Spirits of Vengeance #2 comic review: Satana joins the cause

A war between heaven and hell is on the verge of breaking out, and an unlikely tandem stands between good and evil in Spirits of Vengeance #2.

Writer: Victor Gischler

Artist: David Baldeón

Any story involving Johnny Blaze and Blade is bound to be an action-filled one, but add in the satanic siblings of Hellstrom and Satana in a war against their father’s kingdom, and you’ve got a compelling story.

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Gischler’s first issue was a slow introduction into the issue of an upcoming war. It was a nice, slow build, showing a quick connection between Johnny and Hellstrom. The ending climax came with the introduction of the beloved Blade. That created the hype for the next issue.

Unfortunately, Blade was sparsely used in the second issue of the comic. That didn’t stop from this being filled with some fiery action.

Eduardo Made A Mistake

Hellstrom, Johnny, and Blade open up the comic in a mystic bookstore, looking for answers on to what exactly is going on. Eduardo, who seems like a panicky bookkeeper at first, conducts a demonic ambush on the trio when Hellstrom refuses to give up Johnny.

The ambush goes as well as you’d think. Ghost Rider comes out to play to incinerate everyone, while Blade uses his namesake weapon to get through the demons. Ghost Rider is about to finish off Eduardo, but Hellstrom stops him to interrogate.

Image by David Baldeón of Marvel Comics

It’s revealed that the sorcerer Necrodamus is attempting to make a weapon out of the silver bullet given to Johnny in the first issue, which could tip the scale of war into hell’s favor. The art in the panel above might be the best scene in the entire issue.

The detail in which Baldeón draws Ghost Rider towering overtop of the Predator-looking demon is beautiful. It shows the tension of the scene and the art almost moves as swiftly as the story does.

The scene then skips back and forth between Hellstrom’s description of “The Covenant” (the name of the war between heaven and hell), and Necrodamus’ development of this weapon. It also shows the death of Hellstrom’s allies, brought upon

Satana breaks up a devil worshipping, angels die

For more fortified help from someone who understands the graveness of the situation, Hellstrom calls up his fiery sister.

Satana saves a college girl from being sacrificed by some amateur satanists, but not before she makes a fool of the sacrificers. Burning and kissing the men to death, Hellstrom comes swooping in.

Image by David Baldeón of Marvel Comics

Satana is shocked when shown the silver bullet, and knows the affects of it.

The issue ends with a mafia-like meetup, where Necrodamus shows what his weapon can already do—easily destroy and terminate some of heaven’s more powerful angels.

It is revealed that Necrodamus was showing off for Satan, and is now in full business with the king of the underworld as the war seems to be reaching an official beginning.

The story so far has been really interesting. Spirits of Vengeance has the potential to be a beautifully intriguing series. It’s not like this topic hasn’t been done before, where heaven and hell clash and the evil side starting with an upper-hand.

What will carry this series is the artwork, but also the characters. Ghost Rider obviously has the marketing power over the rest of the members in Spirits of Vengeance, but Blade is no slouch in that department.

Satana and Blade both have enchanting personalities for readers, the series is worth following just  on a hope that Gischler will center them more within the story.

Next: Mister Miracle #4 comic review

Spirits of Vengeance has a chance to be a trademark story in the spiritual sub-section of superheroes, and if Gischler is able to sell his story we will see more of this beautifully action-packed comic.