#hb critique

[funhouse-mirror-barbie]

Having the only named fat character in your show eat a ton of food face first while other skinny characters nearby all watch on in disgust is certainly. It’s certainly a choice.

A very weird, very fatphobic choice.

[song-of-baldy-ron]

"wish Helluva Boss was still just about killing humans in the living world" BORINGGGGG

I would not have watched The Office if it was just about how they were gonna manage to sell some paper almost every episode

[blepzebul]

while discussing my reinterpretation of helluva boss’ premise with some friends, i realized how bizarre it is that so much of HH/HB’s hell has a lot more in common with the divine comedy’s purgatory than it is with hell, not just in presentation, but how sinners still indulge in sin ever after they’ve long died.

and i’ve yet to see anyone comment on it so i feel like im going mad

[dwewi66]

That's a little dramatic but i like it Besides, these problems are serious, such as reproductive violence (force to give birth if you don't want to), loneliness, and high expectations And your husband is also a disgrace to you

[toytle]

the most important thing abt being an artist is being an Enjoyer of art bc every few days i get the urge to delete my posts, but then i remember how much i hate when editors private their edits or when writers delete fics instead of orphaning them, and i come back to my senses. tortured artistry be damned, i can’t do that to my fellow art enjoyers

[ms-cartoon]

I like Verosika, but one thing I didn't like is how her entire character revolves around hating Blitzo. Every time she's shown on screen, it's her ridiculing Blitzo and expressing how much she hates him. Viv made her out to be the majority of these female characters whose main reason for existing is for us to sympathize with the male characters or in Millie's case, only existing to support the male characters.

I mean-- This girl threw a whole effing party dedicated to hating her ex!! Does that not sound like she's obsessed?? I'm not saying she has no right to hate him, and I am in no way trying to defend Blitzo, but she really needs to get over it. All I'm saying is I want her to have some character outside of Blitzo or what she had going on with him in the past.

Speaking of said party; There was a concerning amount of people that were there, all of whom are explicitly invited as people who Blitzo screwed over at one point in time (unless I'm wrong, please correct me if I am) How was Blitzo associated with all of these people!!! They're not really ALL his exes right???

And how did Verosika even know Blitzo had a certain relationship with those demons? And how does she know that Stolas wasn't on good terms with Blitzo at the moment so she gave him an invitation? Stolas and Blitzo were never even boyfriends; their relationship was solely based on exchange.

[luneemeritus]

It's tragically fascinating that antis are obssessed over the abuse and rape that Stolas never did but excuse the abuse and rape that was done to him by that nightmare of a wife

[aspartameabuser69]

Helluva Boss can totally function as a psychological horror about the mistreatment and exploitation of poor and oppressed people by people of a higher station to them. It’s supposed to be a show about imps in Hell killing people in the human world for hire.

[miyuskye]

vivziepop immediately after posting Ghostfuckers as she finally gets the chance to be petty against a random fan who just made a meme post

(yes I am talking about this post and no I do not endorse the consumption of leaked material, especially from independent artists, if she can even be regarded as such. I also have no idea if the op of the post Vivzie retweeted actually watched the leaks, because in their post they say "people who saw the leaks", instead of "us" or similar phrasing. Really, was vivzie's reply necessary?)

[darwuzhere]

*posts my Octavia redesign that I'm going to reclaim as my oc and rename her Olivia*

A few things about her

13-14 y/o

She/Her (is also cool with They/Them)

Is questioning if she's gnc or non-binary

REALLY likes capri-suns (they're very much her comfort drink)

Wants to dress gothic but can't due to their parents being very strict, so for the moment they just wear whatever makes them comfortable or looks good on them.

Makes the badges herself!

Aaaand that's very much it for now folks

[funhouse-mirror-barbie]

I’m relieved that they went with the original storyboard, but it’s a shame that the emotional impact is significantly lessened by the repeated depictions of Stella as being a completely evil individual and the not-so-subtle implication that she’s been “manipulating” Octavia from this and the last episode.

