Hellions #7: Crocodile Tears

A feeling of aftermath and bitterness flies over this issue of Hellions. After one of the bloodiest issues in the story of mutant comics, the pacing slows down to present us with some unfolding and quieter conflicts, playing its mystery and relying on the tension. Segovia’s art accompanies this pacing with expressions that seem on the verge of breaking out, expressive anger and blunt grittiness. With Curiel’s colors going towards garnet, metallic and gloomy, dark revelations seems like the theme of this comic. 

Manipulation, lies and mysteries shape an issue that feels strangely new, with Wells’ humor making the reader get a little defensive, especially with the way it makes the reader partially aware of what’s behind the scenes. The way it’s narrated makes this comic nothing short of brilliant, even if the story itself (final plot twist aside) is foreseeable and, from the overexaggerated cover to said plot twist, rings just the bells it’s supposed to.

Yes, as readers, we know the truth behind the conflict with Sinister, but it still manages to present itself layered and tense. Bits like Psylocke’s personal motivation (which, for now, seems nothing more than a wink at her Fallen Angels backstory) keep us attentive of the interlaying sides of this big manipulation that is a team where Sinister is in charge. And, possibly, the beat that this issue plays stronger is the Arakko resurrections: something dark, something mysterious, something unspoken is there. And there is where the line of this comic between predictable and masterly balances itself towards the later.