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 Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too.
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Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too. 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.
Mixing detective and action, 04 Aug 2001
First of all I'd like to advise people who are willing to get into Hellboy to start here. Besides from this being the official first story you also get easily introduced to Hellboy and what he's about here, and the drift into Hellboy-reality is very natural and gentle. Besides from that it's a very nice read as a stand-alone story. It doesn't end with something like a cliff-hanger that makes you need to buy continuing books. It's a book with a beginning and an end. About the story: It's been over 35 years since Trevor Bruttenholm first found the creature that was later named "Hellboy", a big red creature over 7 feet high, strong as ten men, with a tail and an artificial stone arm. Nobody knows what he is or where he came from, including himself (a thing about which you get more and more hints as time goes by, not only in this particular volume). That was at the end of World War II on the scene of an occult experiment by a Nazi group trying to grab on to probably their last chances of enpowering the Reich. Now, the present, Trevor reaches out to Hellboy, who has since gone on to work for the "Bureau of Paranormal Investigation", because he desperately needs his aid. Weird extra-natural murders are taking place and it's up to Hellboy and his agency to find what kind of mystical powers are on a rampage and, even more important, who unleashed them. What you have here is a title that especially people who like things like "X-Files" and "Planetary" will like a lot. It's about an agency that goes around the world to solve super-natural crimes and puzzles, but the members of the agency aren't that normal theirselves either. All this in a pretty gritty and dark atmosphere. It's very well-written, everything fits, and what also is really nice is that the creator (Mike Mignola) NEVER gave the story-writing or the art-job away in any of the following books. The creator sticks with his book and it really shows later on, when you see how things keep clicking and keep the same atmosphere. Must-buy for Planetary and X-Files fans and alike.
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Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too. 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.
Mixing detective and action, 04 Aug 2001
First of all I'd like to advise people who are willing to get into Hellboy to start here. Besides from this being the official first story you also get easily introduced to Hellboy and what he's about here, and the drift into Hellboy-reality is very natural and gentle. Besides from that it's a very nice read as a stand-alone story. It doesn't end with something like a cliff-hanger that makes you need to buy continuing books. It's a book with a beginning and an end. About the story: It's been over 35 years since Trevor Bruttenholm first found the creature that was later named "Hellboy", a big red creature over 7 feet high, strong as ten men, with a tail and an artificial stone arm. Nobody knows what he is or where he came from, including himself (a thing about which you get more and more hints as time goes by, not only in this particular volume). That was at the end of World War II on the scene of an occult experiment by a Nazi group trying to grab on to probably their last chances of enpowering the Reich. Now, the present, Trevor reaches out to Hellboy, who has since gone on to work for the "Bureau of Paranormal Investigation", because he desperately needs his aid. Weird extra-natural murders are taking place and it's up to Hellboy and his agency to find what kind of mystical powers are on a rampage and, even more important, who unleashed them. What you have here is a title that especially people who like things like "X-Files" and "Planetary" will like a lot. It's about an agency that goes around the world to solve super-natural crimes and puzzles, but the members of the agency aren't that normal theirselves either. All this in a pretty gritty and dark atmosphere. It's very well-written, everything fits, and what also is really nice is that the creator (Mike Mignola) NEVER gave the story-writing or the art-job away in any of the following books. The creator sticks with his book and it really shows later on, when you see how things keep clicking and keep the same atmosphere. Must-buy for Planetary and X-Files fans and alike.
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!
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Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too. 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.
Mixing detective and action, 04 Aug 2001
First of all I'd like to advise people who are willing to get into Hellboy to start here. Besides from this being the official first story you also get easily introduced to Hellboy and what he's about here, and the drift into Hellboy-reality is very natural and gentle. Besides from that it's a very nice read as a stand-alone story. It doesn't end with something like a cliff-hanger that makes you need to buy continuing books. It's a book with a beginning and an end. About the story: It's been over 35 years since Trevor Bruttenholm first found the creature that was later named "Hellboy", a big red creature over 7 feet high, strong as ten men, with a tail and an artificial stone arm. Nobody knows what he is or where he came from, including himself (a thing about which you get more and more hints as time goes by, not only in this particular volume). That was at the end of World War II on the scene of an occult experiment by a Nazi group trying to grab on to probably their last chances of enpowering the Reich. Now, the present, Trevor reaches out to Hellboy, who has since gone on to work for the "Bureau of Paranormal Investigation", because he desperately needs his aid. Weird extra-natural murders are taking place and it's up to Hellboy and his agency to find what kind of mystical powers are on a rampage and, even more important, who unleashed them. What you have here is a title that especially people who like things like "X-Files" and "Planetary" will like a lot. It's about an agency that goes around the world to solve super-natural crimes and puzzles, but the members of the agency aren't that normal theirselves either. All this in a pretty gritty and dark atmosphere. It's very well-written, everything fits, and what also is really nice is that the creator (Mike Mignola) NEVER gave the story-writing or the art-job away in any of the following books. The creator sticks with his book and it really shows later on, when you see how things keep clicking and keep the same atmosphere. Must-buy for Planetary and X-Files fans and alike.
