Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Waning Moon
Written by: Peter David
Penciled by: David Lopez
Inked by: Fernando Blanco
Colored by: Nathan Eyring
Lettered by: Ken Lopez
Editor: Lysa Hawkins
Publisher: DC Comics
Peter David is one of my favorite comic writers, if for nothing else than his awe-inspiring run on THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Since the cancellation of the brunt of his monthly titles this past year, I’ve noticed his work take a somewhat darker tone. While in my opinion it hasn’t worked for CAPTAIN MARVEL, thus far it has made the launch of FALLEN ANGEL quite intriguing.
I reviewed the debut issue of BAD GIRLS last week, which I thought was very similarly plotted to a B-grade teen movie. FALLEN ANGEL also bears similarity to moving pictures, but it’s is more in line with some small screen work. The brilliantly offbeat series TWIN PEAKS by David Lynch almost seems an inspiration for Peter David. FALLEN ANGEL’s setting of the Louisiana city of Bette Noir feels like a long lost sister to Lynch’s Twin Peaks, Washington. Bette Noir is almost a character in its own right, while it doesn’t look all that unfamiliar to places we know, it’s quite obvious things are more than a little different here.
Peter David’s cast of ambiguous characters has strange names and unclear motives. The series centers on Lee, known to some as the Fallen Angel. She’s instilled with increased powers of perception as well as great strength, what makes her tick though is left unanswered. Even her reasons for being in Bette Noir are unknown, although she has a penchant for helping those in distress. Rumors are circulating all over the net as to her real identity, some even believe this is the angelic Supergirl from David’s recently cancelled title. This is indeed a classic mystery told in a very atypical fashion.
Much like the last issue this issue has a standalone story built within the larger narrative, it answers none of the questions the reader has, and even adds a few new ones. We follow Lee’s attempt to protect a shipment for the criminal Asia Minor, who makes his first appearance. It seems Asia helped Lee out when she arrived in Bette Noir a few months ago, so this is payback. The fact that the shipment may contain drugs doesn’t faze Lee, of course most of the back-story is left vague but in the end you feel good about her actions.
The art by Lopez and Blanco lends a nice flavor to Bette Noir and it’s interesting cast. Each character has a well-defined look, and they fit seamlessly into the beautiful backgrounds. The pair has a nice vision that seems perfectly in line with Peter David’s work.
All told it seems answers to the nagging questions will be answered very slowly in these pages. Peter David is taking his time building his world and populating it with characters that deserve their “screen timeâ€. I only hope that things aren’t dragged out too much. TWIN PEAKS was the hottest show on TV for a while, but didn’t make it past its second season because the ambiguities were never answered. In an industry where the most popular characters were created some 30 to 60 years ago, there aren’t that many success stories with envelope pushing concepts. It would be a real shame to see this compelling title’s run cut short, before the answers come.
