VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH, from Zenescope Entertainment on 9/6/23, finds Liesel Van Helsing desperately trying to save Julie Jekyll from herself… literally.
The Details
- Written by: Pat Shand
- Art by: Hakan Aydin, Giulia Pellegrini
- Colors by: Grostieta
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Al Barrionuevo (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: September 6, 2023
Is VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH Good?
VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH continues Pat Shand’s penchant for emotional storytelling that leads to excellent character development and new possibilities. This time, Shand sets Liesel on a path to save her friend with a cure that may be worse than the disease.
Shand’s script focuses on recent developments concerning Julie Jekyll after she was poisoned with Shifter venom. Slowly, the Hyde cells are killing the Jekyll cells, leading Liesel to only one conclusion – Jekyll must destroy Hyde, or Hyde will destroy them both.
What elevates this issue beyond the standard “race against the clock” adventure is Shand’s telling/retelling of the first time Liesel and Julie met. You get a clear idea of how Julie was drafted into the world of the supernatural, how Julie and Liesel met under dangerous circumstances, and what led them to become friends. Shand makes excellent use of flashbacks to establish the bond between Liesel and Julie, which informs the emotional struggle they endure in the now.
What’s great about VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH? The core of this issue is the struggle between Julie and Liesel and the struggle between Julie and her Hyde persona. You get the requisite amount of action to keep the pacing up and the plot movement energetic, but the emotional beats are where this issue soars. Shand demonstrates, again, that he knows how to craft deep, impactful character pieces.
What’s not so great about VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH? In the interests of balance, Shand’s action and plot progression are relatively sparse. If you peel back the layers, the issue boils down to a flashback and two meaningful conversations with a little action peppered in between. The drama is meaningful, but the scope of what transpires feels a little on the small side. All things considered, this is a minor downpoint.
How’s the art? We’ve reviewed comics from Hakan Aydin before, but this is the first time we’ve encountered Giuliana Pellegirini’s work. Although Aydin has a far more extensive Zenescope history, Pellegrini’s style fits the atmosphere and characters a bit better, particularly through the eyes and facial expressions. The overall comic looks great, but you can tell where one artist stops and the other starts, so that inconsistency may be offputting for some readers.
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What’s VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Liesel Van Helsing dictating notes about her latest research project – finding out what’s wrong with Julie Jekyll and finding a cure. Unfortunately, Liesel’s research leads to only one conclusion. Hyde’s recent run-in with a Shifter caused an infection that’s forcing Hyde cells to take over Julie’s body. If the infection isn’t stopped, Julie and Hyde will both die.
Julie is happy for answers but dismayed when Liesel explains the only way to stop the infection is to destroy Hyde completely. Rocked by the choice to rip out part of her identity or die, Julie runs away. As Liesel searches for her friend, she recalls how they first met when Julie was attacked by vampires.
We conclude the issue with bonding over cupcakes, difficult acceptance, and a path not taken.
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Final Thoughts
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VAN HELSING: THE HORROR BENEATH is a mature, emotionally strong character piece about two friends grappling with a difficult medical choice. Shand keeps the context and setting ground in the Grimm Universe, but makes the scenario relatable and believable enough to apply to any two friends at the crossroads of a difficult decision. That said, Van Helsing fans looking for their regular dose of monster-hunting action may have to wait until next time.
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