The thing that makes Hellboy compelling as a hero is that he truly is a moron.
Pure brawn, very little brain. This is usually countered by the appearances of his various other friends and colleagues in the B.P.R.D. like Abe Sapien or Roger the Homonucluus, which is why it’s just damn fun to see Professor Bruttenholm taking that role in this series of stories.
So, is Hellboy’s latest good?
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1953: The Witch Tree & Rawhead and Bloody Bones (Dark Horse Comics)
English Pub Names and creepy crawlers. Love it!
Continuing with Hellboy’s 1950s adventures around England, this issue includes a creepy story about Boudicca, a Celtic queen haunting an old Roman battle ground in England, and a rather funny story about how names like ‘Rawhead’ and ‘Bloody Bones’ can have power beyond tourist attractions.
The artwork is its usual Mignola-inspired, heavy lines and creep factor that Ben Stenbeck provides, and it’s just as charming when it shows Hellboy being the aforementioned moron as it is when you see a scene with swords and blood and gore:
As someone of mostly Irish descent, this image makes me tingle in very odd places.
The second story, about a charming English pub and its odd name, and how that spells very certain trouble for its owners, is fantastic.
Yeah…Hellboy is a literal demon. This isn’t ending well.
Mike Mignola’s writing is as strong as ever, with the right blend of incredulous investigation, humor, and gross, evil, nightmare creatures.
I’m a Hellboy freak, so I’m biased, but I found this to be a great and fun read.
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