The Black Tattoo — Sam Enthoven

In the context of what Jack had seen of Hell's inhabitants, the Chinj was surprisingly pretty.

Its daintily folded leathery black wings were batlike, but it was bigger than any bat Jack had ever seen. Its big dark eyes were wide and trusting, and -- with soft thumps that rapidly became a thunderous rumble, as more and more of its fellows landed on the tables around it -- it walked straight up to where Jack was sitting, looked up at him, and smiled warmly.

"Good evening," it said.

Jack Farrell never thought he would end up in Hell. Certainly not when he was still alive. And definitely not by choice. But that's exactly where he does end up -- in one of Hell's prison cells, no less, with only a giant two-headed tapeworm for conversation.

But what else can he do? Jack's best friend, Charlie, is in serious trouble. An ancient demon called the Scourge is using Charlie to bring about its evil ends -- which, unfortunately, involve the destruction of the entire universe.

Now Jack and the butt-kicking, sword-wielding Esme must contend with floating sharks, moving jelly, oversized centipedes, gladiator pits, and vomiting bats, all for the sake of saving Charlie from the Scourge. And, hopefully, saving the universe from total and utter annihilation.