It made me say “Oooh” out loud whilst reading the last page.
Top stuff. Cheers.
With the doing-away with letter columns,it is appreciated that this blog exists. As I read through the comments, I went back and found those things I had missed in my first two readings. How I missed Dolph at “Furors”, Benny and the bowler, the Angels in the stain glass window, I do not know.I perhaps was notexpectingthis much subtlety, but knowing these things now only increases my enjoyment of this new series. I will be much more aware of the happenings in issue 2. Good work PAD.
Has everyone forgotten (or not known) that Linda Danvers *original* name when she came to Earth was Linda Lee? She had this name until she was adopted by the Danvers, several years into her 1959 series in Action Comics.
Does this mean that ‘Lee’ in “Fallen Angel” is Linda? Not necessarily. If so, great. If not, that’s fine too, as I am enjoying the story. And will be following the rest of the series.
Good stuff, and a bit of a change of pace from PAD’s recent offerings. It’s sort of interesting how subtle changings in storytelling make a big difference in the way it comes off. I’m used to experiencing the story through Linda and Rick in SG and CM. Here, I felt like I was stuck watching Lee like a train wreck. But in a good way. It’s only been one issue, but I like the way the world of Bete Noir feels real and imperfect. Where things don’t end up nice and clean – for better or worse. I’m looking forward to the next issue.
Kudos to David Lopez, I was pretty impressed by his work here. The title page spread was pretty creepy, in context. Was the “Ambar” tap a tribute to Abita Amber..?
Unfortunately ambiguous. I can’t say that I feel that the series has really been set-up at all. I have no idea if we are dealing with a superhero, detective, action, or supernatural genre here. The first issue introduced several characters, but didn’t give us a chance to really get to know any of them. I really want to like Lee, but I don’t know enough to know if I even care what happens next issue. It could turn out to be an awesome series, but the first issue didn’t give me enough to want to come back.
TIVO/VCR ALERT
OBLIVION is on SCI-Fi Sunday night/Monday morning at 3am. A great fun movie written by PAD. I know that there must be a few PAD fans that are wanting to see this. Set your recordings now…..
I disagree with PAD.
My enjoyment of Wolverine was increased by ORIGIN.
The mystery was cool at first, but it gets old very quick unless hints are dropped now and then – which is what they did with Wolvie – but when they did ORIGIN, it was long overdue.
Mystery can enhance, but only for so long.
This issue accomplished what all first issues hope for, it made me want to read issue #2.
I thought this was an interesting issue. The mystery is good and I hope we get to know Lee in better. At this point, I don’t really care about her yet. Hopefully, that will change with subsequent issues.
From reading the above, I don’t think many got that Benny was the one dressed as the cop. It took me a second look to get it also.
Looking forward to issue #2.
Bobby
Bobby Nash
Writer @ Large
Well, in Spain I suppose arrives next week, so I’ll say something then, but in the past Barcelona Comicon I met David L
Nomad said: “Unfortunately ambiguous. I can’t say that I feel that the series has really been set-up at all. I have no idea if we are dealing with a superhero, detective, action, or supernatural genre here.”
Or maybe it’ll be a combination of genres, as this seems to be from the first issue. So why try to automatically pigeonhole the work? This always sets up a story against an artificial ‘standard’ of accomplishment.
“The first issue introduced several characters, but didn’t give us a chance to really get to know any of them.”
….which is really not unlike any ‘first date’ with someone new.
Considering that the characters of Bete Noire are harboring dark secrets, I’d find it odd to expect instant confessionals from ANY of them.
Also, keep in mind that readers didn’t know the kind of girl Linda Danvers REALLY was until the release of SUPERGIRL #2.
KET
I truly enjoyed Fallen Angel. It was very different then what I expected and a big change for me as far as comic books I’ve read by you. I found it dark and cleaver. I liked every part from the introdution of Lee to the conversation at the table to the suprising ending. I look forward to the next issue with hopes that the questions I’m left with in my head will start to be answered. Please keep up the great work!
