Hellions #1 // Review
The most violent mutants on Krakoa come together in Hellions #1, by writer Zeb Wells, artist Stephen Segovia, colorist David Curiel, and letterer Cory Petit. With all the disparate mutants on Krakoa, there were bound to be some bad apples. This book gathers them all together in one place.
A group of X-Men intercepts a weapons shipment for a group of human bigots. Havok is injured in the fighting and goes a little crazy, almost killing the humans before Wolverine stops him. The Quiet Council meets to discuss how many different mutants have been acting crazy. Empath using his powers to control others, Orphanmaker attacking others to get to Nanny, Wild Child losing control of himself, and Scalphunter fighting the Morlocks on the anniversary of the Mutant Massacre. Mister Sinister has an idea- put them all on one team and use them on missions where their proclivity for violence will be needed. Cyclops, worried for his brother and puts Psylocke on the team to both keep an eye on Sinister and make sure none of the team kills any humans. Sinister sends them on a mission to destroy his old cloning facility, where the Marauders have been hanging out, resisting the call to come to Krakoa. At the facility, the Marauders are being held by an old enemy of the X-Men. One with a grudge against the team and Sinister himself.
The premise of this book is pretty interesting. Krakoa has brought together all kinds of mutants. Some of them are heroic, and some aren’t. Some, though, have mental problems. Sometimes, as with Wild Child and Empath, it comes from their mutant powers. Other times, as with Scalphunter, Orphanmaker, and Nanny, it’s just because they’re crazy. Regardless, their violent tendencies can be harnessed. Havok is a bizarre addition to the whole thing. He doesn’t remember why he did what he did, and the whole incident felt like someone was in control of him. Wells is building something interesting with this book.
Putting Mister Sinister in control of the whole thing is letting the inmates run the asylum. Mister Sinister argues that because he’s crazy, he’s the best one to run the team. As with most things Mister Sinister does, he definitely has an ulterior motive. Cyclops doesn’t trust Sinister for a variety of reasons, and that’s why he puts Psylocke on the team. She has the power and skill to take down any of the members of the team if they go crazy and can keep an eye on Sinister at the same time.
Stephen Segovia’s art fits the book very well. Everyone looks great, and the artwork is very kinetic and detailed. His character acting is outstanding, capturing what is happening on the page. Each page is impeccably detailed.
Hellions #1 has a fascinating premise. Putting together a group of mutants to use in the worst situations, a team that is already on the edge of breaking Krakoan is a great idea, and Wells pulls it off admirably. He finds a way to keep things serious while also injecting just enough humor to keep the whole thing from being too dark. Stephen Segovia does a great job with the art in this book. The last page reveal is very cool and sets things up nicely. What is Sinister playing at? Will Psylocke be able to keep the team on the straight and narrow? Why did Havok snap? This book poses a lot of intriguing questions.
Grade: B+
