Hellboy in Hell #3
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Mike Mignola
Colors: Dave Stewart
In this fantastic issue, Hellboy finally learns the fate of his father, Azzael. As Astaroth guides Hellboy through the halls of Pandemonium, he tells him of his birth, and why he was chosen to wear the Right Hand of Doom. His two brothers also make an appearance, bringing nothing but chaos along with them. The two brothers try to kill Hellboy and remove the hand so they can be the new heir to the throne, and command the massive army lying in wait. The fight gets even crazier when Astaroth gets involved, and believe me, you won’t be ready for the outcome. A special visit from Leviathan tops off this gruesome, yet also very revealing tale that catapulted this series into the stratosphere!
Wow, is this series really going to new heights! The first issue was a little wordy, and that fact alone might have scared some readers off, but it has come back with a thunderous roar in the last two issues. Mignola really pumped up the action in this one for sure, but he didn’t sacrifice the story to do so, which is quite an accomplishment. Most books these days can’t get that mix right for some reason. It’s not an easy thing to do apparently, but in the end this book is getting it done, as do most Hellboy/BPRD books. Seeing the hellish creatures interact as if they’re on some street corner conversing is very interesting. That aspect really helped drive the “cool” factor way up for this issue.
Mignola’s art is a love it or hate it thing. Most love it, and yours truly does, as well! He has such a unique style that it alone at the very least demands respect. When you look at Hellboy, you can’t honestly say he’d be better off if “insert name here” drew him instead. The universe that has been created is something that is absolutely fascinating due to the artwork. The atmosphere his work creates is very eerie, and what you’d expect from a scene in hell. The dark pages sometimes can be slightly inhibiting, but you get used to them after a few pages for the most part. Dave Stewart’s colors are just magnificent, and he really makes the book all that more appealing. The covers are great, as one would expect. The amount of detail is typically lower on the cover, but it still packs a punch when you see it. Rating 4/5
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