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!
Yay!! and nay?? , 24 Apr 2008
Sadly this is the last, boo hoo, in the main story arc of Hellboy's time at the BPRD. Back in the day, Lobster Johnson led an attack on Hitler's space program, but failed and the Nazis were able to launch the first man into space. Now, after sixty years, Hellboy and Roger (Now implanted by Bureau scientists with a bomb in case he goes off the rails) have to travel to a ruined castle in Norway to intercept the returning capsule, and its single passenger...the conqueror worm. More nasty, slimy creatures in this one! EEEEeeew. Plus the old nazi head in jar, herman von klempt, now has a body!! This is pretty intense, and the ending, well you'll have to read it! There's a good epilogue too which ties up some loose ends. That Rasputin, cant do anything right!
Read all the BPRD and Weird Tales too if you need more Hellboy action! So cool.
The one and only, 23 Jul 2005
If you are new to Hellboy, this probably isn't the best place to start: read Seed of Destruction, then Wake the Devil, but make sure you come back to this one next! If you're not new to Hellboy and haven't read this yet - what are you waiting for? MM's beautiful and atmospheric artwork and dry, understated writing make this another triumph. Hundreds of people are doing horror-themed work in all sorts of genres these days, and unfortunately most of it is pretty tacky. This isn't. It's the real deal, and I reckon M.R.James himself would approve. Hate modern horror? Hate comics? If you are at all drawn to the darker side, you will find much to admire in Mignola's work anyway.
Another epic adventure from Mike Mignola, 16 Aug 2004
To quote this book's introduction, Mike Mignola is a genius. Not only is he an incredible artist but he can also write pretty darn good comic scripts! After reading all of the other, previous Hellboy comics I was expecting something good, what I got when I brought Conqueror Worm was something astounding, I mean it not only brings together the continuing story from Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil but it also involves Depression-era crime fighter Lobster Johnson and with a crazy name like that he's gotta be good, right? If you have read the other Hellboy comics and enjoyed them then buy Conqueror Worm.
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Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too. 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.
Mixing detective and action, 04 Aug 2001
First of all I'd like to advise people who are willing to get into Hellboy to start here. Besides from this being the official first story you also get easily introduced to Hellboy and what he's about here, and the drift into Hellboy-reality is very natural and gentle. Besides from that it's a very nice read as a stand-alone story. It doesn't end with something like a cliff-hanger that makes you need to buy continuing books. It's a book with a beginning and an end. About the story: It's been over 35 years since Trevor Bruttenholm first found the creature that was later named "Hellboy", a big red creature over 7 feet high, strong as ten men, with a tail and an artificial stone arm. Nobody knows what he is or where he came from, including himself (a thing about which you get more and more hints as time goes by, not only in this particular volume). That was at the end of World War II on the scene of an occult experiment by a Nazi group trying to grab on to probably their last chances of enpowering the Reich. Now, the present, Trevor reaches out to Hellboy, who has since gone on to work for the "Bureau of Paranormal Investigation", because he desperately needs his aid. Weird extra-natural murders are taking place and it's up to Hellboy and his agency to find what kind of mystical powers are on a rampage and, even more important, who unleashed them. What you have here is a title that especially people who like things like "X-Files" and "Planetary" will like a lot. It's about an agency that goes around the world to solve super-natural crimes and puzzles, but the members of the agency aren't that normal theirselves either. All this in a pretty gritty and dark atmosphere. It's very well-written, everything fits, and what also is really nice is that the creator (Mike Mignola) NEVER gave the story-writing or the art-job away in any of the following books. The creator sticks with his book and it really shows later on, when you see how things keep clicking and keep the same atmosphere. Must-buy for Planetary and X-Files fans and alike.
