Despite being mostly known for his fantastical graphic novels and adult fiction, Neil Gaiman's first book for children is everything that you would expect from such a massive imagination as his. It's special and wonderful and very weird indeed. Described by some as the new Alice in Wonderland, Coraline is actually more bizarre than that, much more frightening and its modest length definitely adds to the book's undiluted potency.

Shortly after moving into an old house with strange tenants above and below, Coraline discovers a big, carved, brown wooden door at the far corner of the drawing room. And it is locked. Curiosity runs riot in Coraline's mind and she unlocks the door to see what lies behind it. Disappointingly, it opens onto a brick wall. Days later, after exploring the rest of the house and garden, Coraline returns to the same mysterious door and opens it again. This time, however, there is a dark hallway in front of her. Stepping inside, the place beyond has an eerie familiarity about it. The carpet and wallpaper are the same as in her flat. The picture hanging on the wall is the same. Almost. Strangest of all, her mum and dad are there too. Only they have buttons for eyes and seem more possessive than normal. It's a twisted version of her world that is familiar, and yet sinister. And matters get even more surreal for Coraline when her "other" parents seem reluctant to let her leave.

Her attempted escape from this nightmare alternative reality sees Coraline experience a chilling series of ever more bizarre encounters. Some are plainly odd, others disturbingly spooky and together they combine to form an immensely readable story. It's like all the best bits of the Goosebumps books condensed into 160 pages. A unique reading experience guaranteed. (Ages 10 and over)--John McLay

FABULOUS, 15 Oct 2008
I bought this book (for my daughter) on recommendation. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it before I gave it to my child as I invariably do. I gave it to her with a smile and a wink and assured her she'd be scared (her idea of a good read! she's 9!) She marched downstairs the next day and declared she didn't know what I was talking about and it wasn't scary. The following morning (after having read a couple more chapters) she gave me the biggest smile and said "it's brilliant! I love it!" Apparently it had then become scary enough for her. :0)
That was 3 weeks ago - now most of her friends mothers have bought it for their children and even her teacher is reading it to the class.
It's just fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it! Read it!
We've bought two more Gaiman books now and are eagerly awaiting the release of the film at the cinema next year. What a cracker!

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was too boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's account)

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's Account)

Love dark fairy tales, 16 Sep 2008
I love dark fairy tales and Neil Gaiman doesn't disappoint. Simple yet meaningful, suitable for all to dive into as deep as you dare.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 12 Sep 2008
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

It seems strange to find a 1954 vampire novel in Millennium's "SF Masterworks" classic reprints series. I Am Legend, though, was a trailblazing and later much imitated story that reinvented the vampire myth as SF. Without losing the horror, it presents vampirism as a disease whose secrets can be unlocked by scientific tools. The hero Robert Neville, perhaps the last uninfected man on Earth, finds himself in a paranoid nightmare. By night, the bloodthirsty undead of small-town America besiege his barricaded house: their repeated cry "Come out, Neville!" is a famous SF catchphrase. By day, when they hide in shadow and become comatose, Neville gets out his wooden stakes for an orgy of slaughter. He also discovers pseudoscientific explanations, some rather strained, for vampires' fear of light, vulnerability to stakes though not bullets, loathing of garlic, and so on. What gives the story its uneasy power is the gradual perspective shift which shows that by fighting monsters Neville is himself becoming monstrous--not a vampire but something to terrify vampires and haunt their dreams as a dreadful legend from the bad old days. I Am Legend was altered out of recognition when filmed as The Omega Man (1971), starring Charlton Heston. Avoid the movie; read the book. --David Langford

FABULOUS, 15 Oct 2008
I bought this book (for my daughter) on recommendation. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it before I gave it to my child as I invariably do. I gave it to her with a smile and a wink and assured her she'd be scared (her idea of a good read! she's 9!) She marched downstairs the next day and declared she didn't know what I was talking about and it wasn't scary. The following morning (after having read a couple more chapters) she gave me the biggest smile and said "it's brilliant! I love it!" Apparently it had then become scary enough for her. :0)
That was 3 weeks ago - now most of her friends mothers have bought it for their children and even her teacher is reading it to the class.
It's just fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it! Read it!
We've bought two more Gaiman books now and are eagerly awaiting the release of the film at the cinema next year. What a cracker!

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was too boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's account)

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's Account)

Love dark fairy tales, 16 Sep 2008
I love dark fairy tales and Neil Gaiman doesn't disappoint. Simple yet meaningful, suitable for all to dive into as deep as you dare.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 12 Sep 2008
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

Brilliant! , 04 Jan 2009
After watching the movie I just had to read the book, I'm a sucker for that. If I love the movie I have to find out if there was a book, and I go and get it. I have to say I totally love the movie, love Will Smith, he's great actor and in 'I Am Legend' he is brilliant!

So, I've read the book and I was not disappointed.
I was expecting it to be the same story as the movie, after all the book came first, but it isn't. It is like reading about a totally different story. A really good one at that. In the movie they took the basics and created a movie for modern day. However, I thought the book was so good I don't see why they don't make a movie that is true to the book.

In this book there's no Zombies, but Vampires, who are hunting Robert Neville and he must do whatever he can to survive. I won't say more than that. It's a short book of just 160 pages and can easily been read in a day, if you have the time to sit and read it.

I loved the authors style of writing and in some parts of the book I was taken back in memory to when I read The Fog by James Herbert and Pet Sematary by Stephen King. I saw some similarities in the style of writing. I was well and truly hooked. I loved it. :)

If you know the film, you dont know the book, 21 Dec 2008
This is an amazing book, I confess to it being my first encounter with the sci fi masterworks range (I'm now a total addict), that I found the cover totally intriguing and the idea that vampires could feature in a sci fi tale even more so.

Since reading the book I've seen all the movie adaptations, the Will Smith movie has nothing to do with the book and you could only say its loosely inspired by the book (no surprise to fans of Asimov), The Omega Man similarly isnt that great an adaptation either but The Last Man on Earth, a black and white movie featuring Vincent Price, does much better.

The story is that of Neville, lone human survivor in a world overtaken by vampires, it interestingly charts his existence and survival struggles in a way that couldnt fail to entertain any apocalypse or catastrophe reader but also fans of the survival horror genre in movies and games. With the full passage of time Neville adopts a scientific perspective on the vampires, what makes them tick, what is the origin of the vampire plague etc. The ensuing experiments have all sorts of angles involving social psychology, mania, psychosomatic illness and finally the viral transmission of "intelligent" diseases. While he does so to make himself a better slayer in the process he tries to answer questions about his lone survivor status.

Then one day Neville encounters another survivor and a fantastic twist is introduced into the plot, the title makes sense and the story even takes on the character of a political dystopia, Neville's plight isnt that different from that of Winston Smith, George Orwell's Last Man In Europe from 1984.

Matheson never wrote a bad book and this is no exception, I have no reservaions about recommending this to anyone, horror fans, sci fi fans, fantasy fans or just casual readers.

