Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Brian Churilla, Comics, cullen bunn, entertainment, Hellbreak #1, oni press

Advance Review: Souls Hang In The Balance In Hellbreak #1

Published Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:00:18 -0500

Last updated Tue, 17 Mar 2015 23:18:29 -0500

Cullen Bunn joined us here on Bleeding Cool a little while back to discuss the release of his new series Hellbreak and his career in an interview. We were also lucky enough to get a sneak peek into artist Brian Churilla's creative process. Now the time has finally come! After months of anticipation, Hellbreak #1 will be released in comic stores March 11^ththis week. Written by, Cullen Bunn, with art by Brian Churilla and colors by Dave Stewart, Hellbreak made a significant mark in my brain the moment I finished reading it. The story focuses on the concept of venturing into Hell to rescue lost souls and bring them back.

I mentioned in my interview that I really enjoyed the fact that the story begins with a re-telling of the classic story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Right off the bat we have a significant traditional event that doubles as a foundation for the plot. Because the main premise is about an extraction team that brings people back from hell, you already get a sense of intrigue and suspense as soon as you start reading. They call it the Kerberos Initiative, which has a success rate of fifty percent, but often requires intense psychiatric help for those that survive it. I think the concept is clever, and possibly something that we've all thought about at one time or another. Death isn't an easy thing to deal with, and while most of us like to believe that those that pass on go to a better place, Bunn tackles the idea of the more negative outcome.

You'll discover as you read that with this complex concept, there also comes an interesting cast of characters. When you think about it, you have to be a certain type of person to work any job. I would say with this job, you have to have some serious motivation behind you. Jenner, Nadia, and Joseph are some of the characters that you will meet on the team. After reading the issue, I am mostly interested in what happened in Jenner's past. However, I'm counting on finding out all of the characters' histories as the issues continue.

All in all, Bunn's script will definitely raise your heart rate. Prepare yourself to be flipping through the pages with great urgency to find out what happens next. Churilla's artwork accompanies the tale with a unique feel, chunky lines, and some creepy monster designs. Stewart uses a mostly gray, dark colored theme, with the occasional pop of a bright face, or large red monster tongue. Overall, I think Hellbreak #1 is a dynamite first issue, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. Be sure to pick up a copy this week!

Christine Marie is a Staff Writer at Bleeding Cool, and bibliomaniac with a love for all things creative. She hopes to one day be a Superhero/Disney Princess/Novelist. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @AWritersWay or on her blog writerchristinemarie.wordpress.com.