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Peter David tries again with his character Liandra the fallen guardian angel in Fallen Angel: Reborn,(fitting). This issue features Illyria, who turns out to be a character from the long canceled Angel (spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
The story begins with a scene at a rained on cemetery. Illyria is marveling at her mystical, bladed weapon when Liandra tries to grab the weapon from her, and with a white flash they are transported from the city of Bete Noire to the Arctic. That white flash sets the tone for the art work throughout the rest of the book. Apparently the Arctic at daylight makes for so much white scenery. I so wish this story was set when the Arctic was at dusk. Not only would it have been easier on the eyes, but it would have also given the artist an excuse to create some visually stunning scenery. I'm guessing the artist needed the break from all the dark shading that this series usually entails. The characters, at least, are done well.
Illyria has been mounted by a polar bear, and in an especially grisly scene Liandra decapitates the animal. Though enemies, they don't fight. Instead they agree to cooperate, and trek through the snow to where the mate of Illyria's blade is.
Disregarding the novelty of having this character in the book, Illyria seems to fit well. In fact, this former demon goddess, and warlord is even more interesting, and likable than the eponymous Fallen Angel. This says much about Liandra's glowering disposition. Both characters exchange retort, and say dark, over dramatic things. After a strange transition involving the cub of the beheaded polar bear, and the two women deciding to work together, Liandra exclaims that she (Liandra) has “no heart”, and adds that “[she] probably did at one time”. Since this story is relatively low in the action department, and set in bland scenery, most of the enjoyment in this book is drawn from the dialogue. Fun with language. Illyria has a cold, erudite way of speaking, where as Liandra has a more modern, brash tongue. While Illyria's vocabulary seems forced at times, she is less dramatic than Liandra, and not all that dark considering the fact she is a demon goddess. This is a good thing because the contrast between the two characters actually becomes enjoyable about half way through the book. Liandra even rattles off one, or two good, super hero one-liners.
If this run of the Fallen Angel title does survive, Peter David would do well to write Illyria in to the series as much as possible. It seems to me that this comic would surely delight the same audience that teen, vampire literature would.
6/10
Matt Hill
Staff Reviewer Read more... Read More
