In 1999, Joss Whedon spun-off the vampire with a soul from Buffy the Vampire Slayer into his own Angel . Recast in L.A., Angel developed its own preoccupations, exploring a darker vision of alienation, atonement and the fight for redemption. The series ended in 2004, but its legion of loyal fans continues to petition the WB network for a new spin-off or motion picture on the ""Save Angel"" website and other online fansites. This book covers all five seasons, discussing the cinematic aesthetics of Angel , its music, shifting portrayals of masculinity, the noir Los Angeles setting, the superhero, and horror. A complete episode guide is included. Although Buffy the Vampire Slayer generally garners more media attention than its spin-off, Angel , editor Abbott and the contributors to this collection decided it was time to bring the show about the vampire with a soul out of its predecessor's shadow. The collection takes a look at everything from Angel' s setting to the evolution of the show's characters and the series' untimely end. Phil Colvin's essay looks at the character of Faith, the rogue slayer who was Buffy's nemesis, and how her appearances on Angel actually helped set the show apart from Buffy , as both Angel and Faith evolved beyond their roles on the parent show. Stan Beeler's contribution addresses the character of Lorne, who as a performer was a microcosm of Los Angeles' entertainment industry, while Michaela D. E. Meyer examines the transformation of Gunn, the series' only African American regular. Jennifer Stoy analyzes the noir elements of the relationship between hero Wesley and femme fatale Lilah. Angel fans who are still mourning the loss of the series won't want to miss this smart, engaging compilation. Kristine Huntley Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved In 1999, Joss Whedon spun-off the vampire with a soul from Buffy the Vampire Slayer into his own Angel . Recast in L.A., Angel developed its own preoccupations, exploring a darker vision of alienation, atonement and the fight for redemption. The series ended in 2004, but its legion of loyal fans continues to petition the WB network for a new spin-off or motion picture on the "Save Angel" website and other online fansites. This book covers all five seasons, discussing the cinematic aesthetics of Angel , its music, shifting portrayals of masculinity, the noir Los Angeles setting, the superhero, and horror. A complete episode guide is included. Stacey Abbott is Lecturer in Film and Television Studies, Roehampton University