A Genuine Legend.., 21 Nov 2008
Steven King's introduction identifies Matheson as a major influence and virtually credits him with re-inventing the modern horror genre. And rightly so.

I've only just read this (shame on me) and am amazed! It really is the granddaddy of the modern zombie genre. And of much vampire fiction too. Added to that it has several twists in the tail that are completely unexpected which put its imitators firmly in the shade (including the film).

An extraordinary achievement. A must read. It will surprise you.

Superb., 17 Sep 2008
Justifying killing - or trying to - is a more pointed argument when taken in the individual; governments cloud the simplicity with rhetoric, propoganda and patriotism; but, keep the numbers down and the subject is raw and demanding attention.

Matheson strips the numbers down to one in this book, and one has no problem in coming down on the side of Robert Neville - the book's lead, and almost only, character.

One feels his panic when he discovers his watch has stopped and cannot get back to his safe-house before sun-down; and when he smacks his car into a crowd of Vampires like a macarbre game of skittles, one feels his elation.

Matheson recruits the reader from the outset and the reader becomes an observer, living one dimension down from the physical earthbound, able to see and hear all he does - even hear his thoughts - yet is unable to intervene or advise, and that gives the work more power. It frustrates the reader; but Matheson, after sucking the reader in, turns the tables on Neville and strips him of all the moral altitude he has taken for himself, and plunges him into the role of bad guy, of the hated terrorist, and makes him an outsider, a pariah.

Matheson has no mercy for his protaganist.

I have read short stories of greater length than this novel, and the prose is thin, which is not to say it is bad, but it deals only with the here and now of the story; back-story and poetic flourishes in the prose are kept to a minimum as far as the former go, and are non-existent for the latter. It makes for a story where 99 per cent is action in the present tense, and the book could be read in one sitting, I think.

This is considered a classic of genre fiction, and rightly so.



A VERY QUICK READ!, 16 Sep 2008
I just couldn't put this down and it isn't typical of my preferred reading. I was completely drawn in as soon as I started it and my life went on hold until I finished it.

A very enthralling book

FABULOUS, 15 Oct 2008
I bought this book (for my daughter) on recommendation. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it before I gave it to my child as I invariably do. I gave it to her with a smile and a wink and assured her she'd be scared (her idea of a good read! she's 9!) She marched downstairs the next day and declared she didn't know what I was talking about and it wasn't scary. The following morning (after having read a couple more chapters) she gave me the biggest smile and said "it's brilliant! I love it!" Apparently it had then become scary enough for her. :0)
That was 3 weeks ago - now most of her friends mothers have bought it for their children and even her teacher is reading it to the class.
It's just fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it! Read it!
We've bought two more Gaiman books now and are eagerly awaiting the release of the film at the cinema next year. What a cracker!

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was too boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's account)

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's Account)

Love dark fairy tales, 16 Sep 2008
I love dark fairy tales and Neil Gaiman doesn't disappoint. Simple yet meaningful, suitable for all to dive into as deep as you dare.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 12 Sep 2008
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

Brilliant! , 04 Jan 2009
After watching the movie I just had to read the book, I'm a sucker for that. If I love the movie I have to find out if there was a book, and I go and get it. I have to say I totally love the movie, love Will Smith, he's great actor and in 'I Am Legend' he is brilliant!

So, I've read the book and I was not disappointed.
I was expecting it to be the same story as the movie, after all the book came first, but it isn't. It is like reading about a totally different story. A really good one at that. In the movie they took the basics and created a movie for modern day. However, I thought the book was so good I don't see why they don't make a movie that is true to the book.

In this book there's no Zombies, but Vampires, who are hunting Robert Neville and he must do whatever he can to survive. I won't say more than that. It's a short book of just 160 pages and can easily been read in a day, if you have the time to sit and read it.

I loved the authors style of writing and in some parts of the book I was taken back in memory to when I read The Fog by James Herbert and Pet Sematary by Stephen King. I saw some similarities in the style of writing. I was well and truly hooked. I loved it. :)

If you know the film, you dont know the book, 21 Dec 2008
This is an amazing book, I confess to it being my first encounter with the sci fi masterworks range (I'm now a total addict), that I found the cover totally intriguing and the idea that vampires could feature in a sci fi tale even more so.

Since reading the book I've seen all the movie adaptations, the Will Smith movie has nothing to do with the book and you could only say its loosely inspired by the book (no surprise to fans of Asimov), The Omega Man similarly isnt that great an adaptation either but The Last Man on Earth, a black and white movie featuring Vincent Price, does much better.

The story is that of Neville, lone human survivor in a world overtaken by vampires, it interestingly charts his existence and survival struggles in a way that couldnt fail to entertain any apocalypse or catastrophe reader but also fans of the survival horror genre in movies and games. With the full passage of time Neville adopts a scientific perspective on the vampires, what makes them tick, what is the origin of the vampire plague etc. The ensuing experiments have all sorts of angles involving social psychology, mania, psychosomatic illness and finally the viral transmission of "intelligent" diseases. While he does so to make himself a better slayer in the process he tries to answer questions about his lone survivor status.

Then one day Neville encounters another survivor and a fantastic twist is introduced into the plot, the title makes sense and the story even takes on the character of a political dystopia, Neville's plight isnt that different from that of Winston Smith, George Orwell's Last Man In Europe from 1984.

Matheson never wrote a bad book and this is no exception, I have no reservaions about recommending this to anyone, horror fans, sci fi fans, fantasy fans or just casual readers.

A Genuine Legend.., 21 Nov 2008
Steven King's introduction identifies Matheson as a major influence and virtually credits him with re-inventing the modern horror genre. And rightly so.

I've only just read this (shame on me) and am amazed! It really is the granddaddy of the modern zombie genre. And of much vampire fiction too. Added to that it has several twists in the tail that are completely unexpected which put its imitators firmly in the shade (including the film).

An extraordinary achievement. A must read. It will surprise you.

Superb., 17 Sep 2008
Justifying killing - or trying to - is a more pointed argument when taken in the individual; governments cloud the simplicity with rhetoric, propoganda and patriotism; but, keep the numbers down and the subject is raw and demanding attention.

Matheson strips the numbers down to one in this book, and one has no problem in coming down on the side of Robert Neville - the book's lead, and almost only, character.

One feels his panic when he discovers his watch has stopped and cannot get back to his safe-house before sun-down; and when he smacks his car into a crowd of Vampires like a macarbre game of skittles, one feels his elation.

Matheson recruits the reader from the outset and the reader becomes an observer, living one dimension down from the physical earthbound, able to see and hear all he does - even hear his thoughts - yet is unable to intervene or advise, and that gives the work more power. It frustrates the reader; but Matheson, after sucking the reader in, turns the tables on Neville and strips him of all the moral altitude he has taken for himself, and plunges him into the role of bad guy, of the hated terrorist, and makes him an outsider, a pariah.

Matheson has no mercy for his protaganist.

