Hades-Syndrom by Michael Feldmann is an independent comic series published in magazine format by THENEXTART-Verlag.
Each issue contains between 24 and 36 pages. So far, 6 issues and a prequel have been released.
Artistically, it is somewhat mixed, but for those who draw comics themselves, it might be very interesting, as you can clearly follow the artistic development in the 5 comics I have read. I wasn't very impressed by issues 1 and 2 artistically: I am somewhat used to Marvel standards with these magazines ;-) but while I was engrossed in reading the issues, I eventually noticed that the artist really improved.
Additionally, I noticed that the story loses color from issue to issue. Issue 1 is still quite colorful with thick felt-tip outlines, issue 2 already looks more like pencil drawings, but still quite colorful, issue 3 was processed in a rather "sepia-like" manner with red, gray, and yellow dominating the pages, issue 4 is almost entirely gray with slight color nuances, and in my last issue, there are almost only pencil drawings on gray, and if there is color, it is almost only red. I could still discover some blue, green, and yellow on a few pages. Whether this style with the reduction of color from issue to issue was intentional, I cannot judge. I suspect much more that it became too much work for the artist to color everything. Nevertheless, I like issues 4 and 5 the best. In these issues, he also left many of his finely drawn guidelines intact and probably erased very little, allowing one to "study" Michael Feldmann's work well.
Now finally to the plot:
First of all: In every issue (except No. 4), there is sex. The depiction is rather pornographic. Additionally, the story is filled with depictions of violence (it reminds me a bit of Lobo): People have their arms blown off, or their heads are shot off halfway or completely (drawn with attention to detail). Readers must enjoy sex and violence in this comic.
The story takes place in Germany in the year 2038 after World War III. Germany has been divided again into 2 zones. A wall separates the prosperous society from the third world. Two outlaws try to get to the prosperous side, leaving behind rubble and ashes after their plan to cross unnoticed failed due to intrigues. The two outlaws are Dodo and Nuke. Dodo was once the guitarist of a heavy metal band, her lyrics were monitored by border control. She seems to have overcome her drug addiction. Not much is known about Nuke, except that he was a soldier – the rest is kept secret by the government.
The world in which the two live can be well imagined as a vision of the future: The poor are excluded from society and must try to deal drugs and fight with weapons to survive. It is difficult to get into the prosperous zone. You need a spotless white vest that no one from the other side has. If you still want to get in somehow, you will be pursued and eliminated by the army.
However, life in the prosperous zone is not any better. There is no freedom of opinion: If you say something against the state, people from the "Ministry of Truth" come and beat the truth into your body, as antisocial behavior is not tolerated. Thus, it is also clear that the media do not adhere to the truth but twist everything as the government needs.
Even though the plot is nothing extraordinary today, it captivated me and contains some exciting twists.
