Kill Bill meets Clash of the Titans in the all-new series Hunt. Kill. Repeat. from Mad Cave Studios. The first 48-page issue introduces readers to a world in which the Greek gods have invaded Earth, fed up with humanity’s obsession with technology and forgetfulness of the gods. Society is quickly forced to comply with its new rulers, but over time, one Olympian, the hunter Artemis, finds solace in the love of a mortal. Hunt. Kill. Repeat. #1, written by Mark London with pencils by Francesco Archidiacono, inks by Marc Deering, colors by Lee Loughridge, and letters by Rus Wooton, follows Artemis as she is called to Olympus to answer for her betrayal, stripped of her powers, and left for dead.
This is an oversized issue, and it covers a lot of ground. Quickly establishing a world that has fallen under the rule of the gods, readers are instantly shown how powerful the Olympians are. From there, the emotional through line of the book is brought to the forefront with Artemis. She’s an immediately likable character, and her relationship with Julian, a mortal man, is warm and charismatic. Artemis wants no part in the totalitarian rule of her godly family, but of course, that wish is upended by Zeus. The ensuing conflict is filled with heartbreak and action, as Artemis is punished by the gods and left for dead, starting her on the path to vengeance.
London does a wonderful job of thrusting readers into the middle of this world. The story spans the entire globe but hinges on an intensely personal conflict between Artemis and her family. The interaction between the gods is fun to read as their banter reflects an intimate understanding of each other. The narration from Artemis is uniquely defiant. The pacing of the issue is great, with tons of action and moments of reflection that hammer specific emotional beats home.
The art is fantastic from cover to cover. The gods look regal and all-powerful. It took them three pages to conquer the planet, and whenever their powers are on display, it’s a truly impressive visual. There are lots of big action sequences throughout that take full advantage of dynamic page layouts and inventive fight choreography. Aside from the action, the smaller, more intimate character moments are also executed with great skill. Readers can feel the pain, struggle, and heartbreak these characters are going through from their expressions.
Loughridge’s colors are stellar. There’s a brightness to the entire book that radiates a high level of energy. Golds and yellows are particularly striking, as they represent the Olympians, while cool shades of blue wash an important emotional scene in soothing light. Wooton’s letters are the final piece of the creative puzzle and fit the issue perfectly. Speech and narration boxes are placed in concert with the art, guiding readers along each page with ease. Along with standard lettering, sound effects get several moments to shine in creative visual decisions that add to the overall atmosphere of the issue.
This issue has a lot to love. It’s an immediately engaging story that brings a new twist to Greek mythology. Readers familiar with the Olympians will find the similarities and differences to their typical depictions intriguing. The emotional core of the book is rock-solid, and there’s an incredible amount of thoughtful action throughout. With Hunt. Kill. Repeat. #1, London and the rest of the creative team deliver a pulse-pounding family feud worthy of the gods.
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