I have read short stories of greater length than this novel, and the prose is thin, which is not to say it is bad, but it deals only with the here and now of the story; back-story and poetic flourishes in the prose are kept to a minimum as far as the former go, and are non-existent for the latter. It makes for a story where 99 per cent is action in the present tense, and the book could be read in one sitting, I think.

This is considered a classic of genre fiction, and rightly so.



A VERY QUICK READ!, 16 Sep 2008
I just couldn't put this down and it isn't typical of my preferred reading. I was completely drawn in as soon as I started it and my life went on hold until I finished it.

A very enthralling book

GREAT STORY, POOR QUALITY PAPERBACK, 05 Jan 2009
Seed of Destruction is a weird, wonderful story about Nazi world domination and an immortal sorcerers attempt to bring about the apocalypse. The characters are an engaging group of misfits whose pasts are shrouded in mystery and are never fully revealed. The story is very well written, darkly comic and throughout the entire 128 pages is engaging and exciting. The art work is superb with a dark and gothic feel, filled to the brim with brooding blacks and shadows.

However, If you are new to Hellboy and want to read the comics then this edition is best avoided. Not because Seed of Destruction isnt a great story filled with amazing characters. Far from it, my criticism is with the paperback. It dosent do the story, characters or the artwork justice. Seed of Destruction is a comic you will want to read again and again, unfortunately the book wont last. Pages are falling out of the copy I bought which is a shame as it is one of the best comics I have read. If this was the only edition available then I would recommend you buy it, read it and then put it safely on a shelf for safe keeping. Luckily, you can buy the Library Edition, (Hellboy: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil v. 1 (Hellboy Library Editions 1) which includes this story, Wake the Devil and loads of supplementary materials. The Library Editions oversized pages really bring the artwork to life, and because it's a hardback they won't fall out. It may be more expensive; however it is well worth the extra cost.


A must have series for any comics fan...or if you like gothic devil coolness!, 21 Apr 2008
No graphic novel collection is complete without some titles, like Watchmen, Knightfall, Sin City and Hellboy!!
I first started reading Hellboy before the first movie came out, I was curious, got one to try and now have them all (and the novels and figures and statues). Seed of Destruction is the first in the series and it jumps straight in to Hellboys life in the B.P.R.D. (bereau for paranormal resreach and defense, kind of like a supernatural CIA). You just see he is a demon working for the agency, and he has a cool coat and a massive stone hand. But as the story goes on, you find he was summoned by Nazis and Ra ra rasputin to help win WW2. But he was saved by Proff. Bruttenholm and now fights for the good guys! Along with Abe Sapien (fish guy) and Liz (Fire starter!). Expect battles with disgusting tentacled Lovecraftian monsters and crazed Nazis. And Nazis do tend to make excellent bad guys! As you progress through the series you find out much more about Hellboys background, and the origins of Abe and Liz too. Its just a great story, well told!

My favourite aspect of the artwork is the black, There is so much darkness throughout and it really sets the tone and sets it apart from other graphic novels. The villains are great, you cannot beat an evil Nazi head in a jar! I love Mignolas fascination with myths from all over the world, especially europe. You get the feeling he puts in lots of research to find just the right gross, creepy myth to use. Its kind of nice to get that european feel for a change, especially if all you read is Marvel and DC!
Recommended!!

This is really FUN!, 07 Jan 2005
Seed of Destruction is Mike Mignola's first graphic album featuring his brilliant Hellboy. The artwork is very Kirbyesque throughout with gothic overtones. Somehow it all works very well. Mignola portrays a quirkiness and humour to the Hellboy character (which is fully realised in Del Toro's new Hellboy movie) and brings to the mix Abe Sapien (almost a modern reworking of Universal's Creature from the Black Lagoon), the incendiary Liz Sherman and, of course, the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence).

Seed of Destruction begins with Hellboy appearing after a fiendish nazi experiment by the villain of the piece, Rasputin.

From then on it's a rollercoaster ride of battles with frog-like monsters and tentacled beasts until the final showdown. The book doesn't take itself too seriously which is just as well given the absolutely ridiculous scenario. But, this is really FUN.

Mignola has found his niche and he has come up with a truly original concept, strong characters and atmosphere soaked, adrenaline pumping storylines in his Hellboy series. If you really like comics you can't afford to miss Hellboy.

Refreshing and funny, 28 Apr 2003
Mike's artwork is a breath of fresh air, like Frank Miller his use of black as a colour or to create an image from very little is amazing, although he can be very cartoony, much like Manga can flip between different styles between panes. The inking is also very good in this book and can't be faulted. The use of panes and bubbles is also spot on so it makes the experience very pleasureable reading.
As for the story, I enjoyed this very much, this is possibly because I have read many Lovecraft stories which have obviously been drawn from for this book. There is also a sledge hammer wit about the main character Hellboy that keeps you wanting him to get into these crazy fights with beasts as he is almost a step away from the serious and moody story line. Hellboy is the oddest looking hero I have seen for a comic that is trying to take itself seriously but he is the touch of humour that without which you realise would not make the story 'perfect'.
I hope a Lovecraft type mythos is used more in future Hellboy because this one book has got me hooked.

The birth of a legend, 21 May 2002
This is a truly magnificent graphic novel. Mike Mignola has created something wonderfully different and original... The artwork is excellent- a unique style that fits the 'dark' nature of the story. I recommend this novel to anyone fascinated by the occult, by fairy tales, by aliens and witches and goblins.

FABULOUS, 15 Oct 2008
I bought this book (for my daughter) on recommendation. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it before I gave it to my child as I invariably do. I gave it to her with a smile and a wink and assured her she'd be scared (her idea of a good read! she's 9!) She marched downstairs the next day and declared she didn't know what I was talking about and it wasn't scary. The following morning (after having read a couple more chapters) she gave me the biggest smile and said "it's brilliant! I love it!" Apparently it had then become scary enough for her. :0)
That was 3 weeks ago - now most of her friends mothers have bought it for their children and even her teacher is reading it to the class.
It's just fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it! Read it!
We've bought two more Gaiman books now and are eagerly awaiting the release of the film at the cinema next year. What a cracker!

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was too boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's account)

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's Account)

Love dark fairy tales, 16 Sep 2008
I love dark fairy tales and Neil Gaiman doesn't disappoint. Simple yet meaningful, suitable for all to dive into as deep as you dare.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 12 Sep 2008
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

Brilliant! , 04 Jan 2009
After watching the movie I just had to read the book, I'm a sucker for that. If I love the movie I have to find out if there was a book, and I go and get it. I have to say I totally love the movie, love Will Smith, he's great actor and in 'I Am Legend' he is brilliant!

So, I've read the book and I was not disappointed.
I was expecting it to be the same story as the movie, after all the book came first, but it isn't. It is like reading about a totally different story. A really good one at that. In the movie they took the basics and created a movie for modern day. However, I thought the book was so good I don't see why they don't make a movie that is true to the book.

