Review: Hellboy – Krampusnacht
“‘Tis the season to….” worry about demon goat headed accomplices to St. Nicholas apparently in this festive one shot featuring everyone escapee from hell itself, Hellboy.
It seems that whilst the good little boys and girls expect toys and presents on Christmas Day, those that have been naughty get more than a lump of coal, with eternal damnation and a horrible death their only gift. The sorrow of a mother’s love and a bit of an uproar in the local church, serves as an invitation to dinner, where even the most wicked hopes to be given their dearest wish.
Mike Mignola’s winter tale is a relatively simple story, partly based on the horrors condoned by those that initially do not look like monsters against the good deeds of those that do. The fact that Mignola usurps the fable of Krampus adds to the almost reality of this particular issue. The book reads well, with Mignola playing around with cause and effect that leads to the actions of the present. Mignola delivers a dialogue that fans of Hellboy will no doubt recognise.
Adam Hughes is an industry legend, more known for his photo realism than as a horror artist. For Hellboy he gets to flex a different set of artistic muscles. Hughes work here is a bit of a surprise to be honest. The last time I saw a lot of Adam Hughes was in the Star Trek graphic novel, “Debt of Honour” which was a fantastic looking book. Hellboy is a far cry from the final frontier, yet Hughes, sans the usual references still delivers a book that is pleasing to the eye. There are bits that sort of stand out against the backgrounds. This is an odd quirk of Hughes work and it initially can be a tad jolting. But stick with it and the panels will propel you through the story at a fair clip.
For those looking for an alternative to the sentimentality of Christmas, pop down to the local comic book shop where this book joins a private detective by the name of Santa Claus. Despite the simplicity of this book, Hellboy, looking to right the wrongs of his demon kin, delivers the kind of book you would have to have been very good all year to receive in your Christmas stocking.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Mike Mignola
Art by, Adam Hughes
Published by; Dark Horse Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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