Without even reading the other comments, let me just say this book was great, amazing, and fantastic. You’ve been my favorite comic writer for years Peter, and this is exactly the quality and not at all the style I expect for you. 🙂
A good start, indeed. Plenty of intrigue, a mysterious town, a mysterious newcomer, oddball costumed types (though certainly not traditional metahumans), wheels within wheels …
If Bete Noir is where dreams come to die, it’s not surprising that the bartender Dolf is there …
The only down side was the art, which was a bit conventional and undistinguished. This title (judging only from the first issue, natch) needs something offbeat, something hyperrealistic, or something really good.
As to whether it’s Linda Danvers or not — I think it’s a stretch, at this point. And, to be frank, I’d just as soon it wasn’t. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if it weren’t in the DCU at all. Last thing we need is for Lee to get sucked into some big cross-over …
Anyway, I’m in for the duration.
I liked this a lot, in the final analysis. The only thing I really found fault with is that it’s possible the title won’t be as accessible for new readers as one might like, but I still thought it was pretty good. I think the characters are quite interesting, and there are plenty of stories to tell.
“Now this is not something you see every day, a premiere issue of a book that tells a standalone story with no major cliffhangers. David is able to set up the character, her surroundings/supporting cast and tell me an adventure without seeming to skim on any aspect. This is the first wave of a few new DC comics and if they’re all as good as this, DC’s about to get a little better than it already is. David’s work on Captain Marvel has not sparked interest in me, but with this title he seems to have clicked with his creation, and as a result so can the readers.”
As an aside, I interviewed PAD about this new venture, so you may want to check it out to get more perspective on his intent:
(And thanks to PAD for his time on this interview)
I liked it.
Here’s my official review:
“Now this is not something you see every day, a premiere issue of a book that tells a standalone story with no major cliffhangers. David is able to set up the character, her surroundings/supporting cast and tell me an adventure without seeming to skim on any aspect. This is the first wave of a few new DC comics and if they’re all as good as this, DC’s about to get a little better than it already is. David’s work on Captain Marvel has not sparked interest in me, but with this title he seems to have clicked with his creation, and as a result so can the readers.”
As an aside, I interviewed PAD about this new venture, so you may want to check it out to get more perspective on his intent:
(And thanks to PAD for his time on this interview)
Bought it. Loved it.
Loved the ending and look forward to watching the game.
Frankly, never reveal that it is or isn’t Linda and just let us believe that it is.
Eric
Just finished reading “Fallen Angel”. The jury is still out. 1st impression, “Yet another dark anti-hero living in a bleak, dark shadowy world where you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys even with a score card”. HOWEVER, this is a Peter David book and I agree with the gentleman a few posts back who feels that PAD likes to take his time to develope plot and charactors. To judge the book now would be vastly premature. For me issue one did what any good issue 1 should do; it made me want to pick up issue two.
An interesting concept. Not bogged down by 40-60 years of continuity. Nice artwork. Concieved and written by Peter David. I’ll have to pick it up when I go to my comics shop to buy Captain Marvel and back issues of Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man 2099 from the 90’s.
Liked it. Good start. Has me curious. We’ll see. The Buffy comparisons are inevitable.
Not sure I like Ken Lopez’s font, though…
-Augie
Comments on the last page… my girlfriend and I disagree on the ending. A little spoiler protection:
She took it at face value; I thought it was a høøkër made to look like Fallen Angel (remember the Dr. called the pimp and requested a special service.) .
Liked the art. Liked the pulp feel. Lee’s one fairly epic, dictionary-intensive line didn’t seem to fit the character, but other than that, I was quite impressed with the writing. I especially liked the twist in the relationship between the young man Lee was sent to find, and the woman who hired her. I appreciated the moral shades of gray working there. I also like the air of mystery and the subtler aspects of the storytelling. If anything, I wish the issue could have been longer– I didn’t quite get a sense of Bete Noir as a city, and I would have liked to.
But I’m solidly on board for future issues.
altonlennox wrote:
How I missed Dolph at “Furors”, Benny and the bowler, the Angels in the stain glass window, I do not know.
Aside from Doug Burton’s interesting (and possibly correct) interpretation of the last page, the only other one that I noticed was the positions of the chess pieces on the last page. In panel 3, Lee captured a black pawn. This would be a pretty stupid move in an actual game, because she placed the white queen where it could be captured on the next move, without gaining any strategic advantage.
But in panel 5, a few of the pieces have moved. The black king is captured instead of a black pawn, and the white queen has moved one square forward. (A few other pieces moved a little left or right, but that’s probably just perspective. Most of the pieces are still in the same places.)
