Jamison Kreel is dead. Six of his children from six mothers are attending the funeral of a father they never met. Each of the children possesses a different infernal power. These powers, though, come at a terrible price…a price Jamison Kreel has placed upon the heads of his offspring. And the demonic debtors have come to collect. The Hexiles #1 kicks off an intriguing new horror series perfect for Halloween season.
Written by Cullen Bunn, The Hexiles #1 is an interesting debut that builds out a horror mystery that feels familiar but totally new and different at the same time. A group of strangers are brought together at a funeral for their father, none of them knew him, or each other. They also have a secret, they have powers that come from some demonic deal. It’s kind of The Runways, mixed with X-Men, and throw in some horror. The combo is interesting and teases enough to want to come back and find out more.
Bunn starts the mystery off with a group of individuals brought together for a funeral. It’s a concept used many times before, even with strangers with some unknown connection. But from there, things ramp up quickly as they’re attacked by demonic forces, forcing them to reveal and use their powers to survive.
It’s demonic action and visuals delivered by Joe Bocardo with color by Manoli Martinez, and lettering by El Torres. The art is interesting with a style that feels like horror by also a tinge of mystery, and also a dreamlike aspect that makes the eventually battle feel all the more chaotic. The demons are things of nightmares, disturbing enough to catch reader’s eyes but also not quite enough to distract. The page layouts, especially the introduction of powers, are interesting and eye catching as well. The comic’s style visually works really well hitting the beats and the rather off-kilter, chaotic, unfolding mystery that is the first issue.
The Hexiles #1 is a solid debut that delivers a bit of action and a bit of horror resulting in a mix that feels both familiar and new. It shows off a lot of potential and will be interesting to see where it goes as hell comes for the characters for payback.
Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Joe Bocardo
Color: Manoli Martinez Letterer: El Torres
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Mad Cave Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
