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Review: Hellboy in Hell #7

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HELLBOY IN HELL issue 7 cover“How much worse can it get?”

Now I have been a big fan of Mike Mignola since the days he was doing covers for Batman in the late 1980’s, (most notably Batman: Death in the Family are extremely iconic) and I’ve seen a lot in comics but this was definitely something new.

Hellboy has always been a very cool character to me. He represents the superhero and supernatural in one kick ass package. I’ve enjoyed his adventures with the BPRD and read many of his stories. So when I heard about a series that was all about Hellboy in Hell, I was like brother sign me up! The concept of Hell is nothing new to comics. Spawn (By Image Comics) is all about an avenger from Hell, that tries to redeem himself for his family. Even Apokolips in DC Comics is supposed to be the embodiment of Hell that the Justice League battles, and Mephisto in Marvel Comics is self explanatory. With that being said, this was not what I expected.

The title character Hellboy has died and is guess where? Well yes and no, because the underworld in this case looks dangerously a lot like Old Victorian England. In fact it is England. Only it looks like it hasn’t been exposed to Technicolor yet. Red (As Hellboy is referred to often) is wasting away from a disease ravaging his already dead body. (what?) Not a lot goes on, other than two “doctors” befriend him and help navigate him through his ailment. Red is trying to figure out why he is even having this issue? (You and me both dude) They go into a very lengthy explanation about the Tree of Life and how him dying has left it weak. However he can restore it. Lots of symbolism was presented that isn’t lost on me but it just didn’t grab or interest me at all. Lots and lots of talk and really nothing else.

There was one point where Red drank an elixir that gave him back his old fiery complexion but left him still very gaunt and not imposing at all. He even struck a match and lit his trademark cigar, and that was..it. I mean nothing happened. There is a cliffhanger at the end but with the whole book pacing and uninteresting story, it did nothing for me.

Overall: Wow. I expected so much more from a creator that I truly like. I enjoy the character of Hellboy a lot but this wasn’t the outing. I hope they restore him to the land of the living with the rest of the BPRD soon because reading this book was torturous. Strike a match, clear the air and onto the next one please. Maybe Red, will get his Samaritan back or a surprise visit from Abe Sapien but I don’t know if I’ll be back. My apologies to you Mr. Mignola but this was just missing for me. At least I have your classics.

Story: Mike Mignola Art: Mike Mignola
Story: 3 Art: 7 Overall: 4 Recommendation: Pass

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Hellboy in Hell #7

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In August and September, Dark Horse Comics will publish a two part Hellboy in Hell story, “The Hounds of Pluto.” It kicks off with a glimpse of England—which loyal readers will remember was the scene of Hellboy‘s death, before it was wiped off the face of the Earth. This is one of the most beautifully drawn and colored sequences Mike Mignola and Dave Stewart have ever done. Now Hellboy, dead and in Hell, falls ill, and seems to be dying. Again. In order to be saved, he makes a deal with a guy on trial for charges he’d rather not discuss. The guy will help, as long as Hellboy agrees to deal with another problem—the strange creature on the cover of Hellboy in Hell #8, inspired by a plastic Halloween decoration of a cat skeleton that Mike found, and decided he had to have.

HELLBOY IN HELL issue 7 cover

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Hellboy In Hell #2 Sells Out!

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Following the same pattern as the series’ debut, Diamond Comics and retailers around the country are now sold out of the second issue of Hellboy in Hell.

In response, Dark Horse is reprinting the second issue. The reprint is available for reorder now, with an on-sale date of February 6, the same week Hellboy in Hell #3 goes on sale.

After saving the world in The Storm and The Fury, but sacrificing himself and Great Britain, Hellboy is dead, cast into Hell, where he finds many familiar faces, and a throne that awaits him. After several years away, Mike Mignola returns to both write and draw Hellboy’s ongoing story. It’s a tale only Mignola could tell, as more of Hellboy’s secrets are at last revealed, in the most bizarre depiction of Hell you’ve ever seen.

hellboy in hell #2

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Review – Hellboy in Hell #1 and #2

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Hellboy in Hell #2I’ve been a relative newcomer when it comes to the world of Hellboy. I’ve been reading the B.P.R.D. mini-series and saw the movies. I’ve read one or two of the early trades, so when it comes to the whole Hellboy actually in Hell part, that’s news to me. I know it happened, but didn’t read the story… so with that being the case I read the first two issues of this series wondering where it was going to go. So, to sum it all up for folks, Hellboy sacrificed himself while protecting the world and has wound up in Hell (couldn’t figure that last part out from the title, could you?).

I figured the first two issues and the series as a whole would be a battle against demons as Hellboy attempts to make his way back to the living. But, it’s not that. Not even close. Think more “this is your life” as Hellboy is guided through the afterlife. Hellboy in Hell is a mix of a couple of things, A Christmas Carol mixed with references to Shakespeare, the story is slow, very slow and interesting because of that.

It’s interesting to me, because the plot defies what I expected. I really thought it’d be a lot of fight scenes and action, a lot of what you’d see in B.P.R.D. or a previous comic with Hellboy. There’d be some investigation, then some fights with cute quips. But, that’s not at all. This is a slow comic. A lot of talking and a lot of reflection.

That becomes evident in the second issue where we get Hellboy’s origin and again he’s presented with his supposed destiny, to rule Hell and conquer Earth. Written and art by Mike Mignola, the story is pretty decent so far. It should be interesting to see where it goes. What really stands out to me is the colors by Dave Stewart, the pallet really stands out to me, in a good way. The art is the style you’d expect from Mignola, but that art is enhanced by Stewart’s color choice. As a whole color choice is something that stands out in all of the Hellboy related comics.

Two issues in and I’m invested in Hellboy’s world enough to want to find out where this all goes. I’m not quite sure there’s enough there though to drag in new fans who haven’t followed the character. So, good for long time fans to read, but new folks might want to start elsewhere (and you should absolutely check out the numerous Hellboy trades).

Story and Art: Mike Mignola Colors: Dave Stewart

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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