In this book there's no Zombies, but Vampires, who are hunting Robert Neville and he must do whatever he can to survive. I won't say more than that. It's a short book of just 160 pages and can easily been read in a day, if you have the time to sit and read it.

I loved the authors style of writing and in some parts of the book I was taken back in memory to when I read The Fog by James Herbert and Pet Sematary by Stephen King. I saw some similarities in the style of writing. I was well and truly hooked. I loved it. :)

If you know the film, you dont know the book, 21 Dec 2008
This is an amazing book, I confess to it being my first encounter with the sci fi masterworks range (I'm now a total addict), that I found the cover totally intriguing and the idea that vampires could feature in a sci fi tale even more so.

Since reading the book I've seen all the movie adaptations, the Will Smith movie has nothing to do with the book and you could only say its loosely inspired by the book (no surprise to fans of Asimov), The Omega Man similarly isnt that great an adaptation either but The Last Man on Earth, a black and white movie featuring Vincent Price, does much better.

The story is that of Neville, lone human survivor in a world overtaken by vampires, it interestingly charts his existence and survival struggles in a way that couldnt fail to entertain any apocalypse or catastrophe reader but also fans of the survival horror genre in movies and games. With the full passage of time Neville adopts a scientific perspective on the vampires, what makes them tick, what is the origin of the vampire plague etc. The ensuing experiments have all sorts of angles involving social psychology, mania, psychosomatic illness and finally the viral transmission of "intelligent" diseases. While he does so to make himself a better slayer in the process he tries to answer questions about his lone survivor status.

Then one day Neville encounters another survivor and a fantastic twist is introduced into the plot, the title makes sense and the story even takes on the character of a political dystopia, Neville's plight isnt that different from that of Winston Smith, George Orwell's Last Man In Europe from 1984.

Matheson never wrote a bad book and this is no exception, I have no reservaions about recommending this to anyone, horror fans, sci fi fans, fantasy fans or just casual readers.

A Genuine Legend.., 21 Nov 2008
Steven King's introduction identifies Matheson as a major influence and virtually credits him with re-inventing the modern horror genre. And rightly so.

I've only just read this (shame on me) and am amazed! It really is the granddaddy of the modern zombie genre. And of much vampire fiction too. Added to that it has several twists in the tail that are completely unexpected which put its imitators firmly in the shade (including the film).

An extraordinary achievement. A must read. It will surprise you.

Superb., 17 Sep 2008
Justifying killing - or trying to - is a more pointed argument when taken in the individual; governments cloud the simplicity with rhetoric, propoganda and patriotism; but, keep the numbers down and the subject is raw and demanding attention.

Matheson strips the numbers down to one in this book, and one has no problem in coming down on the side of Robert Neville - the book's lead, and almost only, character.

One feels his panic when he discovers his watch has stopped and cannot get back to his safe-house before sun-down; and when he smacks his car into a crowd of Vampires like a macarbre game of skittles, one feels his elation.

Matheson recruits the reader from the outset and the reader becomes an observer, living one dimension down from the physical earthbound, able to see and hear all he does - even hear his thoughts - yet is unable to intervene or advise, and that gives the work more power. It frustrates the reader; but Matheson, after sucking the reader in, turns the tables on Neville and strips him of all the moral altitude he has taken for himself, and plunges him into the role of bad guy, of the hated terrorist, and makes him an outsider, a pariah.

Matheson has no mercy for his protaganist.

I have read short stories of greater length than this novel, and the prose is thin, which is not to say it is bad, but it deals only with the here and now of the story; back-story and poetic flourishes in the prose are kept to a minimum as far as the former go, and are non-existent for the latter. It makes for a story where 99 per cent is action in the present tense, and the book could be read in one sitting, I think.

This is considered a classic of genre fiction, and rightly so.



A VERY QUICK READ!, 16 Sep 2008
I just couldn't put this down and it isn't typical of my preferred reading. I was completely drawn in as soon as I started it and my life went on hold until I finished it.

A very enthralling book

GREAT STORY, POOR QUALITY PAPERBACK, 05 Jan 2009
Seed of Destruction is a weird, wonderful story about Nazi world domination and an immortal sorcerers attempt to bring about the apocalypse. The characters are an engaging group of misfits whose pasts are shrouded in mystery and are never fully revealed. The story is very well written, darkly comic and throughout the entire 128 pages is engaging and exciting. The art work is superb with a dark and gothic feel, filled to the brim with brooding blacks and shadows.

However, If you are new to Hellboy and want to read the comics then this edition is best avoided. Not because Seed of Destruction isnt a great story filled with amazing characters. Far from it, my criticism is with the paperback. It dosent do the story, characters or the artwork justice. Seed of Destruction is a comic you will want to read again and again, unfortunately the book wont last. Pages are falling out of the copy I bought which is a shame as it is one of the best comics I have read. If this was the only edition available then I would recommend you buy it, read it and then put it safely on a shelf for safe keeping. Luckily, you can buy the Library Edition, (Hellboy: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil v. 1 (Hellboy Library Editions 1) which includes this story, Wake the Devil and loads of supplementary materials. The Library Editions oversized pages really bring the artwork to life, and because it's a hardback they won't fall out. It may be more expensive; however it is well worth the extra cost.


A must have series for any comics fan...or if you like gothic devil coolness!, 21 Apr 2008
No graphic novel collection is complete without some titles, like Watchmen, Knightfall, Sin City and Hellboy!!
I first started reading Hellboy before the first movie came out, I was curious, got one to try and now have them all (and the novels and figures and statues). Seed of Destruction is the first in the series and it jumps straight in to Hellboys life in the B.P.R.D. (bereau for paranormal resreach and defense, kind of like a supernatural CIA). You just see he is a demon working for the agency, and he has a cool coat and a massive stone hand. But as the story goes on, you find he was summoned by Nazis and Ra ra rasputin to help win WW2. But he was saved by Proff. Bruttenholm and now fights for the good guys! Along with Abe Sapien (fish guy) and Liz (Fire starter!). Expect battles with disgusting tentacled Lovecraftian monsters and crazed Nazis. And Nazis do tend to make excellent bad guys! As you progress through the series you find out much more about Hellboys background, and the origins of Abe and Liz too. Its just a great story, well told!

My favourite aspect of the artwork is the black, There is so much darkness throughout and it really sets the tone and sets it apart from other graphic novels. The villains are great, you cannot beat an evil Nazi head in a jar! I love Mignolas fascination with myths from all over the world, especially europe. You get the feeling he puts in lots of research to find just the right gross, creepy myth to use. Its kind of nice to get that european feel for a change, especially if all you read is Marvel and DC!
Recommended!!

This is really FUN!, 07 Jan 2005
Seed of Destruction is Mike Mignola's first graphic album featuring his brilliant Hellboy. The artwork is very Kirbyesque throughout with gothic overtones. Somehow it all works very well. Mignola portrays a quirkiness and humour to the Hellboy character (which is fully realised in Del Toro's new Hellboy movie) and brings to the mix Abe Sapien (almost a modern reworking of Universal's Creature from the Black Lagoon), the incendiary Liz Sherman and, of course, the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence).

