Reviews - Van Helsing: Hell To Pay & Belle: Ancient Instincts
From Zenescope Entertainment
Out now from Zenescope Entertainment and taking a step away from the larger story arc happening across the Grimm Universe are two new stories - Van Helsing: Hell To Pay and Belle: Ancient Instincts.
Van Helsing: Hell To Pay
Liesel Van Helsing and Julie Jekyll are back from Neverland but very far from home as they find themselves embroiled in a new, and very bloody, conflict with a hidden sect of ancient and powerful vampires bent on destroying the renowned vampire hunter. Guest starring Hellchild!
Story Dave Franchini, David Wohl & Pat Shand
Writer Pat Shand Artwork Hakan Aydin
Colors Grostieta 1-30 Walter Pereyra 31 & 32
Letters Taylor Esposito (Of Ghost Glyph Studios)
Editor David Wohl Production & Design Christopher Cote
After bouncing around the dimensions, Van Helsing and Julie finally find themselves closer to home. Although not as close as they are in Columbia! That’s not the worst of it, as they have to deal with mutated vampires and a new Vampire Queen.
However, things aren’t all that bad, as they can meet with Hellchild.
This is quite an adventure, making this series and stories work in several ways. It continues on Hellchild’s journey around and adds something for her to be doing while also acting as a potential reset for Van Helsing and Julie as they finally get home.
The relationship between the three characters is well done, with Julie not as familiar with Hellchild as Van Helsing but still getting some mutual trust between the two. Van Helsing and Hellchild work well together, and I would love to see more of them teaming up -they should cross paths more.
This adds a new vampire dimension to the stories, too, with a new main villain to deal with (she escapes) and some good reasoning within.
This was a fun read and sets us up in a neutral way for what may come next.
Belle: Ancient Instincts
Belle “Anabelle” DiMarco is a hunter of beasts and protector of our world from threats unknown to the general masses–a covenant made by her family generations ago. But when one of the world’s most ancient creatures, already familiar with the taste of Belle’s bloodline, gets a hold of her scent, there will be no stopping the carnage left behind in its path to the hero.
Writer Dave Franchini Artwork Rodrigo Xavier
Colors Juan Manuel Rodriguez 1-24 & Maxflan Araujo 25-32
Letters Taylor Esposito (Of Ghost Glyph Studios)
Editor Dave Franchini Production & Design Christopher Cote
Belle never seems to catch a break. She’s supposed to be on holiday, but the monster hunting is always nearby.
This issue starts with Belle in a bad place and introduces a new monster lacking in the Grimm Universe - werewolves!
Adding to the mix, though, is a group dedicated to hunting the beasts, and there are some clashes between Belle and them, and although things seem to be sorted out, there are some good twists and turns.
This issue introduces something long-term for Belle, which is good, so it is less of a ‘monster of the month’s issue. There is some good action going on, and the speed and violence of the werewolf are well shown, as is the brutality of the attack.
The tale has a good twist here, and I hope to see more of this.
