‘TMNT: IDW Collection’ Volume 1 (2015) an expert blend of nostalgia, world-building
‘TMNT’ flashback (Comic book review): Tom Waltz’s epic new continuity launches with Issues 1-12 and micro-series Issues 1-5.
The top 25 ‘Buffy’ and ‘Angel’ comic book arcs
Comic book list: From Dark Horse to IDW, John scours the long boxes to find his 25 favorite “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” comic book arcs.
‘Angel’ flashback: ‘Last Angel in Hell’ (2009), ‘Lorne’ (2010) and ‘Yearbook’ (2011) (Comic book reviews)
IDW produced three “Angel” one-shots in the final three years of its run. All of these double-length issues are finales of sorts, and there’s a touch of comedy or lightness to them – “Last Angel in Hell” puts a bow on the “After the Fall” era, “Lorne: Music of the Spheres” is the final Lorne
‘Spike’ flashback: IDW ‘Spike’ series (2010-11) (Comic book review)
Throughout my reread of IDW’s Angelverse work, it’s become increasingly clear that the “Spike” titles tend to be better than the “Angel” titles. There are some exceptions: “Spike: The Devil You Know” is not very good, and some “Angel” yarns are outstanding. But generally, your odds of getting a great tale are better with “Spike,”
‘Angel’ flashback: IDW ‘Angel’ Issues 18-27 (2009) (Comic book reviews)
When IDW first picked up the “Angel” license, it delivered hesitant stories – with the exception of the “Spike” titles – up until the canonical Joss Whedon-plotted “After the Fall” (Issues 1-17 of the ongoing series). Embarking on the remainder of the “Angel” ongoing series (which will go up to Issue 44), IDW is back
‘Spike’ flashback: ‘After the Fall’ (2008) (Comic book review)
“Spike: After the Fall” (July-October 2008) caps a trilogy of “Spike” titles – following “Asylum” and “Shadow Puppets” – from writer Brian Lynch and artist Franco Urru, as Spike falls in with new allies in late Season 5 and post-Season 5 of “Angel.” However, the allies in “After the Fall” are different from Team Spike
‘Angel’ flashback: ‘After the Fall’ Issues 9-17 (2008-09) (Comic book review)
After the “First Night” interlude (Issues 6-8), IDW’s “Angel” returns to the main storyline of “After the Fall” having lost its momentum. Although still plotted by Joss Whedon and scripted by Brian Lynch, the arc feels like it is treading water, with a lot of talking. It also doesn’t help that Franco Urru is mostly
‘Angel’ flashback: ‘After the Fall’ Issues 1-8 (2007-08) (Comic book reviews)
Seeing the success of “Buffy” Season 8 and learning that Brian Lynch’s pitch for an “Angel” “Season 6” lined up closely with his plans before the TV show was canceled, Joss Whedon launched “Angel: After the Fall” in 2007. Although it makes some of IDW’s previous work hard to fit into the continuity, it goes
‘Spike’ flashback: ‘Shadow Puppets’ (2007) (Comic book review)
On my first read of IDW’s “Spike” comics, my attitude was “Why are they introducing new characters instead of using the familiar group?” That’s the curse of new characters introduced into a comic book that continues a TV narrative. Without an actor to anchor them, they seem ephemeral. But the passage of time has changed
‘Spike’ flashback: ‘Asylum’ (2006-07) (Comic book review)
I’m generally not a fan of stories about a character (and it’s almost always someone who doesn’t belong there) stuck in prison or an asylum. And I didn’t have good memories of my first read-through of Brian Lynch’s “Spike” and “Angel” work, as I probably always judged him harshly against the fact that Joss Whedon