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Hellions (2020) (Single Issues)
Hellions #18
HELLIONS NO MORE! ORPHAN-MAKER has committed a horrible crime. As he faces the ultimate penalty, the cracks in the HELLIONS team are on full display. Secrets, betrayals, alliances and loss all come to the surface as the fallout of Orphan-Maker's actions threatens to end all the Hellions have worked toward! The return of a fan-favorite X-character in a decision that will rock the foundation of Krakoa! PARENTAL ADVISORY
32 pages, Comic
First published November 10, 2021
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4 people want to read
About the author
Zeb Wells
711 books72 followersZeb Wells is an American comic book writer known for his work at Marvel Comics, as well as his work on the animated TV series Robot Chicken.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 8, 2021
I don't know.
On the one hand, the writers resolved most of the plot threads that were raised over the course of this title. This issue addresses the possible romance hinted between Kwannon and Greycrow. It addresses Nanny and Orphan-Maker's unhealthy relationship. It addresses whether Wild Child is going to make the effort to have human intellect again. It addresses Alex's inexplicable desire to have Madelyne Pryor resurrected, while also simultaneously emphasizing Alex and Lorna waving hello at each other. (Because, you know, Alex and Lorna were a couple on-and-off for something like 30 years; whereas, Alex and Madelyne were kind of an inexplicable couple during Inferno because Madelyne mind-controlled him and dressed him in a thong. But sure. Let's say he's madly in love with Madelyne.)
But, despite wondering for decades what Orphan-Maker's power is, we STILL DON'T KNOW.
Sinister was still using his "funny" personality, so there was never really much chance I could give this issue more than 3 stars based on that alone.
AND HE TALKED ABOUT HIS FUCKING CAPE YET AGAIN.
Newby comic fans reading this, please, understand. Mr. Sinister is a retcon character of the worst sort. He was originally supposed to be an immortal adolescent boy named Nathaniel who shared a room with Scott Summers (Cyclops) at an orphanage. His long-term plan was to breed Cyclops with Jean, because the combination of Summers and Grey DNA is supposed to be godlike. Along the way Nathaniel killed off potential adoptive parents for Scott. When we first encountered Sinister in his adult form (white skin, fangs, etc.), this was originally just intended to be a scary hologram that Nathaniel used for public appearances. But later writers retconned that, making it his ACTUAL true form. We continued like this for a while, with chalk-white adult Sinister scheming to obtain Summers DNA (for some reason never just asking Cyclops for a blood sample), but Sinister was a serious villain.
Since the early 2000s, Marvel editorial has decided that they don't like Rachel Summers. So even though throughout the 90s she was praised as one of the most powerful mutants ever, and she is the reason the term "omega-level mutant" exists, she is no longer allowed to be shown that powerful. For the last couple decades Marvel has worked tirelessly to portray her as less powerful than Jean. Because of this, Sinister's 40-year plan (real-world time; in the comics, we learned he has been at it for more than a century) to combine Summers and Grey DNA was a totally pointless obsession.
Sinister no longer served a purpose, if combining Summers and Grey DNA no longer matters.
This is why we have "funny" Sinister. Because writers didn't know what the Hell to do with a character who previously had one single-minded goal, and then Marvel editorial rendered that goal irrelevant. Left with an evil clown character capable of making clones, someone thought, "What if we gave him the Deadpool personality? That would be funny, right?"
And here we are.
On the one hand, the writers resolved most of the plot threads that were raised over the course of this title. This issue addresses the possible romance hinted between Kwannon and Greycrow. It addresses Nanny and Orphan-Maker's unhealthy relationship. It addresses whether Wild Child is going to make the effort to have human intellect again. It addresses Alex's inexplicable desire to have Madelyne Pryor resurrected, while also simultaneously emphasizing Alex and Lorna waving hello at each other. (Because, you know, Alex and Lorna were a couple on-and-off for something like 30 years; whereas, Alex and Madelyne were kind of an inexplicable couple during Inferno because Madelyne mind-controlled him and dressed him in a thong. But sure. Let's say he's madly in love with Madelyne.)
But, despite wondering for decades what Orphan-Maker's power is, we STILL DON'T KNOW.
Sinister was still using his "funny" personality, so there was never really much chance I could give this issue more than 3 stars based on that alone.
AND HE TALKED ABOUT HIS FUCKING CAPE YET AGAIN.
