Hellhunters is a hell of riding if you allow puns. It’s a slam dunk on the pitch to see some of the worst characters in the Marvel Universe fight during World War II, but it wouldn’t have worked without Philip Kennedy Johnson or Adam Gorham. The duo works together like a well-oiled machine, as well as the group of warriors they gathered, bringing A-Game to Hellhunters #5.
Hellhunters #5 is almost filled with wall-to-wall actions given its premise. The demonic forces of the unceased people are intended to kill the Alliance and acquire World War II for the power of the axis (not to mention the obvious rule of the world), but hell’s interceptions are intercepted, taking advantage of the demonic gift given by the spirit of Wengenz Zasaros.
These demonic gifts still lead to some of Gorman’s best visuals, especially due to the visual contrast between fire and ice. All hell has weapons made from the fires of hell, reflecting the future that suits their field or awaits them. Nick Fury has a fiery sniper rifle, Peggy Carter swings a fiery shield around, and of course Logan has claws made of flames that suggest the ultimate future as Wolverine. In contrast, the cold blue colour of the frozen flesh turns out to be a massive frozen winged demon, Carafel.
Amazing
This may be counterintuitive, but it shows that Johnson and Gorham conducted their research. After all, Dante’s Inferno describes the ninth circle of Hell, a frozen lake. Why can’t the demons living there control the ice? This contrast is further accentuated by Frank Martin’s colour, pitting Arctic blues into a gleaming reddish orange flame. And of course, Travis Lanam gives each demon a voice. Calaphel’s voice is a collection of bleed and jagged words while Ghost Rider ’44 still has a language barrier that is distinct to words that resemble chains.
Speaking of Ghost Rider ’44, Johnson gives him a rather damn epic final moment against Carafel, leaving the door open for future adventures. (Everyone who read Johnson’s work on the incredible Hulk where Sal Romero first appeared, or Thunderbolts: Doomstrike first appeared, knows that those future adventures are right around the corner).
Knowing the history of some of these characters makes no mistake what the price they pay. But anyway, Hellhunters #5 closes a book on a horror-filled, action-packed story. It also wants you to further shaking hell, killing Nazis, and I would like to see more of these characters in the future. Johnson and Gorham could have done the Ghost Rider 1944 spinoff.
“Hellhunters” #5 offers an ending full of Hellfire and violence
Hellhunters #5
Hellhunters #5 closes a book about a horror-filled action-packed story. It also wants you to further shaking hell, killing Nazis, and I would like to see more of these characters in the future.
Gorham and Martin bring some of the best visuals to the series, especially in the collision between fire and ice.
Johnson closes one story and sows a potential species into another.
This comic ends the way it started.
I can’t believe the series is already over.