Seed of Destruction begins with Hellboy appearing after a fiendish nazi experiment by the villain of the piece, Rasputin.

From then on it's a rollercoaster ride of battles with frog-like monsters and tentacled beasts until the final showdown. The book doesn't take itself too seriously which is just as well given the absolutely ridiculous scenario. But, this is really FUN.

Mignola has found his niche and he has come up with a truly original concept, strong characters and atmosphere soaked, adrenaline pumping storylines in his Hellboy series. If you really like comics you can't afford to miss Hellboy.

Refreshing and funny, 28 Apr 2003
Mike's artwork is a breath of fresh air, like Frank Miller his use of black as a colour or to create an image from very little is amazing, although he can be very cartoony, much like Manga can flip between different styles between panes. The inking is also very good in this book and can't be faulted. The use of panes and bubbles is also spot on so it makes the experience very pleasureable reading.
As for the story, I enjoyed this very much, this is possibly because I have read many Lovecraft stories which have obviously been drawn from for this book. There is also a sledge hammer wit about the main character Hellboy that keeps you wanting him to get into these crazy fights with beasts as he is almost a step away from the serious and moody story line. Hellboy is the oddest looking hero I have seen for a comic that is trying to take itself seriously but he is the touch of humour that without which you realise would not make the story 'perfect'.
I hope a Lovecraft type mythos is used more in future Hellboy because this one book has got me hooked.

The birth of a legend, 21 May 2002
This is a truly magnificent graphic novel. Mike Mignola has created something wonderfully different and original... The artwork is excellent- a unique style that fits the 'dark' nature of the story. I recommend this novel to anyone fascinated by the occult, by fairy tales, by aliens and witches and goblins.

Info. for Prospective Buyers, 12 Feb 2005
For anyone who doesn't know Hellboy - imagine Sam Spade as a demon superhero investigating supernatural threats H.P. Lovecraft might have written and you're somewhere close.

Admittedly this is not the best of the Hellboy stories - Mike Mignola admits in an afterword that he lost control of the plot (the comic originally appeared monthly) - and if I were only marking the story I'd probably have wanted to give it 3.5 stars. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth reading with the trademark Hellboy mix of humour, action and horror, and the noir art as ever is wonderful (pushing it from 3.5 to a deserved 4).

A word of warning: although this is marked as vol.2 of the Hellboy series, there are stories in vol.3 'The Chained Coffin and Others' which precede 'Wake the Devil' chronologically.

Mignola is GOD!, 05 Feb 2003
Mignola is God! Or should I say that he is the Devil who brought from hell the best super-hero of comic history! This stuff is very hot, oh boy this is so hot that you almost burn your fingers when you read such a quality story. Everything which make the universe of hellboy so exciting is at the rendez-vous: monster, gouhlish legend, mega fight with nazis...you will read it over and over again. In this volume hellboy is on mission to save the earth and hunt down Raspoutin the mad Russian monk and his Nazi troop .The ideal program to keep you awake all night!

Hellboy refuses his personal destiny and saves the world !, 28 Jan 1998
Another great entry in what is one of the best comics around. And don't worry - this IS illustrated by Mike Mignola, not James Sinclair - despite the description from the fine folks at Amazon! Mr. Sinclair does a fine job on the colors though! READ THIS BOOK!

FABULOUS, 15 Oct 2008
I bought this book (for my daughter) on recommendation. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it before I gave it to my child as I invariably do. I gave it to her with a smile and a wink and assured her she'd be scared (her idea of a good read! she's 9!) She marched downstairs the next day and declared she didn't know what I was talking about and it wasn't scary. The following morning (after having read a couple more chapters) she gave me the biggest smile and said "it's brilliant! I love it!" Apparently it had then become scary enough for her. :0)
That was 3 weeks ago - now most of her friends mothers have bought it for their children and even her teacher is reading it to the class.
It's just fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it! Read it!
We've bought two more Gaiman books now and are eagerly awaiting the release of the film at the cinema next year. What a cracker!

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was too boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's account)

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's Account)

Love dark fairy tales, 16 Sep 2008
I love dark fairy tales and Neil Gaiman doesn't disappoint. Simple yet meaningful, suitable for all to dive into as deep as you dare.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 12 Sep 2008
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

Brilliant! , 04 Jan 2009
After watching the movie I just had to read the book, I'm a sucker for that. If I love the movie I have to find out if there was a book, and I go and get it. I have to say I totally love the movie, love Will Smith, he's great actor and in 'I Am Legend' he is brilliant!

So, I've read the book and I was not disappointed.
I was expecting it to be the same story as the movie, after all the book came first, but it isn't. It is like reading about a totally different story. A really good one at that. In the movie they took the basics and created a movie for modern day. However, I thought the book was so good I don't see why they don't make a movie that is true to the book.

In this book there's no Zombies, but Vampires, who are hunting Robert Neville and he must do whatever he can to survive. I won't say more than that. It's a short book of just 160 pages and can easily been read in a day, if you have the time to sit and read it.

I loved the authors style of writing and in some parts of the book I was taken back in memory to when I read The Fog by James Herbert and Pet Sematary by Stephen King. I saw some similarities in the style of writing. I was well and truly hooked. I loved it. :)

If you know the film, you dont know the book, 21 Dec 2008
This is an amazing book, I confess to it being my first encounter with the sci fi masterworks range (I'm now a total addict), that I found the cover totally intriguing and the idea that vampires could feature in a sci fi tale even more so.

Since reading the book I've seen all the movie adaptations, the Will Smith movie has nothing to do with the book and you could only say its loosely inspired by the book (no surprise to fans of Asimov), The Omega Man similarly isnt that great an adaptation either but The Last Man on Earth, a black and white movie featuring Vincent Price, does much better.

The story is that of Neville, lone human survivor in a world overtaken by vampires, it interestingly charts his existence and survival struggles in a way that couldnt fail to entertain any apocalypse or catastrophe reader but also fans of the survival horror genre in movies and games. With the full passage of time Neville adopts a scientific perspective on the vampires, what makes them tick, what is the origin of the vampire plague etc. The ensuing experiments have all sorts of angles involving social psychology, mania, psychosomatic illness and finally the viral transmission of "intelligent" diseases. While he does so to make himself a better slayer in the process he tries to answer questions about his lone survivor status.

Then one day Neville encounters another survivor and a fantastic twist is introduced into the plot, the title makes sense and the story even takes on the character of a political dystopia, Neville's plight isnt that different from that of Winston Smith, George Orwell's Last Man In Europe from 1984.

Matheson never wrote a bad book and this is no exception, I have no reservaions about recommending this to anyone, horror fans, sci fi fans, fantasy fans or just casual readers.

