Hellboy: The Wild Hunt ~Mike Mignola, Duncan Fegredo
–published 2010
–Dark Horse Comics
–192 pages
–4.75/5 stars
For more than a decade Mike Mignola has been crafting a solid mythology that rivals any of the ‘true’ folk tales and myths that he mines for his tales of the Big Red Guy, with his infamous Right Hand of Doom. For many, the only exposure you have had to Hellboy is through the cinematic eyes of Guillermo del Toro. And that is a real shame. Please don’t misunderstand. There is no other director I would rather have at the helm of one of my favorite characters, and I think he has done a masterful job with the series thus far. But as fun as both films are, they barely scratch the surface of the deep, rich mythos contained in the many volumes of Mike Mignola’s comic book series.
Hellboy’s stories have taken a back seat over the last several years as the excellent spin-off series, B.P.R.D., has seen more of the limelight. Yet Mignola knows his fan base and every so often he has come back to his most famous creation, giving us a story or two to tide us over. In this, the ninth graphic novel of the Hellboy series, Mignola comes back with a story telling vengeance that makes this one of the strongest story arcs to date.
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt collects the 8 issues of this story arc into a nice, solidly presented graphic novel. In addition to the issues there is a nice introduction by Mark Chadbourn and small sketchbook with notes from the artists.
Mignola long ago gave up primary art chores on his stories, instead choosing to focus on the writing and scripting while allowing a small group of artists to lovingly handle his creations in both B.P.R.D. and Hellboy. Mignola continues to do all the cover art, so fanboys and girls can still get a taste of the master in each issue. Duncan Fegredo, the man pulling primary pencilling duties on Hellboy: The Wild Hunt is an admirable replacement. Very, very admirable! His work has the look, and more importantly, the feel, of Mike Mignola’s work. At no time was I wishing that Mike Mignola was back at the helm (although that would not disappoint me!), because Fegredo captured my attention with each and every panel.
For those who don’t know, Hellboy is the personification of humanity’s destruction, but his love for and identification with humanity led him to want what each and every one of us wants: control over his own destiny. And so he made a choice. And he has been paying for that choice steadily over many, many years. In this latest adventure, Hellboy is asked to join in a long standing tradition, the wild hunt. Per usual, things are not what they seem and Hellboy finds himself in a centuries old power struggle that threatens to push him back on a path he would rather not follow.
Good fantasy/folklore/mythology is an ideal platform with which to examine the world around us as well as the many and varied aspects of being human. As Chadbourn says in his introduction, “And this is something that Mike Mignola understands about mythology and folk tales–they’re living and breathing stories that change over time to reflect the secret hopes and fears of the people.” In the case of
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt, Mignola digs into England’s mythology, that of the tales of King Arthur, among other things, to build his story around.
There are any number of things, combined together, that make Hellboy a stand out not just among graphic novels, but in genre fiction as a whole. The skillful weaving of history, folklore, and mythology is certainly one of these ingredients, as is the unique artistic style that Mignola (and now his prodigies) brings to the story–art that actually speaks volumes in its shadows and use of color. But it is the entertaining characters that populate Mignola’s universe that keeps me and so many others coming back. Hellboy is John Wayne done monster style, with a wry wit and a lust for life–the life he chooses–that makes him so much fun to read. The various other characters who populate Hellboy: The Wild Hunt, even the minor ones, generate interest and keep the story moving forward.
If you have not had the pleasure of reading Hellboy, I strongly suggest that you track down the volumes in order. Each graphic novel has a definite arc and it is possible to pick any one up and get the gist of the story, but the way that they continually build on one another makes reading them in order so much more satisfying. Hellboy: The Wild Hunt was well worth the wait, so while I wish that the next story arc was already available, I can wait patiently, knowing that whatever Mignola has up his sleeve, it is sure to be exciting.
Okay, that’s a lie–I want more now!!! But I will endeavor to wait patiently, and I guess that has to count for something.
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This is my first read of the year for the Graphic Novels Challenge 2010.
First off, I’m going to completely disagree with Carl’s low rating of the latest installment of Hellboy’s graphic life. Let me just assure you it’s a 5/5.
I kid because I love Mignola’s Hellboy character as much as Carl does. Mignola’s story’s sing with pauses, rhythms, and raw emotion. John Wayne is a great comparison. I will add that I always see Hellboy as an everyman just trying to fit in with group while also ultmiately knowing he has the power to protect the group. He just would rather not be that center of attention.
The Hellboy graphic novels are truly much deeper and layered than the Hellboy movies and/or animated adventures you may have seen. The comparison that rings closest to this to me is Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The book is so wonderful as compared to any Dracula movie I’ve ever seen. If you have any affinity for the Hellboy character at all I encourage to check the source material one day. You’ll be glad you did.
So glad you liked this one as much as I did my friend!!!