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!
Yay!! and nay?? , 24 Apr 2008
Sadly this is the last, boo hoo, in the main story arc of Hellboy's time at the BPRD. Back in the day, Lobster Johnson led an attack on Hitler's space program, but failed and the Nazis were able to launch the first man into space. Now, after sixty years, Hellboy and Roger (Now implanted by Bureau scientists with a bomb in case he goes off the rails) have to travel to a ruined castle in Norway to intercept the returning capsule, and its single passenger...the conqueror worm. More nasty, slimy creatures in this one! EEEEeeew. Plus the old nazi head in jar, herman von klempt, now has a body!! This is pretty intense, and the ending, well you'll have to read it! There's a good epilogue too which ties up some loose ends. That Rasputin, cant do anything right!
Read all the BPRD and Weird Tales too if you need more Hellboy action! So cool.
The one and only, 23 Jul 2005
If you are new to Hellboy, this probably isn't the best place to start: read Seed of Destruction, then Wake the Devil, but make sure you come back to this one next! If you're not new to Hellboy and haven't read this yet - what are you waiting for? MM's beautiful and atmospheric artwork and dry, understated writing make this another triumph. Hundreds of people are doing horror-themed work in all sorts of genres these days, and unfortunately most of it is pretty tacky. This isn't. It's the real deal, and I reckon M.R.James himself would approve. Hate modern horror? Hate comics? If you are at all drawn to the darker side, you will find much to admire in Mignola's work anyway.
Another epic adventure from Mike Mignola, 16 Aug 2004
To quote this book's introduction, Mike Mignola is a genius. Not only is he an incredible artist but he can also write pretty darn good comic scripts! After reading all of the other, previous Hellboy comics I was expecting something good, what I got when I brought Conqueror Worm was something astounding, I mean it not only brings together the continuing story from Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil but it also involves Depression-era crime fighter Lobster Johnson and with a crazy name like that he's gotta be good, right? If you have read the other Hellboy comics and enjoyed them then buy Conqueror Worm.
Hellboy is great., 29 Apr 2008
This volume has plenty in it! It's a fair bit larger than the first two, and packed with fantastic short stories that had previously been unavailable for ages. The title story, 'The Chained Coffin' gives a great look at more of Hellboys' origins and.....daddy??!!. Plus there's the fan favourite 'The Corpse' (nasty irish fairies) and 'Almost Colossus', which introduces Roger the homunculus before he joins the BPRD.
What I really love about this is how a lot of the stories are grounded in traditional folk and fairy tales from around the world, like the Russian witch Baba Yaga. There is something here most people will recognize. Plus its kinda nice to have a hero who's a bit of an anglophile! And to top it off there a neat art gallery section at the end! Marvelous! A great anthology for Hellboy fans!
Mostly superb, 28 Apr 2003
This is a collection of great Hellboy stories. Most of which are superb.
You can tell Mike does his homework for the stories to pick up many folk tales from around the world. He then sticks Hellboy in to the middle of them and this makes for such a great read. Several times in the book I got a big idiot grin on my face reading this stuff because of the lines that Hellboy comes out with and the things he says to the monsters he is battling with. Most of the stories are set like an investigation which sets the scene and the story, bringing in the elements of the mythos behind the tale. This invariably leads to a show down with the beasts behind the mythos where Hellboy does his stylish ass kicking thing.
One of the funny things about Hellboy is he is supposed to be this big hero and sports a great big gun but he is useless with it, never hits anything and ends up losing it more than shooting it! Lucky for him he has a big stone fist that packs a punch.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I am not a fan of short stories as much as the bigger ones plus I felt that some of the stories could have been explored further but were reduced to what they are to fit in the comics they were written for.
Buy This Book, 17 Mar 2003
This is the third Hellboy Graphic Novel. The art by Mike Mignola is excellent. It is a collection of Hellboy stories. A blend of action, adventure, humour and gripping horror. Many tales are classic myths from celtic and eastern europe, and a passing nod to Frankenstein. It features the Origin of Roger the Homunculus, and explores hellboy's past. Hellboy takes on Baba Yaga and evil fairies. It contains the story of the Wolves of St August, an excellent tale later released as a graphic novel. The two issuse mini series Almost colossus, another excellent tale. All in all an excellent graphic novel.