A Genuine Legend.., 21 Nov 2008
Steven King's introduction identifies Matheson as a major influence and virtually credits him with re-inventing the modern horror genre. And rightly so.

I've only just read this (shame on me) and am amazed! It really is the granddaddy of the modern zombie genre. And of much vampire fiction too. Added to that it has several twists in the tail that are completely unexpected which put its imitators firmly in the shade (including the film).

An extraordinary achievement. A must read. It will surprise you.

Superb., 17 Sep 2008
Justifying killing - or trying to - is a more pointed argument when taken in the individual; governments cloud the simplicity with rhetoric, propoganda and patriotism; but, keep the numbers down and the subject is raw and demanding attention.

Matheson strips the numbers down to one in this book, and one has no problem in coming down on the side of Robert Neville - the book's lead, and almost only, character.

One feels his panic when he discovers his watch has stopped and cannot get back to his safe-house before sun-down; and when he smacks his car into a crowd of Vampires like a macarbre game of skittles, one feels his elation.

Matheson recruits the reader from the outset and the reader becomes an observer, living one dimension down from the physical earthbound, able to see and hear all he does - even hear his thoughts - yet is unable to intervene or advise, and that gives the work more power. It frustrates the reader; but Matheson, after sucking the reader in, turns the tables on Neville and strips him of all the moral altitude he has taken for himself, and plunges him into the role of bad guy, of the hated terrorist, and makes him an outsider, a pariah.

Matheson has no mercy for his protaganist.

I have read short stories of greater length than this novel, and the prose is thin, which is not to say it is bad, but it deals only with the here and now of the story; back-story and poetic flourishes in the prose are kept to a minimum as far as the former go, and are non-existent for the latter. It makes for a story where 99 per cent is action in the present tense, and the book could be read in one sitting, I think.

This is considered a classic of genre fiction, and rightly so.



A VERY QUICK READ!, 16 Sep 2008
I just couldn't put this down and it isn't typical of my preferred reading. I was completely drawn in as soon as I started it and my life went on hold until I finished it.

A very enthralling book

GREAT STORY, POOR QUALITY PAPERBACK, 05 Jan 2009
Seed of Destruction is a weird, wonderful story about Nazi world domination and an immortal sorcerers attempt to bring about the apocalypse. The characters are an engaging group of misfits whose pasts are shrouded in mystery and are never fully revealed. The story is very well written, darkly comic and throughout the entire 128 pages is engaging and exciting. The art work is superb with a dark and gothic feel, filled to the brim with brooding blacks and shadows.

However, If you are new to Hellboy and want to read the comics then this edition is best avoided. Not because Seed of Destruction isnt a great story filled with amazing characters. Far from it, my criticism is with the paperback. It dosent do the story, characters or the artwork justice. Seed of Destruction is a comic you will want to read again and again, unfortunately the book wont last. Pages are falling out of the copy I bought which is a shame as it is one of the best comics I have read. If this was the only edition available then I would recommend you buy it, read it and then put it safely on a shelf for safe keeping. Luckily, you can buy the Library Edition, (Hellboy: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil v. 1 (Hellboy Library Editions 1) which includes this story, Wake the Devil and loads of supplementary materials. The Library Editions oversized pages really bring the artwork to life, and because it's a hardback they won't fall out. It may be more expensive; however it is well worth the extra cost.


A must have series for any comics fan...or if you like gothic devil coolness!, 21 Apr 2008
No graphic novel collection is complete without some titles, like Watchmen, Knightfall, Sin City and Hellboy!!
I first started reading Hellboy before the first movie came out, I was curious, got one to try and now have them all (and the novels and figures and statues). Seed of Destruction is the first in the series and it jumps straight in to Hellboys life in the B.P.R.D. (bereau for paranormal resreach and defense, kind of like a supernatural CIA). You just see he is a demon working for the agency, and he has a cool coat and a massive stone hand. But as the story goes on, you find he was summoned by Nazis and Ra ra rasputin to help win WW2. But he was saved by Proff. Bruttenholm and now fights for the good guys! Along with Abe Sapien (fish guy) and Liz (Fire starter!). Expect battles with disgusting tentacled Lovecraftian monsters and crazed Nazis. And Nazis do tend to make excellent bad guys! As you progress through the series you find out much more about Hellboys background, and the origins of Abe and Liz too. Its just a great story, well told!

My favourite aspect of the artwork is the black, There is so much darkness throughout and it really sets the tone and sets it apart from other graphic novels. The villains are great, you cannot beat an evil Nazi head in a jar! I love Mignolas fascination with myths from all over the world, especially europe. You get the feeling he puts in lots of research to find just the right gross, creepy myth to use. Its kind of nice to get that european feel for a change, especially if all you read is Marvel and DC!
Recommended!!

This is really FUN!, 07 Jan 2005
Seed of Destruction is Mike Mignola's first graphic album featuring his brilliant Hellboy. The artwork is very Kirbyesque throughout with gothic overtones. Somehow it all works very well. Mignola portrays a quirkiness and humour to the Hellboy character (which is fully realised in Del Toro's new Hellboy movie) and brings to the mix Abe Sapien (almost a modern reworking of Universal's Creature from the Black Lagoon), the incendiary Liz Sherman and, of course, the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence).

Seed of Destruction begins with Hellboy appearing after a fiendish nazi experiment by the villain of the piece, Rasputin.

From then on it's a rollercoaster ride of battles with frog-like monsters and tentacled beasts until the final showdown. The book doesn't take itself too seriously which is just as well given the absolutely ridiculous scenario. But, this is really FUN.

Mignola has found his niche and he has come up with a truly original concept, strong characters and atmosphere soaked, adrenaline pumping storylines in his Hellboy series. If you really like comics you can't afford to miss Hellboy.

Refreshing and funny, 28 Apr 2003
Mike's artwork is a breath of fresh air, like Frank Miller his use of black as a colour or to create an image from very little is amazing, although he can be very cartoony, much like Manga can flip between different styles between panes. The inking is also very good in this book and can't be faulted. The use of panes and bubbles is also spot on so it makes the experience very pleasureable reading.
As for the story, I enjoyed this very much, this is possibly because I have read many Lovecraft stories which have obviously been drawn from for this book. There is also a sledge hammer wit about the main character Hellboy that keeps you wanting him to get into these crazy fights with beasts as he is almost a step away from the serious and moody story line. Hellboy is the oddest looking hero I have seen for a comic that is trying to take itself seriously but he is the touch of humour that without which you realise would not make the story 'perfect'.
I hope a Lovecraft type mythos is used more in future Hellboy because this one book has got me hooked.

The birth of a legend, 21 May 2002
This is a truly magnificent graphic novel. Mike Mignola has created something wonderfully different and original... The artwork is excellent- a unique style that fits the 'dark' nature of the story. I recommend this novel to anyone fascinated by the occult, by fairy tales, by aliens and witches and goblins.

