With an interesting character and some flashbacks to Angelus, we had the set-up for a great potential storyline. But set-up can only work if there’s appropriate follow-through. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that and I am left disappointed. It seems to be a common feeling with this comic lately.
There was a great lead-up, great potential for exploration in both the Parnell character and the recall of Angelus’s past in this issue. Instead, we got the same old Angel and a quick death. What happened to the interesting storylines? Did we forgo them when Faith split town?
We start off with creepy-looking St. Mary’s Convent, which has a connection to Supernatural in name. In the Angel canon, it’s the site of Angelus’s slaughter of nuns and a resulting fire. I’ll confess that I find Angelus a hundred times more interesting than Angel, so I would have gladly stayed in the past to explore more of his terror-filled exploits. Instead, we’re thrust back to the present as Angel awakens from his dream and sets to work on his ongoing mission regarding Magic Town.
In the meantime, we are introduced to Parnell, who had the potential to be a great character and carry through a great storyline. He appears to be a wonderful Good Samaritan, helping a lady with her packages. Sadly, she’s too trusting, and that becomes her downfall as Parnell kills her and she becomes the third victim in his week-long rampage. We get the hint that he was a vampire, one that could walk around in the daylight, so there’s much to explore here.
Brandt gives Angel the rundown about the case, which does raise his interest. A vampire who can walk around in daylight? The rules have definitely changed! And the only way to get to the bottom of it is to capture Parnell. Angel uses Giles’s aunts, Lavinia and Sophie, as bait in order to lure Parnell into their trap. He knows that all the attacks occurred within a few blocks of Bond Street, so it’s just a matter of time before Parnell turns up. And four days later, he does.
The plan is for Angel to follow Parnell and Lavinia in order to keep her safe and eventually capture Parnell. Good plan, but it doesn’t go off without a few kinks. Of course Angel gets delayed by detours, and that puts Lavinia, and also Sophie, in danger as Parnell starts to attack them in their home. They manage to hold their ground very well, fighting and defending, until Angel can show up and take over. That’s when a great lead-up became a great let-down. Parnell turns into a bat, but he’s taken down and Angel promptly cuts his head off. Wait, what?
How about we don’t kill the intriguing monster? Let’s interrogate him and find out why he could turn into a bat and walk around in the sunlight. No, Angel’s got to go straight for the kill, which means he has no answers and is forced to research the matter by himself, with no real leads. Such a disappointing end to this month’s issue. My anticipation for next month’s isn’t very high.