Writer: Elliot Kalan
Art: Alessandro Ranaldi
Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Price: $3.99
Release date: January 24, 2024
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Disney Villains: Hades #5 Review.
THE DISPATCH
It’s the final issue in this series, and Disney Villains: Hades #5 certainly presents a thrilling conclusion. Last time, we saw Hades trick his team, grab the fleece and head off to Olympus in a WWI-era plane. Here, we see Hades use it to exact his revenge on the other Greek gods. Since Hades is more of a comedic villain, in true Hades fashion, the Greek gods are transformed into items of his choosing. One that readers will probably find most amusing, especially children of the 1990’s, is Athena being turned into a VHS tape. Hades refers to her as a “futuristic-to-us-but-someday-outdated physical recording media.”
The characters from the films are presented very accurately and it is easy for readers to imagine the voices of James Woods and Rip Torn saying the dialogue for Hades and Zeus. Readers hoping that this series will connect with the Hercules animated series, however, will be disappointed. It could still somehow fit, but there are still contradictions. That being said, the events of the movie don’t necessarily fit either. The fates are also very funny reprimanding each other for quoting Shakespeare.
ART
The art in Disney Villains: Hades #5 very closely resembles the animation style of the film and many of the scenes of Hades’ facial expressions mirror specific screenshots from the film. Zeus and the other Greek gods appear as they looked in the film. The scene when Hades uses the fleece to transform them into objects is very amusing, especially with Athena being turned into a VHS tape. Many readers who are fans of other Disney movies will most likely think of Beauty and the Beast, with people being turned into enchanted objects. There are also some good panels featuring Hades’ squad of misfits, showcasing them working together as a team.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Disney Villains: Hades #5 was a good concluding issue to what was a funny series. It introduced new characters, and reimagined others. Although some characters previously appeared on Hercules the animated series, this comic brings that series’ canon into question, due in part to characters like Jason and Icarus appearing completely differently from how they appeared in the show. Hades’ squad of misfits really worked well together and the unique personalities they each had really helped to establish their characters. It also showed us that for all his bravado, smooth talk and sarcasm, Hades feels lonely, despite not really admitting it to anyone. Yet, even this doesn’t cause us to sympathize with him and he still remains the snarky villain from the movie. Anyone who is a fan of Disney’s Hercules and Hades in particular, would definitely enjoy this series.