Angel City #4
Writer: Janet Harvey
Artist: Megan Levens
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Letterer: Crank
Publisher: Oni Press
A review by David Hildebrand
Angel City #4 marks the half way point of a brilliantly told noir story by Janet Harvey and things are starting to heat up. The mob has divided its operations in L.A. Some are pleased with the results, while others are plotting to eliminate the threat. Delores Dare is still doing her best to track down who murdered her childhood friend, Frances Faye. As Delores gets closer, the stakes get higher and danger is starting to appear around every corner. Delores Dare is starting to have her work cut out for her!
Bugsy Siegel is on the scene! He’s setting up casinos and running illegal games on the Sunset Strip. Delores’ boss, semi-boyfriend Gino knows what is going on and is more than happy to make some noise in order to make things go smoother so he can profit. Delores, knowing that Gino is somehow involved in the demise of Frances warns him that the Hollywood big shots will not stand for this. Gino questions her recent actions, she only shows up when she needs something. Gino is pretty much ready to hand her the world. He has the cars, clothes, and money. Once Gino sees that all of that isn’t enough for Delores, he shows her the door. Delores catches back up with Joe and Aggie, gets a little rough with a local thug and by the end of the issue, Dolores finds herself in quite a jam as the story takes an unsuspected twist.
Harvey continues to write an excellent story. I like that Dolores breaks out her no-nonsense enforcer muscle again. It is one of the highlights for me in the story when she becomes ruthless and roughs people up. I also admired how Gino expands in this issue. The guy is pure scum, but to see him pour his heart out to Delores was something I wasn’t expecting to see. It will be interesting to see how the two of them end up. Aggie returns and after learning more about who she really was in real life, I appreciate her character in a whole new light. The art by Levens and Filardi is still capturing that 20’s and 30’s feel. I love the atmosphere the art portrays and it still has that grit feeling to it.
The Verdict
Buy it! Two issues to go after Angel City #4 and I am going to be sad to see it end. I do hope that there is something left by the end that there can be a continuation sometime in the future. I would also like to see more of Aggie! I mentioned that last time, but I really do like her and would like to see more. If you are into detective tales and noir, then there is no reason that you shouldn’t be reading this book. It is a familiar story but has a unique style that stands on its own. Go out and pick it up!
