Caitlin Yarsky has already proven herself a unique and excellent artist on titles like Bliss, Black Hammer Reborn, and more. But with Dark Horse Comics‘s new title Living Hell, she takes on double duty as writer and artist… And proves that she’s more than capable of launching a fantastic book, all on her own.
In the new series, we meet a seemingly regular bartender named Jerome. There are indications something is a little off about him, and as the book slowly unpeels the layers of our main character, it becomes clear he’s not normal at all… He’s a demon who escaped from Hell. And unfortunately for him, he can’t escape for long.
While Yarsky takes the time to establish Jerome’s world, some of the mythology, and most importantly the emotional grounding of his family (he has a human wife and half-demon daughter, who doesn’t know it), she also smartly doesn’t wait until the end of the issue to reveal the full premise. Instead, we get to see all these interactions and set up the supporting cast while also playing around the fun stuff — aka, demons.
And man, does she (no pun intended) draw the hell out of those demons. It was clear from the other books mentioned above that Yarsky knows her way around a tentacle monster. Her flowing, precise linework weaves through everything from the unique characters, their clothing, and of course the monsters. There’s a sense (particularly with the more fantastical elements of the book) that these characters have almost a clay or liquid quality to them. To be clear, Yarsky isn’t using watercolors, but her characters, designs, and settings flow throughout the pages in a beautiful way.
Though this is only a four-issue series, it’s clear from this premiere issue that Yarsky is just getting started as a double-threat creator. The book may be titled Living Hell, but reading it is comic book heaven.
Living Hell #1 Rating:
Living Hell #1 Official Synopsis:
Meet Jerome Jameel—husband, father, demon.
Hell is not just a place; it’s a prison, a realm where demons have lived in exile for eons. A few of them find a way back to the human world, where they hide in plain sight. Jerome was one of the lucky few to escape and start a new life, and for the sake of his daughter—Jerome is determined to stay out of trouble. But when he comes face-to-face with one of Hell’s bounty hunters, his plans go awry.
• Caitlin Yarsky’s creator owned debut!
• In the vein of Buffy and Good Omens, this story combines humor, heart, and darkness.
• Four issue series.
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