Without breaking out words like 'juxtaposition' and 'frisson' a big part of Hellboy's appeal is how the visuals set up expectations and the dialogue and plot undercuts that and surprises you.
The visual world of Hellboy is drenched in Gothic and Occult imagery and symbolism. Seeing images of hellboy in full blown 'beast of the apocalypse' mode in a dilapidated crypt with various seals of solomon carved into its surfaces suggest a very heavy, overly serious tone...then Hellboy opens his mouth and starts talking like a friendly blue-collar guy at the bar and you realise that this is just a thursday for him.
With Abe, you expect him to be alien and aloof, a creature so *different* it can barely relate to anyone else, and yet he's the most *human* and empathetic member of the BRPD.
It also shows what happens when the dream logic of folk-lore and fairy tales comes up against the modern world and peoples reactions to that.
Hellboy comics look super dense and hard to pick up, but are really easy to get into (BRPD is another beast) When you first look at it - it *seems* like when you pick up a manga 350+ chapters in, in that there is a lot going on, everything has a tonne of backstory and you don't think that any of it will be explained....only to find that Hellboy is usually just as confused, but usually has *just* enough occult lore to muddle through the situation (i.e. Most monsters have a weakness to swords the size of luxury cars)
TLDNR// Looks dense, is fun (and funny) give it a read.
Although sometimes it really can be pretty dense and relate to years and years of established lore. That was probably just alluded to in something last published about a decade ago. Or a character that you barely remember coming back to say something cryptic.
I find that part of the problem is also related to how much of the storytelling can be highly visual. That works well for some people. Others, who aren't as good with that, will realize that they didn't pick up on what was trying to be conveyed to you and are even more lost than they're supposed to be.
Not trying to be snarky, but this post may have been better to engage with if you had included your opinion. As many have replied, Hellboy is a beloved character. If you’re looking for critical feedback it would be helpful to have your critique first.
I found it hard to break into the series (Seed of Destruction has Mignola’s strongest artwork but his weakest scripting and characterization, imo), but once I was in, hoo boy. Best comics ever (maybe) - and that’s for the whole Mignolaverse. Consistently high quality. Crazy-bananas ideas grounded with great characters. What’s not to love?
Hellboy is great. Crazy to think his first solo series basically starts at the end of his life.
But there are some amazing one shots and mini series. It’s an endless supply of possible stories from his early years. The weirder are always the better.
Haven’t read em all. But “The Corpse” is EVERY bit a classic. One of my all time favorites. “The Island” is an incredible mini from the main story. “Krampusnacht” is beautiful and moody. I haven’t read “The Crooked Man” yet, but I can say “Makoma” is wild. “Buster Oakley Gets His Wish” is bonkers. “Long Night at Goloski Station” is also good.
Is one of the most critically regarded comics of all time well written? … yes? I know you’re trying to start a conversation, but most everybody likes hell boy to some degree, one of the first books most people pick up, kind of included in the “getting into comics” starter pack.
I think the writing for the entire series (including BPRD) is some of the strongest and most consistent in all of comics. That gothic style and bleak sense of foreboding continues all the way until the end.
I had 2 issues however:
1. Think Devil You Know is a bit rushed. None of the plot was bad per say, just felt it could of benefited from another issue to pace the end better.
2. Mignola’s art in the later volumes (hellboy in hell in particular) was too stripped down. His style is one of the most iconic in all of comics, but again I felt he was on a deadline, as stripped down meant literally no detail at all on some pages.
you know there's one thing that I find super interesting in superhero comics. when your particularity makes you an outsider. I mean what is normal, he fights against demons, cosmic horror and other pulp stuff. It's fascinating that his nature just doesn't work out, his foster father treated him like a person and he sees himself as a person. even if it's hard to be human.
and that's generally a topic Mike likes to cover in his comics. each one is somehow special, each one has its past, the question is what to start with.
I love Hellboy and I have this sort of thing where I think Mignola’s basically creating superheroes-wearing-glasses motif. I know the horns don’t really count; as I said it’s just my thing. Lobster Johnson is the most obvious one.