Info. for Prospective Buyers, 12 Feb 2005
For anyone who doesn't know Hellboy - imagine Sam Spade as a demon superhero investigating supernatural threats H.P. Lovecraft might have written and you're somewhere close.

Admittedly this is not the best of the Hellboy stories - Mike Mignola admits in an afterword that he lost control of the plot (the comic originally appeared monthly) - and if I were only marking the story I'd probably have wanted to give it 3.5 stars. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth reading with the trademark Hellboy mix of humour, action and horror, and the noir art as ever is wonderful (pushing it from 3.5 to a deserved 4).

A word of warning: although this is marked as vol.2 of the Hellboy series, there are stories in vol.3 'The Chained Coffin and Others' which precede 'Wake the Devil' chronologically.

Mignola is GOD!, 05 Feb 2003
Mignola is God! Or should I say that he is the Devil who brought from hell the best super-hero of comic history! This stuff is very hot, oh boy this is so hot that you almost burn your fingers when you read such a quality story. Everything which make the universe of hellboy so exciting is at the rendez-vous: monster, gouhlish legend, mega fight with nazis...you will read it over and over again. In this volume hellboy is on mission to save the earth and hunt down Raspoutin the mad Russian monk and his Nazi troop .The ideal program to keep you awake all night!

Hellboy refuses his personal destiny and saves the world !, 28 Jan 1998
Another great entry in what is one of the best comics around. And don't worry - this IS illustrated by Mike Mignola, not James Sinclair - despite the description from the fine folks at Amazon! Mr. Sinclair does a fine job on the colors though! READ THIS BOOK!

Superb!!, 05 Dec 2008
Great story, full of characters from folklore and mythology and combining many faces from previous volumes (If you haven't read Seed of destruction or Wake the Devil then you may get a little lost) and amazing artwork drawn by Duncan Fegredo who has built upon with great detail the graphic but beautiful style of Mr Mignola. I'm not going into plot detail, if you love Hellboy you'll love this. Both author and artist have joined forces again for the follow on 'The Wild Hunt'. That won't be in graphic novel form for ages...sigh!!

FABULOUS, 15 Oct 2008
I bought this book (for my daughter) on recommendation. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read it before I gave it to my child as I invariably do. I gave it to her with a smile and a wink and assured her she'd be scared (her idea of a good read! she's 9!) She marched downstairs the next day and declared she didn't know what I was talking about and it wasn't scary. The following morning (after having read a couple more chapters) she gave me the biggest smile and said "it's brilliant! I love it!" Apparently it had then become scary enough for her. :0)
That was 3 weeks ago - now most of her friends mothers have bought it for their children and even her teacher is reading it to the class.
It's just fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it! Read it!
We've bought two more Gaiman books now and are eagerly awaiting the release of the film at the cinema next year. What a cracker!

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was too boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's account)

Overrated, Pointless and Creepy, 08 Oct 2008
My class and I read Coraline at school over the period of a few weeks, and after hearing all the hype about Gaiman's works I must admit, I was disappointed with Coraline.

The book starts out alright, a young girl in a huge scary house, with a door that appears to be uninteresting, but as the book progresses the whole thing becomes fast-paced and pointless.

We, as the readers, are forced to endure pointless conversations and long and boring descriptions of every little thing that Coraline goes through. There were many times where I got incredibly bored reading it, something which I wasn't expecting at all.

There are parts that are bone-chillingly creepy though, but more creepy in a slightly disturbing way than in a scary way. The Other Mother was most definitely the creepiest thing in the book, with her paper white skin and large black button eyes.

Most of the characters in the book were either boring and undeveloped with no personality what-so-ever, or horrible, creepy and unlikeable. Coraline herself is possibly the most unlikeable person in the entire book, as she is completely unsocialable and comes across as a trouble-maker.

I'm 12 years old, and the book was boring for me to enjoy , but would be much to creepy for a younger age.

All-in-all, this book is creepy, pointless and boring, with the exception of a few minor parts, which is why I gave it 2 stars.

Sophie (On my Mum's Account)

Love dark fairy tales, 16 Sep 2008
I love dark fairy tales and Neil Gaiman doesn't disappoint. Simple yet meaningful, suitable for all to dive into as deep as you dare.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 12 Sep 2008
This version of CORALINE is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel penned by Neil Gaiman.

The story follows a common theme in his works of the naive, yet determined, everyman who stumbles into an alternate reality.

The protagonist in this story arises in the form of a young girl named Coraline.

I found the dialogue to be smartly written and the narrative engaging. The artwork, while typical comic fare, set the visual mood quite well.

I greatly enjoyed this story. I found the characters likeable and believable in the context of the story, which in and of itself seemed to me to be an odd metaphor for "growing up."

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of Neil Gaiman's work or to someone looking for something just a little bit different.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

Brilliant! , 04 Jan 2009
After watching the movie I just had to read the book, I'm a sucker for that. If I love the movie I have to find out if there was a book, and I go and get it. I have to say I totally love the movie, love Will Smith, he's great actor and in 'I Am Legend' he is brilliant!

So, I've read the book and I was not disappointed.
I was expecting it to be the same story as the movie, after all the book came first, but it isn't. It is like reading about a totally different story. A really good one at that. In the movie they took the basics and created a movie for modern day. However, I thought the book was so good I don't see why they don't make a movie that is true to the book.

In this book there's no Zombies, but Vampires, who are hunting Robert Neville and he must do whatever he can to survive. I won't say more than that. It's a short book of just 160 pages and can easily been read in a day, if you have the time to sit and read it.

I loved the authors style of writing and in some parts of the book I was taken back in memory to when I read The Fog by James Herbert and Pet Sematary by Stephen King. I saw some similarities in the style of writing. I was well and truly hooked. I loved it. :)

If you know the film, you dont know the book, 21 Dec 2008
This is an amazing book, I confess to it being my first encounter with the sci fi masterworks range (I'm now a total addict), that I found the cover totally intriguing and the idea that vampires could feature in a sci fi tale even more so.

Since reading the book I've seen all the movie adaptations, the Will Smith movie has nothing to do with the book and you could only say its loosely inspired by the book (no surprise to fans of Asimov), The Omega Man similarly isnt that great an adaptation either but The Last Man on Earth, a black and white movie featuring Vincent Price, does much better.

The story is that of Neville, lone human survivor in a world overtaken by vampires, it interestingly charts his existence and survival struggles in a way that couldnt fail to entertain any apocalypse or catastrophe reader but also fans of the survival horror genre in movies and games. With the full passage of time Neville adopts a scientific perspective on the vampires, what makes them tick, what is the origin of the vampire plague etc. The ensuing experiments have all sorts of angles involving social psychology, mania, psychosomatic illness and finally the viral transmission of "intelligent" diseases. While he does so to make himself a better slayer in the process he tries to answer questions about his lone survivor status.

Then one day Neville encounters another survivor and a fantastic twist is introduced into the plot, the title makes sense and the story even takes on the character of a political dystopia, Neville's plight isnt that different from that of Winston Smith, George Orwell's Last Man In Europe from 1984.