I would have felt a lot more had we got to actually see them being a happy family in any way, or even just see Stella actually feeling hurt like Octavia prior to this. That would have made the impact of this scene much stronger b/c it would be Octavia truly mourning not just her dad, but her previous life, when her family felt whole and when her home actually felt like home.

[verboselocket38]

Before any Stolas/itz stans come to me saying I am a Blitzø stan, I'm not. I dont like Blitzø but this thought has been in my head for awhile and I gotta bring it out here.

Imagine this...

A society where Imps are seen as the second lowest class next to hell hounds where not many are able to start their own buisness.

Now Blitzø wanted to start his own killing buisness where he needs to get to the human realm. Currently its successful, but its only sucessful when he sleeps with Stolas every month for his grimore which access people in hell to the human realm.

A lot of people have already talked about the power dynamics and coercive relationship the two have so this post is mainly me talking about how Stolas was the one to force Blitzø into the relationship, whether he knew or not.

1. The reason for Blitzø to live

Lets just get this out of the way, the Grimore is the reason why Blitzø needs to run his buisness. The buisness that helps pay for his daughter and him to have a roof over their head, and their employees. Money that helps them pay for food, bills, other necessities for them to LIVE. Imps are one of the lowest classes in society, we see in previous episodes they may work as butlers for the Goetia and a not treated well.

In Full Moon Blitzø was begging for Stolas for him to do better all because he missed a bit for their arrangment. Alot of people think hes pleading because he "actually loves Stolas and wants to do better" when.... No it was more of Blitzø begging to keep the one thing that kept his buissness that he worked so hard to maintain afloat - and this was before Stolas showed him the crystal. Even if thats not what the writers intended thats not how it comes off in the show.

2. "But Blitzø started the arrangement!"

No he didnt. When Stolas took Blitzø to the bedroom when he was caught trying to steal the grimore, he thought Blitzø was going to "ravish him." HE made it sexual in the first place.

Now its been 25 years since these two last saw eachother. In that time things change and these two only interacted once as KIDS. When you are a child your personality and perspective usually changes as you grow older. What I mean by this is that Stolas being a royal, in Blitzø's mind he believes that if Stolas figured out WHY he was here sneaking around his house, there is a good chance Stolas could just kill him.

And before any of you say "But Stolas would NEVER do that 🥺"

How exactly is Blitzø suppose to know???

It's been 25 years since they lady saw each other. Stuff changes. If Blitzø thought Stolas wouldn't kill him if caught, then why didn't he just ask Stolas for the book? I mean if he knew that Stolas would willingly give him the book for the business, then wouldn't this whole arrangement like- never happen in the first place???

In his mind in this situation, Blitzø was panicking. In this situation him being sexual with Stolas was his only priority in his mind to keep himself alive.... And then later he gave Stolas pity sex.

(Which let me just say since this part is what I believe defiently what wasnt going through Blitzø's mind... But if he left with the book not giving Stolas sex, I wouldn't be suprised that Stolas would feel betrayed and then track Blitzø down to take the book back. We know he can track him down in Murder Family and Truth Seekers, so I wouldn't be suprised but yeah I just wanted to point this out.)

3. "But What about Blitzø's Exes?"

People like to bring Up Blitzø's exes to point out how he somehow screwed up in his relationship with Stolas even though it is a separate issue. And something to point out is that Dennis, a character from the Queen Bee episode, was there. He wasn't an ex, he was a fling. I wouldnt be suprised that the amount of people there are just flings. As for Verosika she has every right to hate him after he maxed her credit card, but like.... girl making a party every year about hating Blitzø isnt going to let these people get over him.

In all honesty I think Blitzø having a lot of "Exes" was just meant to make Blitzø look worse than Stolas. This is just something I wanted to get out of the way.

