What do you think?
Rate this book
Angel: After the Fall (collected editions)
Angel: After the Fall, Vol. 2: First Night
First Night begins! What happened on the very night Los Angeles went straight to hell, the incident that ended the Angel television series with such a shocking cliffhanger? Why did the team go their separate ways? And how did Connor rise up to become one of Hell's greatest champions?
104 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2008
7 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Joss Whedon
480 books4,346 followersJoss Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon) is an American screenwriter, executive producer, film and television director, comic book writer, occasional composer, and actor, and the founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures.
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)' and its film follow-up 'Serenity (2005)', and 'Dollhouse (2009–2010)', as well as the web-series' 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)'. Whedon co-wrote and produced the horror film 'The Cabin in the Woods (2012)', and wrote and directed the film adaptation of Marvel's 'The Avengers (2012)', the third highest-grossing film of all time.
Many of Whedon's projects have cult status and his work is notable for portraying strong female characters and a belief in equality.
credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)' and its film follow-up 'Serenity (2005)', and 'Dollhouse (2009–2010)', as well as the web-series' 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)'. Whedon co-wrote and produced the horror film 'The Cabin in the Woods (2012)', and wrote and directed the film adaptation of Marvel's 'The Avengers (2012)', the third highest-grossing film of all time.
Many of Whedon's projects have cult status and his work is notable for portraying strong female characters and a belief in equality.
credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
August 24, 2012
Volume two dosn't pick up where the first volume left off. Instead, it goes back in the chronology to cover what happened right after the show ended. You know, events that volume one completely skipped over. I'm not complaining about seeing this, since it's the number one reason I picked up After the Fall in the first place. But it would have been nice if this storyline hadn't been inserted in the middle of the ongoing storyline from volume one. It's also irritatingly short, only three issues. I get that this is the complete plotline, but they could've included a few more issues to make the collection a satisfactory length.
So enough griping. The format here is a series of short stories, focused on the individual experiences of almost everybody but Angel the night LA went to hell. Most of the stories are pretty good, though the art varies wildly. It's nice to see what happened here, but I can't help but think that this might have worked better, and possibly been more satisfying, if this had been the first few issues in the series.
So enough griping. The format here is a series of short stories, focused on the individual experiences of almost everybody but Angel the night LA went to hell. Most of the stories are pretty good, though the art varies wildly. It's nice to see what happened here, but I can't help but think that this might have worked better, and possibly been more satisfying, if this had been the first few issues in the series.
September 5, 2018
This volume picks up right where the series left off, showing us what happened the moments leading up to and the moments after LA went to hell! It was so interesting to see how each person got to where we saw them in the beginning of the first volume. I felt that these stories were more like flashbacks since we do have moments that are from the 'present' or at least in continuum with where the first volume had left off. Overall, really enjoyed this volume, being able to see where the characters landed and what they did when they found themselves in hell!
November 2, 2010
Someone in Oak Park is a kleptomaniac with a thing for Angel comics, because he stole volume 1 and 3 of this series from the library. I can tell because the online reservation system shows they were due on the same day, three months ago. A hex upon thee, library thief!
So I had to order these from other libraries, which is annoying because there is no way to control the order in which they arrive. For example, I got volume 2 first. I checked it out anyway, just in case the thief was planning to strike again, and maybe the first volume would come in before the due date (I was foiled in this for exciting reasons that I might reveal in my review of Spike: After the Fall, because I know everyone is into this library intrigue).
But then I read about the series and it turns out volume 2 takes place before volume 1 chronologically. IN YOUR FACE, LIBRARY THIEF! PLAN: FOILED!
Hmm... except this volume is actually really short (collecting three issues instead of the usual five in a trade edition like this) and rather than actually delve into the story I was doing all that frantic reserving to actually read (which is supposed to be "season six that never was" of Angel, but you already knew that, you dork), it has a bunch of one-off vignettes with various characters, some critical, some not-so-important. Thus some of the stories are interesting and some are not-so-interesting.
Perhaps the thief hadn't carelessly overlooked this volume at all. Perhaps he wanted to leave it behind to taunt future patrons with its... unsatisfyingness. Curse you, villain. I already hate the whole process of comic books enough (Go to the store every month! Because you sure can't subscribe anymore. And then read one issue in 15 minutes. Or wait like a year for five issues at once, which still only takes an hour! I hate you, comics!). Stop making me hate it more.
