Written by New York Times bestselling author Charles Soule and illustrated by Will Sliney, the Hell To Pay series revolves around a married couple, Maia and Sebastian Stone, who have made a deal with the mysterious Shrouded College. In exchange for magic abilities, they are on a mission to locate 666 cursed coins that were brought up from hell centuries ago and can be used to summon demons. Failure to retrieve these coins will lead to eternal enslavement for the couple and chaos in the world.
The story of Hell To Pay: A Tale of the Shrouded College is one that is intriguing from the very beginning. As a reader, you’re constantly left guessing what’s going to happen next. The plot is a perfect blend of action, adventure, mystery, horror and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. It’s refreshingly original and keeps you invested in the series from start to finish.
One of the standout features of Hell to Pay are the characters as written by Charles Soule (Eight Billion Genies, Curse Words, Star Wars). Maia and Sebastian Stone are a great couple and make for compelling protagonists. Their dynamic is such that you can’t help but root for them throughout the story. The supporting cast is equally engaging. The characters are well-rounded and have plenty of depth, which makes them feel like real people rather than mere caricatures.
The artwork in Hell to Pay is also top-notch. Will Sliney’s (Star Wars, The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099) illustrations are stunning and bring the story to life. The attention to detail and the use of color in the panels create a dark and eerie atmosphere that’s perfect for the story. The scenes that involve magic and demons are particularly well-done and showcase Sliney’s talent for creating visually stunning imagery.
Another thing I appreciated about Hell to Pay is the way it manages to inject humor into an otherwise dark and serious storyline. It gives the comic book a bit of levity and makes it more enjoyable. The humor is never overdone and is used in the right amount to give the story some depth.
Hell to Pay is a sinfully good read. Charles Soule and Will Sliney have crafted a story that is both engaging and entertaining. It’s a perfect example of what independent comics can achieve in terms of storytelling and artwork. The characters are memorable, the plot is intriguing, and the artwork is stunning.
The Hell To Pay: A Tale of the Shrouded College trade paperback hits bookstores everywhere on October 10, 2023 and local comic shops on October 11. The next miniseries in the world of the Shrouded College hits local comic shops in the form of The Bloody Dozen #1 on December 13 from Image Comics.
Hell To Pay: A Tale of the Shrouded College Preview