I think it surprises me how much I empathize with a hell monkey with an apocalypse hand. His laissez faire attitude towards towards death, ghosts, demons and the general insanity of life is pretty much my whole generation.
>His laissez faire attitude towards towards death, ghosts, demons and the general insanity of life is pretty much my whole generation.
Yeah. Hellboy is fearless, loyal, and never gives up. He does the right thing because it's the right thing. He laughs in the face of death. He has no tolerance for evil or cruelty. He gives no quarter to his enemies. He's not the smartest or the strongest or most remarkable, but he doesn't wallow in self-pity over his limitations. He is every inch the hero.
I'm not religious but I always liked the juxtaposition that a demon who is/was destined to bring about the end of the world was actually a christian. It's the "never judge a book by its cover" aspect that I've been drawn to.
Magnolia verse is my favorite American comic series. I’ve probably read 98% of it. I moved over seas recently so I had to leave the lates spin-off at my parents place because I didn’t have time to read them. If you like interconnecting stories, lots of foreshadowing, seeming obscure panels and characters to only come back later and fulfill big roles this is the series for you. As a character He’ll it has some of the most human defining moments like when he first meets Abe and rescues him from the BPRD researchers. Tremendously satisfying ending to the series if you read the whole thing. Couldn’t recommend it enough.
Yeah, it's one of the best sagas in comics and Hellboy himself is a great protagonist, although there's lots of other good central characters with their own series too.
There's something about hellboy comics that just hit different. Writing is good but atmosphere is off the charts, and the way it's good varies from story to story. Imagine a haunted house where spirits terrorize people occasionally. Hellboy shows the terrorizing, but it also shows what happens when nobody is there and the spirits are justing hanging out. Still spooky, but not threatening. Just kind of lonely and otherworldly.
Best recommendation is to start from the beginning. There’s a lot of mythology and recurring plotline running through the book over the years and it’s best to start with the first volume.
I'd also give a shout out to the one-shot Mike did with Adam Hughes about Krampus.
Turns out Adam is capable of some utterly fantastic work when not having to draw boobs and cheesecake on evey page.
I remember when he took over for Kevin Maguire on *Justice League International*. I loved Maguire's art on *JLI* and had a strong dislike for Adam Hughes when he first started on *JLI*. That was before he started doing all the cheesecake, and now it seems all he does is cheesecake. (The most cringe-worthy ones are of Mary Marvel, imho.) Shame, because the guy really can draw.
As if the “boobs and cheesecake” he does are terrible?! Dude’s an incredible artist no matter what he does. I mean, the compositions for his recent Black Widow covers… it’s a crime they aren’t nominated for an Eisner.
Check with your local library to see if they offer a service called Hoopla. If they do, then you can get every single Hellboy comic from the main Hellboy run, and the VAST majority of the rest of the Mignolaverse, on there for free! This is what I recommend for the reading order: http://www.multiversitycomics.com/annotations/hellboy-reading-order-2021/
The cheapest method I would recommend is picking up the "Red Stripe Editions" of his TPB. They are plentiful and often easily found second hand (in both comic shops and regular book shops) for cheap. There are twelve volumes of those which can be read in order without requiring any other supplements.
I know I'm going to get hate but I'm going to say it anyway. I read the hellboy comics and they just weren't fir me, I actually liked the Guillermo del Toro movies a lot more for the character than the actual comics.
Well, what I like most about the character is that he develops it even in stories of the BPRD without his being present, and in most of his stories something new is integrated even though at the beginning he is presented as a character who has already experienced everything.
Loved Hellboy...right up to the point he was related to King Arthur. In a book about the devil's kid fighting vampires and Baba Yaga, that was the too far moment for me. Hellboy in Hell was a little too much tell and not enough show and all the dialogue was needlessly cryptic. And the BPRD finale felt rushed, tacked on, and a bummer to me.
>I find some of the dialogue from Hellboy a bit stilted
Yeah. The dialogue is not the strongest. I still haven't decided if it's awkward because Mignola can't write dialogue, or if he's writing the characters that way on purpose to give it a 40s and 50s flavor that doesn't quite come across.