Three stars anyway. There's a psychic fish and one story is all in rhyme.
So I had to order these from other libraries, which is annoying because there is no way to control the order in which they arrive. For example, I got volume 2 first. I checked it out anyway, just in case the thief was planning to strike again, and maybe the first volume would come in before the due date (I was foiled in this for exciting reasons that I might reveal in my review of Spike: After the Fall, because I know everyone is into this library intrigue).
But then I read about the series and it turns out volume 2 takes place before volume 1 chronologically. IN YOUR FACE, LIBRARY THIEF! PLAN: FOILED!
Hmm... except this volume is actually really short (collecting three issues instead of the usual five in a trade edition like this) and rather than actually delve into the story I was doing all that frantic reserving to actually read (which is supposed to be "season six that never was" of Angel, but you already knew that, you dork), it has a bunch of one-off vignettes with various characters, some critical, some not-so-important. Thus some of the stories are interesting and some are not-so-interesting.
Perhaps the thief hadn't carelessly overlooked this volume at all. Perhaps he wanted to leave it behind to taunt future patrons with its... unsatisfyingness. Curse you, villain. I already hate the whole process of comic books enough (Go to the store every month! Because you sure can't subscribe anymore. And then read one issue in 15 minutes. Or wait like a year for five issues at once, which still only takes an hour! I hate you, comics!). Stop making me hate it more.
Three stars anyway. There's a psychic fish and one story is all in rhyme.
June 19, 2014
4.5 I-Love-You-Angel-Stars
This episode doesn't start, where Angel: After The Fall Vol.1 left us. First we get some glimpses of the individual storys about our friends directly after or rather while Los Angeles goes to hell.
But then we are back at the fight Angel vs. Lords of Los Angeles.
Still there are many questions open about:
Who is good?
Who is bad?
What is the big plan of Wolfram & Hart?
And the big plan of the universe?
What's it about Gunn?
And when one question is answered a new one shows up!
I just love this comics as I loved the series!
This episode doesn't start, where Angel: After The Fall Vol.1 left us. First we get some glimpses of the individual storys about our friends directly after or rather while Los Angeles goes to hell.
But then we are back at the fight Angel vs. Lords of Los Angeles.
Still there are many questions open about:
Who is good?
Who is bad?
What is the big plan of Wolfram & Hart?
And the big plan of the universe?
What's it about Gunn?
And when one question is answered a new one shows up!
I just love this comics as I loved the series!
February 24, 2025
I was always wanting to know what came next from the show & this was definitely an interesting take
June 21, 2021
Four stars for my buddy betta George. You sweet sassy telepathic fish.
October 21, 2018
Was that Kate? I didn't realize Kate was in this story. I've missed her. I liked her in the show. This is what I wanted when I picked up this series. What happened right after they went to hell and how they are going to get out. I really enjoyed the different snapshots. And all the different artists that contributed to this were awesome. I really enjoyed it.
June 25, 2019
Angel: After the Fall takes a step back (and down) in Volume 2: First Night, a collection of one-off prequels. The stories of how Wesley, Gunn, Connor, Spike, Gwen, and others handled the chaos that erupted when Los Angeles was transported to hell are assembled in this eclectic graphic novel. The stories are all of varying lengths and feature several different artistic styles, and some are better than others. A couple of the stories are interesting, but most of them feel like filler. And nothing of any real significance is learned in these backstories (at least at this point in the series). Included in at supplemental materials are an art gallery, drafts of abandoned character stories, and a writer’s commentary. While it’s entertaining and fills in some gaps, Angel: After the Fall – Volume 2: First Night is an uneven and mediocre book that spoils some of the mystery that the series had going for it.
December 22, 2015
The Good: The TV show ended on an epic cliffhanger, where the surviving characters were poised to enter what seemed to be a battle to their deaths. This volume finally answers the question of who survives and how. This alone makes the volume a worthwhile read.
The Bad: Instead of following Volume 1, this goes back to where the show ended. It's what all fans want to know, but making the series out of chronological order is annoying. The artwork is spotty, in relation to the characters. This cover is supposed to be Wesley. You can see that's what they're going for, but cover art is generally perfectly identifiable and this just isn't. The characters in the panels are even less identifiable and it leads to confusion at inconvenient times in the story.
