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FreakAngels #2
FreakAngels, Volume 2
Twenty-three years ago, twelve strange children were born in England at exactly the same moment. Six years ago, the world ended. Today, eleven strange 23-year-olds live in and defend Whitechapel, maybe the last real settlement in flooded London. Having recently discovered that an exiled twelfth psychic has returned to brainwash murderous sleeper agents in Whitechapel, the Freakangels search for the timebombs in their midst while simultaneously seeking to expand their own mind-powers to match those of their enemy. The second chapter in award-winning author Warren Ellis' post-apocalyptic web comic series!
Episodes #0024-0048
Episodes #0024-0048
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2009
4 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,972 books5,772 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 22, 2016
If you think of Warren Ellis as a cynical bastard whose sole talent lies in the creation of nasty, drug-infused, over-the-top comics (it's a persona Ellis himself often flaunts, after all) for a politically alienated and emotionally dulled audience, give FreakAngels a try. It might change your mind.
Despite the post-apocalyptic setting, there is nothing flashy or gimmicky or trippy about FreakAngels. The story is told in a very accessible, engaging, straight-forward style, congenially brought to life by Paul Duffield’s subdued, orderly, unspectacular yet quietly stunning illustrations.
What makes FreakAngels work so well are its characters. To be sure, they swear a lot (this is an Ellis comic), but they are also the most fully realized, fascinating, lifelike comic-book characters I have come across in a while—despite their mysterious superhuman powers.
I highly recommend Freakangels to anybody looking for that rare post-apocalyptic story that has both a brain and a heart!
Despite the post-apocalyptic setting, there is nothing flashy or gimmicky or trippy about FreakAngels. The story is told in a very accessible, engaging, straight-forward style, congenially brought to life by Paul Duffield’s subdued, orderly, unspectacular yet quietly stunning illustrations.
What makes FreakAngels work so well are its characters. To be sure, they swear a lot (this is an Ellis comic), but they are also the most fully realized, fascinating, lifelike comic-book characters I have come across in a while—despite their mysterious superhuman powers.
I highly recommend Freakangels to anybody looking for that rare post-apocalyptic story that has both a brain and a heart!
March 19, 2012
So, now that we've established all that origin stuff in the first volume (aside from what the FreakAngels actually did to destroy the world), we get a volume packed with all kinds of action and developments.
As the FreakAngels identify their potential through teleportation powers, they begin to focus on fortification and the expansion of Whitechapel. The discovery of a settlement filled with homeless, sick and suffering citizens leads the FreakAngels to make an important decision. Given that these people belong to the camp that recently attacked the secret "freak-cave", can they trust them?
While not eclipsing the quality of Volume 1, Ellis continues this excellent story with events that strengthen the series. Making strides in the right direction, Ellis keeps us all interested with the discovery of new powers, the influx of new citizens and the development of already strong characters.
Also, how can you fault something with this dialogue?
As the FreakAngels identify their potential through teleportation powers, they begin to focus on fortification and the expansion of Whitechapel. The discovery of a settlement filled with homeless, sick and suffering citizens leads the FreakAngels to make an important decision. Given that these people belong to the camp that recently attacked the secret "freak-cave", can they trust them?
While not eclipsing the quality of Volume 1, Ellis continues this excellent story with events that strengthen the series. Making strides in the right direction, Ellis keeps us all interested with the discovery of new powers, the influx of new citizens and the development of already strong characters.
Also, how can you fault something with this dialogue?
November 10, 2017
Twenty-three years ago, the children from Village of the Damned ended the world and they are finally feeling guilty about it. They've gathered a few hundred survivors in the Whitechapel area of a flooded London and are finally discussing restarting civilization, at least locally. We get little allusions to what they did, but nothing concrete as of yet. Most of the book is them chatting about what to do, until they are attacked and give a response. There's a nifty bit of storytelling going on here and I'm looking forward to tracking down the other volumes.
August 24, 2016
Didn't take very good notes because I read this so fast. While Volume 1 had more setup and was a little slower, Volume 2 is all story filled with great little moments between the FreakAngels. One of those rare series that balances well between action and stillness, violence and comedy. It's just a fun read and very well written. And Arkady is awesome!
