Review: Hope…For the Future
The pages of 2000 AD have featured any number of wonderful stories over the years and “Hope…For the Future” is no exception. This story, originally serialized in 2000 AD during 2016 and 2017, is a gritty crime noir drama with supernatural elements that raise the stakes of the story and heighten the tension. These stories have now been collected together and presented in this comic book trade.
The story follows the life of private investigator Mallory Hope. He is hired to investigate the disappearance of a child actor named Buster Ritz. Mallory’s constant companion is a grim specter who thrives on strife and chaos while gaining strength from bloodshed that occurs around Hope. Mallory Hope is akin to John Constantine (Hellblazer) in that he is not afraid to use a little magic to aid him in his investigations, imperiling his soul in the process. In fact, the corrupting influence of magic is a constant theme throughout the story and it is credited for the ally victory in World War 2 and the resulting moral and societal decay that followed after the war’s conclusion. As Hope’s investigation progresses through the seedy underworld of 1950’s Hollywood; he uncovers child exploitation, drug abuse, sexual deviance, prostitution and a corrupt movie industry that thrives on it. This industry reels in young stars and uses them for profit before discarding them when they are no longer useful. All of this is replete with dark magic reeking of demonic influence. The emotional stakes for Mallory are further heightened by the parallels to his own son’s disappearance years previously. Though you are never certain as you read the story, Hope suspects that his son’s disappearance may be tied to this one. 
This ratchets up the tension as Hope reveals that his son is trapped in a “between” state, the prisoner of malevolent forces. Eventually, Hope finds out the fate of the missing Buster Ritz and perhaps an ally in his quest to retrieve his missing son.
Stories like this are right in my wheelhouse and writer Guy Adams and artist Jimmy Broxton don’t disappoint. The noir theme is fully realized and the absence of color in the book is perfect for the genre. The artwork is impeccable. 1950’s Los Angeles is faithfully recreated on page in all it glitzy, gritty decadence. The characters are drawn with this same realism and the incredible shading highlights this while granting a feeling of trepidation to moments of true dark magic and sorcery. Not to be outdone by the artwork, the story is equally brilliant. As it unfolds across the page, the story sucks you in and dares you to keep reading even as you dread what may happen.  In short this story is an entertaining page turner that delights as you explore the depths of depravity in this version of old Hollywood. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Writing – 5 of 5 Stars
Art – 5 of 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Writing – Guy Adams
Art – Jimmy Braxton
Letters – Simon Bowland
Author Profile
- Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.
He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.
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