4.5
If you've read any of my reviews on the subject, my love of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and, especially, ANGEL (on tv and in the comics) is no secret. That is what makes me so sad to admit how bad I've found this most recent season of ANGEL. Unfortunately, ANGEL #9 is the worst of the worst. The story is, practically, nonexistent and the writing (which has been weak throughout the season) is especially poor with bad characterization and dialogue. Forget about the hands-on approach he took at the beginning of BtVS Season 8, I can't imagine that Joss Whedon, now, even reviews these comics in his role as Executive Producer. I never thought that Dark Horse would ever put out an ANGEL series that made me long for the IDW days. (1st read score: 3.4)
Second Reading (10/18): On a second read-through this issue is not as bad. My,admittedly,brutal review was due, mostly to disappointment at this issue and the series in general. While everyone still feels out of character in their motivations (with all the good he's done it doesn't seem realistic that Angel would risk bringing on any one of the apocalypses(?) he prevented by stopping his own siring) and their dialogue is interchangeable, I have to admit to enjoying this issue more with adjusted expectations. (Second read score:5.6)
SCORE: 4.5 more