Azrael #22 : Angel in Hiding Part Two Writer : Dennis O'Neil Penciller : Barry Kitson Inker : James Pascoe Colourist : Demetrius Bassoukos Seperations : Prismacolour Letter : Ken Bruzenak Assistant Editor : Chuck Kim Editor : Archie Goodwin

Nomoz Saves Jean-Paul from the Acolytes before the two of them try to rescue Brian and Lilhy. Jean-Paul then asks Batman for his help in taking down the order of St. Dumas.

Review :

The opening and ending narratives are an effectiive circular storytelling device giving the impression that even in full costume Jean-Paul is as helpless as when he was threatened by the acolytes Denny again shows his own style of story pacing, his conflicts are never written to specific page numbers and his action isn't always on page 18, sometimes this leads to all out action sometimes it means slower stories this issue was all out action. While far from obvious it also seems that Lilhy killed one of the acolytes and is willing to take steps that Azrael won't, so while she seems somewhat innocent she may still be the same person from issue #2 & #3 a sentiment echoed in her dialogue about Rollo.

Again the art is quite nice, and attention is paid to detail, for example Lilhy has a purple mug, while Jean-Paul has one with a superhero on it. Jean-Paul also wears a tie-dye shirt after his other one gets soaked. I had not noticed Demetrious Bassoukos' sharper colouring until this issue, where it seems far removed from the very rounded, almost airbrushed colouring of the first three issues.

Rant :

Lilhy had a wet teeshirt and no one took the opportunity for a gratuitous T&A shot? Aaaarrrgggh so much potential wasted, this is why Azrael doesn't sell like those damn Image books even with a cool penciller and great art. Yes psychological subtexts and action packed stories are great but why not add in the occaisional T&A shot to keeps sales healthy (not the girls themselves we've already seen they're very healthy).