Hellcat #1

by Christopher Cantwell

Hellcat #1

Illustrated by: Alex Lins and Pere Perez

Written by: Christopher Cantwell

Release date: March 15th, 2023

Marvel Comics

*Minor Spoilers Ahead

Leaping from the pages of CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL’S IRON MAN run, Hellcat is back! Patsy is back on the west coast, living in a demon house haunted by the ghost of her mother! When someone close to Patsy’s inner circle is murdered, Hellcat becomes the prime suspect! Now Patsy must prove her innocence and evade both the police and the supernatural Sleepwalkers. To add to the perils she faces, her demonic ex Daimon Hellstrom shows up and that’s never a good thing. A supernatural, superhero murder mystery!

Marvel Comics fans have been eagerly waiting for the latest iteration of Patsy Walker, aka Hellcat, and it’s finally arrived. The 2023 series, written by Christopher Cantwell, with art by Alex Lins and Pere Perez is a rough and tumble take on the curent life of the beloved character, showing us all the day to day turmoil she is going through.

The storyline follows Patsy as she attempts to navigate her life as a former superhero turned private investigator. She’s trying to find her place in the world, and her struggles with mental health and living with the ghost of her mother (literally) are a significant theme throughout issue #1. Cantwell does an excellent job of exploring Patsy’s anxiety and depression, making her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist who is mildly drug addicted and trying to investigate the murder of a friend.

Alex Lins and Pere Perez’s art is stunning, with vibrant colors and dynamic panel layouts that bring the world of Hellcat to life. The action scenes are particularly impressive, with Lins and Perez’s art conveying a real sense of movement and intensity.

One of the most exciting aspects of this issue is the inclusion of Sleepwalker, a very cool, but lesser-known Marvel character (created by Bob Budiansky and Bret Blevins in 1991) who finds himself ousted from the Sleepwalker Collective and seperated from his human host Rick Sheridan. Cantwell does an excellent job of reintroducing the Sleepwalker character during a time where both Rick Sheridan and the Sleepwalker are under duress to both new comic book readers and while also giving longtime fans a satisfying continuation of the character’s story.

Overall, Hellcat is a must-read for Marvel Comics fans. Christopher Cantwell, Alex Lins, and Pere Perez have created a fantastic first issue which looks as it will be a fantastic mini-series. This story balances action, humor, and heart. Whether you’re a fan of Patsy Walker or just looking for a great new superhero series, Hellcat is definitely worth your time. Hellcat is a five issue limited series and is available to be added to your pull list.