Christos Gage and Diego Latorre team-up on the newest Wildstorm offering: Dante’s Inferno. Gage re-imagines the classic masterpiece, the first part of Dante Alighieri’s, The Divine Comedy, as a tragic love story that results in a horrific adventure through Hell itself. An allegory for one’s travel through hell in life, ‘Inferno’ identified human foibles so that they may be cast off for a chance at salvation. The story was referred to as a “comedy” because the characters experienced a happy ending to their tale, despite the ominous, macabre content.
In this version of the story, Dante, a medieval knight, pledges his undying love and loyalty to Beatrice, his soon-to-be damsel-in-distress. Beatrice is murdered while Dante fights in the Crusades. Her soul is lost to the Devil on a wager, a result of Dante’s own transgressions, leading Dante to defy Death to reclaim her soul from Hell. Virgil, the poet responsible for the Aeneid, serves as Dante’s guide through the Circles of Hell. Alighieri’s version does not begin in this matter since it was not conceived from a romantic perspective.
One might be offended at the literary liberties Gage has taken with Alighieri’s prose, but he is quickly forgiven. Dante’s Inferno #1 is highly relatable and comprehensible, which cannot always be said of the metaphoric poetry. This version is meant to be digested by a wide audience as it serves as a prequel to the upcoming video game, EA’s Dante’s Inferno, to be released Feb 2010. In other words, a partial nude woman, magic and weapons, grotesque and gruesome action: all the necessary elements to a successful video game title. Gage’s job is fairly simple as he has a wealth of material to work with from Alighieri’s original. However, the writing is pitched perfectly with melodrama, suspense, and medieval haughtiness consistent with the period. Whereas the story follows the successful formula, it’s Diego Latorre’s art in this first issue that truly echoes the lyricism of the original poem.
Advanced previews of the game show you the territories and monstrosities Dante will encounter as he makes his way through Hell. Keeping those images in mind, you can truly appreciate the art of Latorre. A mixture of black mists and rays of light swirl and infuse the characters, blurring the line between good and evil, heightening moments of sadness, rage, and fear. As many will see in the video game, Dante comes to acquire a cool scythe that he wins from Death. The weapon morphs into whatever weapon he desires: sword, spear, or chainsickle, not unlike the one used by Raizo in Ninja Assassin. He is also equipped with a cross medallion, given to him by Beatrice, that projects focused light that repel the undead.
Overall, Dante’s Inferno hits all the right notes: simple-elegant writing accessible to the masses with artistry as beautiful and dramatic as anything a computer can generate. This comic may appear to have a definitive end as we all know Dante’s ultimate fate. However, the quality of this partnership has me wondering what project we can get them on next!
Title: Dante’s Inferno #1Written by: Christos Gage
Illustrated and Cover Art by:Diego Latorre
Publisher: Wildstorm
Release Date: December 9, 2009
Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Cover: 7/10
Overall Rating 8.5/10
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@Andrea: Loved the left side, did not like the extreme right. Maybe harsh, but covers draw you in. I was only partially convinced by the cover that the inside was worthy of attention. Sometimes covers mislead but then kudos to them for a job well done.
@MM: exactly.
can’t wait to see what happens with the partnership of Gage and Latorre xoxo
7/10 on the cover?? Really? Harsh
Can’t say that I’ve read Dante’s Inferno. Too many words. I guess that’s what you mean when you call it “accessible” to the masses. I must be the masses.
Looking forward to the game. Illustrations and story were great.