Nice stories., 04 Jan 2002
I think Hellboy is lots of fun. Mike Mignola was already a well regarded artist before he turned his hand to writing as well for this series. His inexperience as a writer shows a bit in the long Hellboy stories, Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil. In the collected WTD he admits he had to re-plot the end of the book on the hoof when he found he had written himself into a corner.
This collection, which contains assorted one-shots, is more polished writing wise than the longer stories. There are some really nice touches here especially the sly folkloric learning which Mignola has picked up over the years, and it's nice to see someone approaching a supernaturally themed comic without the tiresome pretentiousness which characterises a lot of Hellblazer and Sandman stories. For all his demonic origin Hellboy is a very human character.
Another bonus in this collection is that each story is preceded by a little intro by Mignola himself saying how the idea came about which is a cool little bonus; it's always interesting to get a glimpse into the creative processes of people who are producing work you like.
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Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too. 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.
Mixing detective and action, 04 Aug 2001
First of all I'd like to advise people who are willing to get into Hellboy to start here. Besides from this being the official first story you also get easily introduced to Hellboy and what he's about here, and the drift into Hellboy-reality is very natural and gentle. Besides from that it's a very nice read as a stand-alone story. It doesn't end with something like a cliff-hanger that makes you need to buy continuing books. It's a book with a beginning and an end. About the story: It's been over 35 years since Trevor Bruttenholm first found the creature that was later named "Hellboy", a big red creature over 7 feet high, strong as ten men, with a tail and an artificial stone arm. Nobody knows what he is or where he came from, including himself (a thing about which you get more and more hints as time goes by, not only in this particular volume). That was at the end of World War II on the scene of an occult experiment by a Nazi group trying to grab on to probably their last chances of enpowering the Reich. Now, the present, Trevor reaches out to Hellboy, who has since gone on to work for the "Bureau of Paranormal Investigation", because he desperately needs his aid. Weird extra-natural murders are taking place and it's up to Hellboy and his agency to find what kind of mystical powers are on a rampage and, even more important, who unleashed them. What you have here is a title that especially people who like things like "X-Files" and "Planetary" will like a lot. It's about an agency that goes around the world to solve super-natural crimes and puzzles, but the members of the agency aren't that normal theirselves either. All this in a pretty gritty and dark atmosphere. It's very well-written, everything fits, and what also is really nice is that the creator (Mike Mignola) NEVER gave the story-writing or the art-job away in any of the following books. The creator sticks with his book and it really shows later on, when you see how things keep clicking and keep the same atmosphere. Must-buy for Planetary and X-Files fans and alike.
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!
Yay!! and nay?? , 24 Apr 2008
Sadly this is the last, boo hoo, in the main story arc of Hellboy's time at the BPRD. Back in the day, Lobster Johnson led an attack on Hitler's space program, but failed and the Nazis were able to launch the first man into space. Now, after sixty years, Hellboy and Roger (Now implanted by Bureau scientists with a bomb in case he goes off the rails) have to travel to a ruined castle in Norway to intercept the returning capsule, and its single passenger...the conqueror worm. More nasty, slimy creatures in this one! EEEEeeew. Plus the old nazi head in jar, herman von klempt, now has a body!! This is pretty intense, and the ending, well you'll have to read it! There's a good epilogue too which ties up some loose ends. That Rasputin, cant do anything right!
Read all the BPRD and Weird Tales too if you need more Hellboy action! So cool.
The one and only, 23 Jul 2005
If you are new to Hellboy, this probably isn't the best place to start: read Seed of Destruction, then Wake the Devil, but make sure you come back to this one next! If you're not new to Hellboy and haven't read this yet - what are you waiting for? MM's beautiful and atmospheric artwork and dry, understated writing make this another triumph. Hundreds of people are doing horror-themed work in all sorts of genres these days, and unfortunately most of it is pretty tacky. This isn't. It's the real deal, and I reckon M.R.James himself would approve. Hate modern horror? Hate comics? If you are at all drawn to the darker side, you will find much to admire in Mignola's work anyway.