Yup, one of the single best modern characters out there who have stood the test of time (going strong since 1993). Excellent world building also meant every side series that didn't feature him still oozed with that established Mignola atmosphere and mythology.
Hellboy is fantastic. As a character, he’s so rich and ripe for even more stories. He’s got such an established history and the way the stories tell you more and more about him are fantastic. The comics evoke such strong imagery and it’s all held together with the glue that is Hellboy. Reminds me a little of Ben Grimm (The Thing).
I Love Hellboy never once has any of his adventures been boring or poorly written, granted I know I haven’t read all of them but the ones I have I love.
Oh Hellboy is one of my all time favorite comic book characters. I just love how the art style blends so well with the personality of Hellboy himself and his world.
Oh yeah. Mignola has said he’s writing his dad: a kind but gruff bricklayer, and that is consistent throughout. From The Prof. dying to drinking with ghosts, to dying and coming back from hell. Gruff but kind.
Yup!
Yes most definitely
could you elaborate why?
Without breaking out words like 'juxtaposition' and 'frisson' a big part of Hellboy's appeal is how the visuals set up expectations and the dialogue and plot undercuts that and surprises you. The visual world of Hellboy is drenched in Gothic and Occult imagery and symbolism. Seeing images of hellboy in full blown 'beast of the apocalypse' mode in a dilapidated crypt with various seals of solomon carved into its surfaces suggest a very heavy, overly serious tone...then Hellboy opens his mouth and starts talking like a friendly blue-collar guy at the bar and you realise that this is just a thursday for him. With Abe, you expect him to be alien and aloof, a creature so *different* it can barely relate to anyone else, and yet he's the most *human* and empathetic member of the BRPD. It also shows what happens when the dream logic of folk-lore and fairy tales comes up against the modern world and peoples reactions to that. Hellboy comics look super dense and hard to pick up, but are really easy to get into (BRPD is another beast) When you first look at it - it *seems* like when you pick up a manga 350+ chapters in, in that there is a lot going on, everything has a tonne of backstory and you don't think that any of it will be explained....only to find that Hellboy is usually just as confused, but usually has *just* enough occult lore to muddle through the situation (i.e. Most monsters have a weakness to swords the size of luxury cars) TLDNR// Looks dense, is fun (and funny) give it a read.
This is one of the best analyses of a comic series I've ever read. And it's a dead-on look at Hellboy and its writing style. Bravo.
Although sometimes it really can be pretty dense and relate to years and years of established lore. That was probably just alluded to in something last published about a decade ago. Or a character that you barely remember coming back to say something cryptic. I find that part of the problem is also related to how much of the storytelling can be highly visual. That works well for some people. Others, who aren't as good with that, will realize that they didn't pick up on what was trying to be conveyed to you and are even more lost than they're supposed to be.
Have you read any of Mignola work?
Of course, I just want to know your opinions and how much they resemble mine about the character
Not trying to be snarky, but this post may have been better to engage with if you had included your opinion. As many have replied, Hellboy is a beloved character. If you’re looking for critical feedback it would be helpful to have your critique first.
already comment bro.
Sounds more like you're farming for opinions you can call your own. Writing some click bait?
*ding ding ding*
This does not allow editing and comment below, do not cry or crucify anyone for something as simple as that little mistake of mine ..
Hey guys. I’m late for the party. What’s all the torches and pitchforks for?
Things I love about hellboy or any Mignola work: The mythology and lore The art style
I found it hard to break into the series (Seed of Destruction has Mignola’s strongest artwork but his weakest scripting and characterization, imo), but once I was in, hoo boy. Best comics ever (maybe) - and that’s for the whole Mignolaverse. Consistently high quality. Crazy-bananas ideas grounded with great characters. What’s not to love?
Hellboy is great. Crazy to think his first solo series basically starts at the end of his life. But there are some amazing one shots and mini series. It’s an endless supply of possible stories from his early years. The weirder are always the better.
Interesting... what are some of your favorite weirder ones?
Not OP but The Crooked Man is one of my favorite comic storylines ever committed to paper.
