How Zeke Got Religion

During World War II, a lone bomber is sent to take out a church where Nazis are performing an occult ritual.

This is a nice mix of Hellboy story and the B-17 story from Heavy Metal. I don't know that I would have made such an incredibly strong callback to Heavy Metal, but it turns out to be different.

The primary difference is the monster. Whereas B-17 featured zombies, this one is a lot more in line with Mike Mignola's Hellboy comics set during World War II. You've got occult Nazis, evil Lovecraftian things summoned from hell, and a plucky group of good guys.

The art is good. The animation is pretty jerky, and it seems to have a low frame rate. The art draws more parallels back to B-17, though, which does make me wish the story stood on its own two feet a bit more.

However, the characters have names, which I don't think B-17 even really bothered with. There's also quick characterization and a bit of plot. Zeke, the title character, is an atheist, so we get to see how he deals with fighting a demon.

The design of the demon is pretty cool. Some of it is pretty horrifying. Lots of extra arms and mouths, certainly more Lovecraftian than the final episode. There's quite a bit of gore once the demon appears. The action sequences and kills are fairly creative for such cramped quarters, though the frame rate is a bit distracting.

I think it distinguishes itself from B-17 while also homaging one of the more memorable animated horror shorts. If you're a fan of that, you'll probably like this, too, though you may wish it were a bit more original.

Netflix's "Love, Death and Robots" returns for a fourth season. Overall, I've enjoyed the first three runs and have written individual reviews for each episode. I think I'll continue that approach with this set too.

In World War 2, the crew of a bomber are tasked with an unusual job, to destroy a French church at a precise time. Though some a reluctant, due to their religious convictions, Zeke (Keston John) has no issues with "Just another job". Inside the church though, Nazi's are undertaking an occult sacrificial practice, that brings about the arrival of a fallen Angel. The bombing raid is successful in destroying the church, but the Angel survives, and attacks back.

I really liked the animation of this one. It's akin to the line drawn 80's style of Japanese studios, though it is, in fact, made by US company Titmouse. It's definitely the right choice, particularly when it comes to the depiction of the angel, a multilimbed, mask faced nightmare that wouldn't have worked as well with photorealistic CGI.

The story was pretty good too, nothing too complicated or clever admittedly, but a tight plot and a logical resolution. One of the rare ones that left me wanting a bit more.

This is the only good episode of the season, I think. CEL shaded animation, but has the look and feel of a Mike Mignola Hellboy comic, especially due to the lighting - everything being shades of red, most of the time.

The story is simple - a lone US Air Force bomber is sent on a special mission to bomb a church in France, where occult nazis are performing a blasphemous ceremony. The characters are simple and most of them are just monster fodder, but it works well, with the focus being on two - Zeke the devil-may-care atheist who fears nothing, and grizzled veteran Pat, as well as Preacher the religious young irishman. Soon they find out that what has been summoned in the church is "one of the Fallen", a fallen Angel, and I absolutely love the horrifying, indescribable look of the monster - yes, it has wings, and a golden Cherub mask, but it has no distinct shape, has way too many arms, that seem to reach out from anywhere and stretch to insane lengths, and when shot, instead of bleeding grows screaming mouths that scream so loud it makes people's nose bleed.

Most of the action is set on the plane, which is portrayed accurately to the era, with spotters and gunners, and the cramped environment against a monster that can almost fill the hull is claustrophobic. The weakness of the creature is fitting, and while it takes a while for them to take advantage of it, I quite liked how it was finally brought down. Overall, a very gory but nice action flick with some great lovecraftian imagery.

While I wouldn't say this short had much to offer in terms of interesting/engaging narrative like a lot of LDR shorts, it makes up for it with an incredibly cool monster design and great animation.

Firstly, the demon was definitely the best part of this episode. Its design was so unique and very creepy, seeming to take inspiration from eastern horror. You could tell the creators of this short put a lot of work into creating this thing like the design and its wild powers.

Second, I'm a big fan of this style of animation. It looked great and the gory parts were definitely visceral and quite vivid. I thought the backstory and context was engaging as well, with a lot of mysterious elements that left me wanting more lore from this universe.

No spoilers

Fantastic, over the top, gory, classic LDR episode that tickles an ADHD brain. Pulls you in one hundred different directions and not for those with a weak stomach. Not the first episode I would recommend to an LDR newbie but still wildly drastic and imaginative. Animation artistry on point as always, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and would recommend to those that have already experienced the mind-eff that is season one and two.

My only complaint it that it's a complete steal of mid-war Howl from Howl's Moving Castle and No-Face from Spirited Away. I know most episodes are a nod to another smash hit, just my personal taste that wishes there was a moment of gratitude to Ghibli.