March 28, 2012
The Freakangels world continues to grow with this second volume. As the new girl settles in, a mortar attack signals the beginning of a traitor in the midst of Whitechapel and the Freakangels retaliate by heading to the dissident territory of Shoreditch. The infrastructure of Whitechapel is debated as the Freakangels' protectorate grows and they begin to realise their responsibilities lie further afield.
The characters of the Freakangels are what I love best about this series. Warren Ellis imbues them with individual characteristics and has them interact so easily, I completely buy that they're best friends with a long history behind them. There's also hints of how they ended the world and the variety of their powers, which suggests adventures of the kind of large scale Ellis is used to dealing with in series like "The Authority" and "Planetary".
Paul Duffield's drawing style continues to enthral. He uses large panels per page so the maximum number is four and often is just two or three, allowing for more detail per page and a kind of cinematic quality to the books. There's also a few scenes where the Freakangels go on the hunt for their supposed assassins and the way he draws them makes them look like a scene from the "Village of the Damned".
"Volume 2" is an excellent sequel to the first one, adding more to the saga of these fascinating characters the increasingly more doomed world they inhabit. "Freakangels" is quickly becoming one of my favourite Ellis titles and is definitely worth a look if you're a comics fan.
The characters of the Freakangels are what I love best about this series. Warren Ellis imbues them with individual characteristics and has them interact so easily, I completely buy that they're best friends with a long history behind them. There's also hints of how they ended the world and the variety of their powers, which suggests adventures of the kind of large scale Ellis is used to dealing with in series like "The Authority" and "Planetary".
Paul Duffield's drawing style continues to enthral. He uses large panels per page so the maximum number is four and often is just two or three, allowing for more detail per page and a kind of cinematic quality to the books. There's also a few scenes where the Freakangels go on the hunt for their supposed assassins and the way he draws them makes them look like a scene from the "Village of the Damned".
"Volume 2" is an excellent sequel to the first one, adding more to the saga of these fascinating characters the increasingly more doomed world they inhabit. "Freakangels" is quickly becoming one of my favourite Ellis titles and is definitely worth a look if you're a comics fan.
July 8, 2012
There's a bit more going on in this volume of FreakAngels than in the previous, expositiony volume. This doesn't affect my enjoyment of it, much. I really liked the first volume for the setting, the characters, and dialog, and also for the beautiful, haunting panels of a flooded London. All back, plus a few plot developments that signal a change that will mean more for the characters than for the readers, who are probably mostly trying to get their bearings still.
Read online.
Read online.
February 4, 2017
You get a few tidbits on the great catastrophe in this volume, and also start to see some of the strings holding everything together begin to unravel.
Mainly more characterization in V2 and I think this is when most readers will start identifying with certain characters. The art has a sort of anime, "early internet" feel to it, with thin line work. The panels stick to just a few options: full page, one wide panel at the top and two small underneath, two small up top and a wide underneath, or four small panels. Movement is a little limited with this few panels but it certainly isn't frustrating. The coloring is slightly drab, but not dystopian, so it doesn't feel dreary and hopeless.
On to Volume 3...
Mainly more characterization in V2 and I think this is when most readers will start identifying with certain characters. The art has a sort of anime, "early internet" feel to it, with thin line work. The panels stick to just a few options: full page, one wide panel at the top and two small underneath, two small up top and a wide underneath, or four small panels. Movement is a little limited with this few panels but it certainly isn't frustrating. The coloring is slightly drab, but not dystopian, so it doesn't feel dreary and hopeless.
On to Volume 3...
November 21, 2016
Another great volume! We get some more info about the past that lead to the post-apocalyptic world we find ourselves in, and we see hints of just how bad things are outside the FreakAngels Whitechapel enclave. I am really looking forward to seeing more of this series!
June 6, 2016
-Мы все скоро умрем от голода!
-Давайте подберем еще сотню зомби-людей!
-А я умею телепортироваться!
В общем, сюжет я пересказала.
-Давайте подберем еще сотню зомби-людей!
-А я умею телепортироваться!
В общем, сюжет я пересказала.
