Hellmouth, the crossover-that-isn’t-a-crossover, continues in Boom! Studios’ Angel #8. Ostensibly a crossover between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, this crossover has been unique in that the title characters of each comic are starring in the Hellmouth mini, while their supporting casts go on mostly unrelated adventures in the ongoing titles. Angel #8, aside from a few offhand mentions of the Hellmouth, is no exception.

The issue is relatively straightforward. Winifred Burkle, in the clutches of Wolfram & Hart, is tempted to make a pact with Baphomet. Spike and Gunn arm themselves up, have a brief conflict with Wolfram & Hart goons, and then ride off to her rescue using the information they got from Lorne in the previous issue.

Writer Bryan Edward Hill is smart to have the issue focus on Spike and Gunn, two characters who, while important to the Angel TV series, never really had much opportunity to bounce off of each other. It’s an exciting dynamic, and while it’s new to Angel spinoff media, it still feels true to the characters. It’s a great new dimension to the series, and one Hill would be smart to continue exploring.

Artist Gleb Melnikov continues to get more and more comfortable with these characters as the series continues. His style is getting looser and looser, and therefore more dynamic, reminiscent of artists like Humberto Ramos or Joe Madureira while still maintaining the grit necessary for a horror-tinged comic like Angel. The colors by Roman Titov are appropriately gloomy, with flashes of pastels and neons at just the right places. Ed Dukeshire’s lettering is solid as well.

Angel #8 is another strong issue in a series of them. The dynamic between Spike, Gunn, and Fred is exciting, and they’re solidifying into an impressive team. Sooner or later, though, the title character will have to return; here’s hoping that doesn’t ruin the balance Hill and Melnikov have created here.

Grade: A-