Title: Avengelyne #1
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Rob Liefeld
Artist: Daniel Mainé
Colorist: Doni Cahyono
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Review: Rob Liefeld’s Avengelyne #1 brings the supernatural heroine back into the spotlight with an exciting, mysterious, and surprisingly emotional opening chapter. This is a comic that understands how to introduce a character, build suspense, deliver thrilling action, and leave readers wanting more. Liefeld combines religious mythology, demonic horror, and superhero storytelling into an adventure that immediately establishes its own atmosphere and sense of danger.
The story begins on a dark, stormy night in New York City. A mysterious woman falls from the heavens, crashing into the streets below. She has no understanding of where she is, what has happened to her, or even who she is. Her arrival is dramatic, but what makes the opening especially interesting is her vulnerability. This is clearly someone with an extraordinary background, yet she finds herself completely helpless in an unfamiliar world.
The police and emergency personnel arrive at the scene, attempting to help the seemingly injured young woman. She is taken away in an ambulance, but what initially appears to be a routine rescue quickly becomes something far more sinister.
The ambulance attendants begin transforming into horrifying demonic creatures. Their eyes glow red, their faces become twisted, and their intentions are anything but friendly. The mysterious woman suddenly finds herself fighting for her life against enemies she does not understand.
This sequence is where the story really takes off.
Despite having no memory of her past, the woman demonstrates extraordinary fighting instincts. She refuses to surrender, and even when confronted by terrifying creatures, she reacts with determination and courage. The battle inside the ambulance is intense, and when the vehicle crashes, the action becomes even more spectacular.
Liefeld does an excellent job of using this confrontation to establish his heroine’s personality without revealing everything about her. She may not remember who she is, but her instincts tell her to fight evil. That is a particularly effective way of introducing Avengelyne to new readers while giving longtime fans an intriguing mystery.
There is also a fascinating supernatural element to the confrontation. The demons seem to know considerably more about the woman than she knows about herself. Their pursuit suggests that her arrival on Earth was not simply an accident. Someone is aware of her existence, someone wants her eliminated, and the reader is left wondering exactly why.
The mystery becomes even more interesting when the woman escapes into the city.
Lost, frightened, and uncertain of her identity, she encounters another monstrous creature. This new threat is particularly frightening because it suggests that the demonic forces pursuing her are not limited to the creatures in the ambulance. Evil appears to be lurking everywhere.
Her escape leads her to a church, where she desperately seeks sanctuary.
This is one of the strongest sequences in the entire comic.
Up to this point, the story has been driven by action, danger, and suspense. Once she enters the church, however, Liefeld changes the tone. The story becomes quieter and considerably more personal.
The young woman encounters Peter, a priest who initially believes she may need medical attention. Their conversation is exceptionally effective because it reveals just how frightened and confused she really is. She cannot explain where she came from or why terrifying creatures are pursuing her.
She is also desperate for someone to believe her.
Peter provides a welcome contrast to the monsters and chaos that have dominated her evening. He offers compassion rather than hostility. He does not immediately understand her situation, but he recognizes that she is genuinely frightened and needs help.
There is an appealing humanity to these scenes. Rather than simply moving from one fight to another, Liefeld allows his heroine to experience uncertainty and fear. This gives her considerably more personality than she would have had if the story had relied entirely on her combat abilities.
Father Malloy’s arrival adds another layer to the story. His presence introduces questions about faith, religious authority, and whether the church can truly provide sanctuary from the supernatural forces pursuing her.
The interaction between the priests and the mysterious woman is particularly well handled. The dialogue moves the story forward while maintaining the uncertainty surrounding her identity.
One of the most effective aspects of this first issue is that Liefeld resists the temptation to explain everything immediately. Readers are given enough information to recognize that Avengelyne is connected to something much larger than the events unfolding in New York, but the complete picture remains deliberately hidden.
That sense of mystery makes the story compelling.
The final pages introduce another intriguing development as the action shifts to an imposing figure operating from Manhattan’s Belisle Industries. His conversation with a woman named Carlie reveals that a larger demonic operation is underway. Their discussion of the coming apocalypse makes it clear that the danger extends far beyond one woman’s survival.
