OCTOBER IS HORROR MONTH: COMIC BOOK HELL

HELL WEEK IN HORROR MONTH
By Alex Ness
October 3, 2022

“Oh threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise!
 One thing at least is certain - This Life flies;
 One thing is certain and the rest is Lies -
 The Flower that once has blown forever dies.”   Omar Khayyam

THANKS

This weeks article was assisted in creation by the help and advice of my very good friends, each being a bright and talented comic book friend. Thank you to Phil Wallace, Rich Chapell, Steve Olle, Raymond Neal, and Mark El-Dweek. 

OCTOBER IS FOR HORROR

Due to various issues, my work for October will generally be a tour of characters and settings more than commentary, reviews or interviews.  It isn't meant to be the world's best encyclopedic entry of the subject matter, more of it being a way to aim people to the reading subject matter they wish to pursue.

THE SETTING, THE HEROES, VILLAINS, & RESIDENTS OF HELL

HELLBLAZER, John Constantine (By Alan Moore, From DC/Vertigo)

Created by Alan Moore to appear in Swamp Thing, somewhat as middle man between humanity and the spirit realms.  Constantine was given his own title, where various British writers and a couple Americans, led him, as the Hellblazer fighting demon invasions, possessed beings, cults, madness, tobacco farmers and more. His way was course, vulgar, occasionally mean, but this was someone with powers who showed admirable restraint, and might not like being called a hero, but he stood in the way of Hell being unleashed many dozens of times. 
 
SPAWN... HELLSPAWN/MANDARIN SPAWN/VIOLATER (Created by Todd McFarlane, From Image Comics)

Spawn was an elite soldier, who performed covert and dark actions, but when facing death was a being given power and life in the still living world exchange for his soul. He is a soldier of a spirit realm, but is not a loyal and obedient soldier. He fights agents of Heaven and Hell alike, and tries to establish a domain and throne for his own reign.  The best runs of the character happened under the writers David Hine and on Hellspawn Steve Niles.

HELLBOY (By Mike Mignola, From Dark Horse)

A young demon from Hell is drawn by a dangerous experiment and scientific effort, into the living world, but Hellboy was raised with kindness and love. He has great powers but he isn't evil, despite demonic abilities. In fact, he does good to overcome those others of his kind's evil. The character can be used in numerous ways beyond as a hulking beast, he has abilities and powers beyond strength and fire. And since he works for a secret organization of the government, official and dangerous adventures are on the schedule.

DEMON (By Jack Kirby, From DC)

Demon is a being who has long existed, fights for good, though, initially with the coercion from Camelot's great wizard and seer Merlin. He is a rhyming demon, only able to reply in a frozen form of language.  He has demonfire, and is powerful, but he is also naughty.  Eventually becoming a curse for its human host, Jason Blood.

HELLSHOCK (By Jae Lee, From Image)

Jae's Lee's art is insanely good but his character HellShock was just insane.  An asylum resident for sufferers of psychiatric illness, HellShock seems to be both angelic, and demonic. He also treads a line that seems mentally ill, but with moments of lucidity. A woman resident sees in Hellshock a miracle, a divine gift, or a curse, and seductive demonic presence. The collected version of the comic adds a chapter that didn't see print initially, and it adds content. Jae Lee's art is beautiful. His writing was visually powerful, but imperfect. Just like being a Fallen Angel trying to do good, or being a Demon, trying to overcome the stain of his origins.

GHOST RIDER (By Gary Friedrich, Mike Ploog and more, From Marvel)

There have been many incarnations of the spirit of The Ghost Rider. Usually he is portrayed as an angry spirit of vengeance upon the ones who are unjust to others. His nature would seem to be evil, as vengeance and anger are the domain of darkness, but, whether he rides a phantom steed, a motorcycle or some other vehicle into the realms of Hell, he is a wild being with an unknown stability. About the only thing you can depend upon is that someone is going to get an ass whooping.

LUCIFER(By Mike Carey and Peter Gross, from DC/Vertigo) & MEPHISTO (By John Buscema and others, from Marvel)

Mephisto from Marvel and Lucifer from DC are manifestations of the devil, Lucifer/Satan. While the Christian version isn't easily brought to comic book form, as he isn't portrayed in the bible as a glib naughty being, rather he is the epitome of evil, in both versions mentioned, he is portrayed using the mythic information found in the concept.  Mike Carey's Lucifer was less than evil, and more complex in his moral outlook. It was a being not quite sympathetic, but very interesting to read about.  

GRENDEL (By Matt Wagner and others, Comico, Dark Horse)

Grendel is a demon, an assassin, a violent, evil and clever being. Grendel can die, and upon that a new host is chosen, and a new form of Grendel takes life on earth. It can take the form of either or more genders, different looks, and seemingly, grows more violent and darker in nature with every new incarnation. It doesn't need to be said really, but Grendel is dangerous, a demon associated with war and extreme violence. Some see Grendel as being "beautiful" and it is surely of a quality of art and story that goes beyond simple art and story. There is quality and intriguing developments in the series.

HELLCOP (By Brian Haberlin, From Shadowline/Image)

Lt. Virgil Hilts has a police beat that isn't like one from your normal police department jurisdiction in the living world. It is in the middle realm between Heaven and Hell, a spiritual place where demons have to be kept in line, but order has long ago fallen to chaos. In his beat Virgil finds a potentially magic or spiritual scarab, and find it has ties to a deep mystery. That scarab is the least of his issues, when he is framed for his partner's murder. Brian Haberlin's art kicks considerable ass, and the story is interesting.  It bears watching.

HELLSTROM/HELLSTORM (Marvel)

As the Son of Satan and a ruler of a dimension of Hell, Hellstrom can manipulate, create and possesses supernatural powers far beyond demons, devils or angels. He is the literal son of the darkest realm of Hell. But, I confess, I wanted to like this, and it was not well done. Ever really.

DEMON HUNTER(Atlas)/DEVIL SLAYER (Marvel) (By Rick Buckler and David Kraft)

Originally Demon Hunter for the Atlas Comics later as Devil Slayer at Marvel Comics the character had limited use. He has the power of ESP, Gideon Cross uses the ESP and trains to destroy Demons and Devils. His powers develop to allow him to cross into various realms that humans cannot perceive. His weapons are extensions of his mental powers and training, rather than appearing as simple swords or spears...  An interesting character, sadly undeveloped over time.

HOT STUFF (By Warren Kremer, From Harvey Comics)

Hot Stuff is my favorite of Harvey comics, Hot Stuff is a little devil with a sweet nature, no matter how naughty. Kid friendly, and fun.

HELLHOUND (Epic/Marvel)

A tale of how a blues legend Robert Johnson, famous for selling his soul in exchange for being the greatest musician and creative artist of his craft, is tasked with his powers to deal with a crisis. It involves possession, demonic influences, and racism. 

Get Reviews from Me

I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. I no longer have a post box, although I regret that.  It was a crushing defeat to no longer have a p.o. box, when I came to realize I was getting so little product it made no sense to pay for the privilege to not receive mail at both my home and at the post office. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.



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“I believe I am in Hell, therefore I am.” Arthur Rimbaud