Angel presents a dystopian layering of its diegetic world by blending noir, fantasy, and apocalyptic elements to position its characters as moving regularly between our own contemporary world and a hidden demon underworld in their struggle with huge destructive forces. The show can be identified as critical dystopia because of the importance it places on history, teamwork, and open narratives. This paper analyses how Angel uses the politically engaged mode of critical dystopia to negotiate themes of power/powerlessness, redemption, and the function of heroes or Champions who live `as though the world was as it should be'.