If you want to make Hellchild truly angry … then make the first mistake.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Ralph Tedesco
Artwork: Butch Mapa
Colors: Dijjo
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Angelica discovers that the rabbit hole goes deeper than she even realized and Tor and his crew are involved with something even worse than a prostitution ring. She is forced to make a decision that will determine the fate of a group of innocent women, even if it means exposing herself to the wrath of extremely dangerous and powerful people.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Angelica finds herself backed into a corner, Tor discovered her weakness and has taken full advantage of the situation by kidnapping her friend and forcing the mercenary to make a choice: either turn over Jake and Vera or lose Jenny. With no other options left to Hellchild she contacts the head of security for her former employer to see if they can outmaneuver the entrepreneur, but since she cannot tap into her vampiric powers without drinking human blood, their choices are limited. While it is obvious the address they texted for the exchange is a trap, thanks to Harry’s information network he has a lead on where Tor may have taken Jenny – there is an exclusive auction tonight in Malibu and if he this man is involved it the only place she can be, especially when Angelica learns what is being sold … the lives of girls into becoming slaves. The only way to rescue anyone is to infiltrate the event, but in order to do Blackstone will need a way in and luckily Vera knows the woman running the sale so they have their way in as long as the pair stay of Hellchild’s way and allow her to do her job.
However as Joan looks over her newly acquired merchandise and callously weeds out the undesirables, Angelica and her charges are driven to the mansion with Harry going over the details and making an assumption they will not have to worry about Tor since he will probably be at the ambush. While Jake is not pleased by the uncertainty of the plan, they have little choice now as they arrive on the grounds, donning masks and boldly walking in as Blackstone seeks out the hostess to see if she have an advanced peek at the items to be sold. Unfortunately, Joan will not allow such favoritism and as she walks away in disappointment, Hellchild meets the one man they did not count on – Tor bumps into them and excuses himself without recognizing the alluringly dressed woman. Vera panics as what to do next knowing a change of procedure is in order, leaving no other option than to accelerate the extrication of the people as they go upstairs to a heavily guarded door. With her partner serving as a distraction Angelica quickly pacifies security and they enter the room, only to find the goods elegantly dressed and tied to their chairs. However as the relieved prisoners thank their saviors and hastily free themselves from the bonds, there is someone missing – Jenny is not here. If they cannot find her then the whole scheme will be for naught and with every second spent wasted on trying to find a single person they increase their chances on being discovered … so is it worth splitting up or better to leave her behind? There is only one choice but will it be the right decision and can Angelica face the consequences if they fail?
In Summary:
With writer Ralph Tedesco finally confirming why Angelica has not been using her infamous vampiric powers, the ferocity of this title seems to have been nullified before being fully exposed, which is a shame since this is a Hellchild series. Ever since the character was introduced we have always associated Blackstone with her temper, a ferocious anger toward the world and her late father which never had an outlet until it was released upon foul denizens who would take advantage of the innocent who she now protects in place of Hades. Although as she blazes out on her own and now must face someone with brutality which seems befitting of sanguine punishment, it appears Angelica is holding back especially after she learns of Tor’s latest mistake of kidnapping her friend Jenny. If this opportunity is not worthy of her anger, then when will she unleash it, especially with a noteworthy title like Hellchild: Blood Money? She seems amazingly placid for someone who in the past lashed out if you said the wrong thing, and yet even with the opening of this issue there is an absence of any temper tantrum or foul word spoken … just a strange peacefulness which seems out of character for our favorite demi-goddess. Of course one can also acknowledge the gentility of her surroundings is not appropriate for such brutality, even as she lets loose in private settings or enclosed areas. However, with this noticeable deficit of Hellchild’s fiery temper it makes this series feels incomplete and with her friend missing why would she not become the least bit upset? And even more unsettling is the lack of information or exposure to Tor’s enterprises – we have read of his cruelty and disgusting practices such as this human auction, even going so far as showing his own savage strength, but with a single issue left none of the secrets of how he acquired them has been revealed. And while this may not be important as to stabilize the story it may have helped to fill in the emptiness we have witnessed thus far, with the spoiled nature of Jake doing little than to annoy Angelica and by connection the readers ourselves. Hopefully, the finale will flesh out the story, but with the way the narrative has been weakly progressing, I have little expectations for a strong closing as to this series.
Even with a story which may lack any tangible action to flare up Angelica’s ferocity, it still does not mean the provocative imagery of Butch Mapa cannot stir an emotional reaction within the reserved depiction of our heroine, all while become drawn into the narrative with the mildly saturated palette of colorist Dijjo. While Hellchild may seem moderately concerned for the well being of her friend, Mapa still manages to portray her as a woman who is in control of her feelings, all while having fun with her overconfident attitude. However, the most fascinating feature of this issue is the colorful contrast of how disgusting actions can be hidden within a luminous atmosphere of wealth disguising the vileness underneath, all as we know the human auction is being prepared within this elegant drama. To watch as the callously detached Joan examine her merchandise is chilling, her warmly glowing skin hiding the vileness underneath, only to have the scene drastically change with a slight decrease in the lighting to show the reader an evil deed is approaching within this marvelous atmosphere. And yet even with all of this decadence, the best moment is yet to come as we stare in amazement as Mapa transforms the normally detached Hellchild in a manner which we may never have imagined – as a ravishing seductress all as a way to blend within this den of iniquity. The glittering midnight black dress matches wonderfully with her ebony and crimson hair, but what pulls everything together are the piercing specks of blood red within her eyes which make her appear to be some demonic temptress who purposefully fits within the wickedness of her future home. To take advantage of her reputation and pattern the revealing dress against her normal outfit makes the new appearance all the more alluring and if this is any inclination of what to expect with the finale, then bring on the sultry nuances yet to come.
And so as we approach the final confrontation, Hellchild: Blood Money attempts to draw everything to a worthwhile conclusion, however with a lack of any finite details as to the motivations for Tor we still do not know what to expect as everything collapses around Angelica. Even with an alluring rise in the depiction of our devilish heroine and a moving color change to envelope the audience, the title still lacks in any tangible action to stir our foundational interest. But as the odds now appearing stacked against Blackstone the story tries to draw the audience ever deeper into what hopefully will be a promising ending, however as we stand on shaky ground the premise seems lacking in many ways to keep what may be a hollow promise.
Grade: B+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: June 12, 2019
MSRP: $3.99