Newby comic fans reading this, please, understand. Mr. Sinister is a retcon character of the worst sort. He was originally supposed to be an immortal adolescent boy named Nathaniel who shared a room with Scott Summers (Cyclops) at an orphanage. His long-term plan was to breed Cyclops with Jean, because the combination of Summers and Grey DNA is supposed to be godlike. Along the way Nathaniel killed off potential adoptive parents for Scott. When we first encountered Sinister in his adult form (white skin, fangs, etc.), this was originally just intended to be a scary hologram that Nathaniel used for public appearances. But later writers retconned that, making it his ACTUAL true form. We continued like this for a while, with chalk-white adult Sinister scheming to obtain Summers DNA (for some reason never just asking Cyclops for a blood sample), but Sinister was a serious villain.
Since the early 2000s, Marvel editorial has decided that they don't like Rachel Summers. So even though throughout the 90s she was praised as one of the most powerful mutants ever, and she is the reason the term "omega-level mutant" exists, she is no longer allowed to be shown that powerful. For the last couple decades Marvel has worked tirelessly to portray her as less powerful than Jean. Because of this, Sinister's 40-year plan (real-world time; in the comics, we learned he has been at it for more than a century) to combine Summers and Grey DNA was a totally pointless obsession.
Sinister no longer served a purpose, if combining Summers and Grey DNA no longer matters.
This is why we have "funny" Sinister. Because writers didn't know what the Hell to do with a character who previously had one single-minded goal, and then Marvel editorial rendered that goal irrelevant. Left with an evil clown character capable of making clones, someone thought, "What if we gave him the Deadpool personality? That would be funny, right?"
And here we are.
December 10, 2021
Finalmente questa serie è terminata.
Cosa rimane, alla fine di questo ultimo numero?
Resta la strana e imposta storia tra Kwannon e Scalphunter, ma almeno qui li vediamo parlare e tentare di relazionarsi tra loro, che è più di quanto fatto nei precedenti 17 numeri.
Empath torna a fare lo stronzo come suo solito, anche se vediamo che ne è addolorato. Oh poverino.
Wildhild torna al punto di partenza, ma sembra che quanto successo lo abbia migliorato e ora comincia a prendere le pillole per tornare ad avere dell'intelletto.
Alex ottiene la resurrezione di Maddie, che di per sé sarebbe una cosa sacrosanta. Fa strano questa fissazione con la donna che ogni volta risulta essere portatrice di distruzione (e che non farà eccezione nemmeno adesso, dato che nel riflesso allo specchio si vede la cara vecchia Regina dei Goblin), così come è imbarazzante il saluto a distanza tra lui e Lorna, ma vabbè.
Sinistro purtroppo esiste ancora (in questa versione ridicola), è sbeffeggiato apertamente e osteggiato da tutto il Consiglio ma è intoccabile. Al netto dell'insulsaggine del suo personaggio in questa versione Deadpoolizzata, sono l'unico a non trovare particolarmente furbo che un mutante pericolosissimo ed essenziale per il progetto Krakoa venga apertamente deriso, sminuito e minacciato dagli altri suoi "pari"? Tipo, che facendo così rischiano di destabilizzarlo ulteriormente e farlo rivoltare contro di loro...
Dispiace enormemente per il Creatore di Orfani, ma quantomeno la versione riportata in vita della Tata non ha le asperità dell'ultima, e quindi fa il suo dovere stando accanto al suo bambino fino a che i due non vengono inghiottiti da Krakoa.
Ecco, tutti a parlare pomposamente del fatto di dover mostrare al mondo che tengono alle loro regole e che non transigono sulla morte degli umani. Però la condanna è decisa nel consiglio e portata a termine subito.
Cosa diavolo dovrebbe vedere il mondo, di preciso? Una comunicazione formale "abbiamo giudicato e condannato alla massima pena il responsabile dell'omicidio, ovviamente abbiamo fatto il tutto a Krakoa quindi credeteci sulla parola, grazie"? Alla fine sembra fatto solo per loro stessi, malgrado l'accorato appello di Kurt.
Bella la scena con la Tata che difende il pargolo e decide di accompagnarlo, peccato però che così anche questa volta non sapremo niente dei suoi poteri (e a questo punto immagino che chi li spiegherà rovinerà tutto facendo una enorme cavolata).
Aveva potenziale come serie, ma è stata affossata da dettagli cannati, una tendenziale mancanza di trama e la presenza obbligata ma insopportabile di Mr. Sinistro.
Cosa rimane, alla fine di questo ultimo numero?
Resta la strana e imposta storia tra Kwannon e Scalphunter, ma almeno qui li vediamo parlare e tentare di relazionarsi tra loro, che è più di quanto fatto nei precedenti 17 numeri.
Empath torna a fare lo stronzo come suo solito, anche se vediamo che ne è addolorato. Oh poverino.
