SOUL BEAT

A young boxer takes on the Devil.

Dante Alfonse is a 24-year-old Black professional boxer and a hero in his community, someone who never steps down from a fight or just stands by and watches injustices unfold. In fact, there is nothing passive about this hero, who sports a distinctive ’70s style with wide lapels, flares, an Afro, and sideburns. With his kindness, he could be the last hope for humankind “to redeem themselves, and destroy the darkness once and for all” as they confront the Devil himself. When Ben Smith, Dante’s 73-year-old grave keeper friend, tells him about a spiritual relic (which might be part of the Holy Grail) and relates his decadeslong beef with the Devil, Dante finds it all hard to believe, from his friend’s dark past to the glimpse of hell he claims to have witnessed. But when the Devil first comes for Ben and then targets Dante, Dante witnesses the power of the relic—and he’s ready for the fight, even when some scary new players come on the scene as well. Playing with classic tropes, the narrative introduces readers to a fearless and charismatic main character who’s impossible not to root for. The black-and-white illustrations are nostalgic, mixing Western and Eastern styles with engaging results. Readers will eagerly anticipate the next entry.

An exciting beginning to a promising new series.