HELL HEIST #2, by Zenescope on 1/8/25, concludes the heist of Biblical implications when Luke learns the celestial origin of the sarcophagus from the strangely unkillable Celine.
Credits:
- Writer: Ralph Tedesco
- Artist: Al Barrionuevo
- Colorist: Grostieta
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Igor Vitorino (cover A)
- Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
- Release Date: January 8, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (violence, language)
- Cover Price: $5.99
- Page Count: 34
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of HELL HEIST #2:
Plot:
After Luke saw firsthand that skin contact with the sarcophagus turned humans into demons in Hell Heist #1, he had no choice but to accept Celine’s offer to team up. Their enemies steal the truck containing the artifact and head to the Arizona desert to perform a ritual that will raise a fallen angel from Hell to rule over Earth. On the way to the ritual sight, Celine explains the nature of the angels’ role in humanity’s development, forcing Luke to accept his task to stop the coming Apocalypse.
Artwork and Presentation:
Regular Zenescope artist Al Barrionuevo hits the nail on the head with a story that spans locations, realms, and eons. Barrionuevo’s human acting is solid, and the angel/demon designs are decent enough.
Art Samples:
Character Work:
Ralph Tedesco’s take on angels, demons, and Lucifer himself twists the classical Bible narrative, but the story casts the characters in a new light that still feels familiar. It’s quite a feat to take a story as old as time and subvert expectations about characters you already know without throwing the origins out completely, so hats off to Tedesco.
Pacing:
You’d expect an issue that focuses on heavy exposition mixed with action to be a pacing nightmare, but Hell Heist #2 is a pleasant surprise. Ralph Tedesco keeps the energy and pacing at a brisk level to keep the story moving.
Strongest Point(s):
Alternate histories are their own reward, depending on your point of view, so the twist on Bible history is a fun treat. Plus, Tedesco throws in more surprises when we learn Luke’s role in this celestial drama, and the ending turns out to be an unexpected beginning.
Weakest Point(s):
If you’re into alternate history and subverting expectations, this issue is a ton of fun. However, that ton of fun comes with a ton of new information and characters to keep straight within a short number of pages, so readers are at risk of getting lost during Celine’s history lesson.
Final Thoughts:
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HELL HEIST #2 ends the two-part take on the Apocalypse with interesting re-imaginings of Biblical characters, fast-paced action, and surprising twists. Ralph Tedesco’s conclusion opens the door for the most eclectic team-up series in recent memory, and Al Barrionuevo’s art is super-solid.
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