This could be an artistic goof. Or it could indicate that Juris and Lee each made one additional move between panels 3 and 5: Juris moved the black king in front of the white queen, and the white queen captured it. This is technically illegal, since you aren’t allowed to put your own king in check, but the symbolic meaning is clear:
JURIS: By taking that pawn, you put yourself in a position where I could eliminate you. Instead, I surrender to you.
LEE: I accept.
Without reading other impressions:
It seems to me, if FA were a television show, that this issue was the opening teaser. After the end of the book, we’d rush into the title sequence, and then the episode would start.
The series does start in the middle of things, which I like. It gives the sense that the universe existed before we turned our eyes to it.
Story-telling wise, I actually appreciated that neither of the ‘new’ people in town were used as ExpositoryMan (or Woman). Sure, they were used to fill in a bit of the world, but were swept out as we were given the bare bones for the setup.
I wouldn’t mind seeing some mystery maintained concernining the who’s, what’s, and when’s of the series. I’d rather see things develop.
Overall, very positive first issue, even though it came across primarily as a teaser for what’s to come. I hope it follows the path it seems to be taking: a ‘House of Mystery’ style book with an ongoing cast.
D. Eric Carpenter
Why The fallen angel “Lee” can’t be Linda Danvers….
IT’S A CREATOR OWNED BOOK. PETER DOESN’T OWN LINDA DANVERS, HE OWNS FALLEN ANGEL.
‘Nuff said.
My really only 2 problems with the book are Art issues. It wasn’t clear that Benny was the “policeman” and steals the old man’s bowler..after the “there are no cops” line, and studying the page carefully, I assumed as the mustache’s were similar they were the same person, but otherwise.
the barefoot thing…you don’t walk around a down town New Orleans area in barefeet. It’s just not done…too much broken glass, urine, cockroaches, nutria and other assorted nastiness..just ick…
I doubt it will ever be confirmed that Lee is Linda or not…I imagine it will be of those things that the PAD followers will believe, and he’ll throw in enough nods and winks to make us happy, but it’ll never be officialy stated. It’s never been said if Fallen Angel is DCU or not…I belive the phrase was “not necessarily”…but just being creator owned doesn’t keep it out of the DCU…Sovereign 7 was a DCU creater owned title (which even tied into Claremont’s X-Men/Teen Titans crossover)
the barefoot thing…you don’t walk around a down town New Orleans area in barefeet. It’s just not done…too much broken glass, urine, cockroaches, nutria and other assorted nastiness..just ick…
Who said her feet ever actually touch the ground…?
PAD
Absolutely fantastic.
As for the Linda Danvers question: I don’t think so. I don’t see Bette Noir as part of the DC Universe. (Which is odd, because to me Sandman, Books of Magic and most of the early Vertigo books fit fine.) I guess I don’t see any need for capes to intrude. If they do, I’ll probably keep reading as long as it is handled with care.
If it is not part of the DCU… please try to get Buzz a miniseries.
My current Top Five
1. Formerly the Justice League / Fallen Angel – a tie because the books are so different that it is hard to compare them.
3. Girl Genius
4. Spyboy
5. JSA
okay, I only picked this up today (Tuesday) so I’m a little late to the party, but I’d like to address a few ideas.
First, I really like the book. Nice setup, nice self-contained story, good promise for upcoming stories.
Now, I’ve heard (read) folks thinking this is in/around New Orleans. That is possible, but some of the tone of the dialogue makes me think of New England (of course, that may just be ‘Shadow’ Boxer, but still…). I like the ambiguity.
Also, the bartender/Lee relationship was reminding me much more of the bartender from the Chatsubo in Neuromancer. I’m not sure why, it just seems that if he started calling Lee ‘friend artiste’, it wouldn’t be out of character. Maybe Dolf has a cybernetic arm, too :). Anyway, I’m not saying it was any sort of rip-off (or even a tribute/homage)- it was too different from that. It just had a similar vibe, I suppose.
I also like how different it is from the current Captain Marvel series (which I also really really love!) – too similar a tone in both books would put me off, even if I liked the tone.
…just my $0.02
I have to admit I was disappointed. The first thing that popped out to me was the mediocre art. The line is very amateurish, and the spotting of blacks is not very professional.
