Graphic Novel Reviews: Archangel 8

What does the average person know about archangels? Highest choir of angels… commanders of Heaven’s armies… most holy and closest to God? In ARCHANGEL 8, Michael Moreci (STAR WARS:ADVENTURES, THE LOST CARNIVAL: A DICK GRAYSON GRAPHIC NOVEL) sets a different tone… one of chaos, murder and mayhem.

Archangel 8 (later identified as Raziel) is sent by Gabriel to Earth with two objectives: find and kill the rogue archangel Michael, and protect a local drug lord named Delmar, who is one of Gabriel’s contacts down here. This mission is much harder than it may seem, because Raziel is beginning to have doubts. Why is this war continuing? Does He know what is being done in His Name? Who is on the right side here? AND, does he have what it takes to stop it?

Presenting the idea that there was an eighth archangel that was created that exists without God’s sanction (and thus all of His rules) and that he is a complete and total badass is enough of a setup to hook anyone who loves a great action story. However, there are also some elements built into the story (being very cryptic about revealing motivations of characters, not revealing all the character names even by the end of the Volume) as well as the art (Gabriel bears strong resemblance to Idris Elba, and Michael could definitely be Josh Brolin) that invoke a connection with the reader that makes you feel as if you know this story already, thus driving you to want to finish it. Even now, after having read it, I know there is more to the story, and I look forward to continuing on with it.

Strong recommend. Ages 15+.