Never underestimate the enemy … especially when their leader is a sadist.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Eric J & Sean Hill
Colors: Marco Lesko
Letters: Matt Krotzer
What They Say:
The self-proclaimed god Chaos is starting to learn that life on earth is not what it used to be for a deity. Humans do not bend to their will and worship them the way they did in ancient times. And if that’s not enough a group of human heroes, calling themselves Hellions, have actually managed to kill some of the New Gods. The time has come for Chaos to teach the world who’s in charge…once and for all.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
After the losses from the last mission, the members of the Hellions are beginning to second guess themselves; even as the humans are uncertain as to their own path, the new god Olympus begins to falter as he sees the unwanted destruction that his fellow beings blaze on their own. However with the survival of the planet on the line, the rebellion has no other option than to carry on with their objective to save humanity. As uncertainty grows within their civilians ranks, Derrick needs to encourage his team that they are the only ones who can stop this menace. As they once again plunge into the fray against Kali, his determination and guidance helps the lesser experienced members succeed without becoming overwhelmed.
After the Hellions finish off this latest abomination, the next supreme being’s location is tracked to Egypt. While they circle the supposed area where Anubis is supposed to be found, a quick reconnaissance of the pyramids turns up no sighting of the jackal headed god. However as the team visually scours the site, Derrick begins to get suspicious and orders the jet to retreat. But it is too late as the deity launches his own surprise attack, unleashing torrents of wind, culminating into a vicious sandstorm. As the panicked team attempts to escape from the onslaught, they receive a call from base, informing that they are under attack. Even as they try to set course back to headquarters, the maniacal form of Chaos is seen floating outside, unleashing his fury and clipping the plane’s wing. The team needs to get back, but how can they now that they are grounded?
In Summary:
Now that all of the introductions have been concluded and the plot has settled into something more tangible, writer Joe Brusha has begun to reveal what we knew was coming … an uphill battle for the Hellions. As their team begins to hesitate, self doubt sets in and the leader has to step in and give his obligatory pep talk. Then of course with someone as megalomaniacal and sadistic as Chaos leading the New Gods, how could we not foresee what will happen next? The cliché of the villains setting a trap when the heroes thought they were making headway – a classic scheme. While you can still appreciate the undertones of the underdog fighting back from impossible odds, you still get the feeling that this same story has been told and retold. Perhaps Brusha’s reasoning is that you can never go wrong with that formula, but that doesn’t mean you need to use it every time.
As we have seen before, the fantastic artwork of this series by Eric J and Sean Hill reveals such a stunning array of imagination that it makes this story worth reading and this issue is no exception. Marco Lesko only makes the savagery of the New Gods all the more alluring as he expands the world with his beautiful palette of colors, only to be sullied by the actions of the characters. The opening scene is an excellent example of this trio’s work: the gritty violence of a camp massacre, dark splotches of crimson scattered around with just enough emphasis not to make it gory but still allows us to get the point of the scenery; then compare this against Olympus, his bright red costume accented by golden lightning and helmet, a heavenly being cast down upon such filth, the intensity of the environment versus his solemn attitude of shame reflected in sad eyes open to the world. Beauty personified before horror, you really need nothing else. But then we see the ugliness which his ally Chaos and friends open with their own savagery: disappointment versus intense joy for killing. What a contrast to fit into one issue, but these artists managed to do it with undeniable style.
Now that the heroes’ plan has been fallen apart, I just hope that we don’t fall into the other villain standard next issue: the monologue. But with the way this series has been shaping up, it seems inevitable and necessary, allowing us to understand the reason the New Gods came back to Earth. However with only two more issues left for E.V.I.L. Heroes, hopefully this will end better than what I imagine.
Grade: B
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: January 04, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