Another epic adventure from Mike Mignola, 16 Aug 2004
To quote this book's introduction, Mike Mignola is a genius. Not only is he an incredible artist but he can also write pretty darn good comic scripts! After reading all of the other, previous Hellboy comics I was expecting something good, what I got when I brought Conqueror Worm was something astounding, I mean it not only brings together the continuing story from Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil but it also involves Depression-era crime fighter Lobster Johnson and with a crazy name like that he's gotta be good, right? If you have read the other Hellboy comics and enjoyed them then buy Conqueror Worm.
Hellboy is great., 29 Apr 2008
This volume has plenty in it! It's a fair bit larger than the first two, and packed with fantastic short stories that had previously been unavailable for ages. The title story, 'The Chained Coffin' gives a great look at more of Hellboys' origins and.....daddy??!!. Plus there's the fan favourite 'The Corpse' (nasty irish fairies) and 'Almost Colossus', which introduces Roger the homunculus before he joins the BPRD.
What I really love about this is how a lot of the stories are grounded in traditional folk and fairy tales from around the world, like the Russian witch Baba Yaga. There is something here most people will recognize. Plus its kinda nice to have a hero who's a bit of an anglophile! And to top it off there a neat art gallery section at the end! Marvelous! A great anthology for Hellboy fans!
Mostly superb, 28 Apr 2003
This is a collection of great Hellboy stories. Most of which are superb.
You can tell Mike does his homework for the stories to pick up many folk tales from around the world. He then sticks Hellboy in to the middle of them and this makes for such a great read. Several times in the book I got a big idiot grin on my face reading this stuff because of the lines that Hellboy comes out with and the things he says to the monsters he is battling with. Most of the stories are set like an investigation which sets the scene and the story, bringing in the elements of the mythos behind the tale. This invariably leads to a show down with the beasts behind the mythos where Hellboy does his stylish ass kicking thing.
One of the funny things about Hellboy is he is supposed to be this big hero and sports a great big gun but he is useless with it, never hits anything and ends up losing it more than shooting it! Lucky for him he has a big stone fist that packs a punch.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I am not a fan of short stories as much as the bigger ones plus I felt that some of the stories could have been explored further but were reduced to what they are to fit in the comics they were written for.
Buy This Book, 17 Mar 2003
This is the third Hellboy Graphic Novel. The art by Mike Mignola is excellent. It is a collection of Hellboy stories. A blend of action, adventure, humour and gripping horror. Many tales are classic myths from celtic and eastern europe, and a passing nod to Frankenstein. It features the Origin of Roger the Homunculus, and explores hellboy's past. Hellboy takes on Baba Yaga and evil fairies. It contains the story of the Wolves of St August, an excellent tale later released as a graphic novel. The two issuse mini series Almost colossus, another excellent tale. All in all an excellent graphic novel.
Nice stories., 04 Jan 2002
I think Hellboy is lots of fun. Mike Mignola was already a well regarded artist before he turned his hand to writing as well for this series. His inexperience as a writer shows a bit in the long Hellboy stories, Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil. In the collected WTD he admits he had to re-plot the end of the book on the hoof when he found he had written himself into a corner.
This collection, which contains assorted one-shots, is more polished writing wise than the longer stories. There are some really nice touches here especially the sly folkloric learning which Mignola has picked up over the years, and it's nice to see someone approaching a supernaturally themed comic without the tiresome pretentiousness which characterises a lot of Hellblazer and Sandman stories. For all his demonic origin Hellboy is a very human character.
Another bonus in this collection is that each story is preceded by a little intro by Mignola himself saying how the idea came about which is a cool little bonus; it's always interesting to get a glimpse into the creative processes of people who are producing work you like.
Strange Places for Hellboy...and the reader, 23 Aug 2008
Mignola is clearly more confident and able to bring Hellboy to places that he himself wants to bring this marvellous character. Strange Places follows Hellboy on a journey of finding himself and who he wants to be and though it doesn't actually end with Hellboy achieving this, it nevertheless tells us tales of woe that the character happed upon in his journies. The wonderful thing about the world of Hellboy is the array of characters and folklore that Mignola draws upon, and here within the pages of Strange Places is no exception. Hellboy is part of world that the reader knows little of, and through the eyes of Mignola and Hellboy, the reader becomes all the more aware of what both Mignola wants us to see and what Hellboy must endure being Anung Un Rama
Fills a gap..., 24 Apr 2008
Mike Mignola's latest Hellboy effort picks up with what happened after Hellboy left the B.P.R.D and his journey to Africa. Features plenty of Lovecraftian underwater monstrosities and some stroppy fairy types!
