Hellsing Volume 1

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking ‘Why in the world hasn’t she read Hellsing before?! Hasn’t EVERYONE read Hellsing?’ To be honest, that’s exactly what I thought as I picked this one up. It had always been on that list of “manga to read that I don’t have time for.” Now that I had the opportunity staring at me, I’m kinda sad I’ve missed out on it for so long. On the other hand, I have a lot to plow through now that I know I really like it.

For those of you who aren’t in the know, Hellsing follows a top-secret organization established in England called, what do you know, the Hellsing Agency. The Royal Order of Protestant Knights, as they’re also called, are responsible for keeping at bay and under wraps those things that go bump in the night – ghouls, vampires, and other unusual (and often deadly) monsters. Among their employ is one particularly powerful agent – a super vampire they’ve cultivated over the years by the name of Alucard. Armed with a gun that fires 13mm explosive rounds, and accompanied by the young and freshly undead Ms. Seras Victoria, the duo work directly under Sir Hellsing herself to exterminate vampires in the name of the Queen and the Protestant church.

Like many other manga I’ve recently reviewed, this one’s cram-packed full of action, with a slight dash of unexpected comedy thrown around. As I’ve gone from review to review, one more thing has been consistent – my literature is getting gorier and gorier. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing or a good thing. While I’m usually not the blood-and-guts kind of person, and I actually abhor the horror genre when it comes to film, Hellsing just wouldn’t be the same without the levels of grotesque gore it has practically dripping from its pages. Between it and the, in my opinion, very attractive art style, I’m drawn to keep turning page after page, wondering in what horrifying way the next baddie is going to be exterminated. This isn’t a familiar feeling for me, and perhaps that’s what’s so refreshing.

Delving a little deeper into the art style, the rather lean and lanky form of the characters works in both directions equally. By that, I mean that it can either make the character look very attractive, as in the case with Alucard or Seras, or it can make them downright terrifying or intimidating, like Alucard and Father Anderson. Note that Alucard is in both descriptions – that is what catches my eye so much. There are times when I find the very same character both alluring and yet gut-wrenchingly unnerving. There’s even a point in time where this starts becoming true for Seras, and I find it wonderful. The fact that every character in the volume can be seen in two entirely different lights, constantly shifting from dark to light and back again, speaks highly of the author’s ability to create substantial characters.

While I’m generally not a huge fan of the occult or horror, Hellsing is far too interesting a set of characters and environment for me to pass up. I fear I’ve found another series which will soon cause my poor, abused bookshelves to one day cave in upon themselves. If you like vampires, action, and a healthy splash of gore (the irony is not lost on me, I assure you), Hellsing is totally for you. If you don’t like those things, I still suggest taking a look-see. After all, it got a pansy like me hooked.