Pretty Hate Machine #1 REVIEW
A Devil’s Assistance
High schooler Thomas is stricken with grief as he attends his father’s wake. Kept in the dark, Thomas doesn’t understand what happened to his father, but Luther does. In Pretty Hate Machine #1, Luther claims to be from hell and seeks to help Thomas get revenge on both his uncle and Mother for doing the unspeakable. Thomas doesn’t believe him, but Luther has seen it all. Driven by a knack for revenge, Luther convinces Thomas to chase the trail of lies before him. It’s about to get messy as Thomas gets closer to the truth and Luther gets his fill of fun.
Written by Ryan O’Nan (Is Ted OK?) and Tim Seeley (Psylocke: Ninja, Godzilla), Pretty Hate Machine #1 follows a teenage boy whose father recently passed. The interesting part about this is that nothing is normal, and that makes for great storytelling. Something is off, and even the residents of Hell know. With the presence of Luther following Thomas around, this comic book dives into what kind of character he is. He could go out on his own and start slaughtering the people he accuses, but he doesn’t. Is he a good creature with sick tendencies or a bad creature with a rip and tear fetish? From a point of view, it seems Luther is working at some angle to have Thomas pursue the information he spills. O’Nan and Seeley set up the motion that stirs the story. A young boy who lost his father believes he died from a freak accident and is then told by a ghoulish man that it was all a set up adds a wonderful peek into the game of truth and lies.
Illustrated by Paolo Armitano (Heavy Metal), the artwork of Pretty Hate Machine #1 is suspensefully good. It’s dark, unrelentingly creepy, and gory. Armitano’s contribution to visually breathing life into the words of O’Nan and Seeley in the pages of the comic book is among the detailed works of art for comic books. The linework brings forth a sense of lucidity in the flow of the comic book. It echoes the genre of horror while at the same time displaying a comedic tone that’s overlayed by drama. The art works perfectly for a story such as this. The words tell readers what’s happening, but the art shows the rawness of the situation. Readers will feel a sense of connection and still have an uneasy perception of how the story progresses.
Adding to the depth of the comic book, Roman Stevens (Absolute Batman, Hello Darkness) colors Pretty Hate Machine #1 with sheer mastery. The level of color techniques and applications within the panels of the comic book is second to none. Stevens’s work on this story recognizes the brutality and colorfully desolate world. If readers thought Hello Darkness has some dark vibes, this comic book has the same, if not equal to that series. The coloring is achieved through a vision of what is needed. This vision of Stevens sinks readers into a place of unsettling intrigue.
The lettering by Dave Sharpe (Exiles, Action Comics) is impressive for Pretty Hate Machine #1. While there is a lot of dialogue to sift through, Sharpe does his diligent work to allow the comic book to function properly. Given a task of lettering is no easy task, and Sharpe shows why he is a great fit for this comic book. Using his unique skills in lettering, Sharpe aligns words and sound effects in an effective manner that doesn’t take away from the reading of the comic book. As readers will come to understand as they read, Sharpe makes it clear that readers must comprehend the fear of the unknown.
Bringing this comic book full circle, Todor Hristov (I Saw Santa: A Spawn Universe Christmas Story, Stranger Things: The Voyage) illustrates a cover of Pretty Hate Machine #1 that highlights the ride readers will dive into. It looks strange and wicked, but that’s the idea. It’s enticing enough to ask what the comic book is about.
Overall, Pretty Hate Machine #1 is a twistedly good read. It asks a lot of questions and doesn’t reveal answers too easily. It’s a cliffhanger of terror and mystery. It wouldn’t be surprising if the series continued like this, as it works to build momentum and suspense. Be sure to pick this comic book up at your local comic book store or where comic books are sold online. If Thomas thought losing his father was depressing, his entire world is about to turn upside down right before his very eyes.
Comic Details
Writers: Ryan O’Nan, Tim Seeley
Artist: Paolo Armitano
Colorist: Roman Stevens
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Todor Hristov
Editor: Ryan Carroll
Publisher: Mad Cave
Release Date: April 8, 2026
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics & manga. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he is a seasoned gamer with an appreciation of quality storytelling. As he is always on the hunt for rare collectibles, he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandoms. Follow along for new discoveries and changes in the world of entertainment.
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