As for the story, the twist near the end as the woman’s identity is revealed is not worthy of the type of stuff Peter usually pulls on us. He’s done better. I don’t know who this girl is, what her powers are, what her deal is, etc. I would’ve liked to have knonw at least a little bit more in the first issue. The end, in which we see what Lee does with Juris, actually repulsed me. I’ll try to stay with it though, hoping it’ll get better.
Well I just picked up the first issue of Fallen Angel and the second Supergirl trade. Personally I enjoyed the opening tale of Fallen Angel, it’s the right shade of dark for my own personal tastes.
Of course the questions will arise as to who Lee is, other then taking fashion lessons off of the Spectre, but I think I’ll stick my neck out and say it’s not Linda, just doesn’t feel like her. In fact Lee reminds me far more of the Earth Born essence of Supergirl, hrm…
I did enjoy some of the visual props, hiding in plain site as it were, especially the part with Benny and The Hat. Now had he been wearing glasses as well… And it seemed to me as if The Magistrate had an awfully long nose…
There seems to be a lot of criticism of the art, so I’ll do my part to stick up for it I think. The lighting was suitably dark in the places it needed to be, I think it generally enhances the mood of the book, and the general story board layout does a good job of telling the story rather then trying to hard and getting in the way, which seems to have been a comic trend of late. Oh and special mention to the splash page opening with the title, now that’s a character piece.
Also the cover work, one word, poster.
So I’ll be picking up issue two, and three, and four, well you get the idea.
As for the Buffy comparisons, well Lee is female, and, er… Nope I’m done.
I’ve probably ranted enough for one post, but I haven’t touched on the end of Supergirl. All that springs to mind is that it was a sad way for a series to end, in that it left Linda (and to a certain extent Kara as well) truly broken and a feeling of a story untold. And we never really touched on what happened to Twilight, but oh wait, never mind.
Now can some one convince DC to trade the rest of the Supergirl run, please? Those back issues are murder.
Right, I’m done. Finally.
-Divefire-
I only had to send 100 emails over five years asking for Kirby’s Jimmy Olsen to be reprinted. Keep trying.
Who says Buzz can only appear in one human form? He is a demon after all…
Pascal
I was impressed with this issue, honestly. Yes, I realize that a big selling point for some is finding out whether or not Lee is Linda Danvers, and I’ve heard everything from others from “It’s Linda, but Peter can’t come out and SAY it’s Linda” to “It isn’t Linda” to “Is this another Spider Clone story?” *shakes head* For my money’s worth, since most want to weigh in on it, I think it’s Linda. But it doesn’t matter. Lee is an intriguing character, and Peter has managed to not only make Lee and her supporting cast interesting, but has generated a great deal of interest in Bete Noir itself. I like that we don’t know where it likely is. Fact is, we have no idea where Leesburg actually was, either. It COULD have been in Ohio, but the likelihood was that it wasn’t.
The question I have is this: Is Fallen Angel a part of regular DC continuity, or has Peter managed to avoid that so that huge companywide crossovers don’t ruin the pace of his storytelling like they did with the “Angel Redemption” storyline from Supergirl? This question alone brings up a lot of possibilities. If it’s a part of the DCU, and Lee turns out to be Linda, then it’s inevitable that eventually Clark and/or Lois are going to start hunting for her, despite her admonishment to not look, as she doesn’t want to be found, in the last issue of Supergirl.
If it isn’t Linda, there are still intriguing possibilities, including the introduction of the Spectre or the Phantom Stranger, both of whom would fit nicely into the overall milieu of Bete Noir, from what I’ve seen so far (which is, admittedly, only one issue). I like that this book so closely straddles the line between mainstream DC Comics and Vertigo. Who says that a regular DC Comic can’t be weird, have more adult storytelling, and have a creepy ambience? Preacher, Swamp Thing, Sandman and Phantom Stranger shouldn’t have the corners on that market.
You’ve got me hooked, PAD, but you have since the first issue of Supergirl, the first time I had the chance to read some of your work (was never a Hulk fan, unfortunately…). I can’t wait to see how this series plays out, and it’s already at the top of the list of comics from my box each month that I read first.
• 
It made me say “Oooh” out loud whilst reading the last page.
