Dave Stewart (1)

Origin story for the Hellboy's archenemy Rasputin.

Story takes us to the very beginnings when Nazis search for Rasputin finally comes to an end. Rasputin decides to help the Nazis and assist them in the event that will eventually end up with the Hellboy materializing on Earth as harbinger of doom. This is a prequel story that explains how did Nazis obtain the occult knowledge to summon Hellboy and how did Bruttenholm (Hellboy's mentor, teacher and father figure) find himself in all of this mess.

I especially liked the character of Sandhu, British special agent from India who came across a lot of weird and strange things while fighting for the British. But when he sends his reports nobody believes him - be it for his origins or because things he reports are just hardly believable.

Highly recommended to all fans of adventure and of course Hellboy universe.

… (mehr)

Sir Edward Grey is an occult detective - seeker of dangers to the mankind from the past best left forgotten and fighter against the witches and ominous secret societies.

This volume collects first short stories of the Witchfinder and main story-line - hunt for the ancient creature that started terrorizing the London after it was excavated in the far lands (wont go any further into details because to say anything more would spoil things for others).

Art is great, mood is properly set to be very dark and oppressive as one would expect from a story about the monster hunter.

Highly recommended to all fans of weird and strange tales.… (mehr)

Story of Hellboy's origin. Magnificent omnibus edition containing story of Hellboy's conjuring and follow up stories in which Hellboy tries to find more about himself while constantly tripping over Rasputin and his machinations.

My first contact with Hellboy was a little bit weird - art was pretty much reduced, at some points it seemed like you had to look at it from a distance to figure out what happens on the page. It was interesting approach and tone and pacing of events was excellent. But then it always seemed bit off - when it comes to art I prefer golden-age comics, for newer art I enjoy Frank Miller for example (not that far from Mignola's black&white-shadow-plays), but for Hellboy it seemed like drawings and paintings lost basic definitions and were just shapes that up close made no sense.

But I enjoyed the story a lot. So after reading omnibus vol #4 (I know, I know but it was a gift and I like to read :) ) I finally got opportunity to read omnibus vol #1. Art is beautiful, much more structured but story-telling and page flow are as always flawless.

After reading omnibus vol #1 it is visible that author was always experimenting with his drawings and coloring and it is clear that later stories show artists skill evolution (albeit little bit radical for my taste).

Excellent story, beautiful art - treat yourself and read it :)

… (mehr)

What starts (to Sir Edward's annoyance) as a minor investigation into Queen's representative demise in a small town in England ends up as a first contact with the humanity's offshoot living with creatures in the local marshes.

Story is very much like it came off the Twilight Zone script or from old horror stories inspired by Lovecraft. Was it good? I found it interesting, very eerie and with that "old" horror feel.

In terms of art this is third volume with third artist working on the comic. Art is interesting, clear lines and very expressive. It is much closer to art in volume# 1 than in volume #2.

In overall, I highly recommend it to all fans of horror and weird/strange tales and of course Hellboy universe.… (mehr)