The appearance of powerful supernatural figures outside the building adds an impressive sense of scale to the closing sequence. What began as a mysterious arrival in New York has developed into a potential confrontation between forces of Heaven and Hell.
Rob Liefeld deserves considerable credit for the pacing. This first issue moves quickly without sacrificing its central mystery. The opening introduces the heroine, the ambulance sequence delivers an exciting confrontation, the church scenes provide emotional depth, and the final pages expand the supernatural threat.
There is a definite sense that every scene has a purpose.
The characterization is another major strength. Avengelyne is presented as powerful but vulnerable, courageous but frightened, and determined despite knowing almost nothing about herself. This combination makes her sympathetic and gives readers an immediate reason to care about what happens to her.
The use of religious imagery is also effective. The church, the demonic creatures, the references to Heaven, and the suggestion of an approaching apocalypse all contribute to a story that feels larger than a conventional superhero adventure.
Mainé delivers attractive, detailed illustrations that capture both the supernatural horror and the superhero action. His depiction of Avengelyne is particularly appealing. She is beautifully drawn, with expressive facial features that effectively communicate her confusion, fear, and determination.
The artwork is especially successful during the ambulance confrontation. The demonic transformations are appropriately grotesque, with exaggerated mouths, glowing eyes, and frightening expressions. Mainé gives these creatures a genuinely threatening appearance.
The action sequences have a strong sense of movement. Characters strike, recoil, and crash through their surroundings with convincing energy. The destruction of the ambulance is particularly impressive, and the rain-soaked city streets provide an effective background for the supernatural violence.
Mainé also deserves praise for the quieter character moments.
His facial expressions help sell the emotional exchanges inside the church. Avengelyne’s uncertainty is visible in her eyes and body language, while Peter’s concern provides a reassuring contrast. These scenes demonstrate that Mainé is just as comfortable illustrating conversations as he is drawing monsters and action.
The illustrations are polished and highly detailed, although some of the action panels are visually crowded. There are moments when the elaborate compositions require a closer look to follow every movement. Nevertheless, the overall presentation is strong, and the artwork succeeds in bringing Liefeld’s story to life.
Doni Cahyono’s coloring is another positive element. The stormy blues and grays of New York establish an ominous atmosphere, while the glowing reds and purples of the demons make the supernatural threats stand out. The warmer lighting inside the church creates a welcome visual contrast, emphasizing the difference between the danger outside and the apparent safety within.
The colors also give the artwork considerable depth, especially during the rain sequences and the fiery supernatural imagery.
Rus Wooton’s lettering helps maintain the momentum, with bold sound effects that enhance the impact of the action.
What makes Avengelyne #1 particularly enjoyable is how successfully the creative team balances several different kinds of storytelling. There is plenty of superhero action, but the comic is equally interested in horror, mystery, and the emotional experience of its central character.
The story never forgets that Avengelyne is a person, not simply a powerful supernatural warrior.
That is ultimately the issue’s greatest strength.
Rob Liefeld has created a first chapter that works on multiple levels. New readers can enjoy the mystery of a woman discovering her extraordinary identity, while established fans have the opportunity to see a familiar character introduced through a new and dangerous situation.
The demonic conspiracy promises much larger developments, and the introduction of the forces operating behind the scenes creates genuine anticipation for the next chapter.
Avengelyne #1 is an exciting and thoroughly entertaining supernatural adventure. The story is the comic’s greatest asset, combining mystery, action, religious mythology, and strong characterization into a very satisfying opening chapter. Daniel Mainé’s appealing artwork, supported by Doni Cahyono’s atmospheric coloring, makes the experience even more enjoyable.
This is exactly what a first issue should accomplish. It introduces a compelling heroine, establishes dangerous enemies, raises intriguing questions, and delivers a cliffhanger that demands a continuation.
Avengelyne has returned, and if this opening chapter is any indication, readers are in for one hell of an adventure.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
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