Certainly not the best in the Hellboy series but a welcome return for my favourite red guy. Plus it reveals a few more secrets about his origins and purpose in the "Third Wish." It also contains "the island" and some previously unpublished sketches and artwork. A must for Hellboy fans and collectors.
Simply the best, 25 Nov 2006
Mike Mignola is quite simply the best comic book artist out there. When you sit there and marvel at the sheer simplicity of his illustrations you can truly appreciate what a master of the craft he is. After all the key to comic book art is to be able to convey what is happening at a glance, this allows each cell to seemlessley flow into the next. But when you do start to muse over each picture you notice just how clever his style is. The simple rule is that what's in shadow is black and what isn't in shadow isn't black!
As for this book it is yet another sneeky peek into Hellboy's mysterious origins and even more interestingly the origins of the Ogdru Jahad. But of course like all of the other books Mignola manages to ask more questions than he answers! But hey isn't that why we love Hellboy!
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Customer Reviews
The tiniest niggle on an otherwise flawless book..., 19 Oct 2008
Ahhh. Hellboy.
This book contains many of the Hellboy short stories (previously collected in the TPBS "The Chained Coffin" and "The Right Hand of Doom"), collected for the first time in chronolgical order.
If you've never read any Hellboy, you're in for a treat. Forget what you think you know from the movie. This isn't dumb hollywood action. This is beautiful, subtle storytelling, dripping with folklore and fairy tale, with the unique pacing that only Mike Mignola's sublime illustration can provide. Oh, and there's plenty of dumb action too...
Some of my favourite Hellboy stories are in here, from the dark gothic werewolf tale "The wolves of St August", to the absurd fan favourite "Heads" to mention just two.
My only critism of this beautiful book... why, oh why did they not include all of the front covers?!?! The first library edition had the covers for all the issues (admittedly in frustrating black and grey), and I've got to say, this is one of my big pet peeves with TPBs. I want to see the whole cover for each individual issue, as it was released, with the logo, the date, the price, everything, and in colour. Mike Mignola rarely draws these days, so it'd be great to have all the differnet covers, trade covers and variants collected. Oh well, maybe they'll release them all as a separate book or something.
But anyway, I love Hellboy. You should too. 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.
Mixing detective and action, 04 Aug 2001
First of all I'd like to advise people who are willing to get into Hellboy to start here. Besides from this being the official first story you also get easily introduced to Hellboy and what he's about here, and the drift into Hellboy-reality is very natural and gentle. Besides from that it's a very nice read as a stand-alone story. It doesn't end with something like a cliff-hanger that makes you need to buy continuing books. It's a book with a beginning and an end. About the story: It's been over 35 years since Trevor Bruttenholm first found the creature that was later named "Hellboy", a big red creature over 7 feet high, strong as ten men, with a tail and an artificial stone arm. Nobody knows what he is or where he came from, including himself (a thing about which you get more and more hints as time goes by, not only in this particular volume). That was at the end of World War II on the scene of an occult experiment by a Nazi group trying to grab on to probably their last chances of enpowering the Reich. Now, the present, Trevor reaches out to Hellboy, who has since gone on to work for the "Bureau of Paranormal Investigation", because he desperately needs his aid. Weird extra-natural murders are taking place and it's up to Hellboy and his agency to find what kind of mystical powers are on a rampage and, even more important, who unleashed them. What you have here is a title that especially people who like things like "X-Files" and "Planetary" will like a lot. It's about an agency that goes around the world to solve super-natural crimes and puzzles, but the members of the agency aren't that normal theirselves either. All this in a pretty gritty and dark atmosphere. It's very well-written, everything fits, and what also is really nice is that the creator (Mike Mignola) NEVER gave the story-writing or the art-job away in any of the following books. The creator sticks with his book and it really shows later on, when you see how things keep clicking and keep the same atmosphere. Must-buy for Planetary and X-Files fans and alike.
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!