Top stuff. Cheers.
With the doing-away with letter columns,it is appreciated that this blog exists. As I read through the comments, I went back and found those things I had missed in my first two readings. How I missed Dolph at “Furors”, Benny and the bowler, the Angels in the stain glass window, I do not know.I perhaps was notexpectingthis much subtlety, but knowing these things now only increases my enjoyment of this new series. I will be much more aware of the happenings in issue 2. Good work PAD.
Has everyone forgotten (or not known) that Linda Danvers *original* name when she came to Earth was Linda Lee? She had this name until she was adopted by the Danvers, several years into her 1959 series in Action Comics.
Does this mean that ‘Lee’ in “Fallen Angel” is Linda? Not necessarily. If so, great. If not, that’s fine too, as I am enjoying the story. And will be following the rest of the series.
Good stuff, and a bit of a change of pace from PAD’s recent offerings. It’s sort of interesting how subtle changings in storytelling make a big difference in the way it comes off. I’m used to experiencing the story through Linda and Rick in SG and CM. Here, I felt like I was stuck watching Lee like a train wreck. But in a good way. It’s only been one issue, but I like the way the world of Bete Noir feels real and imperfect. Where things don’t end up nice and clean – for better or worse. I’m looking forward to the next issue.
Kudos to David Lopez, I was pretty impressed by his work here. The title page spread was pretty creepy, in context. Was the “Ambar” tap a tribute to Abita Amber..?
Unfortunately ambiguous. I can’t say that I feel that the series has really been set-up at all. I have no idea if we are dealing with a superhero, detective, action, or supernatural genre here. The first issue introduced several characters, but didn’t give us a chance to really get to know any of them. I really want to like Lee, but I don’t know enough to know if I even care what happens next issue. It could turn out to be an awesome series, but the first issue didn’t give me enough to want to come back.
TIVO/VCR ALERT
OBLIVION is on SCI-Fi Sunday night/Monday morning at 3am. A great fun movie written by PAD. I know that there must be a few PAD fans that are wanting to see this. Set your recordings now…..
I disagree with PAD.
My enjoyment of Wolverine was increased by ORIGIN.
The mystery was cool at first, but it gets old very quick unless hints are dropped now and then – which is what they did with Wolvie – but when they did ORIGIN, it was long overdue.
Mystery can enhance, but only for so long.
This issue accomplished what all first issues hope for, it made me want to read issue #2.
I thought this was an interesting issue. The mystery is good and I hope we get to know Lee in better. At this point, I don’t really care about her yet. Hopefully, that will change with subsequent issues.
From reading the above, I don’t think many got that Benny was the one dressed as the cop. It took me a second look to get it also.
Looking forward to issue #2.
Bobby
Bobby Nash
Writer @ Large
Well, in Spain I suppose arrives next week, so I’ll say something then, but in the past Barcelona Comicon I met David L
Nomad said: “Unfortunately ambiguous. I can’t say that I feel that the series has really been set-up at all. I have no idea if we are dealing with a superhero, detective, action, or supernatural genre here.”
Or maybe it’ll be a combination of genres, as this seems to be from the first issue. So why try to automatically pigeonhole the work? This always sets up a story against an artificial ‘standard’ of accomplishment.
“The first issue introduced several characters, but didn’t give us a chance to really get to know any of them.”
….which is really not unlike any ‘first date’ with someone new.
Considering that the characters of Bete Noire are harboring dark secrets, I’d find it odd to expect instant confessionals from ANY of them.
Also, keep in mind that readers didn’t know the kind of girl Linda Danvers REALLY was until the release of SUPERGIRL #2.
KET
I truly enjoyed Fallen Angel. It was very different then what I expected and a big change for me as far as comic books I’ve read by you. I found it dark and cleaver. I liked every part from the introdution of Lee to the conversation at the table to the suprising ending. I look forward to the next issue with hopes that the questions I’m left with in my head will start to be answered. Please keep up the great work!
Without even reading the other comments, let me just say this book was great, amazing, and fantastic. You’ve been my favorite comic writer for years Peter, and this is exactly the quality and not at all the style I expect for you. 🙂
A good start, indeed. Plenty of intrigue, a mysterious town, a mysterious newcomer, oddball costumed types (though certainly not traditional metahumans), wheels within wheels …
If Bete Noir is where dreams come to die, it’s not surprising that the bartender Dolf is there …
The only down side was the art, which was a bit conventional and undistinguished. This title (judging only from the first issue, natch) needs something offbeat, something hyperrealistic, or something really good.
