Event Horizon: Inferno came out of the gate swinging, introducing readers to a new batch of characters set 200 years after the Event Horizon film. The approach is far more Alien than previous iterations, with Space Marines working for billionaire Daniel Durante on a mission they know little about. In Event Horizon: Inferno #2, Daniel Durante’s goal is made clear, as well as the torture he brought on his ex-wife, who has been dragged into this deadly mission against her will.
Event Horizon: Inferno #2 opens in a church, three weeks prior to the events of the last issue. It’s here that we learn Durante’s wife, Skylar, is a captive, being drugged to keep her sedated against her will. It’s under the pretense that she’s mentally unwell, and even the doctor confirming she won’t wake up is unsure if what is going on is morally right. Adding to the unease is a beautiful full-page spread of a demonic angel with black wings floating behind Durante. As in the previous issue, this angel is with Durante always, and yet nobody can see him.
From there, the story shifts to the present, where we left off, with the space marines wanting answers from a woman covered in blood holding the head of a demon she killed. Her name is Lieutenant Starck, the only survivor from the Lewis and Clark ship, and the original film. She supplies the story with plenty of information and the knowledge that the ship is taking them back to Hell.
From there, we learn more about Skylar in scenes intercut with the present, following her life from childhood to her marriage to Durante, and eventually to her being made his captive. Writer Christian Ward makes it abundantly clear in this future that if you’re super rich, you get what you want and can even own an entire family.
Nice angel, you have there, Durante.
Credit: IDW
Ward’s captions for Skylar detail her point of view quite well, and while it’s hard to believe she’d marry such a psycho, at least we can sympathize with her. It’s also made clear why he’s using her, although it’s a quick sticky note that’ll explain things, so you might miss it.
Once the reader is caught up, the present-day tension escalates, culminating in the best scene in the issue. A full-on attack from a demon that’s all veins, bones, and flesh emerges, leading to a truly horrific double-page layout of monstrocities. It’s not exactly clear where it came from or how it even exists in the room these characters are standing in, but it is very scary and gross. More importantly for the plot, it serves to draw focus to who the good guys are and, on the final page, to establish who the bad guys are and what they’re after.
Visually, I had a hard time following the story in this issue. Rob Carey’s art is striking throughout, namely the two mentioned earlier in this review, with great moments here and there, such as Starck holding an ax covered in blood or the disturbing gray lip of the angel on the final page. A recurring problem, however, is following along, as in the opening scene, where we see Jesus on the cross, then Skylar’s eyes, then her head turning, then, presumably, the same woman inside something with differently colored hair. The very next page features the angel in a cool way, but I was confused as to where Skylar is on the page. There’s also a recurring issue of characters looking too stiff and awkward, which can take you out of the book.
Event Horizon: Inferno #2 expands the mythology in intriguing ways, giving readers more insight into Daniel Durante’s twisted motivations while strengthening the connection to the original film through Lieutenant Starck. Christian Ward continues to build an oppressive atmosphere filled with dread and disturbing imagery, though Rob Carey’s occasionally confusing visual storytelling can make certain scenes difficult to follow. Even so, the issue delivers enough horror, mystery, and forward momentum to keep the series on track.
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