Angelus #5

Angelus #5
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Stjepan Sejic
Letters by Troy Peteri
Published by Top Cow
Review by Lan Pitts
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"It was always going to end like this, wasn't it?" -- Dani Baptiste, the Angelus

When we last saw Dani, she was caught in a rather awkward situation with her father walking in on her and her galpal, now official girlfriend, Finch. We also witnessed former Angelus warrior Sabine bond her self to the Artifact known as the Shadow Wheel, granting her powers of time manipulation. Sabine is focused on regaining the Angelus and it's going to be quite the showdown between herself and Dani.

Okay, let's get something straight (ironic choice of word) and out of the way here. Dani's and Finch's relationship has been blossoming for several years now. This is not just some sort of realization about their sexuality. No. Ron Marz has crafted their rapport carefully and naturally. So, naturally, two consenting adults who have strong romantic feelings for each other eventually having some sort of sexual experience. Mind you, this is also Top Cow. They have a mature content warning and they mean it. The thing is though, if you really break it down, it's nothing we've seen in comics before, but what really strikes home is the talk Dani has with her father about Finch. It's endearing, sincere, and above all, handles the situation well.

Of course the express of their love doesn't last long as Dani's "friends" show up. Talk about bad timing. Sabine reveals herself as the new wielder of the Shadow Wheel, as well as her intentions to fight Dani for the Angelus force. What Dani didn't see coming is Sabine stealing time away from Finch and making her old. I mean, Gandalf old. Dani easily decapitates her former minions who served Sabine. Now all that is standing is a pissed-off Dani and a power-crazed Sabine. I'm sure the conclusion is going to be out of this world.

I have to give props to Sejic here. I have, at times, criticized his lack of facial features that leave some of his figures cold and stoic. Here though, he breaks through and lets his talent speak for itself. The passionate scene between Dani and Finch comes across as real, well as real as things can be in the comic world. It all just seems very human. The design of Sabine possessing the Shadow Wheel is something to behold as well. It has a sort of Eternity and Starman vibe and is just visually striking.

This mini-series has excelled in showcasing Dani as a stand-alone kind of character and out of Sara Pezzini's shadow. The action is terrific, the dialog is clever and crisp and the art is beyond superb. Anyway we can get this into an ongoing, Top Cow?