The Bad: Instead of following Volume 1, this goes back to where the show ended. It's what all fans want to know, but making the series out of chronological order is annoying. The artwork is spotty, in relation to the characters. This cover is supposed to be Wesley. You can see that's what they're going for, but cover art is generally perfectly identifiable and this just isn't. The characters in the panels are even less identifiable and it leads to confusion at inconvenient times in the story.
November 25, 2014
Um... This one was not about Angel, but pretty much about anyone and everyone else. It does give a bit of a back-story to some key characters and what happened to them in the moments right after the final episode of Angel faded to black, but how this was all lumped together makes for a rather boring read. I think it would have made the After The Fall serial stronger had it been spread out throughout the series instead of dumped on the reader all at once.
June 28, 2017
Short. Not everyone I expected was represented, but I got a few surprise guests. It fits.
I think I enjoyed Brian Lynch's commentary at the end even more than the comics themselves. Lynch really deserves a logo. And the drinking game is way less effective with tea.
I think I enjoyed Brian Lynch's commentary at the end even more than the comics themselves. Lynch really deserves a logo. And the drinking game is way less effective with tea.
August 19, 2015
2nd Read: 8/18/2015
Original Read: 7/17/2014
3.5 Stars
Original Read: 7/17/2014
3.5 Stars
March 2, 2016
Definitely did not expect that Kate comeback.
September 19, 2018
My first thought was 'what the heck IS this nonsense. The first volume ended on a cliffhanger but it also started months into their time in hell (in which time we’re expected mopey, blaming himself Angel, ignores his son because that’s consistent with the show, uh-huh, right). This very small volume was dedicated not to picking up at the cliffhanger but rather on the ‘First Night’ (it took spotting that on the cover about a third of the way in before I realized that this was what the volume was about, which is a failure in and of itself).
Each character got their own first night in hell (except Angel, ironically). Spike’s was just confusing a bit too fractured. Betta George (a giant telepathic betta fish demon that so far is just a weird waste of space) didn’t interest me at all. Lorne’s was interesting in that it was done as a rhyme. Gwen’s was very good. Wesley’s was too. Then there was Connor’s which was also just confusing because we see him regaining All his memories including ones before he was even born (um….) so we get pages of him running, hiding and puking at the confusion the memories caused. But…Connor regained his memories on the show. He fought next to Angel, so this was just weird because it felt like a retconning. We also get Kate (whom I always loved and was sad she was gone) and through her we see more of Connor as she sort of inspires him to fight (did he need that? I’m not sure that he’s ever needed that). However, I did like Connor trying to sort through his three fathers. That was a nice touch. Gunn’s story was interesting enough. And oh, there was a short story about a couple of civilians which I sort of enjoyed.
I hate to say it the art was pretty awful. It was done by multiple artists, each story getting its own art. Spike and Gwen’s art was nice. Wesley’s was fantastic. Lorne was done by John Bryne who I am very well acquainted with but this was most assuredly not his best work. Mooney’s art for Connor and Kate made me wonder if he knew what humans look like and the Betta George stuff looked like I drew it (which is not a compliment).
In the back matter, Lynch talked about why they did what they did. It was risky constructing the story this way. Uh-huh, the word I would have used is annoying. My only consolation is I’m getting all of this at the library. If I had paid money for this, I’d be much more disappointed.
Each character got their own first night in hell (except Angel, ironically). Spike’s was just confusing a bit too fractured. Betta George (a giant telepathic betta fish demon that so far is just a weird waste of space) didn’t interest me at all. Lorne’s was interesting in that it was done as a rhyme. Gwen’s was very good. Wesley’s was too. Then there was Connor’s which was also just confusing because we see him regaining All his memories including ones before he was even born (um….) so we get pages of him running, hiding and puking at the confusion the memories caused. But…Connor regained his memories on the show. He fought next to Angel, so this was just weird because it felt like a retconning. We also get Kate (whom I always loved and was sad she was gone) and through her we see more of Connor as she sort of inspires him to fight (did he need that? I’m not sure that he’s ever needed that). However, I did like Connor trying to sort through his three fathers. That was a nice touch. Gunn’s story was interesting enough. And oh, there was a short story about a couple of civilians which I sort of enjoyed.
