Writer Marguerite Bennett
Main Story Artist & Color Artist Kim Jacinto & Israel Silva
Substory Artist Stephanie Hans
Letterer & Production VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist Stephanie Hans
Recap Page Artist Julian Totino Tedesco
Part Two of Two
This is the continuation of the following series – Angela : Asgard’s Assassin & 1602 Witch Hunter. This would be the 17th issue, if it wasn’t for reboots.
Angela and Sera present the recap page, though Sera does all of the talking. The two of them conquered Hel, dethroning Hela. They even took the extra step to create a new afterlife for the slave angels. They have a daughter, Leah, who I met during Secret World 2015’s Siege. That will come into play later. Sera goes meta and states that this series hasn’t been super well received, I get the impression it has a super loyal fanbase but that fanbase isn’t large. Secret Wars 2015’s series, 1602 Witch Hunter, had its own Angela – who has now crossover to the All New All Different Marvel. So that makes Contest of Champions and this issue as issues that have dealt with Secret Wars 2015 directly, or at all. That Angela is now, Faustia, probably so characters could talk without having to distinguish between the two Angelas.
New York City. Central Park, Now. Faustia has Angela, Sera, Leah and Thor captives. Faustia was promised certain things from God Doom but he didn’t deliver. She wants to rule a kingdom.
Leah will make a deal, she wants seven years and after that, she will give Faustia a kingdom. Faustia has her own Sera but it is spelt, Lady Serah. If Leah fails, Faustia can have Leah’s soul. Leah has nothing to live for as she once knew love and can’t find it in this new world. Faustia accepts the dea.
Year One, New York City. Leah hasn’t changed much and is still going to school. To be honest, I’m not really sure what these seven years are suppose to represent. It just sees like Leah made a deal and then forgot about it. Leah likes Sera to read her stories. I do like the commitment to make Angela a lesbian, that I believe was strongly hinted in Bendis’ Guardians of the Galaxy – I’m not sure if it was hinted at over in the pages of Spawn.
Year Two, Los Angeles. Sera makes a “City of Angels” joke, that she’s been wanting to do for 17 issues – a fun meta reference! Leah clearly takes after Sera, especially with the green outfits – starts singing a song that ends with “get the Hel out.” These ladies are pretty clever.
Year Three, New York City. Leah is sad as she still can’t find the Magik she fell in love with from Secret War 2015’s Siege. I’ve checked all 17 issues, as far as I can tell, this has been the only reference to Magik in the past seven issues and the 1602 series. If I missed a reference, like the hint from two images above, please let me know.
I wonder and hope if Leah can still meet our Magik – as who knows, maybe Leah can sway Illyana. As a woman’s sexuality is a moving target.
Thanks to Pinterest user, Karlee Butler for having the above image. Oh Lily, she really is perfect.
How I Met Your Mother, was such a great show.
They were such a great couple i in Siege, they flipping saved the flipping day, they did!
Year Four, the depths of space. The family meets the future Guardians – Kitty doesn’t appear, which is a huge missed opportunity. Groot is there as is Drax, Quill and Gamora. Apparently, in an upcoming adventure, Sera loses her wings to save Leah, to the Collector.
When will Kitty and Angela finally meet? We need an issue with Pryde, Gamora and Angela. I know Angela will be in an upcoming issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. Which for me, would be an issue after seven for that series.
Year Five, New York City. So are we five years into the All New All Different Marvel Universe? Also does it even matter, I imagine nothing is really altered or prophesied in this issue.
Leah meets male Loki, and they make references to how Leah wishes this was girl Loki. Loki knows a Leah, but not this one. Leah makes another meta reference about tie-ins. Which I’m all for.
Year Six, the Invasion of Heven. As Angela and Sera invaded Hel, now they invade Heven. It isn’t working out for them. There is talk of a Hierophants engine but these pages are sort of a lost to me, they look good though. They do win the day and Heven gets some new residents.
Year Seven, New York City. Christmas time. Sera gives Angela a new song and Angela gives Sera a flute – they get each other. Angela really isn’t the focus of this issue. Neither does it feel like plotlines are being tied up.
Leah gets a box that glows from within, it is what she wanted but who knows what it is. Is it Siege Magik? I hope so!
New York City, Central Park. Now. So the past seven years, all happened inside the ladies’ minds from the beginning of the issue.
Elysium, the afterlife of the angels. Leah gives Elysium to Faustia, so she can be the fallen angels’ new queen – so everyone is happy. It seems all very low stakes to me but maybe that’s the point. But what was the point of those seven years pages?
New York City. Thor leaves as Angela realizes Leah had a plan the entire time Leah gets a car and takes off for an epic road trip.
Three Days Later, The Brooklyn Bridge. Angela and Sera seem happy to relive the next seven years together, it worked out so well the last time. They might try to recreate those future adventures and find jobs to pay for their homes. Though I imagine Stark could buy his former Guardian a home.
With that, this series comes to an end. Marguerite Bennett wrote a nice letter to the readership on March 30, 2016 while in Los Angeles. I wasn’t going to post it but it really is very sweet. I should try to get these trades, to send Marvel a message that this series was good. Plus, I want Leah and Magik together!
Shadow and Flame with Magik 