THE HEXILES #5, by Mad Cave Studios on 3/12/25, finds the Kreel siblings contemplating Athalia’s offer to join the Demonic Host willingly, but something more sinister is going on.
Credits:
- Writer: Cullen Bunn
- Artist: Joe Bocardo
- Colorist: Manoli Martinez
- Letterer: El Torres
- Cover Artist: Joe Boacardo
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: May 12, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (language, gore, nudity, drug use)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of THE HEXILES #5:
Plot:
After the surviving Kreel siblings receive an offer from Athalia in the Demons’ Castle to join of their free will in The Hexiles #4, Romy decides to spend a few hours going over the books and journals kept by her father in the castle’s library. There, Romy finds her father left messages and clues to warn her and her siblings that Athalia is up to no good. Meanwhile, the remaining siblings accept a ride into town for a change of scenery, but their relaxed evening at a local pub ends in bloodshed.
Artwork and Presentation:
Joe Bocardo’s grimy, gritty, gory artwork helps give Cullen Bunn’s sedate pacing a much-needed lift. Rory receives bits of messages from her father in the past while he commits a series of bloody atrocities to pass the time. If not for Bocardo’s gruesome depictions of violence, this issue would be a chore to get through.
Art Samples:
Character Work:
Aside from the odd snarky comment from the collection of Kreel siblings, very little sets one sibling apart from the other through the dialog. Instead, Bunn relies on Bocardo’s art to let the physicality of the characters (their style of dress, posture, mannerisms, etc.) shine through and add distinctiveness.
Structure:
Cullen Bunn’s plot is moving. It’s not moving fast, but it is moving. This issue helps shine a light on the possibility that the Kreel siblings have a way out of their predicament, which is a mild enough tease to wonder what happens next.
Strongest Point(s):
The highlight of this issue is Joe Bocardo’s art, which delivers enough character personality and gory shock value to hold your attention.
Weakest Point(s):
The weak point is Cullen Bunn’s sedate pacing, which is a chronic problem we’ve observed in other Cullen Bunn stories. In fairness, the story is moving a bit better than other Bunn offerings, but it still qualifies as little more than a leisurely stroll.
Final Thoughts:
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THE HEXILES #5 is a mixed bag of shocking gore and sedate pacing as the Kreel siblings learn the demons are not the only forces out to get them. Cullen Bunn’s leisurely script gives you enough tidbits to get curious about what happens next, but Joe Bocardo’s gory, gritty art saves the issue.
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