Review: Angel & Faith #3

Live Through This, issue 3

Writer: Christos Gage

Pencils: Rebekah Isaacs

Covers: Steve Morris/Rebekah Isaacs with Dan Jackson

Our heroes continue their efforts to discover the source of the Mohra blood being sold on the black market. While Angel remains focussed on his mission to find a way to bring back Giles, Faith continues to mentor the young slayers of London while her growing concern for Angel’s state of mind leads her to a difficult decision.

Christos Gage has done in Angel & Faith what very few, if any, writers have managed in the Buffy comics – he has made the characters and dialogue his own. Perhaps it’s because he’s not writing the central three (Buffy, Xander and Willow), or because he has been allowed to strike out into his own narrative territory, but whatever the reason I never find myself wishing that Joss Whedon was scripting this comic.

In particular Gage has absolutely nailed Faith’s tone and attitude. He eloquently captures every side of this complex character as she struggles with her own past, tries to provide some emotional support to the guilt-ridden Angel and steps into the role of responsible role model for the slayers. What’s even more enjoyable for the reader is that Gage’s scripts seem to get better every time; if this trend continues then the future is bright for this series!

The story still feels like it has yet to hit its stride. Angel & Faith, so far, is a story about two characters (and a number of supporting characters) who are still reeling from recent events and, in some cases, their part in those events. As such, sometimes the action feels like an afterthought but I think, as things progress, the action and the character arcs will come together into a recognisable whole. I’m interested to see what will happen in the side story about Faith and the slayers. At the moment it’s hard to see where this is going except to say that the slayers won’t be impressed when/if they discover Faith is helping Angel.

Rebekah Isaacs continues to do an exceptional job on pencils and remains, in my opinion, a better choice for the series than Georges Jeanty is for Buffy Season 9.  Isaacs draws vital, eloquent panels that are beautiful to look at and rich in detail. Working alongside Isaacs Dan Jackson does a wonderful job on colours that help place the series in a UK setting. His use of deep purples and blue tones in the night scenes is particularly compelling.

Verdict: This series is getting better as it continues to find its feet.  Faith’s dialogue in this issue is particularly enjoyable and her characterisation is absolutely top notch.  8/10

Bernice Watson

Check out our reviews of issues 1 and 2; and issues 1 and 2 of Buffy Season 9