Comics
Review: Mignola Returns With ‘Hellboy In Hell’ #1
“B.P.R.D.” has been on a tear as of late with their cataclysmic event “Hell on Earth”, but there has been a little something missing at Dark Horse over the past year. Aside from the odd flashback, the big red wanna-be human hellspawn is no-where to be seen. Well, any fan of “Hellboy” knows this is because his ass is dead. After a long hiatus from the comic realm, “Hellboy In Hell” graces comic book stores everywhere this week. Mike Mignola steps up from his role as orchestrator and takes center stage for what will undoubtedly be a face-melter of a series.
WRITTEN: Mike Mignola
ART: Mike Mignola
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE DATE: December 5th, 2012
I was never into “Hellboy”, or “B.P.R.D.” for that matter, until recently. I thought the movies were well done but still never went back to the source. Once I began writing reviews for BD, I was instantly mesmerized by the B.P.R.D. realm and have been guzzling books down ever since. What I really wanted though, was some new Hellboy, I read the old stuff and loved it, so first and foremost I must say how absolutely pleased I that Mignola is writing and drawing this beast again.
The issue picks up where the “Hellboy” storyline came to a tear-jerking halt, after a massive battle with a dragon he has his heart torn out by the wyrms ghostly spirit. From here the story unfolds to unknown territory as Hellboy is introduced to his new surroundings. Mike Mignola surely hasn’t lost his storytelling magic. The book flows so perfectly from panel to panel, which is a single example of his imagination and abilities as an artist. The dialogue isn’t overbearing, Hellboy’s hilarious wit and sarcasm are also elements I’ve sorely missed in the pages of “B.P.R.D.”, and there’s no lack of either in issue #1.
There are many layers to this story as the issue touches on Hellboy’s future, which I am hoping will tie into the events taking place within “B.P.R.D.”. Mignola is a huge mythology fan, and it comes out in his representation of hell. The pace of the book is anything but slow, Hellboy is thrown into combat as an enemy from his past seeks to equalize their relationship. Without having prior knowledge of the series there are references that may go over one’s head, but they aren’t vital to the book which makes this arc a solid start for any first timers who want to dabble in Hellboy’s world.
Mignola art style is mimicked often, but nobody is able to contrast the shadows and light quite like him. Mignola has an incredible amount of skill to be able to put so much detail into such a sketchy artistic style. Hellboy himself looks like he never died, the best representation of this metaphorically immortal hero. It’s nice to have him back on the interior of a book.
Whether this is your first time or you’re a diehard fan, “Hellboy In Hell” is the kicker to a very big chapter in not only Hellboy’s world.
4.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBasterd
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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