Crackle Blog

If you love Spider-Man 2 and think movies like The Last Dragon are where it's at, check out our originals show guide, and more specifically check out Crackle's original serial feature Angel of Death.

The distinguished history for action serials like Angel goes back as far as the '30s to the Republic Pictures and Flash Gordon movies serials and the Doc Savage pulp comics. These are the stories that helped inspire Lucas and Spielberg to create the Indiana Jones and the Star Wars movies. This tradition of pulp comics and classic film is not lost on Angel of Death creator Ed Brubaker. Although this is his first foray into film, he made a rock solid reputation as a comic master having worked on big titles such as Captain America, Batman and Daredevil, and also branched out into heavily crafted crime fiction comics like Sleeper, Scene of the Crime and Criminal.

The production on Angel of Death was constructed to bring the pulp crime and grind house feel to the screen. Quentin Tarantino's favorite stuntwoman Zöe Bell (Death Proof, Kill Bill) was cast in the lead, because her skills allowed director Paul Etheredge to include a three story fall and numerous complexly composed fight scenes. Then they ratcheted up the story with a strong supporting cast that included Vail Bloom, Brian Poth and Jake Abel. Contemporary action and "pulp" actors like Lucy Lawless, Doug Jones and Ted Raimi also gave the production a high quality finish. The biggest departure from the pulp/grind house tradition was making sure the production values were of unparalleled quality. By shooting the tale on a Red One camera if you have a full screen movie projector hooked up to your computer it'll still be as clear as a freakin' bell.

I could go on all day about this show, but in the words of LaVar Burton from Reading Rainbow, "You don't have to take my word for it." Check out the following if you still need to be convinced to spend some time with Angel of Death:

• Exclusive Previews from Comic Vine, and Tubefilter.
• Review from Broadcast Assassin.com.
• Full Interview with Ed Brubaker about Angel and more on the iFanboy Podcast.

Just remember while watching to move breakables away from the screen and wear a cup.

CJ - Crackle Blog Editor