Angel + Spike 13

Before the new creative team begins their storyline, Angel + Spike 13 offers a single-issue story set in 1962 with Angel investigating the death of an actress he met ten years before who sold her soul for fame and glory (and also to stave off the cancer which was slowly killing her). The story is not connected the current timeline or the present in any way, but it does feature an appearance by Spike.

I don't know that I would stick around for multiple issues from the pairing of writer Adam Smith and artist Piotr Kowalski but the single issue story does allow the comic to bring in a different look and feel without investing too much in a new team. I'm not wild about the art from Piotr Kowalski that we get here, although the noir setting does seem to lend itself to the art more than some of the characters do.

While the comic feels disconnected from current events on the title, it works as a self-contained story offering us a glimpse into Angel's past (which is always tricky given continuity issues). It's not a must-read, but for fans there may be enough of interest.

[BOOM!, $3.99]

• Title: Angel + Spike #13
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Adam Smith
• Artist: Piotr Kowalski