Angel #2

Dark Horse's 2001 continuation of the Angel series delivers a visually charged second issue, with Mel Rubi and Chris Dreier's cover depicting the brooding, dark-coated vampire detective hurled or falling backward while a heavily armored, medieval-style knight — wreathed in roaring flames — looms overhead wielding a sword, flanked by a snarling green creature against a gothic stone backdrop. The fiery supernatural menace on display makes it clear that Angel is in serious trouble, outnumbered and outmatched in what promises to be a brutal middle chapter of "Long Night's Journey." With Brett Matthews and Joss Whedon collaborating on the story and Mel Rubi handling the interior art, this issue has a strong creative team firing on all cylinders.