May 7, 2021
(Zero spoiler review) 4.75/5
I described this to a friend as if Trainspotting was a soap opera, set in a dystopian yet optimistic setting with mild superpowers. And it might be a rare occurrence, but I feel like I nailed it. This is how you do superheroes. This is how you do characters. This is how you do storytelling. This ticks so many of the boxes that I look for when it comes to stories and narratives I enjoy, that I couldn't help but instantly for for its many charms. Its a slow burn. Its character driven. It doesn't inundate you or overwhelm you with an overload of information about what has happened, or even what is happening. This one unfolds slowly over time. Always keeping you wondering and wanting more, yet, for me at least, never growing weary of the pacing. Neither are the characters your typical garden variety superheroes. They are flawed, dirty and dishevelled, with many of them walking an interesting tightrope between apathy or villainy.
I had previously mentioned the slow burn nature of the opening volume, and how cleverly Ellis was able to introduce and weave an engaging and compelling narrative without a great deal of anything noteworthy occurring. Ellis has completed another masterstroke of sorts, and has gradually built upon the slower, character driven initial arc, by maintaining the stories initial pedestrian charm, yet slowly ratcheting up the world building, giving away just enough to keep the reader captivated without resorting to an all out action shlock fest. Far more occurs here than what happened in volume one, yet it feels perfectly natural and authentic. We are introduced to the final two members of the Freakangels, and their powers are expanded upon slightly as we get to know them further.
Another strong point of this series which I didn't mention in my previous review, was how well balanced the protagonists superpowers are. This isn't a group of freakishly strong and omnipotent beings, but rather a rag tag bunch of misfits who still do not completely comprehend who or what they are, and are taking the reader along with them as they come to terms with who they are. Their super powers are not the most important think about them in any way shape or form. It's certainly possible that their powers may increase in the future, and create issues relating to inconsistency or plot, yet for now, it remains cleverly crafted.
I was hesitant that the charms of the previous volume may be spurned or outright ignored as the series went forward, but Ellis seems to be well in control and understanding what he is creating, or rather has created here. Should this standard continue, this could easily be my favourite Ellis series. Which given the strength of a few of his others, is certainly saying something. 4.75/5
OmniBen.
I described this to a friend as if Trainspotting was a soap opera, set in a dystopian yet optimistic setting with mild superpowers. And it might be a rare occurrence, but I feel like I nailed it. This is how you do superheroes. This is how you do characters. This is how you do storytelling. This ticks so many of the boxes that I look for when it comes to stories and narratives I enjoy, that I couldn't help but instantly for for its many charms. Its a slow burn. Its character driven. It doesn't inundate you or overwhelm you with an overload of information about what has happened, or even what is happening. This one unfolds slowly over time. Always keeping you wondering and wanting more, yet, for me at least, never growing weary of the pacing. Neither are the characters your typical garden variety superheroes. They are flawed, dirty and dishevelled, with many of them walking an interesting tightrope between apathy or villainy.
I had previously mentioned the slow burn nature of the opening volume, and how cleverly Ellis was able to introduce and weave an engaging and compelling narrative without a great deal of anything noteworthy occurring. Ellis has completed another masterstroke of sorts, and has gradually built upon the slower, character driven initial arc, by maintaining the stories initial pedestrian charm, yet slowly ratcheting up the world building, giving away just enough to keep the reader captivated without resorting to an all out action shlock fest. Far more occurs here than what happened in volume one, yet it feels perfectly natural and authentic. We are introduced to the final two members of the Freakangels, and their powers are expanded upon slightly as we get to know them further.
Another strong point of this series which I didn't mention in my previous review, was how well balanced the protagonists superpowers are. This isn't a group of freakishly strong and omnipotent beings, but rather a rag tag bunch of misfits who still do not completely comprehend who or what they are, and are taking the reader along with them as they come to terms with who they are. Their super powers are not the most important think about them in any way shape or form. It's certainly possible that their powers may increase in the future, and create issues relating to inconsistency or plot, yet for now, it remains cleverly crafted.
I was hesitant that the charms of the previous volume may be spurned or outright ignored as the series went forward, but Ellis seems to be well in control and understanding what he is creating, or rather has created here. Should this standard continue, this could easily be my favourite Ellis series. Which given the strength of a few of his others, is certainly saying something. 4.75/5
OmniBen.
