Buffy’s Hidden Desire for Angel: A Wish That Backfired

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has left an indelible mark on pop culture, particularly through the tumultuous romance between Buffy and Angel. While fans longed to see Angel fully human, capable of loving Buffy as she deserved, they may not have fully considered the darker implications of such a transformation.

Contrary to the optimistic aspirations held by both Buffy and her supporters, Angel’s transition to humanity introduces unforeseen complications, overshadowing the anticipated benefits.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer's ex realizes he's turned human in Angel After the Fall #4

In a dramatic twist, Angel’s newfound humanity becomes a catalyst for chaos, nearly culminating in apocalyptic consequences. This transformation occurs at a critical juncture, making him yearn for the familiar curse of eternal damnation he once despised.

A Shocking Turn: Angel’s Humanity in “After The Fall”

Wesley Wyndam Pryce watches a human Angel struggle with his injuries in Angel After the Fall #3

As fans will remember, the original series concluded with a tantalizing fade to black right before a significant battle in “Not Fade Away.”The comic series Angel: After the Fall picks up from this pivotal moment, providing fans with a detailed depiction of the ensuing chaos and the fates of those associated with Angel Investigations. In a surprising twist during the battle, Angel unexpectedly finds himself teleported to a rooftop, confused about the circumstances of his arrival.

Initially, Angel’s return to humanity in After the Fall emerges as a shocking revelation to readers. The first two issues build suspense around the implications of this transformation, keeping Angel’s vulnerabilities hidden from those around him.

Preparing to leap off the building, Angel discovers the profound reality of his condition: his heart now beats, and the ensuing fall inflicts painful injuries, unlike the invulnerable nature he once possessed as a vampire. It is soon unveiled that Wolfram & Hart exploited their immense power to strip Angel of his vampirism, fully aware that he would need his supernatural abilities for the impending confrontation. Concurrently, the malevolent law firm sends Angel, along with the city of Los Angeles, plunging into a Hell dimension, complicating his efforts further.

In an attempt to reclaim his former strength, Angel leverages magic and healing spells, with mentorship from Wesley, who exists as a non-corporeal entity bound by his contract with Wolfram & Hart. The initial twist of Angel’s humanity unfolds as an ongoing narrative tension, adding layers to the storyline as Angel strives to keep his condition a secret.

A Paradox of Desire: Angel’s Humanity at a Catastrophic Time

Humanity: A New Burden for Angel

The revelation of Angel’s humanity in After the Fall #3 serves as a masterful instance of dramatic irony. Throughout the series, Angel has questioned his role in the world, with much of his story revolving around the “Shanshu Prophecy, ”which foretold that a vampire with a soul would play a pivotal role in the apocalypse and ultimately regain his humanity. However, the twist in After the Fall #3 unfolds under dire circumstances.

Over time, Angel has transformed into a true hero, embodying a commitment to protect and serve that often transcends his initial quest for redemption. This evolution is poignantly captured in the narrative of After the Fall.

The series consistently reinforces that, if ever there was a moment when Angel required his vampiric abilities, it would be now, amid an infernal chaos unleashed upon Los Angeles. Ironically, the human experience he longed for becomes a hindrance, necessitating a quest to regain his lost powers—an inversion of his previous pursuits. This situation underlines the core of Angel’s character arc.

For Angel, acquiring a soul was a curse rather than a gift. It was a means to atone for his past sins as a vampire. His journey towards humanity encapsulates his search for redemption and freedom from this curse. Yet, over the years, he has evolved, finding greater significance in his role as a protector, one that ultimately outweighs his initial desire for redemption, notably emphasized in the arc presented in After the Fall.

The Pursuit of Regaining Vampirism: A Central Conflict in “After The Fall”

Gunn kills Angel with the flaming sword in Angel After the Fall #16

Angel isn’t the only character affected by the turmoil unleashed in Los Angeles. His ally, Gunn, transforms into a vampire during the fierce battle, determined to become a powerful figure in Hell. Consumed by bitterness towards Angel for his perceived abandonment, Gunn unwittingly confronts Angel, resulting in a vengeful act that renders Angel momentarily lifeless, breaking the spell sustaining him.

This purgatorial state becomes a crucial point for Angel, as he uncovers Wolfram & Hart’s true objectives regarding the “Shanshu Prophecy”—forcing him to catalyze the apocalypse.

Once Angel manages to return from this brink of death, he faces the weight of his destiny with dread and seeks ways to thwart it. In a desperate move, he provokes Gunn into a duel, compelling him to use a flaming sword against him. This tactic results in an immediate death for Angel. However, in a twist of fate, Wolfram & Hart must reset the timeline back to the beginning of the alley fight depicted in “Not Fade Away, ”restoring Angel to his previous state as a vampire, while retaining the memories of Team Angel.

Echoes of a Classic: Angel’s Humanity Arc Resembles Iconic “Buffy”& “Angel”Crossover

The Memorable “I Will Remember You”

Angel: After the Fall isn’t the first story to explore the concept of Angel becoming human. A notable crossover with Buffy the Vampire Slayer occurred in the first season’s eighth episode, “I Will Remember You, ”where Angel is transformed into a human after an encounter with a Mohra demon. This episode offers a glimpse of blissful joy free from repercussions, but ultimately leads to a realization for Angel: being human poses significant challenges in his duty as a hero. In a selfless act, he persuades The Oracles to reverse his transformation, returning him to his vampiric form to continue safeguarding Los Angeles.

This narrative encapsulates the essence of After the Fall‘s latter events. While heroism isn’t impossible for a human, it becomes overwhelmingly difficult for Angel to navigate a perilous world teeming with supernatural threats without his inherent powers. Notably, in another crossover from Season One, “In the Dark, ”Angel acquires the Ring of Amara, which grants him invulnerability to sunlight, only to destroy it when realizing its potential dangers and how it trivializes his mission as a warrior.

All issues of Angel: After the Fall are presently available through Dark Horse Comics.

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