Raise Hell Volume 1 Review
Follow us on Twitter | Instagram
Jordan Alsaqa’s Raise Hell is a six-issue comic series now conveniently bundled as Volume One, and if you’re looking for a cutesy, supernatural teen romp with a hellish twist, this one’s worth the ride, even if it stumbles a little along the way.
The story kicks off on a high note with Victor, Miri, and Reeves, three best friends who make the classic summer break decision to summon a demon. Naturally. The first issue sets the tone, a breezy, comical fantasy that manages to be self-contained yet full of potential. The trio ends up with Alistair, a demon more mischievous than malevolent, and from there, chaos and high school shenanigans ensue.
Each issue plays out like a fun standalone adventure: sneaking demons into school, getting tangled with bitchy witches, chasing banned anime tapes, and ghost-hunting in haunted malls. There’s a Scooby-Doo-meets-Bartimaeus vibe throughout, but simplified for a younger audience. The art style is vibrant and expressive, especially early on, with distinct, memorable character designs (Reeves gives off serious Jughead energy, in a good way).
Where Raise Hell shines is in its light-hearted tone and slice-of-life approach to the supernatural. Alistair might be from hell, but most of the trouble the kids get into is charmingly low-stakes until the final arc. Issues 1 through 3 are the strongest, funny, fast-paced, and bursting with teen horror-comedy potential.
However, things begin to dip in the middle. Issues 4 and 5 focus more on drama than devilry, leaning into friendship fallouts and emotional tension that doesn’t land as well as the earlier hijinks. The story momentarily loses its spark, and the artwork feels flatter when the writing slows down. But just when it seems like the series might fizzle out, issue 6 brings it back to life with a demon possession, a big school showdown, and a strong, satisfying finale that ties things together.
Raise Hell: Volume One is like a summer vacation turned supernatural, full of potential, missteps, and memorable moments. It’s not flawless, but it’s fun while it lasts. If this is the end, it’s a solid one. But if there’s more to come, there’s hellishly good groundwork to build on.
Rating: 3.5 on 5. You can read Raise Hell on Kindle Unlimited.
Read Next: Northanger Abbey Review: The Real Mystery is in the Pacing
Also Read: Shubeik Lubeik Review: Fantastic Blend of Magical Realism (audio version below)
