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geekwayne's review
4.0
In a story set when Hellboy was young, he sneaks out of the Bureau For Paranormal Research and Defense. He discovers a creepy circus in the woods that only runs in the dead of night. He also discovers something that may endanger his life.
It's a story with some great nods to the book Pinocchio, with it's imagery of fish puppets and giant whales, and a caring father figure who just wants his young one safe. There are characters that Hellboy will meet later in his life that want to kill him here.
Story by Mike Mignola is superb. Art by Duncan Fegredo is nightmare producing, with creepy clowns and menacing monkeys and other creatures. The coloring has the hues of deep night which just serves to enhance the dreamlike quality of the story. It's a pretty good stand alone story, and I'd like to see more from this era of Hellboy's life.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
It's a story with some great nods to the book Pinocchio, with it's imagery of fish puppets and giant whales, and a caring father figure who just wants his young one safe. There are characters that Hellboy will meet later in his life that want to kill him here.
Story by Mike Mignola is superb. Art by Duncan Fegredo is nightmare producing, with creepy clowns and menacing monkeys and other creatures. The coloring has the hues of deep night which just serves to enhance the dreamlike quality of the story. It's a pretty good stand alone story, and I'd like to see more from this era of Hellboy's life.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
brandonadaniels's review
4.0
4.5. A very simple story about young Hellboy featuring some of the best art you’ll find in a comic book.
zare_i's review
5.0
This was an interesting book.
Hellboy, kid, teen, lives surrounded by adults at all times (various agents and scientists from BPRD). Living in such surroundings it is no surprise he considers himself to be one of the team so when he gets put to his place he takes it very hard. Since he is in a very sensitive teen years (when almost anything will annoy the teen :) ) this results in his rebellious escape one night when he comes across the mysterious circus advertising marvels and show from midnight to the crack of dawn.
Puzzled he decides to see the circus show but very soon he will find himself in company of monsters that will tease him to [by reacting to their actions] do what he was meant to do on Earth from the beginning - open the gates of Hell.
Excellent story, I especially liked parallels with the Pinocchio, both aspiring to become true boys but making errors on the way to achieving their goal - errors that scare them and sometimes scar them but errors that are nevertheless part of the growing up.
Art as always is very beautiful, Duncan Fegredo is truly an excellent artist.
Highly recommended to all fans of Hellboy and/or eerie stories.
Hellboy, kid, teen, lives surrounded by adults at all times (various agents and scientists from BPRD). Living in such surroundings it is no surprise he considers himself to be one of the team so when he gets put to his place he takes it very hard. Since he is in a very sensitive teen years (when almost anything will annoy the teen :) ) this results in his rebellious escape one night when he comes across the mysterious circus advertising marvels and show from midnight to the crack of dawn.
Puzzled he decides to see the circus show but very soon he will find himself in company of monsters that will tease him to [by reacting to their actions] do what he was meant to do on Earth from the beginning - open the gates of Hell.
Excellent story, I especially liked parallels with the Pinocchio, both aspiring to become true boys but making errors on the way to achieving their goal - errors that scare them and sometimes scar them but errors that are nevertheless part of the growing up.
Art as always is very beautiful, Duncan Fegredo is truly an excellent artist.
Highly recommended to all fans of Hellboy and/or eerie stories.
laurbits's review
4.0
Love Dave Stewart's colors and the Pinocchio and circus concepts just work beautifully in the Hellboy world.
magnetgrrl's review
3.0
Not one of my favorite Hellboy stories, either. Maybe it's gone downhill? I'm really behind on the single issues/main story arc. Gets a one-star bump because I love Hellboy in general. And maybe deserves it because I love stories from Hellboy's childhood, especially where they foreshadow Rasputin and the whole coming doom and conflict. Although, at this point, Mignola has done that so many times that it's a bit ridiculous. If some dude is in like, EVERY childhood memory you have, wouldn't you maybe, recognize him a little when you come into conflict later in life? Like, how is he a surprise to you?? Eh.
jexjthomas's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyable, with great art and a fun but mysterious story. Like some of the best Hellboy stories, this one asks more questions than it answers, managing to both slyly build on the Hellboy mythos and deliver a strong and entertaining standalone story. Plus Young Hellboy is pretty adorable.
library_jones's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0