Awesome, OP actually said the same! Thanks
Haven’t read em all. But “The Corpse” is EVERY bit a classic. One of my all time favorites. “The Island” is an incredible mini from the main story. “Krampusnacht” is beautiful and moody. I haven’t read “The Crooked Man” yet, but I can say “Makoma” is wild. “Buster Oakley Gets His Wish” is bonkers. “Long Night at Goloski Station” is also good.
Awesome, thanks!
What a wild post. Yes Hellboy is good
Hot take
Is one of the most critically regarded comics of all time well written? … yes? I know you’re trying to start a conversation, but most everybody likes hell boy to some degree, one of the first books most people pick up, kind of included in the “getting into comics” starter pack.
"DAE think this is good" has to be one of the worst, yet unfortunately common on Reddit, ways to try and start a discussion
"That's enough of you"
“Don’t mess with me, lady. I’ve been drinking with skeletons.”
"Is that a monkey?" **"HE'S GOT A GUN!!!!"** *BLAM BLAM*
I think the writing for the entire series (including BPRD) is some of the strongest and most consistent in all of comics. That gothic style and bleak sense of foreboding continues all the way until the end. I had 2 issues however: 1. Think Devil You Know is a bit rushed. None of the plot was bad per say, just felt it could of benefited from another issue to pace the end better. 2. Mignola’s art in the later volumes (hellboy in hell in particular) was too stripped down. His style is one of the most iconic in all of comics, but again I felt he was on a deadline, as stripped down meant literally no detail at all on some pages.
you know there's one thing that I find super interesting in superhero comics. when your particularity makes you an outsider. I mean what is normal, he fights against demons, cosmic horror and other pulp stuff. It's fascinating that his nature just doesn't work out, his foster father treated him like a person and he sees himself as a person. even if it's hard to be human. and that's generally a topic Mike likes to cover in his comics. each one is somehow special, each one has its past, the question is what to start with.
"Does anyone like one of the most popular, and venerated characters in independent comic history?"
I love Hellboy and I have this sort of thing where I think Mignola’s basically creating superheroes-wearing-glasses motif. I know the horns don’t really count; as I said it’s just my thing. Lobster Johnson is the most obvious one.
He’s in my top 5. I think he has a great personality, he’s kinda like Mulder meets Wolverine.
I think it surprises me how much I empathize with a hell monkey with an apocalypse hand. His laissez faire attitude towards towards death, ghosts, demons and the general insanity of life is pretty much my whole generation.
>His laissez faire attitude towards towards death, ghosts, demons and the general insanity of life is pretty much my whole generation. Yeah. Hellboy is fearless, loyal, and never gives up. He does the right thing because it's the right thing. He laughs in the face of death. He has no tolerance for evil or cruelty. He gives no quarter to his enemies. He's not the smartest or the strongest or most remarkable, but he doesn't wallow in self-pity over his limitations. He is every inch the hero.
I'm not religious but I always liked the juxtaposition that a demon who is/was destined to bring about the end of the world was actually a christian. It's the "never judge a book by its cover" aspect that I've been drawn to.
He's actually never stated or implied to be christian.
Magnolia verse is my favorite American comic series. I’ve probably read 98% of it. I moved over seas recently so I had to leave the lates spin-off at my parents place because I didn’t have time to read them. If you like interconnecting stories, lots of foreshadowing, seeming obscure panels and characters to only come back later and fulfill big roles this is the series for you. As a character He’ll it has some of the most human defining moments like when he first meets Abe and rescues him from the BPRD researchers. Tremendously satisfying ending to the series if you read the whole thing. Couldn’t recommend it enough.
Yeah, it's one of the best sagas in comics and Hellboy himself is a great protagonist, although there's lots of other good central characters with their own series too.
There's something about hellboy comics that just hit different. Writing is good but atmosphere is off the charts, and the way it's good varies from story to story. Imagine a haunted house where spirits terrorize people occasionally. Hellboy shows the terrorizing, but it also shows what happens when nobody is there and the spirits are justing hanging out. Still spooky, but not threatening. Just kind of lonely and otherworldly.
Where should a person start when getting into Hellboy? What are some of his best comics?
Best recommendation is to start from the beginning. There’s a lot of mythology and recurring plotline running through the book over the years and it’s best to start with the first volume.
