Comic Review: Hellverine #2 – Somewhere Between Hell and… Disappointment
After a very promising and intense first issue, Hellverine #2 loses some of its momentum. While there are a few interesting moments—especially in the flashback section—the whole thing feels less cohesive and less engaging than the series’ opener.
Strong Horror Vibes… But Only in Part
The biggest strength of this issue is undoubtedly the extended flashback in the middle, which works like a self-contained horror short story. It has a great atmosphere, tight pacing, and strong narration—feels like something out of a solid B-movie horror comic. Unfortunately, this section pushes the present-day storyline to the side. Current events fly by almost too quickly and end in what’s basically an anti-climax.
Percy’s Writing – Uneven but Self-Aware
This time around, Benjamin Percy misses the mark a bit with the narration. It lacks the fluidity and tension we saw in issue #1. At times it’s overly expository, and sometimes it repeats information the reader already knows—especially toward the end, when Doctor Strange appears to recap something Akihiro had just discovered. That said, one thing deserves praise: Percy knows how to incorporate broader Marvel Universe context without making it feel forced. Krakoa, the status of mutants, Strange’s troubles—all are subtly woven into the story.
Hellverine – A Monster Without Fire
The biggest issue? The titular Hellverine doesn’t leave the impact he should. The character design in motion looks… odd. The skull mask comes off as cartoonish, and the lack of flames—which usually define Ghost Rider—strips the character of his hellish aura. It looks more like cosplay than a creature from another dimension.
Art and Atmosphere – A Partial Rescue
Artist Geoffrey Ienco has both good and bad moments. The action scenes are dynamic, but the dialogue scenes feel stiff. Facial expressions and character poses are wooden, which weakens some of the emotional beats. That said, the backgrounds, darkness, and coloring do help build a spooky, eerie mood—especially in the horror segments.
Hellverine #2 isn’t a bad comic, but it’s a step back after a strong start. It lacks a balance between horror vibes and compelling narrative momentum. The story drifts between mystery-building and overly obvious exposition. That said, there’s still potential here—if Percy leans more into the atmosphere and deepens the characters, Hellverine could still surprise us.
Pros:
+Moody, spooky atmosphere
+Skillful integration into Marvel continuity
Cons:
-Anti-climactic ending
-Hellverine’s design feels cartoonish
-Occasionally dry and repetitive narration
My Score: 6/10
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