Welcome to a brand new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH podcast!

For this entry, we are near the end of the first arc of one of BOOM! Studios’ most imaginative series. DAMN THEM ALL #5 by Simon Spurrier, Charlie Adlard, Sofie Dodgson, Shayne Hannah Cui, and Jim Campbell takes readers to the penultimate closing of its’ initial debut with an issue that will have fans talking.

Editor warning: this book has some panels that might be too mature for younger readers. That said, let’s jump into the latest chapter and see where Ellie and company take readers now, shall we?

DAMN THEM ALL #5
Creative: Simon Spurrier, Charlie Adlard, Sofie Dodgson, Shayne Hannah Cui, and Jim Campbell
Credit: BOOM! Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Ellie Hawthorne has now been challenged to step in and stop the 72 devils of the Ars Goetia in replacement for her Uncle Alfie, who died mysteriously. Her purpose is very easy: send all of the 72 devils back to Hell. With help from Dora, an officer with a complicated past with her uncle Alfie, and some more “allies”, Ellie sets out to complete the mission or die trying. Last we saw Ellie and co, they were dealing with Theo Bolster and the 500 Club. After an impromptu exorcism, Theo seems defeated but is far from it. Ellie is back on her mission and wastes no time hitting the ground running.

This issue opens up with Ellie, Dora and Frankie Wax (Ellie’s “boss”) raid the home of Ninebob Barry and his devil Vine. The scenes are intense and waste no time in setting a frightening tone. Ellie makes her way into Barry’s room and finds him waiting with an old friend sent by Theo: Glasya-Labolas, a demon who’s already impacted Ellie and her circle of associates. The resolution to this conflict is one that readers won’t see coming! Its’ repercussions send Ellie on a wild path that ultimately ends up with an ending that will stun faithful fans of this series!

BREAKDOWN: Heading into the arc finale, Spurrier wastes no panels in bringing some closure to Ellie while opening up a whole new chapter. The story with Ninebob Barry is one that plays into Ellie’s strengths. Never at any point is Ellie defined as a “hero” or plays everything in heroic fashion. This portion of the issue Spurrier brings out the full grey complexity of the character to a solid resolution. Things move fairly quickly here but once that final moment hits, it is a perfect mic drop moment that readers are not ready for.

Adlard doesn’t shy away from the intense imagery with this chapter. The fighting is brutal and bloody. The conclusion of the Ninebob Barry tale holds nothing back. Dealing with the supernatural, the demons look menacing and work to play off of Ellie’s brashness. Even with Ellie’s interactions with Frankie Wax and Carlin, her more “normal” moments and reactions connect as someone who isn’t good or evil, they just are who they are. That said, no other image will get as much buzz as the final one for this issue. Brace for it.

FINAL POINT: Damn Them All makes a run towards its’ initial conclusion tying up some hanging threads before giving readers a jaw-dropping moment to ponder till next issue. Spurrier, Adlard and the team bring that winning energy in their writing and art that has made this series such a fantastic read since it’s beginning. Don’t miss this on New Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Damn Them All #5. Thanks for reading!

DAMN THEM ALL #5 (BOOM! STUDIOS)

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