Fallen Angels #3: Behold the Peace of the One-Mind

As Fallen Angels continues in it’s third issue, there is one thing that becomes quite clear. This is a series that sets up remarkable themes to explore, but instead of pursuing those themes, it seems content on falling back on more typical tropes of action-thriller comics as the narrative develops.

The introduction of Psylocke’s complicated past involving a child, the rise of the cyberdrug Overclock and the sheer impact of mutants breaking the laws of Krakoa were all powerful elements that helped to shape a narrative that was darker than any of the other Dawn of X titles. As we approached the end of last issue we started this transition away from those themes and into a more classic action comic area with a factor in Brazil. At this factory, this story loses almost all of the momentum of the previous two issues, focusing on a vision of Laura that just doesn’t feel right for the character and breaking the team up before they could even really get started.

There is a training element being introduced for Psylocke that helps to develop her as an individual. She wants to offer knowledge and give back somehow, and this group of characters are a unique fit for her situation. But it’s also a story about her past coming to light. This creates a contrast in the approach to the legacy of the character. I feel like emphasizing either just her past or just her future would have given this series a much more coherent vision by the time it reached it’s third issue.

While I still mostly enjoy the artwork from Szymon Kudranski and Frank D’Armata for it’s dark and grandiose aesthetic, there was a bit of a return of some wonky or skewed panels. Character depictions from facial expressions to general anatomy sometimes just feel off. Due to the action-oriented nature of the issue, there were a lot of chances to shine visually and the team pulled them off for the most part. It’s just disheartening to be taken out of the story when the artwork doesn’t align appropriately.

Although I am still excited to see how this story plays out with Psylocke’s past and the struggle to find her place within the mutantdom, my expectations have lowered a bit as this issue brings the overarching story into focus. Hopefully the revelations surrounding Apoth and their connection to Psylocke prove worthwhile!