Yay!! and nay?? , 24 Apr 2008
Sadly this is the last, boo hoo, in the main story arc of Hellboy's time at the BPRD. Back in the day, Lobster Johnson led an attack on Hitler's space program, but failed and the Nazis were able to launch the first man into space. Now, after sixty years, Hellboy and Roger (Now implanted by Bureau scientists with a bomb in case he goes off the rails) have to travel to a ruined castle in Norway to intercept the returning capsule, and its single passenger...the conqueror worm. More nasty, slimy creatures in this one! EEEEeeew. Plus the old nazi head in jar, herman von klempt, now has a body!! This is pretty intense, and the ending, well you'll have to read it! There's a good epilogue too which ties up some loose ends. That Rasputin, cant do anything right!
Read all the BPRD and Weird Tales too if you need more Hellboy action! So cool.
The one and only, 23 Jul 2005
If you are new to Hellboy, this probably isn't the best place to start: read Seed of Destruction, then Wake the Devil, but make sure you come back to this one next! If you're not new to Hellboy and haven't read this yet - what are you waiting for? MM's beautiful and atmospheric artwork and dry, understated writing make this another triumph. Hundreds of people are doing horror-themed work in all sorts of genres these days, and unfortunately most of it is pretty tacky. This isn't. It's the real deal, and I reckon M.R.James himself would approve. Hate modern horror? Hate comics? If you are at all drawn to the darker side, you will find much to admire in Mignola's work anyway.
Another epic adventure from Mike Mignola, 16 Aug 2004
To quote this book's introduction, Mike Mignola is a genius. Not only is he an incredible artist but he can also write pretty darn good comic scripts! After reading all of the other, previous Hellboy comics I was expecting something good, what I got when I brought Conqueror Worm was something astounding, I mean it not only brings together the continuing story from Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil but it also involves Depression-era crime fighter Lobster Johnson and with a crazy name like that he's gotta be good, right? If you have read the other Hellboy comics and enjoyed them then buy Conqueror Worm.
Hellboy is great., 29 Apr 2008
This volume has plenty in it! It's a fair bit larger than the first two, and packed with fantastic short stories that had previously been unavailable for ages. The title story, 'The Chained Coffin' gives a great look at more of Hellboys' origins and.....daddy??!!. Plus there's the fan favourite 'The Corpse' (nasty irish fairies) and 'Almost Colossus', which introduces Roger the homunculus before he joins the BPRD.
What I really love about this is how a lot of the stories are grounded in traditional folk and fairy tales from around the world, like the Russian witch Baba Yaga. There is something here most people will recognize. Plus its kinda nice to have a hero who's a bit of an anglophile! And to top it off there a neat art gallery section at the end! Marvelous! A great anthology for Hellboy fans!
Mostly superb, 28 Apr 2003
This is a collection of great Hellboy stories. Most of which are superb.
You can tell Mike does his homework for the stories to pick up many folk tales from around the world. He then sticks Hellboy in to the middle of them and this makes for such a great read. Several times in the book I got a big idiot grin on my face reading this stuff because of the lines that Hellboy comes out with and the things he says to the monsters he is battling with. Most of the stories are set like an investigation which sets the scene and the story, bringing in the elements of the mythos behind the tale. This invariably leads to a show down with the beasts behind the mythos where Hellboy does his stylish ass kicking thing.
One of the funny things about Hellboy is he is supposed to be this big hero and sports a great big gun but he is useless with it, never hits anything and ends up losing it more than shooting it! Lucky for him he has a big stone fist that packs a punch.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I am not a fan of short stories as much as the bigger ones plus I felt that some of the stories could have been explored further but were reduced to what they are to fit in the comics they were written for.
Buy This Book, 17 Mar 2003
This is the third Hellboy Graphic Novel. The art by Mike Mignola is excellent. It is a collection of Hellboy stories. A blend of action, adventure, humour and gripping horror. Many tales are classic myths from celtic and eastern europe, and a passing nod to Frankenstein. It features the Origin of Roger the Homunculus, and explores hellboy's past. Hellboy takes on Baba Yaga and evil fairies. It contains the story of the Wolves of St August, an excellent tale later released as a graphic novel. The two issuse mini series Almost colossus, another excellent tale. All in all an excellent graphic novel.
