Was Angelica ever a hero … or is Hellchild truly a monster?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Pat Shand
Artwork: Renzo Rodriguez
Colors: Walter Baiamonte
Letters: Ryan Ferrier
What They Say:
A horrific act of violence brings up old ghosts for both Hellchild and Jezebel. With the secret of Jezebel’s origin revealed and riots tearing New York City apart, Hellchild seeks out the man who started it all. But as Kevin Nestor’s powers transform him into an unrecognizable monster, will Hellchild be able to appeal to his human side?
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Nestor, Diamond or Ouroboros … whatever he wants to call himself has summoned the Hellchild to talk. However, it seems that the vampiric demigod is not in the mood to negotiate with a ruthless murderer, and she’d rather let her fists be her voice. As the two primal forces lash out against each other, the serpent worshipper offers an interesting proposal: Why is Angelica so acquiescent to humanity’s standard when she has to the power to rule? With her strength, she could easily conquer this cowering race, but instead is obliging to submit to they being the ones who she serves. Jezebel is an agent of these people, but at the same time, she also has her own agenda against the Demon Gods who she once worshipped; after they granted all a mortal could wish, she betrayed them and desecrated their temples so that no one else may summon them. And so did Samuel Diamond garner Felina’s attention by attempting to summon one of those elder gods, and thus he too was laid to rest, for daring to stand against her.
It is only a matter of time until Angelica’s employer sees her as a threat and deems to discard this tool, no longer being of any use once the current threat has been neutralized. Ouroboros’ warning is valid, but the Hellchild still feels a debt to this city – the place which her father Hades lived and cherished, until his last moments. A parent who she never wished to know when he was God of the Underworld, but now after his passing, she aspires to honor his memory by protecting those he defended until the end. But that snake’s words still ring true, aside from those fleeting thoughts of devotion, what else holds her to the weaklings which inhabit New York … why should she restrain herself? The taste of warm iron-tinged nourishment flowing down her throat or some sentimental yearning to someone she hardly knew – which is Angelica’s truest nature? What will be her calling?
In Summary:
The woman or the monster – which one will win? Pat Shand gives us this moral dilemma which feels like something separate from our own struggles, but at the same time, it humanizes this woman who died millennia ago. Angelica Blackstone, the demigod turned vampire thanks to her father’s interference, is your typical anti-hero who now has to face perhaps the same contest Hades himself did so many centuries ago. But while he had Liesel to help anchor those darker impulses, his offspring has no such tether – making this internal conflict all the more painful and demoralizing at this tender stage. While we may not know what it is to face this kind of subconscious impasse, even the most noble of us have had to grapple with such problems that the wrong choice can have life altering consequences, thus giving us a pseudo-basis as to Hellchild’s trial.
This is why I love this story. Shand gives us what on the surface appears to be a bloody good time in a series of endless gore and violence that satisfies even the most visceral hunger. But if you look deeper into the story, the flip side of that hunger’s definition comes to light – allowing us to witness the inner workings of Angelica’s emerging consciousness. In previous tales, all we saw was the vulnerability of a child: the pent up rage, anger and violence which had simmered within the Hellchild’s inner core, surging to erupt after being betrayed by a father she never knew, or even wished to know. And now, we are granted a vision of how Angelica has matured, combined with the grief of losing Hades just as they are beginning to rediscover each other. It is that kind of torment which can rip down anyone’s defenses, allowing for that person to become vulnerable to the temptations which she must now face: fight for Humanity or for herself and selfish desires?
And then to reflect this internal conflict, Renzo Rodriguez gives us even more of his spectacular artwork to illustrate the external struggle with which began this whole fiasco. To start with a calm opening splash of Jezebel illuminated by sunlight puts the audience at ease, making the next page all the more forceful as we are thrust back into the main story. Walter Baiamonte’s awesome use of color emphasizes that darkness which Angelica finds herself quickly descending into, each page compounding the gruesomeness within a limited palette only makes her struggle all the more intense. While you cannot but feel a chill as you watch Hellchild fight for her life and moral compass, Rodriguez also adds his dynamic style of unbridled ferocity within each panel; though a scene may appear to be simple in the composition, there is always an underlying sinisterness that can be sensed within each piece. Even when Angelica is calmly looking down about the city, that sadness of being lonely within is just beautiful. Then add to those events the tone which he expresses on the actors’ faces – whether they be amused, angry, remorseful or scared, they all impact the reader with a controlled intensity, making this story all the more driven and inspiring.
How can this story get any better? We are quickly approaching the finale with the next issue, and yet, this powerful narrative created by Shand and forcefully portrayed by Rodriguez and Baiamonte only gets better with each passing book. The struggle of Angelica against the persona which she displays as Hellchild is so remorseful in candor that it makes her all the more remarkable while she struggles for the clearest path. How can you not feel the duality which seems so familiar, but at the same time, is foreign as to what she must truly face: to fight for or against Humanity. That is what makes this title such a delight to read and I cannot wait to see how it ends!
Grade: A+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 8th, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