Read
April 11, 2023The rest of the Freakangels are introduced, there's more worldbuilding, and Alice (the readers' avatar) settles into life with her new eleven friends. The fallout from an attack by outside settlers takes up the second half of this volume, where we also see more of the Freakangels' mysterious powers. Great writing like the first book and great art. Duffield's style is fluid, open, and detailed, reminding me of Frank Quitely at times. Some panels are gorgeous. I love his use of shadows and darkness. The way he draws each character, matched with Ellis' dialogue, makes them stand out with distinct personalities. Already I have a great grasp on all of them.
There are more hints as to how the apocalypse happened. It's clear that guilt plays a role in the Freakangels' current actions of shepherding a society of survivors (that grows larger in this book).
There are more hints as to how the apocalypse happened. It's clear that guilt plays a role in the Freakangels' current actions of shepherding a society of survivors (that grows larger in this book).
December 21, 2019
Pořád z toho nejsem hotový (příběh spíš tuctový, kresba vyloženě hnusná), ale vztahy mezi postavami docela fungují, je tam potenciál vývoje.
February 11, 2022
Terrific. As with everything else by Ellis. Arkady is the gift that keeps on giving.
January 21, 2025
Letto in italiano. Traduzione in alcuni punti carente
June 18, 2009
Good stuff. A little less exciting than V1, but this volume was all about management of the settlement and the new girl, so that can be excused.
February 7, 2013
P.S. The supergeek in me would love to see a scene between Arkady and Auri.
July 1, 2025
There's something curious and wonderful about the dialogue in this series—thoughtful with movement, real without effort, true to each unique character. It's hard for a group of ambitious young people—especially a group with supernatural abilities that include mass telepathy—to communicate so seamlessly across pages that are largely without big, impactful action. So much of this is people trying to figure out how to keep a tiny society afloat, and toward the end of this volume, it becomes a real debate and meditation on trying to help as many as possible while being realistic about the resources available. You just have to think about these things when you destroy the world.
May 22, 2017
After last-volume's rather one-sided battle, the Freakangels reach a turning point in their protection of Whitechapel, where their biggest danger is their own success. They have to stop noodling around and surviving and actually start working to build something. After all, though we don't know how or why, this post-apocalypse is all their fault. Fun with engineering and psychic powers and guilt and the inter-relationships of a disparate group of twenty-somethings with terrifying abilities struggling to find maturity.
November 8, 2020
Si el libro anterior explicaba quiénes eran los FreakAngels, este se enfoca en sus funciones en la sociedad que decidieron proteger. Poco a poco, a través del diálogo se van revelando detalles de lo que causó la condición del mundo en la que habitan ahora.
Por fortuna hubo más acción y es el clásico Ellis. La verdad no entiendo cómo otros autores no copian más de él en este departamento. El silencio en los cómics dice mucho. Y este equipo está consciente de ello. Otro gran trabajo.
Por fortuna hubo más acción y es el clásico Ellis. La verdad no entiendo cómo otros autores no copian más de él en este departamento. El silencio en los cómics dice mucho. Y este equipo está consciente de ello. Otro gran trabajo.
May 1, 2022
Same as Volume one... More back story... More and more conversations...
We get to know more about the angels themselves...
And like the first one, it ends up with a solid action when they encounter a planned mortar attack...
The Angels eventually end up growing their clan with more survivors...
We get to know more about the angels themselves...
And like the first one, it ends up with a solid action when they encounter a planned mortar attack...
The Angels eventually end up growing their clan with more survivors...
May 20, 2017
Pretty good though some of the art is a bit murky
December 24, 2017
Not bad, but not much has changed in Whitechapel, and the pacing seems focused on minor elements.
January 2, 2018
like a zombie apocalypse story without the zombies.
January 13, 2018
Completely satisfying read !
June 28, 2018
this is easily one of the more addictive comics I've worked my way through.
August 18, 2018
setting up the story more. bit confusing at times
August 30, 2019
That book was totally great.
October 12, 2020
The eleven decide to take action and not just be reactive. They fear succeeding themselves to death.
November 6, 2020
Really like the fact the characters are maturing right in front of us. Solid book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews