Customer Reviews

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Angel, Hollower

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unfortunately the art work in this graphic novel and in the B/A comic books leaves a great deal to be desired. This is generally true of Buffy material in most categories (except my new Spike t-shirt). I wonder whether the PTB think fans of the two shows are capable of appreciating better quality art work. I also felt the plot was thin, but that is generally true of Golden's books. They are mostly one tiresome fight after another arranged along a predictable story line with no characterization at all. Of course I buy and read every novel and comic book that comes out, especially during the summer when I miss the new episodes. I find that much of the fan fiction on the net is better than the pulp offerings.

A monster that can destroy vampires seems like a welcome addition to the Sunnydale landscape. But the old evil which Angelus once thought he killed is back. And this time it threatens more than just vampires. The plot bridges Angel's past and present and is far superior to the artwork in this graphic novel. I have only one complaint that Mr Golden didn't save this story for a full length text novel.

Vampires prey on humans, but who preys on vampires? The Hollower begins stalking Angel, but could also bring him salvation.

This story was interesting but a little predictable at times and I am not overly fond of the artwork. Still the storyline will hopefully pave the way for some new grahic novels for Buffy's favourate vampire. Buffy fans will be flocking to the new Angel storyline.

STORY: Christopher Golden is probably one of the better Buffy comic writers. Outside of the few times you'll see a member of the BtVS staff writing, Golden's comics are among the most interesting picks from Dark Horse's original Buffy run. In this three issue miniseries, he puts the spotlight on Angel, who teams up with some evil vampires from his past to kill a monster (the titular Hollower) that preys on vampires. Golden's writing here is good--nothing that will grab your attention and really pull you in, but at the same time, there's nothing here to make you groan, which is more than I could say for some of the Buffy comic writers. The story is uneven, and the ending does feel a bit abrupt, but overall it wasn't a bad read.

CONTINUITY: Not so good. There doesn't really seem to be a time this could properly fit into. I just don't buy that Angelus had a girlfriend and ran around with her, Spike, and Drusilla (sans Darla) in 1892. When you look at the timeline of Angelus, it doesn't work. Angelus was with Darla in the 1890s, and was ensouled in 1898. It doesn't ring true that they broke up and Darla left and came back again during that time period. Doesn't fit.

ART: Hector Gomez isn't a horrible artist. His style, however, doesn't fit "Buffy." All the males he draws have the same face, with a very rounded nose that makes them (even Giles) look like they're thirteen. When the only way you can tell the difference between Spike (who appears in flashbacks), Giles, and Angel is hair color and clothing, there is a serious issue. All of the girls look like they're straight out of a comic version of "Saved By the Bell." There is another problem with the art, and I'm not sure whether I should blame the editor or the colorist, but--as with many other Buffy comics--some of the random vampires are green. It's like they won't think the fangs, red eyes, and wrinkled forehead are enough to tell the difference. Come on. Having a vampire with green skin walking around completely rips you out of the story.

OVERALL: The writing is good enough, but the art is bad. Die hard Buffy/Angel fans need to have this, but other than that I'd pass. Fans should also know that this isn't an ANGEL book: It's a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" book, set in Sunnydale and starring the cast of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," not Angel. The only difference is that here, Angel seems to be co-starring with Buffy.

5/10

I think this was written before there was an Angel tv show. The basic premise is that there is a tentacled slimy elder demon type that likes to eat the vampire parts of demons, which pretty much leaves them dusted.

It shows up in Sunnydale, and has a bad side effect that will not be good for the place. Angel had fought it in the past and failed to kill it, but doesn't want to let that happen in the present.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of Angel. I certainly am tired of seeing flashbacks to all the horrible things he's done because its the same thing over and over. The Hollower preys on vampires, a pretty cool idea, and you'd think its good that the Hollower eats vampires. However, if he eats a certain amount then he'll turn to humans instead. The artwork isn't too great and the story is mostly fighting and flashbacks about Angel and some girlfriend he used to have. I read other bad reviews but still bought this because the idea of the Hollower was pretty cool. It wasn't what I had hoped. Luckily I got the book on sale at the comic book store but I don't know if it would be more than what I paid for it. I wouldn't buy this again, but if you love stories about Angelus' past, this is for you.

Well, it's not terrible. The idea of the Hollower is extremely interesting, but the execution leaves much to be desired. It just kind of left me feeling bleh, you know? I'd sit down in the bookstore and read this one, but not buy it.