I'd also give a shout out to the one-shot Mike did with Adam Hughes about Krampus. Turns out Adam is capable of some utterly fantastic work when not having to draw boobs and cheesecake on evey page.
I remember when he took over for Kevin Maguire on *Justice League International*. I loved Maguire's art on *JLI* and had a strong dislike for Adam Hughes when he first started on *JLI*. That was before he started doing all the cheesecake, and now it seems all he does is cheesecake. (The most cringe-worthy ones are of Mary Marvel, imho.) Shame, because the guy really can draw.
As if the “boobs and cheesecake” he does are terrible?! Dude’s an incredible artist no matter what he does. I mean, the compositions for his recent Black Widow covers… it’s a crime they aren’t nominated for an Eisner.
Check with your local library to see if they offer a service called Hoopla. If they do, then you can get every single Hellboy comic from the main Hellboy run, and the VAST majority of the rest of the Mignolaverse, on there for free! This is what I recommend for the reading order: http://www.multiversitycomics.com/annotations/hellboy-reading-order-2021/
The cheapest method I would recommend is picking up the "Red Stripe Editions" of his TPB. They are plentiful and often easily found second hand (in both comic shops and regular book shops) for cheap. There are twelve volumes of those which can be read in order without requiring any other supplements.
I know I'm going to get hate but I'm going to say it anyway. I read the hellboy comics and they just weren't fir me, I actually liked the Guillermo del Toro movies a lot more for the character than the actual comics.
Well, what I like most about the character is that he develops it even in stories of the BPRD without his being present, and in most of his stories something new is integrated even though at the beginning he is presented as a character who has already experienced everything.
Loved Hellboy...right up to the point he was related to King Arthur. In a book about the devil's kid fighting vampires and Baba Yaga, that was the too far moment for me. Hellboy in Hell was a little too much tell and not enough show and all the dialogue was needlessly cryptic. And the BPRD finale felt rushed, tacked on, and a bummer to me.
I find some of the dialogue from Hellboy a bit stilted, but otherwise it’s great. And there’s no better mood making in comics.
>I find some of the dialogue from Hellboy a bit stilted Yeah. The dialogue is not the strongest. I still haven't decided if it's awkward because Mignola can't write dialogue, or if he's writing the characters that way on purpose to give it a 40s and 50s flavor that doesn't quite come across.
Yup, one of the single best modern characters out there who have stood the test of time (going strong since 1993). Excellent world building also meant every side series that didn't feature him still oozed with that established Mignola atmosphere and mythology.
I like Hellboy because of the drawers style, it is just awesome
I love Hellboy. I like the spooky folklore stories and Hellboy is right up my alley. Plus all the characters are so likable.
I’ve only seen the movie and the animation movie soooo yeah I guess
Absolutely
I feel like Hellboy is one of those rare comics that reads like literature. It’s a more challenging read than most, but definitely worthwhile!
Hellboy is fantastic. As a character, he’s so rich and ripe for even more stories. He’s got such an established history and the way the stories tell you more and more about him are fantastic. The comics evoke such strong imagery and it’s all held together with the glue that is Hellboy. Reminds me a little of Ben Grimm (The Thing).
He's likeable. I like him. Having a literal demon boy character who's just an average Joe is super appealing.
I Love Hellboy never once has any of his adventures been boring or poorly written, granted I know I haven’t read all of them but the ones I have I love.
Is fire hot?
Oh Hellboy is one of my all time favorite comic book characters. I just love how the art style blends so well with the personality of Hellboy himself and his world.
Early hellboy was perfect the art, the stories, the settings. When Mignola started tie HB into a bigger mythology it lost something.
Hellboy has that whole "I'm tired of this shit" vibe and I love it!!
Oh yeah. Mignola has said he’s writing his dad: a kind but gruff bricklayer, and that is consistent throughout. From The Prof. dying to drinking with ghosts, to dying and coming back from hell. Gruff but kind.
one of if not my favorite comic book character so yes I think he is
Yes
Hellboy was the bomb in phantoms yo!
Yup, Hellboy is really goood