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A review by coldbrewedpages
Her Infernal Descent Vol. 1: Contrapasso by Eoin Marron, Zac Thompson, Dee Cunniffe, Ryan Ferrier, Lonnie Nadler, Kyle Charles
2.0
The largest issue I had with this graphic novel was that it was a premise, and little more. It was hard to find investment in Lynn's story—and part of the reason that I was drawn to this graphic novel in the first place was the promise of an emotional journey. After all, what's more evoking of heart-wrenching emotion than a mother literally plummeting through the circles of hell for her family?
Her Infernal Descent, however, doesn't deliver on this. It doesn't deliver on much, if I'm honest, aside from the general idea that this is a retelling of the Divine Comedy. We don't get much of a chance to connect with Lynn and empathize with her situation, especially with how much we're just told is supposed to be sad through interspersed sections of exposition rather than being shown through illustration. The story itself doesn't do a lot of work to give foundation to what should be an emotional, potentially philosophical, trek through what is arguably one of the most horrific places a person could find themselves, either. Instead, what I read was more a meandering stroll through a somewhat weird landscape with the occasional horror meant to shock but not really do much else for the story as a whole.
This could have easily been a five star read for me. I love the concept of classical retellings and seeing how authors can put a modern spin on tried and true stories. Her Infernal Descent, however, felt almost like the graphic novel equivalent of a first draft: lots of good ideas (the premise, layering in the stages of grief, character designs, the overall ideas represented in each circle of hell) with lukewarm execution. I did enjoy the art style and in general, what this graphic novel attempted to do, I just wish it had been better.
*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Her Infernal Descent, however, doesn't deliver on this. It doesn't deliver on much, if I'm honest, aside from the general idea that this is a retelling of the Divine Comedy. We don't get much of a chance to connect with Lynn and empathize with her situation, especially with how much we're just told is supposed to be sad through interspersed sections of exposition rather than being shown through illustration. The story itself doesn't do a lot of work to give foundation to what should be an emotional, potentially philosophical, trek through what is arguably one of the most horrific places a person could find themselves, either. Instead, what I read was more a meandering stroll through a somewhat weird landscape with the occasional horror meant to shock but not really do much else for the story as a whole.
This could have easily been a five star read for me. I love the concept of classical retellings and seeing how authors can put a modern spin on tried and true stories. Her Infernal Descent, however, felt almost like the graphic novel equivalent of a first draft: lots of good ideas (the premise, layering in the stages of grief, character designs, the overall ideas represented in each circle of hell) with lukewarm execution. I did enjoy the art style and in general, what this graphic novel attempted to do, I just wish it had been better.
*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*