Writer: Zeb Wells
Art: Rain Beredo, VC Ariana Maher, Tom Muller, and Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price:$3.99
Release Date: November 10th, 2021
A few missions ago, the HELLIONS tangled with the mutant extremist group called the Right. In their juncture, they retrieved Nanny’s ship and came across some A.I. Smiley Robots bend on massacring mutants everywhere. Alas, the HELLIONS managed to escape and destroyed the A.I. Robots in the process. However, during the chaos and conclusion, Nanny discovered a baby A.I. Smiley Robot and took it as her own. Who wouldn’t? But, no one can ever let anything alone. And thus, the Right regrouped, found Nanny’s ship, and remotely detonated it to retake the A.I. Infant and kill Nanny once and for all. Nevertheless, only half their plan was successful leaving Nanny alive to regroup and take back her baby. But, the fun doesn’t stop there HELLIONS fans. You see, Orphan-Maker’s jealousy builds towards the Right after this vicious attack on his Nanny sending him on a fierce vendetta culminating in this week’s HELLIONS #17 by Zeb Wells. Let’s dive in and take a look!
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THE DISPATCH
This week’s HELLIONS #17 by Zeb Wells is a pretty straightforward, smash and grab, assault with some rather shocking and wildly insane action sequences. Ultimately, Orphan-Maker goes postal on the Right and this issue ends rather badly. However, what would you expect from a baby A.I. programmed to kill and eradicate all mutants from the face of the Earth?
Now, as a HELLIONS fan, it was great to see the band quickly get back together again showing the almost family bond formed between each of them in such a quick time. They may be misfits and outcasts but the banter and connections they have between one another are quite strong. Nevertheless, the story had a few unsettling conversations and diatribes specifically from the group known as the Right that came across as a bit overzealous and frankly insinuate the Right as religious fanatics.
To my knowledge, the Right is an Anti-Mutant fanatical group seeking to rid the world of all mutants, which has nothing to do with and religious beliefs. My problem was with the dialogue that the character known as “Susan” continued to spew out during her fight. She basically aligned her “killing of mutants” with Christianity. With lines like “ Return to your Sodom, Sinners! The Blood of the Lamb protects us.” come across as extremely harsh and ultimately was a bit too far for Wells to connect the dots.
In so many words, Wells was connecting mutant hate and murder of “the Right” with the religious Christian extremists. When Susan screams out, “The Day of the Lord is Here”, what other insinuation could there be? And it’s these ideas in media and pop culture that give Christianity the cringe and disgust that’s just not there to anyone who actually takes a deep dive and inspects it for themselves. Sure, the Right is an extremist mutant group but there is nor should there ever be a connection between massacring mutants and Christianity.
ART
Stephen Segovia is the rock star of this week’s HELLIONS. With a story built around 80% action and violence, it’s Segovia who paints a vivid picture of what’s transpiring and why. Furthermore, his panel progressions iron out the perfect play-by-play of each dynamic scene with the intensity and awe it deserves. The movement is raw, real, and rapid-fire with Ariana Maher’s lettering blasting off the page with every bullet shot, crunch, and cascading fire burst.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Normally, I’m all in on HELLIONS. To this point, it’s mostly been riding high with its humor and fierce intensity. This week however didn’t hit the mark for this reviewer and I feel may have been a bit too far. Ultimately, I think the character of Susan was done to add that comedic tone into the narrative. However, I feel Wells borderline, crossed a line by indicating the Right is not only an extremist mutant organization but also has its foundations rooted in Christian ideals and philosophies while inadvertently smearing what Christianity is truly about. Was that Wells’ intent? I hope not… but that’s how it came across when reading it. Maybe he’ll shed some light on this angle if he reads the review? And if not, my hope is we just move past the issue, disconnect Christianity from the mutant Right Organization, and forget about the concepts conveyed throughout the issue by a throwaway character. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!
I think the fake, confused “christians” that claim to be one thing while preaching hate, violence and intolerance are the ones who smear themselves. I assume that was Wells’ point. Unless you are one of those christian by name only people(aka the south/trump voters) I don’t think you should take any offense. It was just a really great story.
Matt, thanks for the read. I appreciate you taking the time to read the review.
No, Its not so much that I myself was offended, nor do I think I said that in the review. And no I’m not a Trumper either. I said that he borderline crossed a line.
I stated online earlier to others that the argument is that we should steer clear of that perspective in general. Other aspects of comics and culture are changing. The argument is to decouple this notion as well. It only hurts how the world sees Christians and does no good. Why not other religious groups be used as the foundation for these extremist groups? I’m not saying ANY should be used at all, the point is merely that it’s Christianity that’s used. This angle was unnecessary in the comic and the entire story could have played out exactly the same without the dialogue or character with the same point. It was totally unnecessary for the story. It was unneeded. But it was placed in and it was done with mild comedic relief adding no other intrinsic value to the issue.
How does that character saying those things help the issue any differently? In my opinion, it only hurts the comic. And again, if these elements were not in the comic, we’d still have gotten the same ending, same answers, same conclusion. Meaning, “Susan” adds nothing to the comic and isn’t around at the end, nor will she ever be back.
The adult content placed in both cartoons and comics that children see, as well as adults, wildly influences their belief. And that’s part of my take. Comics spread values whether we want to admit it or not, like any other media. During the Second World War comics and caricatures spread influence on both sides of the media. Political cartoons still exist today. Secretary Genera Kofi Annan speaking to the UN said “Cartoonists have a big influence on the way different groups of people look at each other. They can encourage us to look critically at ourselves, and increase our empathy for the sufferings and frustrations of others. But they can also do the opposite. They have, in short, a big responsibility,”. This is the point I’m making.
Again, I appreciate the read. Thanks so much for following.