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Chance in Hell by Gilbert Hernandez β€” book cover

Chance in Hell

by Gilbert Hernandez
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Overview

A three-act story following the life of a young girl adopted out of a hellish slum by a decent man. She eventually marries a kind, well-to-do man, but finds that she can't escape the darkness and violence she left behind.

Gilbert Hernandez's first original graphic novel from Fantagraphics follows on the heels of his acclaimed graphic novel, Sloth, from DC's Vertigo Comics in 2006. Chance in Hell
tells the story about a little orphan girl who lives in the slum of slums. Nobody knows who she is or where she's from, but her fellow shantytown inhabitants collectively look over her. The three-act story follows our heroine as she is adopted by a decent man who raises her well, and she eventually marries a kind, well-to-do man, only to discover that she can't relate to the good life and the comforts it provides. This is the first in a series of standalone stories depicting the fictional filmography of Gilbert's Love and Rockets character, the B-movie actress Fritz. Hernandez wowed critics in 2003 with his epic work, Palomar,
collecting more than 20 years of groundbreaking comics called "the most substantive single work that the comics medium has yet produced," by Booklist. Chance in Hell further establishes Hernandez as one of the great cartoonists of our age.

Synopsis

A three-act story following the life of a young girl adopted out of a hellish slum by a decent man. She eventually marries a kind, well-to-do man, but finds that she can't escape the darkness and violence she left behind.

About the Author, Gilbert Hernandez

Gilbert Hernandez lives in Las Vegas, NV. He is co-creator of the long-running, award-winning, and critically-acclaimed series Love and Rockets. His books include Chance in Hell, The Troublemakers, Luba, Palomar, Speak of the Devil, Sloth, The High Soft Lisp, Love from the Shadows, Girl Crazy, Yeah! and many books in the Love and Rockets series.

Reviews

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Editorials

The Onion A.V. Club

β€œAfter nearly three decades in the business, Hernandez is primarily a 'pure cartoonist,' working straight from his id, and Chance in Hell is best read as an inspired ramble through his fevered psyche. Hernandez began his career as a flippant punk, but this book is his most sustained howl of fear and rage. (Grade: A)”

Adi Tantimedh

β€œGilbert Hernandez remains the most consistently surprising and shocking storyteller in comics and this 'exploitation movie' featuring one of his characters in a supporting 'role' is a tale of survival, coming of age and emotional damage that’s as spooky and dark as any movie by David Lynch.”

Junot Diaz

β€œA terrifying graphic novel. Couldn't put it down, so disturbing and merciless.”

Chris Beckett

β€œChance in Hell is a visually stunning book that challenges its readers with a story that does not fit neatly into any genre. A book that forces readers to think and ask questions, this is a disturbingly tragic story that is still able to engage its readers. It is a book that dares to walk over the edge of what is expected, and with an able guide such as Gilbert Hernandez, one can be sure of landing softly as the ground swiftly approaches.”

Sandy Bilus - I Love Rob Liefeld

β€œIt is bravura comic book work. But be prepared for a visceral, stomach-turning assaultβ€” I really didn't understand what I was getting into and got caught completely off-guard. Mind = reeling... [Hernandez] is still swinging for the fences and hitting grand slams, several decades into his career. Astonishing.”

Book Details

Published
September 1, 2007
Publisher
Fantagraphics Books
Pages
120
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781560978336

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