As to whether it’s Linda Danvers or not — I think it’s a stretch, at this point. And, to be frank, I’d just as soon it wasn’t. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if it weren’t in the DCU at all. Last thing we need is for Lee to get sucked into some big cross-over …
Anyway, I’m in for the duration.
I liked this a lot, in the final analysis. The only thing I really found fault with is that it’s possible the title won’t be as accessible for new readers as one might like, but I still thought it was pretty good. I think the characters are quite interesting, and there are plenty of stories to tell.
http://fourcolorexplosion.com
I liked it.
Here’s my official review:
“Now this is not something you see every day, a premiere issue of a book that tells a standalone story with no major cliffhangers. David is able to set up the character, her surroundings/supporting cast and tell me an adventure without seeming to skim on any aspect. This is the first wave of a few new DC comics and if they’re all as good as this, DC’s about to get a little better than it already is. David’s work on Captain Marvel has not sparked interest in me, but with this title he seems to have clicked with his creation, and as a result so can the readers.”
As an aside, I interviewed PAD about this new venture, so you may want to check it out to get more perspective on his intent:
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/105771969198605.htm
(And thanks to PAD for his time on this interview)
I liked it.
Here’s my official review:
“Now this is not something you see every day, a premiere issue of a book that tells a standalone story with no major cliffhangers. David is able to set up the character, her surroundings/supporting cast and tell me an adventure without seeming to skim on any aspect. This is the first wave of a few new DC comics and if they’re all as good as this, DC’s about to get a little better than it already is. David’s work on Captain Marvel has not sparked interest in me, but with this title he seems to have clicked with his creation, and as a result so can the readers.”
As an aside, I interviewed PAD about this new venture, so you may want to check it out to get more perspective on his intent:
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/105771969198605.htm
(And thanks to PAD for his time on this interview)
Bought it. Loved it.
Loved the ending and look forward to watching the game.
Frankly, never reveal that it is or isn’t Linda and just let us believe that it is.
Eric
Just finished reading “Fallen Angel”. The jury is still out. 1st impression, “Yet another dark anti-hero living in a bleak, dark shadowy world where you can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys even with a score card”. HOWEVER, this is a Peter David book and I agree with the gentleman a few posts back who feels that PAD likes to take his time to develope plot and charactors. To judge the book now would be vastly premature. For me issue one did what any good issue 1 should do; it made me want to pick up issue two.
An interesting concept. Not bogged down by 40-60 years of continuity. Nice artwork. Concieved and written by Peter David. I’ll have to pick it up when I go to my comics shop to buy Captain Marvel and back issues of Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man 2099 from the 90’s.
Liked it. Good start. Has me curious. We’ll see. The Buffy comparisons are inevitable.
Not sure I like Ken Lopez’s font, though…
-Augie
Comments on the last page… my girlfriend and I disagree on the ending. A little spoiler protection:
She took it at face value; I thought it was a høøkër made to look like Fallen Angel (remember the Dr. called the pimp and requested a special service.) .
Liked the art. Liked the pulp feel. Lee’s one fairly epic, dictionary-intensive line didn’t seem to fit the character, but other than that, I was quite impressed with the writing. I especially liked the twist in the relationship between the young man Lee was sent to find, and the woman who hired her. I appreciated the moral shades of gray working there. I also like the air of mystery and the subtler aspects of the storytelling. If anything, I wish the issue could have been longer– I didn’t quite get a sense of Bete Noir as a city, and I would have liked to.
But I’m solidly on board for future issues.
altonlennox wrote:
How I missed Dolph at “Furors”, Benny and the bowler, the Angels in the stain glass window, I do not know.
Aside from Doug Burton’s interesting (and possibly correct) interpretation of the last page, the only other one that I noticed was the positions of the chess pieces on the last page. In panel 3, Lee captured a black pawn. This would be a pretty stupid move in an actual game, because she placed the white queen where it could be captured on the next move, without gaining any strategic advantage.
