Dark Horse continues its run of new series this month with Living Hell from Caitlin Yarsky. I have to be upfront here and say that I have a soft spot for urban fantasy with a mythological bend.

My own writing often centers on mythological retellings in modern settings influenced by my studies in Archaeology as an undergraduate. Living Hell already features allusions to Celtic and Egyptian mythology, and I can see this series weaving in other cultures, as well. When you add these intriguing mythological elements to a fantasy world brimming with mystery, I’m in. Yarsky constructs an opening narrative that compels the reader to follow them into this new world.

Living Hell is told from the perspective of Jerome, one of the few demons to have escaped from their confinement in Hell. This doesn’t mean Jerome is free, as we soon learn all escaped demons live in constant fear of being discovered by the Shephards, bounty hunters whose sole job is to send the escapees back to Hell. And Jerome has a lot to lose. In his time on Earth, Jerome has settled down, gotten married, and become a father – all of which could come crashing down at a moment’s notice. Yarksy’s script also hints that Jerome might not be what the reader has in mind when they think of a “demon,” pointing to further potential reveals down the road. Some of this backstory is revealed in the first issue, and I was glad that this one revelation only inspired more questions and added to the world building being done in this issue.

Yarsky’s script flows with tension and heart. Jerome’s wife Sita seems to be suffering from mental illness. Her condition is treated with care here and expressed poignantly in Yarsky’s art. You can see Sita’s pain on her face and the compassion and helplessness Jerome feels trying to help his wife cope with her illness. This relationship makes us question our preconceptions of Jerome’s character, given the reveal that he is an escaped demon, again subverting the reader’s expectations. The love he has for his daughter Joanne is evident and again showcases Yarksy’s skill in conveying emotion. I’m a huge fan of comic artists who can really wring emotion from the faces of their characters, like Kevin Maguire or Howard Chaykin, and Yarsky succeeds here. We can feel the toll Sita’s illness has taken on her and the family. Cowles’ lettering work in turn allows the art the space it needs to breathe. The word balloons are deftly positioned, ensuring the art and the story shine through.

The first issue of Living Hell sets a solid foundation for the series moving forward. Each scene seems to build more and more layers on to the mystery of Jerome’s escape from Hell and Jerome’s own demonic backstory. I enjoyed the little breadcrumbs and hints of a much wider world and greater conflict that were dropped into the script. Who are these demons? Really? And why were they imprisoned in the first place? All questions I can’t wait to see answered in future issues. I plan on adding Living Hell to my pull list and you should, too.

Creative Team: Caitlin Yarsky (writer/artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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