Secrets are revealed as new discoveries take shape and lead to all kinds of chaos. The mystery surrounding Alfie’s death is revealed and holds more consequences for Ellie and her allies. Enemies and demons alike are closing in, and Ellie is going to have to deal with the fallout that comes with it. Blood is spilled, and debts need to be paid. Can Ellie fight her way out of this mess that her uncle has caused? Or will she suffer the same fate?
Spurrier knows how to escalate the stakes and create situations that challenge protagonists and their views on the world around them. It’s engaging seeing Elle trying to navigate, and reconcile some of the actions that were taken by her infamous uncle, Alfie. Seeing Elle attempt efforts to clean up the mess that has thrown her life in disarray, and her own perception of her uncle being shifted makes for a compelling story for this conclusion of the first arc of this series. Ellie may look at her uncle in a certain light, she isn’t afraid to dismantle her idealism and remain critical of his influence and actions, especially as she stares down her consequences with aggression, smugness, and spite. Spurrier does a fantastic job at answering some of the questions that lingered from its inception of the series, while also setting up the stage for what is to come for Ellie and her allies. There is an enjoyable payoff knowing that nothing that was written was tangential and that everything was in service of the story, making every moment that built up to this issue worth the journey, making it a satisfying read.
Charlie Adlard delivers some solid art that suits the tone and story of this series. I enjoyed that anytime Alfie is drawn, Adlard is able to maintain Alfie’s mystery by drenching him in shadows to keep his overall look vague, sinister, and mysterious. Adlard does a great job with establishing panels and layouts, especially when action is displayed. Despite some minor confusion with some of the astral fights between demons, Adlard’s art, coupled with Sofie Dodgson and Shayne Hannah Cul’s colors help to distinguish what occurs on the page along with Jim Campbell’s lettering. This series has been consistently enjoyable and fills the void that has been left since Vertigo’s Hellblazer. This is a solid series for anyone that is a fan of Spurrier’s work on Constantine, and it’s worth adding to your pull list for new comic book day.
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