4. If you still think that its Blitzø's fault cuz the relationship started, let me put it in perspective like this...

(This isnt suppose to be a 100% accurate comparison to Stolas and Blitzø but this is just to set an example)

There was this couple named John and Leslie. Now John has been intrested in Leslie in a romantic way and asks her to be in a relationship. She says yes and they date for awhile. Things may or may not start out ok but later down the line Leslie starts being not a good partner. By that I mean she might be emotionally manipulative towards him or making him think that anything Leslie herself doesn't like is immediately JOHN'S fault. Apparently if we go by the HH/HB fandom's logic, John would be at fault for being abused because HE was the one who started the relationship. The fact that he had feelings for her at one point automatically means that he has to be in the relationship forever now.

Now if we go to Blitzø and Stolas, Blitzø is at fault for being in sexual coercion because he tried to not get himself (In his mind) killed by Stolas when he tried taking his book. Its his fault for not loving him when what they had was a transactional agreement that was purely business. Its Blitzø's fault for not realizing Stolas was having a serious conversation with him in Full Moon, when Stolas has never treated Blitzø like an equal in the past.

Conclusion

When going through this whole rant I wanted to put this somewhere but didnt know where:

I don't condemn thievery... but I also dont condemn coercive rape.

Just because Stolas feels bad about it does not make anything any better. Even if he didn't mean to put Blitzø in this situation, whatever way you look at it, its unhealthy. Blitzø needed the book to run his buisness that he worked hard for to LIVE. Stolas was the one who decided this whole agreement. HE was the one who put these two in this predicament. And yet this show still decides to make Stolas look like a victim.

[dwewi66]

I searched the entire Internet for ideas of Stella's demonic form... I only like the naked skull of a bird, I didn't want to draw lots and lots of eyes like vivzipop, because I was already tired of seeing it in every character.

[ms-cartoon]

I. Am. So. Sick. Of. This. Fandom.

Seriously, how are these folks immediately gonna assume the op is homophobic because of this??? They already know Vaggie's a lesbian!! They know she's a girl. This is literally just an au fanart with FICTIONAL characters! Y'all act like it's the most abnormal thing for people to gender-bend characters.

[dnpanimationstudioclone]

Saw your Stolas redesign 🌔. Also saw u said you’d rewrite his dynamic with Blitz. U have a rewrite for Stolas in general?

Why yes I do! I’m still thinking on some stuff but I’ve got some general ideas! Aswell for the other gang but I can talk about the rest another time.

My Stolas🌔✨

Personality, What’s his deal with Blitz?

Mix of the Pilots original regal air and Show Stolas softer moments. I'm leaning towards more busy introverted scholar who's also nobility. Hes also MAJORLY socially akward, which can be a struggle for him, especially as an esteemed royal. Often hiding behind a mask of professionalism and sophistication, expected of a Goetia.

Hes a fairly polite and amiable enough bird man but at the same time, out of it. Basically a guy who had his head up in the clouds or in his case, the stars. Despite usually trying to stay professional to his name, opens up way more to people like Octavia and Blitz.

I imagine he tries his best to be respectful and mannerful, being an esteemed royal and all. To high and lower class ranks. I imagine while he'll make mistakes here and there, tried to be more respectful of imps, even before meeting Blitz and developing.

He feels that what he does is important(with the grimnoire and other royal duties)...just doesn't think HES important. Thus initially....he didn't consider just how much his actions could have such an impact on others…

In the end...he was just looking for someone who he could be himself around a bit, someone that was interested in him, not as a member of the Ars Goetia. With all the other Goetia and most people, he’s had to put up the big front of being the “Great Goetia Prince”, always held above massive expectations, and even with his daughter Via, felt like he had to keep up things(to be a proper role model and not wanting to get her involved in thing she didn’t have to be in)

He admires how honest and true to himself Blitz can be, not trying so hard to modify who he is around others( not realizing Blitz puts up a mask aswell at first). Also loves hearing all the stuff he knows about pirates and horses. With Blitz, he learns to more honest and assertive in his life, done with living to Ars Goetia standards which already have their own issues in many ways.

