If you asked me, smashing “hell” into a character name will always reap heaps and heaps of benefits. And so you just know that Hellverine is already a top-tier idea. Introduced in the recent-ish Wolverine/Ghost Rider event Weapons of Vengeance, the character now returns in his very own series Hellverine.
Launching May 29, the series promises much more Hellverine action after a demonic force called Bagra-Ghul has brought Wolverine and Ghost Rider together. Hellverine is back in present day and slashing his hellfire claws through legions of enemies. But are they ultimately good or evil? Well, that’s the question! The new series will also introduce the All-New Hellfire Warriors, which should please longtime Marvel fans.
Ahead of issue #1, we asked writer Benjamin Percy all about Hellverine,including burning questions like, “Does Wolverine’s brain boil inside that flaming skull of his?” Then, read on for an exclusive preview of Hellverine #1.
Courtesy of Marvel.
AIPT: You’ve put Wolverine through the paces. Why is now the time for a Hellverine story?
Benjamin Percy: Hellverine first appeared in the Wolverine/Ghost Rider crossover event, Weapons of Vengeance. The fans responded to the character in a big, big way, so we simply had to fire up the sulfurous engine once again.
AIPT: The Hellverine design is awesome, but it makes me wonder: Are his brains boiling in that metal skull of his?
BP: Probably. It’s a bubbling brain soup that smells like cigar ash, beef jerky, and whiskey.
AIPT: Julius Ohta draws the series. What has he brought to the book that surprised or delighted you?
BP: Julius really leaned into the darkness. This thing is shadow-soaked in the best possible way. Fantastic horror aesthetic. Neo-gothic designs. The action scenes are as scary as they are thrilling. He’s a great fit for this series.
AIPT: Something that has permeated your run on Ghost Rider and Weapons of Vengeance was body horror. Might we expect more in Hellverine?
BP: There’s some serious body horror in this, yes. The Hellraiser franchise was a major influence.
AIPT: Hellverine is also introducing the All-New Hellfire Warriors. Is there an art in creating a team? Where do you start?
BP: I don’t want to say too much, but resurrection is a central theme to this story, and the Hellfire Warriors (or Destroyers, as I’ve been unofficially calling them in my emails with the art and editorial team) are a central part of this. They’re going to scare the living hell out of you, but they’re also going to break your hearts. Because sometimes dead is better…
The art design on this team is top-notch. Again, think of the Hellraiser cenobites mixed up in a blender with a military-esque Weapons Plus style.
AIPT: When you look back at your tenure on Wolverine, be it fighting Predator, killing clones, or fighting vampires, I can’t think of a single thing you didn’t accomplish, but was there anything you hoped to get in but haven’t had the chance yet?
BP: Stay tuned, bub.
AIPT: Logic would dictate if there is a Hellverine, there must also be a Heavenerine, or is that just batty thinking?
BP: I only deal in darkness, David. Heavenerine is too hopeful for me.
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