Anyone worried that they wouldn't get any new Hellboy for awhile after the events in
Hellboy: The Storm and The Fury
can breathe a sigh of relief. Mike Mignola has gone backwards in time just as often as he has pushed his narrative forward, and it is evident that Mignola and legendary artist Richard Corben still had some stories to tell. We get our Hellboy fix for Autumn.
Taking place directly after the one-shot "Hellboy in Mexico" (collected in
Hellboy: The Bride of Hell and Others
), "Hellboy: House of the Living Dead" is the first direct sequel to a one-shot that I know of, and the first Hellboy original graphic novel. It is a hardcover and runs about fifty six pages.
The title is an allusion to two Universal Monster films,
House of Dracula
and
House of Frankenstein
. If you haven't seen those films, they came at the low ebb of the Universal Monster series and basically get together the famous monsters--Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Wolfman--for a battle royale. Mignola acknowledges these "sort-of-terrible" films as influences, along with the Mexican wrestler vs monster films like "Santo vs. Las Mujeres Vampiro."
The story basically tells of an event during Hellboys lost five months when he was drunk and in despair in the Mexican desert. He couldn't stop his friend from being turned into a vampire, and is trying to drown his guilt in booze and cheap sports. One night after a match Hellboy is approached by a stranger with a challenge. Hellboy must face an unknown champion and win, or else a young girl dies. Hellboy reluctantly agrees, and he finds himself lead to an old, falling down castle with a full Mad Scientist's laboratory in the basement. And Hellboy's mysterious wrestling opponent is--I am sure you can see where this is going.
Mignola has never bowed to convention, and "House of the Living Dead" is much more than a homage to Universal Horror. Sure, it is obvious that he wanted to make a story involving a bunch of classic monsters and some Mexican wrestlers, but the story ends up being more than the sum of its parts. Few of the characters follow their pre-written script, except perhaps for the Wolfman who is pure, doomed Larry Talbot. Combining the monsters with Mexico, Mignola takes a smattering of loose, unconnected elements and works them into a poignant story. The ending is fantastic, and put just the right cherry on an already fabulous cake.
To say that Richard Corben's art is great is to like saying that water is wet. I have run out of adjectives describing just how cool his drawings are. Corben has cemented himself as a necessary part of Hellboy, and I look forward to Corben-drawn Hellboy stories as much as I look forward to Mignola-drawn Hellboy stories. Corben's twisted little Dr. Frankenstein (Dr. Jose Luis Kogan) is a round little slimy charlatan with a fantastic rubbery face. And Corben's Monster captures that perfect blend of horror and sympathy without copying any of the famous interpretations.
As always, hail to colorist Dave Stewart who makes everything so much sweeter. There is a scene when the lightning comes to bring the Monster to life where the color makes all the difference. Stewart provides the necessary continuity that makes everything feel like Hellboy.
I loved Hellboy: House of the Living Dead. As much as I enjoy the continuing adventures of Hellboy in series like "Darkness Calls" and "The Fury," and as much as I am looking forward to Hellboy in Hell, my favorite Hellboy adventures are just like this; Hellboy wandering the world encountering monsters. After all, Hellboy is the modern descendent of weird fiction, and that particular genre was always served best by the short story. And few modern comic writers are masters of the short story like Mike Mignola.
OR
Don’t miss the next book
About series subscriptions
By clicking "Subscribe now with 1-Click®," you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use and authorize us to charge your default payment method or other method on file on the release date for the lowest price available on Amazon.com during the pre-order period (+ any taxes). Your subscription continues until cancelled; cancel any time from Your Memberships & Subscriptions.
- Subscriptions are for new books in the series
- You’ll always get the lowest price offered during preorder (including active comiXology Unlimited member discounts)
- Cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at any time
New books delivered as they are released
Which books will I get?
Subscriptions are for new books in the series. You will not receive any previously released books or the current book as part of this subscription.
What will I be charged for each book?
Prices are set as pre-orders are made available. You will receive the lowest price available on Amazon.com during the pre-order period. If the book is eligible for a comiXology Unlimited discount and you are a member on the release date, you’ll get your discount too. You can cancel any book or your subscription at any time.
When will I be charged for each book?
Pre-orders will be placed within 24 hours, but you will not be charged until books are released and ready for download. We will automatically charge your default payment or other payment method on file.
Subscriptions are for new books in the series. You will not receive any previously released books or the current book as part of this subscription.
What will I be charged for each book?
Prices are set as pre-orders are made available. You will receive the lowest price available on Amazon.com during the pre-order period. If the book is eligible for a comiXology Unlimited discount and you are a member on the release date, you’ll get your discount too. You can cancel any book or your subscription at any time.
When will I be charged for each book?
Pre-orders will be placed within 24 hours, but you will not be charged until books are released and ready for download. We will automatically charge your default payment or other payment method on file.
You've subscribed to Hellboy! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
elizabeth anne hepburn
Mignola Magic!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2013Joan-Ferran Llorens López
Un còmic imprescindible per als seguidors de Corben
Reviewed in Spain on February 23, 2013Jan-Niklas Bersenkowitsch
Hellboy versus Filmmonster
Reviewed in Germany on January 30, 2012