I hate to say it the art was pretty awful. It was done by multiple artists, each story getting its own art. Spike and Gwen’s art was nice. Wesley’s was fantastic. Lorne was done by John Bryne who I am very well acquainted with but this was most assuredly not his best work. Mooney’s art for Connor and Kate made me wonder if he knew what humans look like and the Betta George stuff looked like I drew it (which is not a compliment).
In the back matter, Lynch talked about why they did what they did. It was risky constructing the story this way. Uh-huh, the word I would have used is annoying. My only consolation is I’m getting all of this at the library. If I had paid money for this, I’d be much more disappointed.
August 26, 2019
Read for Book Roast's Magical Readathon: NEWTs Exams. Subject: Astronomy, E Level. ("Night" in the title)
I was planning on reading After the Fall Volume 1 for a different category, but ended up changing it because I kept falling in love with the first book in a series and needing to make room for the next one. So, in a nice reversal, I had to leave out book one of this series and start with book 2. Appropriate.
Thankfully, I didn't miss....okay, yeah, I missed a lot. Holy sheep shit, Batman, at the last chapter. They did WHAT?! TO WHO?! TO MY PRECIOUS CHILD?!
Yeah, I'll be reading volume 1 after this readathon is over.
36 books in 31 days: Book 30
I was planning on reading After the Fall Volume 1 for a different category, but ended up changing it because I kept falling in love with the first book in a series and needing to make room for the next one. So, in a nice reversal, I had to leave out book one of this series and start with book 2. Appropriate.
Thankfully, I didn't miss....okay, yeah, I missed a lot. Holy sheep shit, Batman, at the last chapter. They did WHAT?! TO WHO?! TO MY PRECIOUS CHILD?!
Yeah, I'll be reading volume 1 after this readathon is over.
36 books in 31 days: Book 30
October 19, 2022
So we go back in time to see how each character ended up the way they did, fighting alongside angel in a bid to save the humans from demon oppression.
The art is still random and only consistent about half of the time.
They focused on gwen, spike, Conor, Loren and Charles. They also had a side story on some civilian that was the cliché of "the end of the world is near." Not sure why they gave a few pages to him but oh well.
They also focused on the telepathic fish that use to work for a lord before Charles killed it and kidnapped the fish. I feel bad for the fish since it kinda showed its background. I don't know why it's important but hopefully it'll pay off.
Onto the next volume.
The art is still random and only consistent about half of the time.
They focused on gwen, spike, Conor, Loren and Charles. They also had a side story on some civilian that was the cliché of "the end of the world is near." Not sure why they gave a few pages to him but oh well.
They also focused on the telepathic fish that use to work for a lord before Charles killed it and kidnapped the fish. I feel bad for the fish since it kinda showed its background. I don't know why it's important but hopefully it'll pay off.
Onto the next volume.
August 20, 2017
This is a great anthology rotating between characters (and artists) to depict different perspectives of the first night after the last episode of Angel. I especially love the lyrical prose in Lorne's story. And Brian Lynch's notes about this book, complete with references to other movie franchises and their subtitles, show what a humorous guy he is. I did not realize until I read his notes that Angel does not appear at all in this collection. Just goes to show how immersed I was in the other characters' stories.
January 31, 2021
Fills in a bit of what happened after LA was thrown into Hell due to Angel's attacking the Circle of the Black Thorn.
Interesting backstory, caught us up a bit on some major and minor characters. Art was meh to me mostly, and some stories were also meh. The poem version of Lorne's story was terrible although i appreciated the backstory, just not the way it was told. Some parts were confusing and had to be read over a bit to understand. But entertaining enough and a must read for the series.
Interesting backstory, caught us up a bit on some major and minor characters. Art was meh to me mostly, and some stories were also meh. The poem version of Lorne's story was terrible although i appreciated the backstory, just not the way it was told. Some parts were confusing and had to be read over a bit to understand. But entertaining enough and a must read for the series.
July 19, 2020
I have to say, after reading these stories, I agree with the experts in reading After the Fall as they were released. That means read this after volume 1, as it was published. (Even though this technically, chronologically, takes place prior to volume 1.)
I really enjoyed seeing what happened to everyone during the First Night - it was really well done, and set the stage for what’s happening. Now back to our regular programming!
I really enjoyed seeing what happened to everyone during the First Night - it was really well done, and set the stage for what’s happening. Now back to our regular programming!