But in panel 5, a few of the pieces have moved. The black king is captured instead of a black pawn, and the white queen has moved one square forward. (A few other pieces moved a little left or right, but that’s probably just perspective. Most of the pieces are still in the same places.)
This could be an artistic goof. Or it could indicate that Juris and Lee each made one additional move between panels 3 and 5: Juris moved the black king in front of the white queen, and the white queen captured it. This is technically illegal, since you aren’t allowed to put your own king in check, but the symbolic meaning is clear:
JURIS: By taking that pawn, you put yourself in a position where I could eliminate you. Instead, I surrender to you.
LEE: I accept.
Without reading other impressions:
It seems to me, if FA were a television show, that this issue was the opening teaser. After the end of the book, we’d rush into the title sequence, and then the episode would start.
The series does start in the middle of things, which I like. It gives the sense that the universe existed before we turned our eyes to it.
Story-telling wise, I actually appreciated that neither of the ‘new’ people in town were used as ExpositoryMan (or Woman). Sure, they were used to fill in a bit of the world, but were swept out as we were given the bare bones for the setup.
I wouldn’t mind seeing some mystery maintained concernining the who’s, what’s, and when’s of the series. I’d rather see things develop.
Overall, very positive first issue, even though it came across primarily as a teaser for what’s to come. I hope it follows the path it seems to be taking: a ‘House of Mystery’ style book with an ongoing cast.
D. Eric Carpenter
Why The fallen angel “Lee” can’t be Linda Danvers….
IT’S A CREATOR OWNED BOOK. PETER DOESN’T OWN LINDA DANVERS, HE OWNS FALLEN ANGEL.
‘Nuff said.
My really only 2 problems with the book are Art issues. It wasn’t clear that Benny was the “policeman” and steals the old man’s bowler..after the “there are no cops” line, and studying the page carefully, I assumed as the mustache’s were similar they were the same person, but otherwise.
the barefoot thing…you don’t walk around a down town New Orleans area in barefeet. It’s just not done…too much broken glass, urine, cockroaches, nutria and other assorted nastiness..just ick…
I doubt it will ever be confirmed that Lee is Linda or not…I imagine it will be of those things that the PAD followers will believe, and he’ll throw in enough nods and winks to make us happy, but it’ll never be officialy stated. It’s never been said if Fallen Angel is DCU or not…I belive the phrase was “not necessarily”…but just being creator owned doesn’t keep it out of the DCU…Sovereign 7 was a DCU creater owned title (which even tied into Claremont’s X-Men/Teen Titans crossover)
the barefoot thing…you don’t walk around a down town New Orleans area in barefeet. It’s just not done…too much broken glass, urine, cockroaches, nutria and other assorted nastiness..just ick…
Who said her feet ever actually touch the ground…?
PAD
Absolutely fantastic.
As for the Linda Danvers question: I don’t think so. I don’t see Bette Noir as part of the DC Universe. (Which is odd, because to me Sandman, Books of Magic and most of the early Vertigo books fit fine.) I guess I don’t see any need for capes to intrude. If they do, I’ll probably keep reading as long as it is handled with care.
If it is not part of the DCU… please try to get Buzz a miniseries.
My current Top Five
1. Formerly the Justice League / Fallen Angel – a tie because the books are so different that it is hard to compare them.
3. Girl Genius
4. Spyboy
5. JSA
okay, I only picked this up today (Tuesday) so I’m a little late to the party, but I’d like to address a few ideas.
First, I really like the book. Nice setup, nice self-contained story, good promise for upcoming stories.
Now, I’ve heard (read) folks thinking this is in/around New Orleans. That is possible, but some of the tone of the dialogue makes me think of New England (of course, that may just be ‘Shadow’ Boxer, but still…). I like the ambiguity.
Also, the bartender/Lee relationship was reminding me much more of the bartender from the Chatsubo in Neuromancer. I’m not sure why, it just seems that if he started calling Lee ‘friend artiste’, it wouldn’t be out of character. Maybe Dolf has a cybernetic arm, too :). Anyway, I’m not saying it was any sort of rip-off (or even a tribute/homage)- it was too different from that. It just had a similar vibe, I suppose.
I also like how different it is from the current Captain Marvel series (which I also really really love!) – too similar a tone in both books would put me off, even if I liked the tone.
