Review - Satanic Hell #2

What's a industrial metal band named Satanic Hell to do in an ultra-conservative Texas? Rock even harder and flaunt religion that much more. At least, that's what happens in Satanic Hell #2 from Zeno Telos Press.

The second issue is written by Grigoris Douros, with art by Kevin Enhart, Newel Anderson and Elias Aquino, colors by Jimmy Kerast and lettering by Erhart.

The Texas Council of Churches runs the show in Texas, ensuring that kids are praising Jesus and abiding by the rules of the Bible. As you can imagine, a group like Satanic Hell and their industrial metal may not be the most appropriate musical choice for the ultra-evangelical state.

Further, Revered Scudder has been tasked by the Council with finding and stopping Satanic Hell from performing further. The careless band is content to challenge him on that, but eventually decide that being a wolf in sheep's clothing is safer. They manage to make their way through Texas, disguised as Christians, yet not forgetting their true loves: beer, sex and porn.

The second issue in the series did a lot better to establish the context of the story. Douros has infused the issue with tons of backstory on the characters and the Council, giving the reader a better sense of the world the characters inhabit in the book. Industrial metal attracts a certain crowd and Satanic Hell successfully embody a lot of those characteristics that the genre glamourizes.

There's something about the second issue that seems a little lacking though. The context is great, but that's all the second issue felt like, almost to the point of overemphasizing the point. Texas is ultra-Christian and Satanic Hell is not and I'm not sure an entire issue was needed to get that point across. Reverend Scudder is set up as a potential villain, but even he plays a minor role in the second issue.

The art (primarily by Enhart) is scratchy in appearance, which really works for Satanic Hell #2. It conveys a sense of despair that the band likely feels and is further accented by Kerast's colors. Reading the issue makes you feel like you're watching a horror movie, as the hues used are depressing.

The first issue of the series built up a very promising premise, but the second issue falls a little short as far as intrigue. Again, the entire second issue is devoted to backstory, which is great, but it also hammers the point home about the conflicting views a bit more than necessary.

There are nice subtle touches about how people of committed faith also like to "rebel" and the overarching look at religion as an institution makes for interesting reading. It still remains a really interesting premise, looking at the power that religion holds over some people.

Satanic Hell #2 is available now at www.satanichell.com.