Hellhunters is a new war comic from Marvel Comics that has the magic bullet of Ghost Rider ’44 at its core. A Nazi-killing Ghost Rider who rides a Harley in World War II sells itself, but with this new series, he’s joining up with Nick Fury and his amazing WWII friends. The question is, what kind of threat could they possibly match up with? Something truly supernatural!
The first thing you’ll notice when you read Hellhunters is how dynamic and splashy the art can be. Drawn by Adam Gorham, there are multiple moments of in-your-face horror and awesomeness. Gorham and color artist Frank Martin bring a dark, edgy vibe to the story that suits the darkly supernatural threat the Hellhunters are facing. That said, it never feels too dark, or as if it’s hiding the pencils in the shadows.
Hellhunters #1 opens in 1943 in Russia. Nazis are running for their lives but run into something quite fantastical and strange. It offers them a deal, and like any deal with the devil, it comes with some downsides. The origin of this new threat smartly ties to Nazis but not directly to the war while weaving in mythical supernatural old-world goodness. It’s a threat a ragtag group like the Hellhunters was made for.
Love the dynamic layout work.
Credit: Marvel
Much of the rest of the issue is setting up the Hellhunters and how they start to form up. That means a chunk of the issue is mostly set up, but Phillip Kennedy Johnson does a good job of characterizing each member. A bit more of the team working together would go a long way to maximize the issue’s enjoyment, but it certainly makes the second issue a must-read if you dig what this book is laying down.
The visuals are definitely the main treat, with Gorham using cool double-page splashes throughout. The Ghost Rider reveal is particularly great, with a Frankenstein’s monster vibe to his creation. When the flames kick in, it’s in your face with well-placed gutters to really make the character pop off the page.
Hellhunters #1 delivers a thrilling supernatural war story with breathtaking art and a strong narrative foundation, setting the stage for what promises to be an action-packed and character-driven series, even if the first issue is more groundwork than payoff.
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