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Hell hath no fury like a Goblin Queen scorned by mutants. That’s how the saying goes, right? No? They should consider changing it after this issue of Hellions.
Hellions #3 is written by Zeb Wells, with art by Stephen Segovia, colors by David Curiel, letters by VC’s Ariana Maher, and designs by Tom Muller. The main cover is provided by Stephen Segovia and Rain Beredo.
Young Love
Don’t you love it when love conquers all? Even if conquering all is cutting your face open to give yourself a mouth after your lover has…taken it away. But what could be a more unique way to declare your feelings for another, right? Hellions #3 is an emotionally heavy comic and I am here for it.
Zeb Wells and Stephen Segovia have done in three issues what some comics are never able to strike a balance between, or are even too cowardly to try, and that is fear, excitement, and humor. I’m happy to see Maddie back, front and center, and excited to see what she does next, but am terrified in equal measure. The comedic beats that center around Nanny and Orphan Maker largely always land. Segovia is a master of physical humor, which is easily one of the nicest surprises of this book.
A Goblin Prince Reborn?
I’ve talked previously about how partial I am to Alex Summers, and I am absolutely horrified by him every month now, but in the best way, because I can’t wait to see it. I don’t fear for his life, no, that would be pointless with resurrection protocols, but his mind? That’s a fragile thing and it’s in incredible danger right now, the worst even. What Segovia and Curiel do to his mouth is frankly mortifying and the words that spill out unsettle me to my very core. The lettering choice really seals the deal on Alex’s disgusting diatribe to Maddie. Honestly, it’s all brilliant.
Power imbalances in relationships are far too common, even at the best of times, but this is a different beast entirely. Is Alex enthralled by Madelyne? What’s really between them, if anything? There is no simple answer, and that makes Hellions #3 such an engrossing read. But one thing is for sure, Madelyne wants his head, and she wants to throw it at Cyclops’ feet. It’s brutal as hell and showcases just why Maddie is not being trifled with right now especially.
Relating To Hellions #3
It’s a truly impressive feat when you’re able to relate to both sides in a story. I don’t see Maddie and Alex as being diametrically opposed but rather, bonding through their trauma almost. It’s not exactly healthy, or even really very close, but it is interesting as hell to read.
Alex is just a poor bastard you can’t help but feel for, and Maddie won’t let you forget about the pain she’s endured. It’s easy not to agree with her methods, but her reasoning, that feeling of being abandoned and forgotten about, is something we can all relate to I feel. Nobody wants to be forgotten, nobody wants to be left on their own to die. The trauma these characters all face together, is the true heart of Hellions #3.
The Art Of Hellions #3
It impresses me here how Segovia is able to do so much with so little in the background. This is a pretty boring building they’re in, design-wise, but you’re so wrapped up in the character moments like Alex shouting his blood-curdled words, or crying quietly, with fierce pain in his eyes. It’s haunting how well that gets conveyed on the page.
The splash pages in Hellions #3 are also just spectacular. The zeroed-in dynamic action explodes with Curiel’s colors, making for some truly gorgeous pages, filled with emotion and power. There are not enough kind things I can say about this art team, but they are truly bringing it hard on this book.
Should You Read Hellions #3?
Wells continues to surprise me with how much he’s willing to push these characters. These are bold strokes, seemingly with an aim at redefining these characters for the modern era. It’s an exciting prospect to have these “blank slate” characters, where they can be molded and aren’t quite solidified in their roles in this new world. Nobody on this team has the hard and fast rules they have to play by within continuity, they’re all malleable.
Hellions is the most fascinating book in the X-line, not only because of how much potential there is for this oddball team of killers, assholes, and outcasts, but for just how well it’s showcasing why they’re interesting. The data page about Psylocke is positively rife with narrative seeds for issues to come, and that’s even only one member of the team. I trust that Wells will go the distance on this book, and give these characters real arcs that feel satisfying, and interesting. This book should run for years.
