Archangel 8 #3 Review
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: C.P. Smith
Colours: Snakebite Cortez
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Michael Moreci seems in no great hurry to explore the mythology he’s creating in Archangel 8. He's established that our central hero is an angel, he's working on behalf of another angel, and is hunting down a third angel. And that's all he needs to tell the reader. It's incredibly refreshing that he doesn't feel the need to bog the story down by fleshing out the mythology. Moreci has enough faith in the reader that he doesn't bother with needless exposition, instead leaving the reader to figure it out as the series progresses. This feels tonally very similar to the best Punisher tales, but with a whole religious mythology being central to it, and it works incredibly well. This is Punisher meets Hellblazer, what better description is needed? While the mythology hasn’t been explored in any great details yet it feels central to the entire plot, and surely answers will be forthcoming soon.
Moreci’s writing is reminiscent of Garth Ennis’, there’s a level of ultra violence which is very similar to Ennis run on Punisher. It occupies a morally grey area, of hitmen taking out targets by any means necessary. Throw in the fact that our hero is an Archangel, chasing down another Angel, on the orders of Gabriel himself, and it makes an already morally grey area into a whole other realm. Then there’s demons, and the hint that things aren’t quite as cut and dry as Raziel seems to believe. It makes for some interesting and rather murky storytelling.
Raziel seems a couple of steps closer to reaching his target and understanding the master plan, all of which has been laid out for him. The bodies in the first issue forming the number eight, and then a similar setup in this issue, lets the reader know that eight is in fact key to events, even if he’s not aware of his own involvement.
C.P. Smiths art has a level of intricate detail and realism to it rarely seen in comics, which is perfectly suited to the ultra violent tale of Angels being explored in this series. The action scenes manage to capture a real sense of motion and energy and you can practically see the events unfolding before your eyes. And he doesn’t shy away from the more violent and grisly acts either, with blood splatters aplenty.
Snakebite Cortez is the perfect colourist for C.P. Smith. His colours perfectly complement the art on display, and the finished page is out of this world. It’s got its own strong identity, ultra realistic, ultra graphic, and fantastic. While it’s true that the best comics have a great collaboration between all of the creators it’s never more true than it is of an artist and colourist, and the pair of them make outstanding art.
This is another guaranteed hit from newcomer AWA. There is an unbelievably high level of quality in all of the creators they’ve chosen to work on each of their comics, the writing has been of a ridiculously high standard, the artwork immediately catches the eye and distinguishes itself from anything the big two in comics are producing, and each of their titles demands to be read. Read this comic, and while you’re at it grab everything else that AWA is putting out there because as this comic demonstrates the level of talent on display is phenomenal.
Ultra violent angel hitman on the trail of a rogue angel and his demon partner, with a huge body count in their wake? The lovechild of Punisher and Hellblazer? Such an incredible set-up for a comic, and Moreci, Smith and Cortez keep on delivering. The writing, the art, the colours, all are absolutely top notch and demand to be read. This, along with everything else AWA is currently producing, demands to be read. Comic lovers owe it to themselves to be reading this series.
Artist: C.P. Smith
Colours: Snakebite Cortez
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Michael Moreci seems in no great hurry to explore the mythology he’s creating in Archangel 8. He's established that our central hero is an angel, he's working on behalf of another angel, and is hunting down a third angel. And that's all he needs to tell the reader. It's incredibly refreshing that he doesn't feel the need to bog the story down by fleshing out the mythology. Moreci has enough faith in the reader that he doesn't bother with needless exposition, instead leaving the reader to figure it out as the series progresses. This feels tonally very similar to the best Punisher tales, but with a whole religious mythology being central to it, and it works incredibly well. This is Punisher meets Hellblazer, what better description is needed? While the mythology hasn’t been explored in any great details yet it feels central to the entire plot, and surely answers will be forthcoming soon.
Moreci’s writing is reminiscent of Garth Ennis’, there’s a level of ultra violence which is very similar to Ennis run on Punisher. It occupies a morally grey area, of hitmen taking out targets by any means necessary. Throw in the fact that our hero is an Archangel, chasing down another Angel, on the orders of Gabriel himself, and it makes an already morally grey area into a whole other realm. Then there’s demons, and the hint that things aren’t quite as cut and dry as Raziel seems to believe. It makes for some interesting and rather murky storytelling.
Raziel seems a couple of steps closer to reaching his target and understanding the master plan, all of which has been laid out for him. The bodies in the first issue forming the number eight, and then a similar setup in this issue, lets the reader know that eight is in fact key to events, even if he’s not aware of his own involvement.
C.P. Smiths art has a level of intricate detail and realism to it rarely seen in comics, which is perfectly suited to the ultra violent tale of Angels being explored in this series. The action scenes manage to capture a real sense of motion and energy and you can practically see the events unfolding before your eyes. And he doesn’t shy away from the more violent and grisly acts either, with blood splatters aplenty.
Snakebite Cortez is the perfect colourist for C.P. Smith. His colours perfectly complement the art on display, and the finished page is out of this world. It’s got its own strong identity, ultra realistic, ultra graphic, and fantastic. While it’s true that the best comics have a great collaboration between all of the creators it’s never more true than it is of an artist and colourist, and the pair of them make outstanding art.
This is another guaranteed hit from newcomer AWA. There is an unbelievably high level of quality in all of the creators they’ve chosen to work on each of their comics, the writing has been of a ridiculously high standard, the artwork immediately catches the eye and distinguishes itself from anything the big two in comics are producing, and each of their titles demands to be read. Read this comic, and while you’re at it grab everything else that AWA is putting out there because as this comic demonstrates the level of talent on display is phenomenal.
Ultra violent angel hitman on the trail of a rogue angel and his demon partner, with a huge body count in their wake? The lovechild of Punisher and Hellblazer? Such an incredible set-up for a comic, and Moreci, Smith and Cortez keep on delivering. The writing, the art, the colours, all are absolutely top notch and demand to be read. This, along with everything else AWA is currently producing, demands to be read. Comic lovers owe it to themselves to be reading this series.
A Look Inside
