When I finished reading the main storyline of Hellboy in Hellboy Goes to Hell, I was emotionally spent, intellectually stimulated, and 100% satisfied. “All good things” as they say, and this was a great thing that ended in the best way. You walk away from a reading experience like that as if you’re saying goodbye to a friend.
Alas, I didn’t have to say goodbye for long. I’m not nearly as well versed in the expanded B.P.R.D. universe (which I hope to one day rectify), but I’ve been reading these one-shots and bits of the series, these little morsels of the boy from Hell. Do I selfishly wish that these short nibblets which could easily be expanded into a three-issue story arc have that done to them? Why yes, yes, I do. But I can imagine this is just a way for Mignola to exercise his muscles and keep the name of Hellboy somewhere in the current comic book spectrum, as it’s a tremendous property. And maybe he simply loves his own creation as much as I love his creation and returns to it like I’d call an old friend.
Regardless of my desires and my guesses as to the why’s, I truly enjoy these short escapades, almost like case files from his years with the B.P.R.D.
In this comic, two haunted house thrill seekers get more than they bargained for when they visit a mansion on a hill. Hellboy and Agent Raskin, who looks like she’s straight out of an old The Rocketeer comic book, get some background and head into the spooky mansion. It’s great fun, like an old E.C. Comics book wrapped around a procedural, but with Hellboy getting fed up and throwing some punches here and there. What always brings these tales of mystery to life are the team that Mignola pulls in to either co-write, illustrate, or color. Here, he has the insanely talented Adam Hughes illustrating and coloring, and it’s simply a beautiful comic to look at.
These little jaunts are great for new readers to Hellboy and nice returns for the fans.
Creative Team: Mike Mignola (story), Adam hughes (art), Clem Robbins (letters), Katii O’Brien (editor), Jenny Blenk (assistant editor), Patrick Sarrerfield (designer), Ann Gray (digital art technician)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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