The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #3 (of 5)

   While the big companies fret over their latest event series, over at Dark Horse in the Mignolaverse, the focus is on crafting quality.

   One of that group's gems is the dark and delightful comic called The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed.

   With just a hint of a retcon, we're introduced to a mysterious... creature. Is he alien? Demon? Monster? Threat or Menace? No idea. (Which is part of the fun, of course.)

   But he's there to witness the arrival on Earth of a potentially Armageddon-level figure: Hellboy.

   Tasked with destroying the creature, the Visitor is instead moved to stay his hand and monitor Hellboy's progress instead - which leads him into all kinds of strange territory.

   And as this issue shows, sometimes that doesn't include Hellboy at all, as the Visitor explores a strange new cult that may follow a path that threatens all of humanity.

   With terrific, organic art by Paul Grist, and a sharp, original story by Mike Mignola and Chris Robertson, this series is a real treat - which is no surprise to those of us who hang out in the Mignolaverse a lot.

Grade: A

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