His relationship with Blitz also makes him consider his own privilege more and the power he has over people, even if not intentional. He comes to want to fix the classicism issues with the Ars Goetia and become more involved with the social issues of Hell’s system. Blitz and Via def help make him a better person. Aswell as Loona who def rips into him for his stuff.

He def shares OG Stolas’s interests like Astronomy, books, plants etc. I can imagine he’s def shown Blitz the Centaur constellation 🌌

What’s he’s like with Octavia?

Def sweet, like has those moments like you will be okay and bonds with her with Space/stars stuff and nature, she’s def a daddy’s girl and was def still hurt by what happened.

He def does his best to be considerate of Via, and keep her out of his problems. His biggest issue is being upfront, not being full honest about stuff and avoiding the subject, pretending everything’s fine which it’s NOT! In a way, the affair ended up helping him improve in ways a father. Learns to open up more about his problems and being more honest with her.

What's the situation with Blitzo and the full Moon Arrangement ?

Just to be clear, I’m not the biggest expert when it comes to sexual relation, transaction stuff. But I do know a major issue was def about the consent, power imbalance in all this. This is my take on trying to resolve that, and if there’s something I’m missing please let me know. Just wanted to make it clear I def want consent. I've talked to friends about my ideas and they say my take seems alright, let me know what u think.

For mine I'm making it a weekly meeting so there's more time for their relationship to develop

Sex is only a one of Many options Blitzo can "return the favor" for the Grimnoire. Other options can include chaperoning for Loo Loo land as bodyguards, retrieving important errand runs, helping with his gardening etc. It's a fairly flexible arrangement and Stolas made it absolutely clear sex wasn't mandatory(Blitz just finds it as both the easiest and funnest of options...at first)

For Ozzies, Blitzo decided to invite Stolas in hopes to tag along with M&M like double date, killing two birds with one stone kinda deal

What's his relationship with Stella ?

Def still complicated. It was alot like a business arrangement. Both knew they were in a tight spot, but were able to figure a way they could help the other. Stella being the more social and loving the spotlight, took care of most of Stolas social affairs(hosting events, going to events, meetings) while Stolas focused more on the paperwork(grimnoire and celestial studies)

Stella told herself she could be prepared if Stolas wanted to ask to seek others for certain pleasures he coudlnt with her. Affairs and having side relations weren’t uncommon for nobility(there were things such ans courtesans and mistresses afterall) and people have a high standing. But when he went behind her back to have relations with an Imp of all people and letting himself be publicly exposed and thus their reputation, the one she worked so hard to maintain and even hurt their daughter who was led to believe they genuinely loved each other, she was…less then pleased to say the least.

Does he regret cheating?

Stolas isn't defensive about being called out for cheating. Even if it was a normalized thing amongst nobility, he acknowledges what he did was still wrong and hurt people. What he gets angry about is when others make it about that he cheated with an IMP(Blitzo).

Stolas-I’m certainly not a better because I’m a Goetia, so how is being with someone like Blitz, lowering my standards!?

Main Changes?

Def wanted to make him more accountable, resolve some of the issues with his and Blitz’s relationship and etheir does become a thing with him or if it doesn’t work out, end on genuinely good terms

What do u guys think? How would u go about Stolas or his relationships like with Blitz or Via? I'd love to know💖

[fizzbot]

APOLOGY TOUR SPOILERS / HELLUVA BOSS CRITICAL POST

(please just dont read if youre a fan/are gonna be annoying in my tags/replies)

i LOVE verosika. i was super excited to see an episode all about her. she has EVERY right to be mad at blitz, and i do enjoy seeing things from the perspective of his victims. BUT.....i was really disappointed in her portrayal in apology tour. MOSTLY just because i was dissapointed in stolas portrayal in apology tour, and think this ep wouldve been better if it was more about BLITZ instead. rant under the cut

