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Angelboy Vol. 1 by N.M Beguesse

Angelboy Vol. 1

by N.M Beguesse

Pub Date: Sept. 18th, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-9898879-0-8
Publisher: CreateSpace

A murdered teen returns as an angel and wanders the Earth in search of purpose in this graphic novel debut.

Cyrus Michael is sure he’s dead. After all, someone’s just fired a bullet into his heart. So he’s understandably shocked when he later awakens in an unfamiliar place. With a brand new pair of wings on his back, he walks into town, where apparently no one can see or hear him. It doesn’t seem that anyone’s there to explain his quandary, and he believes he’ll forever be alone. One night while taking shelter in an abandoned church, Cyrus finds a boy tied to a cross and shot in the chest. He carries the boy, Pucky, to Fairweather Hospital and meets the victim’s father, who not only can see Cyrus, but initiates a conversation with him. Determined to be a better person now than when he was alive, the angel hopes that finding Pucky’s assailant will prove meaningful. He’s certain the person responsible is a strange, singing man dressed in white, who passed Cyrus on the way to Fairweather. The teen heads to the place he last saw the suspect, derelict apartments where the man in white, claiming simply to be following orders, threatens a stranger and his son. Cyrus follows the man farther into the dark building, and possibly into his mind, winding up in an alley and facing a beast sporting giant cleavers. It’s fitting that Beguesse is both author and artist, relaying much of the story visually. There’s little dialogue/narrative, while symbolic imagery proves louder than words, like Cyrus as a flea (how he believes the world sees him) and a sword he pulls from his spine. The tale’s primarily a mystery: Cyrus eventually recalls his murderer’s name, Nicholas, but readers don’t learn who the killer is until the end. A good deal is left unexplained for subsequent volumes, including the man in white’s identity and boss. Manga fans will recognize the style in Beguesse’s work, particularly Cyrus’ large eyes and exaggerated facial expressions. But the artist isn’t afraid of solid colors covering the panels: ominous shadows in the forlorn church and stark-white hospital lights.

A tale with an ethereal hero that’s just getting started, but profound nonetheless, and illustrative in every sense.