plausable though may not be to the liking of some for 'ship' reasons.

nychick | June 30, 00:27 CET

The 'How to' section explains how to invisible your text:

[span class="invisible"]text you want to hide[/span], but substituting these brackets < > for the [ ] ones.

SoddingNancyTribe | June 30, 00:48 CET

[ edited by Angela on 2005-06-29 23:06 ]

Second attempt, after actually managing to use the wrong brackets when SNT stated clearly to switch them. Sigh.

[ edited by Angela on 2005-06-29 23:07 ]

Angela | June 30, 01:05 CET

*does little dance*

I managed to learn something new today. Please feel free to return to your regular programming, I'll get the hell out of this thread now, I just had to attempt to do this sometime, somewhere.

Angela | June 30, 01:08 CET

Ship reasons, eh... So I guess he's doing it so he can be with Nina, then?

Storyteller | June 30, 01:13 CET

Here's hoping this works. Damn storyteller, that was a good guess. Right on the money, though from how I read it, it was mostly for any potential relationship Angel may find himself in, Nina included. He wants any relationship he's in to either work or fail on it's own merits and not because of the curse or things he's done in his past.

That's my interpretation at least

Oh and for whoever asked, NO NFA flashbacks

Whoo hoo! I learned something new today too.

nychick | June 30, 01:28 CET

I agree to the non specific of the above statement, as that certain thing was already over. I just want some peace for the big guy.

Sad, because this comic will feel like a big sad kick in the ass again if he does not get it in the end or something to the equivelent.

The artwork is very nice. I expect the story will really get grooving in the next one.

But my comic store was sold out of the shelve and had only special orders left. So very nice!

FalenAnjl | June 30, 01:40 CET

About the artwork? I dunno. I didn't like it. The drawings hardly looked like the actors at all especially Nina

nychick | June 30, 01:44 CET

It will get better, but it suits the feel of Angel.

FalenAnjl | June 30, 01:53 CET

My store had probably 50 copies left this afternoon. So, lots to be had in St. Louis. I thought it was ok, but I'll wait to see how things develop. I don't mind Angel trying to solve the whole perfect happiness thing, but didn't Jenny Calendar say that her people had lost those magicks? (when it's plural it feels like it needs a k, not sure why). Why would they know now? Just a quibble.
Artwork was pretty good, not on the level of Astonishing or Fray, but still nice to look at.

Biff Turkle | June 30, 02:27 CET

Nina is in it? Oh, how exciting! I definetely want to pick it up now!

aapac | June 30, 06:01 CET

It is in reference only, like with others.

FalenAnjl | June 30, 06:06 CET

Wow, this really wasn't good. The author completely failed to nail Angel's voice, I think.

I did get the puppet cover, though. That was nice.

MattM | July 01, 21:48 CET