Wildhild torna al punto di partenza, ma sembra che quanto successo lo abbia migliorato e ora comincia a prendere le pillole per tornare ad avere dell'intelletto.
Alex ottiene la resurrezione di Maddie, che di per sé sarebbe una cosa sacrosanta. Fa strano questa fissazione con la donna che ogni volta risulta essere portatrice di distruzione (e che non farà eccezione nemmeno adesso, dato che nel riflesso allo specchio si vede la cara vecchia Regina dei Goblin), così come è imbarazzante il saluto a distanza tra lui e Lorna, ma vabbè.
Sinistro purtroppo esiste ancora (in questa versione ridicola), è sbeffeggiato apertamente e osteggiato da tutto il Consiglio ma è intoccabile. Al netto dell'insulsaggine del suo personaggio in questa versione Deadpoolizzata, sono l'unico a non trovare particolarmente furbo che un mutante pericolosissimo ed essenziale per il progetto Krakoa venga apertamente deriso, sminuito e minacciato dagli altri suoi "pari"? Tipo, che facendo così rischiano di destabilizzarlo ulteriormente e farlo rivoltare contro di loro...
Dispiace enormemente per il Creatore di Orfani, ma quantomeno la versione riportata in vita della Tata non ha le asperità dell'ultima, e quindi fa il suo dovere stando accanto al suo bambino fino a che i due non vengono inghiottiti da Krakoa.
Ecco, tutti a parlare pomposamente del fatto di dover mostrare al mondo che tengono alle loro regole e che non transigono sulla morte degli umani. Però la condanna è decisa nel consiglio e portata a termine subito.
Cosa diavolo dovrebbe vedere il mondo, di preciso? Una comunicazione formale "abbiamo giudicato e condannato alla massima pena il responsabile dell'omicidio, ovviamente abbiamo fatto il tutto a Krakoa quindi credeteci sulla parola, grazie"? Alla fine sembra fatto solo per loro stessi, malgrado l'accorato appello di Kurt.
Bella la scena con la Tata che difende il pargolo e decide di accompagnarlo, peccato però che così anche questa volta non sapremo niente dei suoi poteri (e a questo punto immagino che chi li spiegherà rovinerà tutto facendo una enorme cavolata).
Aveva potenziale come serie, ma è stata affossata da dettagli cannati, una tendenziale mancanza di trama e la presenza obbligata ma insopportabile di Mr. Sinistro.
February 1, 2022
With one of their facing exile in to the pit, the team finally get it together. Except, for Empath, because he's a jerk.
Sad to see this series done, but it managed to get and ending that ran the emotional spectrum. A lot of sad, a bit of hope, and just a lot of fun.
Sad to see this series done, but it managed to get and ending that ran the emotional spectrum. A lot of sad, a bit of hope, and just a lot of fun.
December 9, 2021
Well all good things come to a end. Poor Peter....some interesting things set up at the end. I did like this insane team in the end and I'll miss actually liking Sinister. This is the only series to make me actually like what I consider to be one of the most boring villains. Hopefully another writer gives him a go and does as well as Zeb did. A 4 out of 5. Goodbye hellions ❤
January 7, 2022
I've been really looking forward to this, for quote a long time too as we've had delivery issues getting this comic into the UK for some reason.
So I opened this up rather excited and I honestly felt a little flat afterwards. The blind idiocy of "we won't kill humans" whilst they try to massacre mutants every other page is silly. Them the fact there were arguably mitigations for his actions, it's just a blind "one strike and you're out rule" which, when condemning someone to a purgatory, seems a little harsh. I never particularly like nanny boy and pointless bloke but their ending seemed underwhelming.
The rest just drifted away.
It was a really good series that was cancelled unnecessarily considering the shit they still pump out in the likes of Excalibur and despite the fact they done well to wrap up all the ends it felt like an abrupt ending but there you go. More of Howard's awful series instead I guess.....
So I opened this up rather excited and I honestly felt a little flat afterwards. The blind idiocy of "we won't kill humans" whilst they try to massacre mutants every other page is silly. Them the fact there were arguably mitigations for his actions, it's just a blind "one strike and you're out rule" which, when condemning someone to a purgatory, seems a little harsh. I never particularly like nanny boy and pointless bloke but their ending seemed underwhelming.
The rest just drifted away.
It was a really good series that was cancelled unnecessarily considering the shit they still pump out in the likes of Excalibur and despite the fact they done well to wrap up all the ends it felt like an abrupt ending but there you go. More of Howard's awful series instead I guess.....
January 16, 2022
A good send off for Hellions, that neatly tied up a lot of story beats and sets a few other things in play for the next title to use these characters.
