We also learn that our hero enjoys boozing it up with the undead!
A little background for the uninitiated:
Hellboy was "summoned" into the world during the Second World War by the Russian sorcerer Rasputin, who had fallen in with Nazi scientists fascinated with the occult. Believing that they can bring about the end of the war and an eternal Reich for Adolf Hitler, they combine technology and sorcery to summon a "great weapon" on an island off the coast of Scotland. Meanwhile, in a small village in the south of England, paranormal investigator Trevor Bruttenholm witnesses the fruit of their labour - a tiny red being with horns and a large right hand made of stone. Adopted by Bruttenholm and nicknamed Hellboy, the demon grows quickly and is given honorary human status in the 1950s, becoming an agent for the newly formed Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (or B.P.R.D for short).During his adventures, Hellboy meets several demons, ghosts and other monsters who try and tempt him to take his rightful place as the "Seed of Destruction", promising him armies and almost unlimited power. And whilst Hellboy becomes accustomed to rejecting their offers (usually just by beating the tar out of them) we are constantly learning more about his true purpose in the world.
Hellboy in Hell:
On his latest outing, it is revealed that Hellboy has died whilst battling a dragon, and we follow him on his journey through the underworld and the various levels of Hell. This story is about as grim as it sounds, however it is thoroughly captivating as Mignola's gift for world-building shines through the bleakness. We meet defeated enemies from previous stories, an ancient warlock trapped in the underworld against his will and we also see in great detail, the city of Pandemonium - "The Capital City of Hell". This last feature is something Mignola has been teasing for years throughout the series, giving us quick glimpses at it's monstrous citizens as they follow the events of Hellboy's life, despairing at his life choices and making alternate plans for world destruction.
Excerpt from an earlier story "Pancakes"
The killer detail in the story so far is the feeling of isolation. Upon hearing of Hellboy's imminent homecoming, all the great generals and dukes of the underworld have abandoned Pandemonium and gone into hiding, leaving him alone - probably to his great relief. He does have companions to guide him, however. In a direct homage to Dickens' Christmas Carol, our hero is shown the past, present and future of his origins and true calling as one of the great generals of Satan's army. Having rejected this destiny on multiple occasions, Hellboy has inadvertently caused a civil war amongst the remaining servants of Hell, which is apparently due to start at any moment! But for now, he is trapped in an empty underworld and Mignola's artwork definitely manages to capture this sense of emptiness using long shots of abandoned buildings and close-ups on ruined statues as our hero explores his new surroundings.
Whilst Mike Mignola himself has stated that there has been no "grand plan" during the writing of the series, it is hugely satisfying to see little elements from Hellboy's past come together in this first volume of a new series - which also happens to be Mignola's long awaited return to drawing as well as writing the comics, and it is a joy to see his signature art style depicting his most famous character's story. It remains to be seen whether or not Hellboy's time in Hell will get any more perilous, as volume two is due to be released today, but for now I am completely happy imagining him struggling to find something to do.
He deserves a breather after being eaten by a dragon.
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