Double renderings of Angel/Angelus, double renderings of Fred/Illyria, and double renderings of trouble ahead for all of them. It’s quite an adventure that the characters are taking and one that’s not over yet!
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
First of all, before we get into the story, I’m still getting used to the thematic overtones of the latest comic. The art style includes line work that’s quite a stark difference from the past, coupled with the fact that we rely more on non-verbal art panels than script to carry the story. It’s not bad, but definitely different.
But artwork and scripting aside, there is a strong story right from the beginning. We start the issue with Illyria and Angel going at it, though it’s a disconcerting fight when she keeps flipping over to Fred. But their differences of opinion cannot cloud the larger fact that they have to save Angel’s former self while in the middle of a pirate-zombie-bug attack. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. They know that, if the boat gets to shore, the bugs could create havoc in the population. So, Angel needs to make that his priority and hope Angelus’s fate won’t make him cease to exist in the meantime.
To help with the fight, Angel gets called on by the captain, which is great until the captain gets attacked by the bug himself. A hopeless situation is just getting worse. Fred tries to take the ship’s wheel, but the crewmen keep attacking. And then Angel cannot find Fred at all, with the fire and attacks coming relentlessly. Has she fallen overboard? Been killed by the crewmen? Or has something else happened? Thankfully, it’s the best of a bad situation, as Illyria shows up. She’s going to sink the ship and kill all the bugs. It’s a very destructive plan she’s got going on.
When it’s all done, Angel ends up in a boat and Illyria’s split the scene, leaving Fred in her place once again. Now that the zombie bug situation has been handled, it appears, Fred is once again back to being concerned about the status of Angelus and his soul. What if he doesn’t get it in this timeline? Will that mean Angel disappears or will there be a very dangerous vampire in the boat with her soon? There’s also the fact that they’re drifting aimlessly and need to figure out a direction towards land before Angel fries in the sunlight. Too bad she doesn’t have much in the way of supplies, not even a compass.
As the issue draws to a close, we get a glimmer of hope before it’s dashed. Angel can smell land and help guide them, which is a good skill to have! But, alas, the water is getting more choppy, which would be bad enough. Added to that is the fact that the water is now filling with zombie pirates. Seriously, the drama has to be increased to eleven with these characters all the time. Another seemingly hopeless situation that I’m sure they’ll figure their way out of next time. Until then, we wait.
Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
