Hellchild: The Unholy #1 (Zenescope)
This book was simply perplexing.
Zenescope has not been known for its stellar art, but when you first open this book, there was some truly great art. It had me wondering, “who is this?” The credits list Renzo Rodriguez as the artist, but the art and lettering is so wildly different from segment to segment that it feels like it had to be a collection of artists. Assuming Renzo drew the first 4-5 pages, they were incredibly well done. It went from a book that I felt like I had to read to a book I wanted to read.
However, the book then stops all momentum and gives you a full page of written backstory which is almost never a good story telling device; it usually spells doom for films that do not trust the story they have.
The art after that then appears to have been drawn by a completely different artist. It is extremely jarring. The easiest way to take me out of a book is poor lettering, and that’s exactly what happened here. If that was not already challenging, the book seems to change art styles at least one more time.
The actual story that was told in the beginning of the book seemed to be setting up a great supernatural mystery and had me on board. However, after the text page, we meet the “hero” of the book. Hellchild is an uninteresting character and the writers feel like they have to justify how badass she is by turning the remainder of the book into one long, gory fight scene.
After all the fighting, the writers spend a couple pages trying to make Hellchild a brooding loner, but instead the writing is just amateur to put it as nice as possible.
The art in the beginning will force me to pay attention to this series, but if the inconsistencies continue, I will hold out my hopes for Renzo Rodriguez to see what he will do next.
Ratings: 2.5 out of 5
Nailbiter #26 (Image)
26 Issues in and there has not been a single dull moment in this entire run.
If you need more Hannibal Lecter in your life, this book is a must read.
The payoff in this issue is huge if you have been reading the series from the beginning. While you could jump in with this issue, the reveal in the book is much more satisfying after spending time with these characters.
I know it is only November 2nd, but after a month of Halloween inspired tales, this tale of murder during the Christmas season seemed refreshing.
Ratings: 4 out of 5
Eclipse #3 (Image)
If you enjoyed the type of horror in John Carpenter’s The Thing, then you should be reading this wonderful series.
This series is the perfect dystopian future/murder mystery.
The art continues to amaze as it is so bright yet continues to be so bleak.
My only criticism is that the story telling felt very quick and would not have minded to have it breathe a little bit more.
Ratings: 4 out of 5