Review by Frank Plowright

With this combination of two translated volumes Arthur de Pins brings the always inventive Zombillenium to a close with a two part comedy chiller.

Gretchen has been the series focus from the beginning, first as the likeably cynical intern at the horror theme park staffed by genuine horrors, and with her parentage revealed, now as the subversive threat. Just how she came to be a devil’s daughter is detailed over the opening few pages, but the business at hand is quelling a staff riot at Zombillenium.

There are no recaps, and as it’s been a while since Royal Witchcraft some re-reading might be necessary to refresh yourself about what’s become a large cast. The riot is due to the staff being set a quota of souls to gather for down below, and following that there’s an equally imaginative contest among witches that switches from broomsticks to roller derby among other contests. Both stories are set against the backdrop of Gretchen’s attempts to do right by some of Hell’s more reasonable denizens while also protecting humanity.

In reality both stories are there to entertain, thrill and showcase de Pins’ astonishingly expressive digital realism. A background conceit is to have events livestreamed as if reality TV, and the way de Pins masters movement makes a spectacular swordfight between two vampires on a roller coaster seem entirely natural despite the creative imagination. However, that’s raised by his talent for emotional drama, making us care for Gretchen and having her expressions reflect the pain and trauma she’s experiencing. He’s also surprisingly effective at doing the same for Zombillenium’s more unconventional denizens, but not above some great visual jokes. Watch out for a stomach turner involving a demon and a TV commentator, and let your eyes linger on the endpaper illustrations of Zombillenium at night as seen from a distance. Such a clever idea.

The Grand Sabbath Derby is a complicated affair requiring a double page diagram to introduce the finer rules, as the witches combat each other for the opportunity to harvest human souls, each sponsored by a demon with their eye on running Zombillenium. It’s Gretchen’s final chance to free her mother and a few others, and is set up to ensure she again has to fight former friend Charlotte. De Pins plays that out beautifully.

Finishing a much loved series is always bittersweet, but just think what de Pins might produce next.