Saturday, February 9, 2013

Hellboy in Hell #3

Hokie smokes, they just don't make comics like this any more. (Actually, I don't think they ever made comics like this.)

Mike Mignola has returned to the art and writing of Hellboy just in time for that character to return to his hometown (thus the title, Hellboy in Hell).

He has managed to create an entirely new version of Hell - one loaded with plotting relatives, strange menaces, battles to the death and some unsettling revelations.

It's all dark, alien and compelling.

Mignola always manages to add a slice of humor, too, and that makes it that much more fun.

We're learning some long-held secrets behind Hellboy's true origin, getting some glimmers about the makeup of the afterlife, and watching a fascinating story coming to life.

It's also wonderful to have Mignola doing the art again. His style is actually a bit different here - it's more nightmarish, less detailed, but just as powerful as ever (if not more so).

It would be tough to start reading the series with this tale, but for any fan of Hellboy, this is a story not to be missed.

Grade: A

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Huzzah! Concur...

El Vox said...

I've yet to pick up this series of Hellboy, but have several of the others along with BPRD. I enjoy the pulpy feel to them and Kirbyesque inspired artwork.

I wondered if you'd picked up that short series on Dark Horse, The Creep. I thought it was pretty good. The first part of it was serialized in DHP, but a four part series also followed. I enjoyed it, sort of noir and pulp.

Another good one that I ran across on Dark Horse was The Black Beetle. I love that pulp inspired stuff.

Also wondered if you'd picked up Green Arrow #17? It's a new relaunch for the character. I've heard good things about the book, but have yet to get it either.

The Secret Service may not be your bag, but actually I find the farce and underlying humor to be pretty well done. Sort of a 007 take off in someways at first. You can't be Dave Gibbons art either.

Thanks for pointing out Byrne's The High Way. I'm not a huge fan of his art, but I enjoy a SF romp, and wonder where he'll take it.

Chuck said...

El Vox, I haven't picked up The Creep or Black Beetle, but several friends have told me they enjoyed them - I should try to track them down.

I didn't pick up Green Arrow either, but I didn't realize Dave Gibbons was doing the art - I'll track it down too.

Thanks for the recommendations!

El Vox said...

Correction, I may have been unclear: Gibbons isn't doing the artwork for Green Arrow, but for The Secret Service limited series: http://marvel.com/comic_books/issue/42701/secret_service_2012_1

Chuck said...

Ah, I misunderstood. Thanks!