October 3, 2024
2.5 stars
I had hope this volume would be better, but it's even worse than volume 1. The story is absolute chaos (and not in a fun way), and the art style is very inconsistent. The same character can look completely different in the span of 3 panels on the same page.
I feel sad. I wanted to love this, because the previous volumes in the Buffyverse were really well done, but the Angel comics so far are just an absolute mess.
I had hope this volume would be better, but it's even worse than volume 1. The story is absolute chaos (and not in a fun way), and the art style is very inconsistent. The same character can look completely different in the span of 3 panels on the same page.
I feel sad. I wanted to love this, because the previous volumes in the Buffyverse were really well done, but the Angel comics so far are just an absolute mess.
October 23, 2017
This volume did not add much new to the story, instead is going back explaining what happened with Spike, Gun, Connor, Lorne, Wesley and Kate. I've been so glad to see Kate back in the game even for only a few pages. The First Night is filled with more picture and less text as every chapter is drawn by different artists and It's make it really cool to compare all these unique art styles.
January 25, 2021
Me ha gustado mucho que volvamos hacia atrás para ver que le pasó a cada personajes después del final de la serie y luego volver a la pelea entre Angel y los Lords. Aquí si me parece que tiene sentido el cambio de dibujo. Y, por cierto, muy fan de que salga George, que fue uno de mis favs de Spike Asylum.
July 9, 2022
I enjoyed this, although I still like Buffy slightly more. However, I felt like this was slightly more enjoyable than the first edition and gave me some valuable insight into how the characters got to where they were (although I wish there was more Angel/Spike/Illyria). Overall, pretty good and enjoyable!
April 23, 2024
Angel: After the Fall Vol. 2
A flashback volume looks at the immediate aftermath of Angel's last stand and everyone's first night in the hell dimension.
Gorgeous artwork and lush layout add to what are a series of short vignettes stitched into the wider narrative. This is a fun book, but isn't immediately necessary to follow the on going series.
A flashback volume looks at the immediate aftermath of Angel's last stand and everyone's first night in the hell dimension.
Gorgeous artwork and lush layout add to what are a series of short vignettes stitched into the wider narrative. This is a fun book, but isn't immediately necessary to follow the on going series.
December 31, 2024
This is, essentially, a bridge from the end of 'Angel: Season 5' and the beginning of 'Angel: Season 6' (After The Fall)...
The major players are only mentioned in passing here. This is all about Betta George, Gunn, Gwen Raiden, Connor, Lorne, and Spike. With all those names, you'd expect the stories to be longer, but this is a very thin collection. It doesn't even reach 100 pages.
The major players are only mentioned in passing here. This is all about Betta George, Gunn, Gwen Raiden, Connor, Lorne, and Spike. With all those names, you'd expect the stories to be longer, but this is a very thin collection. It doesn't even reach 100 pages.
May 9, 2017
This was a quick read that fills, without much detail, the gap between the TV show and the first volume.
Unfortunately, it was not that interesting and it felt like a filler, in my opinion this could have been done in single issue or two issues.
Unfortunately, it was not that interesting and it felt like a filler, in my opinion this could have been done in single issue or two issues.
February 13, 2018
Unfortunately, my library doesn't have any of the others in this series. I was lost and confused by what was happening in this volume. I wasn't impressed with the variety of art styles being used. I understand that each character was represented by their own style, but it just didn't work for me.
September 4, 2023
a great glimpse into the main group of characters first night after LA got pulled into hell to see where they started to where they are now in the series. enjoyed Lynch’s commentary at the end too.
seriously Wes’ story continues to bum me out, can someone give this man a break!
seriously Wes’ story continues to bum me out, can someone give this man a break!
January 30, 2024
After the incredibly promising volume one, volume two goes back to fill in gaps that didn't need to be filled. Absolutely nothing of any importance happens in this book. Most of the art is mediocre. There is absolutely no reason to ever pick this book up, even if you're a completist.
July 26, 2024
FINALLY. but still so many things remain unexplained. I am literally so glad they made this, but I kind of wish they went with Lynch's original idea for First Night.
GUNN. speechless.
also loved Lorne's little page it was so cute <3
AND KATES RETURN WHOO
GUNN. speechless.
also loved Lorne's little page it was so cute <3
AND KATES RETURN WHOO
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews