Hazbin Hotel and the Idea of Old Media Gone New

The early 2010s are back.

Remember way back then, when webcomics that went beyond stickfigurs (Sorry, Cyanide and Happiness, I love you!) often had lanky characters with mysterious pasts and a dark flare?

Some of them also had violence. Lots of it. And innuendo.  And an old timey character.

It's sorta back! But it's ANIMATED now!

This, is "Hazbin Hotel"; And despite being animated, it's clearly not for the youth.

Follow Charlie, the princess of Hell, as she pursues her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in her kingdom. After a yearly extermination imposed by angels, She opens a hotel in hopes that patients will be "checking out" into Heaven. While most of Hell mocks her goal, her devoted partner Vaggie, and their first test subject, adult film-star Angel Dust, stick by her side. When a powerful entity known as the "Radio Demon" reaches out to Charlie to assist in her endeavors, her crazy dream is given a chance to become a reality.

I remember reading about this ages ago and seeing a tiny clip from at least a year ago that did make it into this pilot. It's clearly made by a small team, which makes it all the more impressive. There is a charm and uniqueness to it (I'm heavily reminded of "Hanna Is Not A Boy's Name").


Here's me spitballing -

This is heavily reminicent of Hot Topic of 2010-2011.

There are all sorts of programs that kind of came the fuck outta nowhere (I still don't know what "Hello, Neighbor" is) and made a huge impact on that kind of demographic. There's merch in the shops -

I'm no marketing or web media guru - Imagine a Hot Topic video presence on Youtube, where things like this could be showcased on the channel. Shorts, clips, and of course, a link to their terrible website and shoddy infrastrucutre where you can buy merchandise.

Yes, that does put them more into the natural web-fandom ecosystem, but they could probably make some money from a YT channel and give smaller creators with their dark flare a chance to make it.

(Have they stopped taking online fanart and printing clothing with it on there with no cut to the artists? I hope so)

"Hazbin" already has merchandise too!