Hellboy is excellent, no question. Mike Mignola has been doing a great job of storytelling for years, and once I got used to it the art became favorite stuff for me. Good, good stuff that he can’t possibly produce as fast as I wish he did.
Richard: We’re all in agreement with you there, Richard. He really cannot produce this stuff fast enough. It is such a pleasure when new stuff arrives, followed quickly by that bittersweet feeling of knowing that a long wait will ensue before the next installment.
Jeff: I knew you’d rag me about that .25! Hey, it was the ‘to be continued’ like ending that made me shave that little bit off. Completely unfair of me though, because really that just gives me a thrill knowing Mignola has a continuation in mind!!!
Good call comparison to Dracula the book and Dracula the many movie travesties.
since i am a movie fan as much as a book fan, I’m sorry but I like the movies! Maybe it’s partly because I like Ron Perlman but I know a big part of what I like about the movies is the humorous aspect they give Hellboy. I just feel badly that IMO the best acting Perlman seems to have done over the years is in such heavy makeup you can’t recognise him! (Beauty and the Beast/ Hellboy)..but both are excellent movies …err, in my humble opinion
deslily: Perlman was the perfect choice for Hellboy, he really was. I cannot imagine anyone else doing it. He captures the essence of Mignola’s creation so well. And the humor is there in the books too, that is something the movie reflects from the comic book series and one of the many things that makes the Mignola’s stories fun to read. I only hope he’s willing to come back some time in the future, after del Toro is done with the Hobbit films so that they can make one more and make the films a trilogy.
deslily – I’ll agree with you. Ron Perlman seems to do his best work under heavy makeup along with Doug Jones as well.
Carl – I’m hopeful for a third film one day as well. I just hope they don’t wait to long so Perlman can still play the part.
I cannot believe I have yet to read any Hellboy. I’ve been meaning to ever since I started reading your blog, and it’s been what, 3 years now? 😛 The folklore aspect really appeals to me, and I’ll try to get my hands on the first volume before the year is out.
Perlman is good for a while yet.. he will be 60 in April.. but between the special effects they do for his fight scenes and such he should have no problem unless he suddenly falls ill to age but he seems in good physical condition.
He sure is keeping busy in the meantime!:…
Streetlight (2011) (in production) …. Quigley
The Hobbit 2 (2012) (announced) (rumored)
The Hobbit: Part 1 (2012) (announced) (rumored) …. Thorin
Bubba Nosferatu: Curse of the She-Vampires (2011) (announced) …. Elvis Presley
The Job (2010/I) (pre-production)
Carjacked (2010/I) (pre-production)
Bunraku (2010) (post-production) …. Nicola
Killer by Nature (2010) (post-production) …. Dr. Julian
Crave (2010) (post-production) …. Pete
Conan: Red Nails (2009) (V) (post-production) (voice) …. Conan of Cimmeria
The Legend of Secret Pass (2010) (completed) (voice) …. Parker
Season of the Witch (2010) (completed) …. Felson
did you and Jeff reaize that both Perman and Doug Jones are “rumored” to be in the Hobbit?? heh..
Rumored cast so far:
Cate Blanchett … Galadriel (rumored)
Ron Perlman … Thorin (rumored)
Hugo Weaving … Elrond (rumored)
Ian McKellen … Gandalf (rumored)
Andy Serkis … Gollum (rumored)
Doug Jones … (rumored)
lookin’ good !
Perlman was also just announced as Conan’s father in the upcoming new movie.
He was an excellent choice for Hellboy.
Will track down this graphic novel!
Is that Red Nails film animated?
Richard: Yup. Check out conanrednails.com Although the site hasn’t been updated in years it does list Ron Perlman as the voice for Conan.
deslily: WOW. Perlman sure is busy. I would love to see him and Doug Jones involved in THE HOBBIT. It makes sense they would with the Del Toro connection. I can’t wait to see The Hobbit. Smaug is my favorite dragon of all time.
Perlman really is busy! And if that “rumored” cast turns out to be true, I’m excited!!!
And Nymeth, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it once you get into it.
Jeff: i did a large embroidery..way back when the Hobbit was a mere cartoon by Rankin/ Bass.. Smaug was my first memorable dragon!…but my favorite will probably always be “Ruth of Pern”…
here’s a link to the old embroidery of smaug..
http://wwhatdreamsmaycome.blogspot.com/
oh btw.. if you go to that site.. right beneath it is a cute video called : how star trek should have ended. If you have not seen it.. you must!!!
Favorite dragon of al time? I’d think there would be one or more of the Pernese dragons that would do it for me…
yes yes Richard! Ruth of Ruatha ! Jaxom’s white dragon!
deslily: WOW! That is great and the video was hilarious!
thanks Jeff.. the embroidery (which i learned that you can’t “merge” colors when doing that lol) is about 30-35 yrs old!
love that video of how star trek should have ended.. i love that some peoples mind can be so funny !