Parents lie, and parents regret. This is a fundamental concept that takes on new meaning in Angel and Faith- Daddy Issues, Part Two. Feeling emotion both positive and negative is the driving force between the first and second part of Daddy Issues. In the first part of the issue, readers saw the surprising twist at the end where Druscilla, Angel’s Daughter, enters the picture.

The London crime fighters not only have to deal with Druscilla, who can think normally, but also with Faith’s father, who just dropped into the picture as well. Now, we will see what new tricks and treats lie beneath the surface of Daddy Issues, Part Two.

From the mind of Joss Whedon, this Angel and Faith comic is also excellently scripted by Christos Gage, who delves into an expected treachery, which hurts that much more, in a parent and child relationship. The art, and one of the Variant Covers, is done by Rebekah Isaacs, while Dan Jackson handled the colors excellently. As with part one, Richard Starkings did the lettering with help of Jimmy Betancourt from Comicraft. Steve Morris was responsible for the primary cover.

Often forgotten, the father of Faith, George Patrick Lehane, was an alcoholic as well as afraid of his daughter. He expressed concerns that he had been hallucinating due to D.T.S, which indicates that he might have suffered alcohol-withdrawal related ‘Delirium Tremens’ also known as  ‘the shakes’.

He shows improvement with battling alcohol and is even calling Faith pet names that she does not hate. This gives the reader welcome insight into her past, her disbelief at his sobriety as well as the desperate welcome hug that she gives him. Now, if only his entire story was not just a trick, Faith would have less daddy issues of her own.

Druscilla, a beautiful and elegant woman, possessed a purity of evil so dark that only talking to her could reveal her true nature. She is powerful, not because she is stronger than Angel, but because she is unpredictable. Her power to see into the future has led her to find Angel again. She recognizes in him parts of his past that bring Angel shame and wants to help him return to his former guilt-free self. Her control of the Lorophage Demon has given her, not only an occult following, but also returned a semblance of sanity to her broken mind.

Angel laments the pain of his past dealings with Druscilla in his role as both the killer of her entire world and as the Vampire who sired her. He knows that he broke her mind and her spirit, then raised her into an immortal vampire. He alone takes the blame for unleashing her special brand of insanity against the world, having once called her his ‘Masterpiece’.

In London, the city that has haunted him after many years, he is confronted by the deeds of his past on a constant basis, shaping both him and the story.

The city of London itself is ever present in his memories with brief flashes of Angel’s history in his Angelus persona, with Darla and Druscilla’s history playing out along side his own. In these memories, Angelus is seen systematically removing every solid support within Druscilla’s life, everything from religious faith to family is gone.

Flash forward to reality for Angel, as he visits the site where he destroyed Druscilla’s family, and the reader is confronted by the insane vampire herself. Here, in her home, she tries to do her version of good and remove Angel’s guilt.

Through all this, fans find out that there are indeed multiple parts to Angel’s growing personality as he evidently exhibits small traits from Rupert Giles. Sharp-eyed readers will recall past issues of Angel and Faith where Angel, a supreme predator, sports glasses and asks for a spot of tea. Much of Part Two is spent exploring the issues regarding Angelus’ masterpiece gone wrong and Faith’s similarly treacherous father.

The next issue is sure to push the series forward as the true reason for George Lehane’s appearance is revealed, and the soul fragments of Giles inhabiting Angel’s body shape the series in new and unexpected ways. The Angel and Faith series, as a whole, makes the reader really think about the characters as people instead of as abstract characters, giving them depth, life, and real responsibilities.

Daddy Issues, Part Two continues to delve deeper into the past of both of the leading characters, proving that as we grow older, sometimes parents need help, too, despite the issues we have with them.

Overall Score: 4/5

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

Calvin Li
Calvin is currently a Politics and Entertainment writer, as well as the Assistant Gaming Editor for Toonari Post. He holds a Master's Degree in History and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. A Native New Yorker, he enjoys speed reading and eating, as well as exploring, snowboarding and bowling.