Matheson never wrote a bad book and this is no exception, I have no reservaions about recommending this to anyone, horror fans, sci fi fans, fantasy fans or just casual readers.

A Genuine Legend.., 21 Nov 2008
Steven King's introduction identifies Matheson as a major influence and virtually credits him with re-inventing the modern horror genre. And rightly so.

I've only just read this (shame on me) and am amazed! It really is the granddaddy of the modern zombie genre. And of much vampire fiction too. Added to that it has several twists in the tail that are completely unexpected which put its imitators firmly in the shade (including the film).

An extraordinary achievement. A must read. It will surprise you.

Superb., 17 Sep 2008
Justifying killing - or trying to - is a more pointed argument when taken in the individual; governments cloud the simplicity with rhetoric, propoganda and patriotism; but, keep the numbers down and the subject is raw and demanding attention.

Matheson strips the numbers down to one in this book, and one has no problem in coming down on the side of Robert Neville - the book's lead, and almost only, character.

One feels his panic when he discovers his watch has stopped and cannot get back to his safe-house before sun-down; and when he smacks his car into a crowd of Vampires like a macarbre game of skittles, one feels his elation.

Matheson recruits the reader from the outset and the reader becomes an observer, living one dimension down from the physical earthbound, able to see and hear all he does - even hear his thoughts - yet is unable to intervene or advise, and that gives the work more power. It frustrates the reader; but Matheson, after sucking the reader in, turns the tables on Neville and strips him of all the moral altitude he has taken for himself, and plunges him into the role of bad guy, of the hated terrorist, and makes him an outsider, a pariah.

Matheson has no mercy for his protaganist.

I have read short stories of greater length than this novel, and the prose is thin, which is not to say it is bad, but it deals only with the here and now of the story; back-story and poetic flourishes in the prose are kept to a minimum as far as the former go, and are non-existent for the latter. It makes for a story where 99 per cent is action in the present tense, and the book could be read in one sitting, I think.

This is considered a classic of genre fiction, and rightly so.



A VERY QUICK READ!, 16 Sep 2008
I just couldn't put this down and it isn't typical of my preferred reading. I was completely drawn in as soon as I started it and my life went on hold until I finished it.

A very enthralling book

GREAT STORY, POOR QUALITY PAPERBACK, 05 Jan 2009
Seed of Destruction is a weird, wonderful story about Nazi world domination and an immortal sorcerers attempt to bring about the apocalypse. The characters are an engaging group of misfits whose pasts are shrouded in mystery and are never fully revealed. The story is very well written, darkly comic and throughout the entire 128 pages is engaging and exciting. The art work is superb with a dark and gothic feel, filled to the brim with brooding blacks and shadows.

However, If you are new to Hellboy and want to read the comics then this edition is best avoided. Not because Seed of Destruction isnt a great story filled with amazing characters. Far from it, my criticism is with the paperback. It dosent do the story, characters or the artwork justice. Seed of Destruction is a comic you will want to read again and again, unfortunately the book wont last. Pages are falling out of the copy I bought which is a shame as it is one of the best comics I have read. If this was the only edition available then I would recommend you buy it, read it and then put it safely on a shelf for safe keeping. Luckily, you can buy the Library Edition, (Hellboy: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil v. 1 (Hellboy Library Editions 1) which includes this story, Wake the Devil and loads of supplementary materials. The Library Editions oversized pages really bring the artwork to life, and because it's a hardback they won't fall out. It may be more expensive; however it is well worth the extra cost.


A must have series for any comics fan...or if you like gothic devil coolness!, 21 Apr 2008
No graphic novel collection is complete without some titles, like Watchmen, Knightfall, Sin City and Hellboy!!
I first started reading Hellboy before the first movie came out, I was curious, got one to try and now have them all (and the novels and figures and statues). Seed of Destruction is the first in the series and it jumps straight in to Hellboys life in the B.P.R.D. (bereau for paranormal resreach and defense, kind of like a supernatural CIA). You just see he is a demon working for the agency, and he has a cool coat and a massive stone hand. But as the story goes on, you find he was summoned by Nazis and Ra ra rasputin to help win WW2. But he was saved by Proff. Bruttenholm and now fights for the good guys! Along with Abe Sapien (fish guy) and Liz (Fire starter!). Expect battles with disgusting tentacled Lovecraftian monsters and crazed Nazis. And Nazis do tend to make excellent bad guys! As you progress through the series you find out much more about Hellboys background, and the origins of Abe and Liz too. Its just a great story, well told!

My favourite aspect of the artwork is the black, There is so much darkness throughout and it really sets the tone and sets it apart from other graphic novels. The villains are great, you cannot beat an evil Nazi head in a jar! I love Mignolas fascination with myths from all over the world, especially europe. You get the feeling he puts in lots of research to find just the right gross, creepy myth to use. Its kind of nice to get that european feel for a change, especially if all you read is Marvel and DC!
Recommended!!

This is really FUN!, 07 Jan 2005
Seed of Destruction is Mike Mignola's first graphic album featuring his brilliant Hellboy. The artwork is very Kirbyesque throughout with gothic overtones. Somehow it all works very well. Mignola portrays a quirkiness and humour to the Hellboy character (which is fully realised in Del Toro's new Hellboy movie) and brings to the mix Abe Sapien (almost a modern reworking of Universal's Creature from the Black Lagoon), the incendiary Liz Sherman and, of course, the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence).

Seed of Destruction begins with Hellboy appearing after a fiendish nazi experiment by the villain of the piece, Rasputin.

From then on it's a rollercoaster ride of battles with frog-like monsters and tentacled beasts until the final showdown. The book doesn't take itself too seriously which is just as well given the absolutely ridiculous scenario. But, this is really FUN.

Mignola has found his niche and he has come up with a truly original concept, strong characters and atmosphere soaked, adrenaline pumping storylines in his Hellboy series. If you really like comics you can't afford to miss Hellboy.

Refreshing and funny, 28 Apr 2003
Mike's artwork is a breath of fresh air, like Frank Miller his use of black as a colour or to create an image from very little is amazing, although he can be very cartoony, much like Manga can flip between different styles between panes. The inking is also very good in this book and can't be faulted. The use of panes and bubbles is also spot on so it makes the experience very pleasureable reading.
As for the story, I enjoyed this very much, this is possibly because I have read many Lovecraft stories which have obviously been drawn from for this book. There is also a sledge hammer wit about the main character Hellboy that keeps you wanting him to get into these crazy fights with beasts as he is almost a step away from the serious and moody story line. Hellboy is the oddest looking hero I have seen for a comic that is trying to take itself seriously but he is the touch of humour that without which you realise would not make the story 'perfect'.
I hope a Lovecraft type mythos is used more in future Hellboy because this one book has got me hooked.

The birth of a legend, 21 May 2002
This is a truly magnificent graphic novel. Mike Mignola has created something wonderfully different and original... The artwork is excellent- a unique style