im not gonna give the whole rant about how annoying it is that stolas is constantly woobified, because 100 critical blogs have done it much more gracefully than i ever could. but it is just SO dissapointing to watch a man that couldve been SUCH a compelling villain be the ONLY one who is EVER sympathized with in the show. we are supposed to feel bad for him and believe that both sides are wrong in the stolitz situation, when stolas' crimes are SO MUCH WORSE than all of blitzs bad deeds combined. he co-erced blitz into a sex contract as the only means of doing his job, and then made HIM feel guilty for not falling n love with him during it. the 'both sides are in the wrong' comment gets particularly frustrating when the show has, tme and time again, only let stolas be the one with support. blitz is made to look unreasonable, no matter how right he is. and, in this instance, stolas is the one getting invited to this party to celebrate being ""wronged"" by blitz.

back to verosika. especially now that the episode is out, i am even more firmly on her side. the fact that blitz broke up with HER because things were getting too serious is interesting (albiet not as interesting as i think it couldve been but thats a rant for another post). im not saying she should forgive blitz, but i do struggle to fully agree with her because of how she treated stolas in the episode. she is the first to comfort him, the first to try and encourage him to shit-talk blitz, etc etc and i just dont understand.....why?

ive already had problems with her character since the sexual assault ""joke"" from spring broken, but this also really left a bad taste in my mouth. i totally understand her desire to party and sympathize with other people who were harmed by blitz, but its frustrating that stolas was invited to be among them. stolas, the man who is very much NOT THE VICTIM in his relationship with blitz. this is more the fault of the writers than verosika herself, but it is SO FRUSTRATING that she gave him the spotlight and is trying to help him heal from a situation that is ENTIRELY HIS FAULT. stolas didnt just hurt blitzs feelings, he sexually coerced and abused him. of all people, shouldnt verosika understand how terrible that can be? the kind of hurt that can do to a person? im not saying that this terrible relationship FORGIVES blitz's wrongdoings, but you shouldnt be giving his fucking abuser a stage and a microphone to talk shit about his victim. this becomes so much more insidious to me with the conversation she has with blitz on the balcony, later. this was actually a pretty good scene imo but it could certainly be better.

this is much more opinionated and i wouldnt be surprised if even the critical community isnt with me on this one, but i long for an alternate verson of this episode thats focused on verosika being on blitz's side, instead. its been over 5 years since they dated, and even though she is still allowed to be mad, it would be nice to see that shes moved on. maybe give her a new partner like barbie wire and let her throw these parties just so she can look back and laugh and help blitz's other victims heal in the same way that she has. not to bring up an also not-great show, but in rick and morty, we see a relationship between rick and one of his ex-partners named unity. they were really terrible for each other, enabling bad/unhealthy behaviors, generally being awful. their break-up was messy, but in recent seasons, we see unity coming back, upon hearing that rick was doing something self-destructive. they worried about him, because a part of them still cared, as much as they were hurt by his actions. i would have LOVED to see a similar thing with blitz and verosika, where verosika finds out about the relationship blitz is trapped in/just got out of. i think it would be SO MUCH MORE naratively interesting, for her to be supportive of his little apology tour, and maybe even inviting HIM to the "blitzo sucks" party. not everyone (or anyone) needs to forgive him; in fact, i think coming to this party would give him perspective. his relationship with stolas has hurt him so badly, he can finally step back and understand the harm that he did to all these people. the apologies that he gave, as he admits in the episode, were shallow. but i think framing stolas as the toxic one would be better in helping him realize that he has done wrong more than what the show is currently doing. and maybe some people at the party WILL forgive him. maybe he can apologize on the stage, and some people will empathize with his situation and believe that the apology is genuine, because hes finally had to be on the other end of his own hurt. and maybe THAT would be the first step in helping blitz realize that maybe he isnt completely unlovable, because there are people who cared about him enough to be THIS DEVASTATED upon getting their heart broken by him. a conversation with verosika about what he did to her would hit so much harder after this, imo

anyway. im sorry if this is completely incoherent/a bad point. i was just thinking about it and i am so sick of everyone being a stolas apologist </3