This, to say the least, is an unusual book. What is/was the point? Who are these people that grace the pages? Why do they do what they do? (Okay, the officer who had his wife murdered, and his son, make sense, but still). When is this book taking place? (Is it now? Or a future timeline? Or even an alternative timeline?) So many questions, so few answers in The Hellbound Volume one manga graphic novel.
The creators, Yeon San-Ho, Choi Gyu-Seok, Danny Lim (translation) and Michael Heisler (lettering) created a story where the world is on fire and some run from it, some run to it and others sit back and watch it burn. The genres and themes of thriller, horror, religion, and more are thrown together, stored, and allowed to run amuck.
The story itself was simple. When you get The Notice all it says is your name, how much time you have left, and you are going to Hell. The concept was fascinating. How would this play out? Instead of seeing The Notices, instead of a character’s journey to Hell we see the politics behind it. We see how the Religion starts to come into play. We see how people use the new situation to advance themselves monetarily, career wise and how to take revenge. Who is pulling the strings? Are things what they seem? Why do they have the flashbacks and the “now” flowing together with little (or seems to be) breaks or no notice of a change? Who are these people (this is important)? And do we ever get to know them? And finally, what was that ending all about?
There is manga graphic violence (after all people are being torn apart/burned as they are forced to Hell), and adult themes, situations, and tone of voice. This is not really for teens, but at least 14 and up should be okay (as I am assuming they have seen worse especially since this is a Netflix show).
Originally published in Korea in 2021 by Munhakdongne.