…just my $0.02
I have to admit I was disappointed. The first thing that popped out to me was the mediocre art. The line is very amateurish, and the spotting of blacks is not very professional.
As for the story, the twist near the end as the woman’s identity is revealed is not worthy of the type of stuff Peter usually pulls on us. He’s done better. I don’t know who this girl is, what her powers are, what her deal is, etc. I would’ve liked to have knonw at least a little bit more in the first issue. The end, in which we see what Lee does with Juris, actually repulsed me. I’ll try to stay with it though, hoping it’ll get better.
Well I just picked up the first issue of Fallen Angel and the second Supergirl trade. Personally I enjoyed the opening tale of Fallen Angel, it’s the right shade of dark for my own personal tastes.
Of course the questions will arise as to who Lee is, other then taking fashion lessons off of the Spectre, but I think I’ll stick my neck out and say it’s not Linda, just doesn’t feel like her. In fact Lee reminds me far more of the Earth Born essence of Supergirl, hrm…
I did enjoy some of the visual props, hiding in plain site as it were, especially the part with Benny and The Hat. Now had he been wearing glasses as well… And it seemed to me as if The Magistrate had an awfully long nose…
There seems to be a lot of criticism of the art, so I’ll do my part to stick up for it I think. The lighting was suitably dark in the places it needed to be, I think it generally enhances the mood of the book, and the general story board layout does a good job of telling the story rather then trying to hard and getting in the way, which seems to have been a comic trend of late. Oh and special mention to the splash page opening with the title, now that’s a character piece.
Also the cover work, one word, poster.
So I’ll be picking up issue two, and three, and four, well you get the idea.
As for the Buffy comparisons, well Lee is female, and, er… Nope I’m done.
I’ve probably ranted enough for one post, but I haven’t touched on the end of Supergirl. All that springs to mind is that it was a sad way for a series to end, in that it left Linda (and to a certain extent Kara as well) truly broken and a feeling of a story untold. And we never really touched on what happened to Twilight, but oh wait, never mind.
Now can some one convince DC to trade the rest of the Supergirl run, please? Those back issues are murder.
Right, I’m done. Finally.
-Divefire-
I only had to send 100 emails over five years asking for Kirby’s Jimmy Olsen to be reprinted. Keep trying.
Who says Buzz can only appear in one human form? He is a demon after all…
Pascal
I was impressed with this issue, honestly. Yes, I realize that a big selling point for some is finding out whether or not Lee is Linda Danvers, and I’ve heard everything from others from “It’s Linda, but Peter can’t come out and SAY it’s Linda” to “It isn’t Linda” to “Is this another Spider Clone story?” *shakes head* For my money’s worth, since most want to weigh in on it, I think it’s Linda. But it doesn’t matter. Lee is an intriguing character, and Peter has managed to not only make Lee and her supporting cast interesting, but has generated a great deal of interest in Bete Noir itself. I like that we don’t know where it likely is. Fact is, we have no idea where Leesburg actually was, either. It COULD have been in Ohio, but the likelihood was that it wasn’t.
The question I have is this: Is Fallen Angel a part of regular DC continuity, or has Peter managed to avoid that so that huge companywide crossovers don’t ruin the pace of his storytelling like they did with the “Angel Redemption” storyline from Supergirl? This question alone brings up a lot of possibilities. If it’s a part of the DCU, and Lee turns out to be Linda, then it’s inevitable that eventually Clark and/or Lois are going to start hunting for her, despite her admonishment to not look, as she doesn’t want to be found, in the last issue of Supergirl.
If it isn’t Linda, there are still intriguing possibilities, including the introduction of the Spectre or the Phantom Stranger, both of whom would fit nicely into the overall milieu of Bete Noir, from what I’ve seen so far (which is, admittedly, only one issue). I like that this book so closely straddles the line between mainstream DC Comics and Vertigo. Who says that a regular DC Comic can’t be weird, have more adult storytelling, and have a creepy ambience? Preacher, Swamp Thing, Sandman and Phantom Stranger shouldn’t have the corners on that market.
You’ve got me hooked, PAD, but you have since the first issue of Supergirl, the first time I had the chance to read some of your work (was never a Hulk fan, unfortunately…). I can’t wait to see how this series plays out, and it’s already at the top of the list of comics from my box each month that I read first.
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