December 15, 2021
Thus ends something that was destined to yet was ended much too soon.
The ability of Zeb Wells to make this group of rag-tag misfits the best team book and best x-men book outside of Hickman event books, is nothing short of astounding.
I think that the fact that this a bit cut at the knees does hurt it. I do have to give Zeb Wells a huge amount of credit. He pulled it off bringing things to a logical and satisfactory conclusion.
As much as it hurts to see, Orphan-Maker in the pit makes sense. Nanny-Maker deciding to go in with him makes sense too.
I hope that these mutants are used in the future, and more importantly, that their progress and characteristic integrity is maintained.
The ability of Zeb Wells to make this group of rag-tag misfits the best team book and best x-men book outside of Hickman event books, is nothing short of astounding.
I think that the fact that this a bit cut at the knees does hurt it. I do have to give Zeb Wells a huge amount of credit. He pulled it off bringing things to a logical and satisfactory conclusion.
As much as it hurts to see, Orphan-Maker in the pit makes sense. Nanny-Maker deciding to go in with him makes sense too.
I hope that these mutants are used in the future, and more importantly, that their progress and characteristic integrity is maintained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Absolutely so much fun. This whole run amused me so much, although it got a little dark at the end. Nanny and Orphan Maker have had an unhealthy, even creepy, relationship: he's a child in a mechanical suit - at least at first, until Arakko when he gets the mind and body of an adult - and she clings to him too much. He, in turn, is too reliant on her, and while it's clear everyone on the Hellions thinks of him as a child still - except perhaps Mr. Sinister - it's also clear they notice the weirdness between him and Nanny. At least some of them and make comments about it, making it clear to the rest...
And I figured, hey, it's done for laughs, right? Except Wells turned it on me: despite the weird, unhealthy, yes, even, creepy, relationship, it pays off emotionally in the end. Both Nanny and Orphan Maker clearly care deeply for each other - one of the ways Wells wrung out some humor - and yet it's never been quite as touching as what Nanny does in this issue. I really felt it.
And that, in it's own way, paid off on their whole relationship, even when I felt it was uncomfortable. I should be clear this is a codependent relationship, never a hint of sexuality or sexual desire from Nanny or Orphan Maker, particularly him. (She had relationships before, he showed no interest in anyone, y'know, being a child or child-like even after Arakko.)
It was a disquieting, to the point I'm not sure I was satisfied emotionally in the ways I wanted. But good art doesn't have to satisfy me the way I expect or want it to, and despite dearly wishing this had turned out differently for these two characters, it also couldn't have shown me the depth of their love for each other without ending this way.
Beautiful, heartbreaking, and left me hating how it ended, but loving the work for showing me that anyway.
And I figured, hey, it's done for laughs, right? Except Wells turned it on me: despite the weird, unhealthy, yes, even, creepy, relationship, it pays off emotionally in the end. Both Nanny and Orphan Maker clearly care deeply for each other - one of the ways Wells wrung out some humor - and yet it's never been quite as touching as what Nanny does in this issue. I really felt it.
And that, in it's own way, paid off on their whole relationship, even when I felt it was uncomfortable. I should be clear this is a codependent relationship, never a hint of sexuality or sexual desire from Nanny or Orphan Maker, particularly him. (She had relationships before, he showed no interest in anyone, y'know, being a child or child-like even after Arakko.)
It was a disquieting, to the point I'm not sure I was satisfied emotionally in the ways I wanted. But good art doesn't have to satisfy me the way I expect or want it to, and despite dearly wishing this had turned out differently for these two characters, it also couldn't have shown me the depth of their love for each other without ending this way.
Beautiful, heartbreaking, and left me hating how it ended, but loving the work for showing me that anyway.
September 4, 2023
Well least we know that the council is not ignorant of Essex nature. Just how to deal with him. Understandable. Short of eradication there isn’t much to be done without cause. Great end to the issue and lead in to Sins of sinister.
December 9, 2021
Awesome
This was awesome, can't wait to see Wildchild get some more depth. And to see what Sinister has planned 🤔
This was awesome, can't wait to see Wildchild get some more depth. And to see what Sinister has planned 🤔
December 11, 2021
Bittersweet ending to one of the best series of the Krakoa era.
June 16, 2022
One word: Getwrenching.
August 20, 2022
I'm so sad this is over. But the ending was perfect. Buyer and sweet with a little uh-of thrown in for spice.
October 1, 2022
What a fantastic run. It's got everything I want in a comic. Modern Sinister is absolutely amazing but it's the full team that truly makes this one a must read for comic fans in my eyes.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews