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Marvel’s newest Comic Book, Hellhunters, has launched! Writer Philip Kennedy Johnson, Artist Adam Gorham, Colorist Frank Martin, and Letterer Travis Lanham have created a sensational story.
(POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD)
The issue opens in 1943 Kaliningrad, Russia. We see German soldiers running from something, and then Russian soldiers hunt down the Germans. The Germans find one of their own, dead in the snow.
A Russian-speaking zombie horse then talks to the Germans. The horse mentions that the Germans should’ve left Russia long ago.
We then see one of the Germans get shot and killed. This is then followed by another German getting bitten by the horse. That German then proceeds to turn into a zombie and tries to bite his comrades.
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The scene then shifts to six months later, in a plane over France. The Germans are preparing to invade the country via jumping out of a plane.
As soon as the Germans hit the ground, they start getting shot at, and some die as a result. We also have a plane full of Germans getting shot down, with everyone on board dying as well. At least one soldier jumped from the plane and survived. That soldier then sees weird-looking apparitions of people. He then gets attacked by a Krampus-like creature.
This creature then attacks the soldier, and it is a brutal attack. You then see him transform into the 1944’s version of Ghost Rider, and it is epic. You see him get completely turned, and then he goes and attacks a different creature. After he attacks the creature, some American soldiers find him. These soldiers see Ghost Rider, and they have a conversation with him. The issue then ends with him stealing their motorcycle.
(END OF SPOILERS)
Now, this review was too big to do alone. So me and co-host of Play For Keeps, Mickey Smith, reviewed this together, and you can see our thoughts below.
The Art
Kat: Adam Gorham’s art is spectacular in this first issue. From the first panel to the last page, Adam’s art sucks you right into what is happening. Plus, the art helps move the issue’s story along nicely.
Mickey: Horror, horror, and more horror! Blood and gore splash the pages with images that aren’t for the faint of heart! Adam Gorham explores body horror with no limits. His design for Bruckners demon form is reminiscent of something you’d see in the Manga of Berserk. The colors from Frank Martin highlight all of that blood and gore and the violence of war. The whole thing is so immersive and fun!
The Story
Kat: Philip Kennedy Johnson just in one issue, has written a very compelling story. Ghost Rider is a character very foreign to me. But his writing has now made me interested in the character.
Mickey: If you follow my reviews of The Incredible Hulk, you know how much I love Philip Kennedy Johnson’s work. He tells a compelling horror story with heart and high stakes, even for all powerful characters. This opening issue of Hellhunters is no different. We’re introduced to some really frightening characters. Their basic intentions are revealed, but we know a bigger picture is being painted. We also get our first look at the origins of this eras Ghost Rider, Sargent Sal Romero: from paratrooper, to victim of evil, to vengeful spirit!
Final Scores
Kat: 10
Mickey: 10
Final Thoughts
Kat: This issue sets up what to expect in the upcoming issues. It’s fun, interesting, and most of all, a fun read. But it also is perfect for both fans and non-fans of Ghost Rider as well.
Mickey: What an introduction! The origins of a Ghost Rider and an introduction to a horrific villain! The story moves at a great pace and the artwork takes the horror parts of the story and amplifies them. Beautifully disgusting to look at and fascinating to read is a great combo!
Special thanks to Mickey for assisting with this review. You can find all of his links here.