Chance in Hell

(Fantagraphics, 2007)
™ and © Fantagraphics Books, Inc.

Gilbert Hernandez’s graphic novel Chance in Hell is quite a departure from his work on Love and Rockets. Here we have the story of a young girl enigmatically named Empress who grows up in a garbage dump on the outskirts of a big city. Life there is terrible, full of murder and rape, but a few other garbage-dwelling denizens do their best to protect her. When one day this all falls apart, Empress is miraculously rescued by a city-dweller who himself grew up in the dump. But as Empress adjusts to life in the city, which she finds to also be full of sex and violence, she and the readers must question if she really does have a chance in hell of escaping her taxing life.

The tone of Chance in Hell is bleak indeed, and readers looking to find something akin to Love and Rockets or Sloth may be surprised. Hernandez’s work never fails to be interesting, however, and Chance in Hell is no exception.

— Eric Garneau

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#1 (Hardcover Edition by Gilbert Hernandez)

August, 2007
Cover Price: $16.95
1 copy available for $13.50

Gilbert Hernandez