Reviewer: Mathan “McManus†Erhardt
Story Title: Angelus
Written by: Steve Gerber
Penciled and Inked by: Brian Hurtt
Lettered by: Pat Brosseau
Colored by: Brian Haberlin
Editor: Joan Hilty
Publisher: DC Focus/DC Comics
All right, Ethan Harrow was involved in a school shooting; as a result he ended up in the State Pen. But when he’s unconscious he has a mysterious and invisible force that exits his body. It usually takes revenge on folks that have treated Ethan wrongly. As a result an Aryan who attacked Ethan is now in the infirmary, and Ethan has been targeted by the Aryans. He also witnessed another race-based beating in the shower. Prison life has never looked bleaker.
In this issue one of the Black guys, Miller, who attacked the white guy in prison for raping and killing a young Black girl is visited by Ethan’s mysterious force, but not beaten. Basically just threatened. He also happens to be bunkmates with Cole, the closest thing Ethan has to an ally.
The force then visits Gantry, the prisoner who happens to be a Christian zealot. Gantry mistakes the force for God. It gives him a smack across the face, which Gantry interprets as a sign that he’s doing the right thing.
The force visits Lewis Gatherwood, the aforementioned rapist and killer. Lewis interprets the force as the soul of his victim telling him that he is forgiven. Then it returns to Ethan, who is sleeping soundly.
The next morning Cole delivers Ethan some mail and a message; Gantry is saying that Ethan is protecting Lewis. Ethan sees that the letter is from the girl whose life he saved during the school shooting. He also finds out that his mother is being sued in a wrongful death suit as a result of the shooting.
Lewis seeks out Ethan, his only perceived friend. But Ethan has to diss him as prison decorum states. However Miller and Gantry have a plan to deal with Lewis. Miller lures Lewis to Gantry with the promise of absolution. Ethan catches wind of this and follows. Gantry is going to baptize Lewis, as part of purifying him. He empties his bucket on Lewis’ head. As Lewis coughs and says this his eyes are burning Gantry explains that the liquid is solvent. He then lights the mop on fire, and sets Lewis aflame. Gantry has baptized Lewis with fire. Lewis runs down the hall in flames.
Ethan witnesses this and passes out. While the doctors try to save Lewis, Ethan’s force goes to visit Lewis, and when he dies it goes on a rampage in the room.
This issue adds suspense and a few new wrinkles. The civil suit is very interesting. As is the (I’m assuming) correspondence between Ethan and one of his victims. I can’t say that I like the idea of Ethan actually caring about Lewis, who really was a creepy guy, but every other aspect of this book rings true. Finally Gerber has shown what the force does/means. This is a pretty vital issue.
In terms of art, Hurtt continues to deliver some powerful images. Given the limitations of his environment (a prison) he makes things look beautifully realistic. I like the way the force is represented. But as a guy afraid of burns, that baptism by fire scene was too good. It wasn’t too graphic, but it got the point across very well. Disturbing, but in a good way.