Nice stories., 04 Jan 2002
I think Hellboy is lots of fun. Mike Mignola was already a well regarded artist before he turned his hand to writing as well for this series. His inexperience as a writer shows a bit in the long Hellboy stories, Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil. In the collected WTD he admits he had to re-plot the end of the book on the hoof when he found he had written himself into a corner.
This collection, which contains assorted one-shots, is more polished writing wise than the longer stories. There are some really nice touches here especially the sly folkloric learning which Mignola has picked up over the years, and it's nice to see someone approaching a supernaturally themed comic without the tiresome pretentiousness which characterises a lot of Hellblazer and Sandman stories. For all his demonic origin Hellboy is a very human character.
Another bonus in this collection is that each story is preceded by a little intro by Mignola himself saying how the idea came about which is a cool little bonus; it's always interesting to get a glimpse into the creative processes of people who are producing work you like.
Strange Places for Hellboy...and the reader, 23 Aug 2008
Mignola is clearly more confident and able to bring Hellboy to places that he himself wants to bring this marvellous character. Strange Places follows Hellboy on a journey of finding himself and who he wants to be and though it doesn't actually end with Hellboy achieving this, it nevertheless tells us tales of woe that the character happed upon in his journies. The wonderful thing about the world of Hellboy is the array of characters and folklore that Mignola draws upon, and here within the pages of Strange Places is no exception. Hellboy is part of world that the reader knows little of, and through the eyes of Mignola and Hellboy, the reader becomes all the more aware of what both Mignola wants us to see and what Hellboy must endure being Anung Un Rama
Fills a gap..., 24 Apr 2008
Mike Mignola's latest Hellboy effort picks up with what happened after Hellboy left the B.P.R.D and his journey to Africa. Features plenty of Lovecraftian underwater monstrosities and some stroppy fairy types!
Certainly not the best in the Hellboy series but a welcome return for my favourite red guy. Plus it reveals a few more secrets about his origins and purpose in the "Third Wish." It also contains "the island" and some previously unpublished sketches and artwork. A must for Hellboy fans and collectors.
Simply the best, 25 Nov 2006
Mike Mignola is quite simply the best comic book artist out there. When you sit there and marvel at the sheer simplicity of his illustrations you can truly appreciate what a master of the craft he is. After all the key to comic book art is to be able to convey what is happening at a glance, this allows each cell to seemlessley flow into the next. But when you do start to muse over each picture you notice just how clever his style is. The simple rule is that what's in shadow is black and what isn't in shadow isn't black!
As for this book it is yet another sneeky peek into Hellboy's mysterious origins and even more interestingly the origins of the Ogdru Jahad. But of course like all of the other books Mignola manages to ask more questions than he answers! But hey isn't that why we love Hellboy!
Deep inside Hellboy's folklore, 14 Aug 2002
I usually prefer long stories but the quality of Mignola’s work plus the slick spirits of the Hellboy’s character make it ideal for collections as well.
As in “The Chained Coffin”, we have here another fine collection of Hellboy’s stories from very different periods of his life, delving deeper inside the character’s psychology and origin.
The initial very short and humoristic story “Pancakes” on Hellboy’s childhood perfectly introduces the reader in the Hellboy’s folklore, which lines up monstrous things alongside every day issues.
This book is also a good opportunity to appreciate Hellboy’s common denominators in very different scenarios from Norway to Japan.
A truly original and gothic masterpiece, 06 Dec 2001
This 'Hellboy' graphic novel is comprised of several stories that were originaly sold individually the book includes 'Pancakes', 'The Nature of the Beast', 'King Vold', 'Heads', 'Goodbye,Mister Tod', 'The Varcolac' and the title story The 'Right Hand of Doom' and finally 'Box full of Evil 'which in my opinion is the finest 'Hellboy' story i have read so far, although i have not yet read the very first 'Hellboy' comics 'The Seed of Destruction' and
'Wake the Devil'.
The creator of Hellboy Mike Mignola is such a skilled artist and storyteller, his ideas are so well realised by this exquisite series of comic books. I love the way he has 'Hellboy' solving these fantastic mysteries in places such as Sussex and 'Hellboy' himself arrived on this earth in a farm house in East Bromich !
Well done Mike Mignola,keep up the great work. I stongly urge anyone who enjoys atmospheric horror books or films to start collecting anything 'Hellboy'.
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