Fallen Angels #4: Lucifer in Defiance of the Fire

Here we are in the fourth issue of Fallen Angels, the series that is hellbent on exploring the darker corner of the new Dawn of X titles spearheaded by Hickman’s reboot. After what was ultimately a disappointing third issue, does the team pull everything together for a more satisfying story in Fallen Angels #4?

Well, yes and no.

While that might be a frustrating answer, it does give some insight into the direction of the book as well as some of the elements that simply haven’t been sitting right with the fans up to this point. Luckily, the confusing approach to Laura takes a backseat in this issue in favor of diving into Kwannon’s past, including her time with Betsy inside her body and even her lost child. This introspective moment in the midst of a technological threat surrounding a newly released Kwannon with her own body provides just the right amount of heart this series needed so badly.

While the story begins to pick the pieces of and more in a more enjoyable direction, the visuals unfortunately continue their decline into mediocrity. There are some great panels, even a gorgeous full page splash of this helper of Apoth, but that’s about it. Most of the character-driven panels that are meant to be ripe with emotion fall flat due to skewed and sometimes awkward depictions. It reaches the point where it is more distracting than beneficial.

This is particularly sad because of how well the story rebounds after a lackluster previous issue. There is a lot of worldbuilding, character development and narrative answers given in Fallen Angels #4 and the series is all the better for it. Psylocke is really coming into her own as the story continues, and although it is going into even darker territory, it seems her mindset is as firm as ever. The moment where she demands Betsy not be mentioned around her again is quite telling for her place in the mutandom right now and I can’t wait to see the dynamic explored more.

The conflicting nature of a more engaging story with less than stellar artwork creates a confusing experience that unfortunately downplays the significance of this issue.  The origins, motivations and demands of Apoth are all made firm here, setting up the final climactic moments of the series, but will people remember it for that?

Hopefully this team can pull of a magnificent conclusion because these characters certainly deserve it!