Hell Boy


Hell Boy David C. Burton www.silverlakepublishing.com, $15.95, 284 pages, ISBN: 1931095779 reviewed by Barry Hunter I wonder if anyone still reads Dante’s INFERNO or knows that there’s more to Hell than the fire and brimstone that still gets mentioned in Baptist pulpits. Burton seems to have done his homework and used that background to expand and create a picture of Hell that fits the sins of today. The first stop for a soul is Purgatory, there the decision is made as to whether they cross the Styx to Hell or take the Nexus to Heaven. Sometimes the clerk makes a mistake and a soul is sent to Hell. When this happens, it is up to a HELL COP to retrieve the soul and return it to Heaven. This time out, Getter goes after a ten-year-old girl and finds himself in the middle of a war. Mephisto has decided that Satan has grown too old and lax and he should be the one in charge. Getter finds himself making new friends in Hell and a target for Mephisto as a prophecy concerning Getter is spreading. Burton has created a multilevel Hell and in addition to the normal punishments, demons and imps has created strange creatures to add problems and dangers to his quest. While trying to fulfill his mission, Getter finds a few "lost" HELL COPs and wants to get them out as well. Burton has more adventures planned for Getter as he will return to Hell for more misplaced souls and try to prevent Mephisto from taking over. This is an action filled, well thought out dark fantasy that should appeal to a wide audience.
reviews

Hell Boy
David C. Burton
www.silverlakepublishing.com, $15.95, 284 pages, ISBN: 1931095779
reviewed by Barry Hunter

I wonder if anyone still reads Dante’s INFERNO or knows that there’s more to Hell than the fire and brimstone that still gets mentioned in Baptist pulpits. Burton seems to have done his homework and used that background to expand and create a picture of Hell that fits the sins of today.

The first stop for a soul is Purgatory, there the decision is made as to whether they cross the Styx to Hell or take the Nexus to Heaven. Sometimes the clerk makes a mistake and a soul is sent to Hell. When this happens, it is up to a HELL COP to retrieve the soul and return it to Heaven. This time out, Getter goes after a ten-year-old girl and finds himself in the middle of a war. Mephisto has decided that Satan has grown too old and lax and he should be the one in charge. Getter finds himself making new friends in Hell and a target for Mephisto as a prophecy concerning Getter is spreading.

Burton has created a multilevel Hell and in addition to the normal punishments, demons and imps has created strange creatures to add problems and dangers to his quest. While trying to fulfill his mission, Getter finds a few "lost" HELL COPs and wants to get them out as well.

Burton has more adventures planned for Getter as he will return to Hell for more misplaced souls and try to prevent Mephisto from taking over. This is an action filled, well thought out dark fantasy that should appeal to a wide audience.

reviews