Comic Review: Hellverine #1 (2024) — A Hell of One’s Own Making

After years of playing second (or even third) fiddle, Akihiro — formerly known as Daken — finally returns in a solo series, and he does so with a bang. Hellverine #1 opens strong, and while it's not without flaws, it shows a great deal of potential for developing the character further. Benjamin Percy delivers a dark, introspective story about a broken man trying to find his place — even if that place resembles hell more than earth.

Solitude, Hell, and Introspection

The greatest strength of this issue is its focus on Akihiro’s psyche. From the very first pages, it’s clear we’re dealing with a character who’s drowning — in trauma, addiction, and constant rejection. This isn’t the same snarky and sarcastic Daken from 2010–2012. This is someone who’s tired, lost — more human than mutant, more wreck than warrior. And that’s a good thing — because Akihiro has always worked best when writers allow him to feel, not just to kill.

The first-person narration, while sometimes a bit dissociative and melancholy, perfectly reflects his mental state. It’s a bold but fitting choice to intertwine the past with the present without leaning too heavily on exposition — flashbacks and references to past events (including the recent Hellverine mini-series) are smoothly woven into the dialogue and inner monologue, without resorting to tedious 6-page summaries. This makes the comic accessible even to new readers.

Hellbound and Haunted

Akihiro’s new hellish powers aren’t just for show. Percy cleverly uses the demonic angle as a metaphor for addiction and mental illness — a theme explored before, notably in the Heat arc from Akihiro’s second solo series. The demon living inside him is both curse and mirror — reflecting how much damage Akihiro can inflict on himself.

The carnage he unleashes is brutal, bloody, and oddly cathartic — his victims are “objectively bad people,” which helps soften the image of a murderous “Hellverine.” Geoff Ienco’s art matches this brutality perfectly. When needed — it disgusts. When needed — it mesmerizes. His style won’t be to everyone’s taste, and at times it lacks depth, but Hellverine’s aesthetic is a conscious choice: a half-camp, half-emotional cocktail unafraid of going over-the-top.

Controversies and Shortcomings

Not everything works, though. The conversation between Akihiro and Doctor Strange is one of the issue’s more problematic moments. Strange referring to Akihiro by his former name (which carries racial and self-hatred connotations) feels off — especially since Strange is typically respectful of chosen names and identities. One could interpret it as a sign of how much mistrust and disdain Akihiro still evokes in others, but the lack of context makes the moment feel unnecessarily harsh.

Another absence is Aurora, Akihiro’s girlfriend. While the writer has confirmed she’ll appear in upcoming issues, her complete absence from such a personal story feels forced. On a smaller note — the design choices for Akihiro could use improvement: the mohawk feels outdated, and his complexion and eye color seem unusually pale and blue compared to his usual tan skin and brown eyes. It’s a nitpick, sure, but one that stands out given the otherwise strong visual tone.

Final Thoughts

Hellverine #1 is an intriguing, though uneven, start to a new series. Percy still seems more interested in grotesque visuals than in laying narrative foundations, but he’s managed to craft a story with real emotional weight — one about loss, addiction, and the battle with one’s inner demons. It’s gothic, depressive, at times even grotesque — and if future issues better balance action and narrative, Hellverine could end up being one of Marvel’s more interesting titles of 2024.

Pros:

+Strong, introspective narration from Akihiro

+Great metaphor for addiction and trauma through hellish powers

+Atmospheric, brutal art style

+Consistent tone: gothic, campy, dark

Cons:

-Problematic use of Akihiro’s old name by Strange

-Key relationships (like Aurora) completely absent

-Ienco’s art may not appeal to everyone

-Pacing sometimes sluggish, plot still warming up

Looking for a story about Wolverine’s bastard son literally becoming the demon of his own sins? Hellverine #1 might be just what you're after. Just be prepared for a lot of black — both on the page and in the soul of its protagonist.

My Score: 7.5/10