Review - Bill and Tedd Go to Hell #1 (@boomstudios)

"Yes! I am victorious! I made the connection of the four!"

Time traveling comes with all sorts of perils, with one of the most pressing being that you make a lot of enemies from different eras. That in and of itself isn't such a big deal, but when those enemies team up against you things can get dicey. Bill S. Preston, Esquire and Ted "Theodore" Logan are no stranger to dicey situations, a streak that continues in Bill and Ted Go to Hell #1 from BOOM! Studios. The issue is written by Brian Jones, illustrated by Bachan, colored by Jeremy Lawson and lettered by Jim Campbell.

It’s time to get the band back together! Bill & Ted and the Princesses will have to reunite with some historic friends to knock down the Devil’s door and get their friend Death back. With the help of Rufus, Billy the Kid, Joan of Arc and more, this is the showdown that will rock the supernatural world. History vs. Hell. Too bad Hell has some surprises up its sleeve…

The Bill and Ted franchise has prided itself on finding the ridiculous and amping it up to 11--Bill and Tedd Go to Hell #1 is no exception. Every aspect of the series that made it so notable is on display here, with Jones tapping into that Bill and Ted zeitgeist in a way that checks off a lot of boxes. In fact, every aspect of the first issue brings with it a nod to the rest of the universe and Jones doesn't shy away from ensuring that fans will get every aspect of the two characters. It's tough to continue a franchise past what's easily recognizable, yet Jones seems to be having a lot of fun doing so in presenting scenarios that seem to be more outlandish than the previous ones. Propelling this narrative is dialogue exchanges that are rife with an airheadedness that's befitting of the two lead characters.

The look of Bill and Tedd Go to Hell #1 is easily recognizable to fans of the franchise, as Bachan illustrates on paper some of the more signature looks of the characters. At the same time there's a vague, cartoonish aspect of the characters as well that sort of underscores the silliness of the positions they find themselves in. Bachan's characters are presented almost as sketches of the characters, finished with enough polish to make them feel complete. Most of the book is laid out in a pretty typical fashion as far as panels go, yet Bachan does manage to mix in a few occasions where insets and overlays draw attention to certain scenes. Lawson's colors feel washed out, even though the red coloring of Hell feels vibrant enough.

Bill and Tedd Go to Hell #1 is the start of what's promising to be another eccentric adventure in the lives of the two main characters. Bill and Ted may be facing a pretty tough task in this series, as essentially all of their opponents are teaming up to make their lives miserable. Jones is familiar with the universe and strives to hit all the high notes for it, ensuring that readers will be satisfied with the scenarios the characters are involved in. Bachan's artwork is a decent representation of the characters and settings, lending visuals that both capture the zaniness and are visual anchor points for fans. Bill and Tedd Go to Hell #1 is something that fans of the movies and earlier series will definitely want to check out to get more stories out of the Wyld Stallyns.

Bill and Tedd Go to Hell #1 is in stores now.