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mags_2's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
paziicrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zare_i's review against another edition
5.0
Story of Hellboy's origin. Magnificent omnibus edition containing story of Hellboy's conjuring and follow up stories in which Hellboy tries to find more about himself while constantly tripping over Rasputin and his machinations.
My first contact with Hellboy was a little bit weird - art was pretty much reduced, at some points it seemed like you had to look at it from a distance to figure out what happens on the page. It was interesting approach and tone and pacing of events was excellent. But then it always seemed bit off - when it comes to art I prefer golden-age comics, for newer art I enjoy Frank Miller for example (not that far from Mignola's black&white-shadow-plays), but for Hellboy it seemed like drawings and paintings lost basic definitions and were just shapes that up close made no sense.
But I enjoyed the story a lot. So after reading omnibus vol #4 (I know, I know but it was a gift and I like to read :) ) I finally got opportunity to read omnibus vol #1. Art is beautiful, much more structured but story-telling and page flow are as always flawless.
After reading omnibus vol #1 it is visible that author was always experimenting with his drawings and coloring and it is clear that later stories show artists skill evolution (albeit little bit radical for my taste).
Excellent story, beautiful art - treat yourself and read it :)
My first contact with Hellboy was a little bit weird - art was pretty much reduced, at some points it seemed like you had to look at it from a distance to figure out what happens on the page. It was interesting approach and tone and pacing of events was excellent. But then it always seemed bit off - when it comes to art I prefer golden-age comics, for newer art I enjoy Frank Miller for example (not that far from Mignola's black&white-shadow-plays), but for Hellboy it seemed like drawings and paintings lost basic definitions and were just shapes that up close made no sense.
But I enjoyed the story a lot. So after reading omnibus vol #4 (I know, I know but it was a gift and I like to read :) ) I finally got opportunity to read omnibus vol #1. Art is beautiful, much more structured but story-telling and page flow are as always flawless.
After reading omnibus vol #1 it is visible that author was always experimenting with his drawings and coloring and it is clear that later stories show artists skill evolution (albeit little bit radical for my taste).
Excellent story, beautiful art - treat yourself and read it :)
discoscooby's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
miss_page's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
reickel's review against another edition
5.0
There's a reason Hellboy has endured, so popularly, and it's probably because it was very good right from the beginning. I will admit to getting lost a couple moments, and think Mignola's unique black-heavy art is off the mark sometimes (like, in the snow in the mountains), but even in Hellboy's first go, it hits some really powerful story.
Because saying "Hellboy is pretty good!" is a bit late here in 2018, I'll also address this particular printing/collection. The new Omnibus printings from Dark Horse are a treat; they are exactly the type of collection I waited to get into Hellboy for. I gave away the couple Hellboy TPBs I had to friends and got the entire Omnibus collection, and I'm very happy with that decision. It makes completion-ist-ing oh so easy.
Because saying "Hellboy is pretty good!" is a bit late here in 2018, I'll also address this particular printing/collection. The new Omnibus printings from Dark Horse are a treat; they are exactly the type of collection I waited to get into Hellboy for. I gave away the couple Hellboy TPBs I had to friends and got the entire Omnibus collection, and I'm very happy with that decision. It makes completion-ist-ing oh so easy.
bearded_ginger's review against another edition
4.0
Oh this was fun. My only previous experience with Hellboy previously was the excellent Del Toro movies and more recently, the horrible reboot. But the ideas of a big red bruiser investigating the paranormal is so incredibly in my wheelhouse i had to finally dive in.
First, the story is as much fun as i could have hoped for. Hellboy and his buddies go up against all sort of Eldritch evils and fantastic beasties and I loved his personality and interactions with his teammates. What i wasn't expecting was such great world building. I thought this would be something closer to a monster-of-the-week book, but there's a strong longform storyline here where ever story beat matters, and it made for a really rich and satisfying world to explore.
Then the artwork is absolutely incredible. The use of colour, and heavy black lines and shadows create a lot of depth to artwork that is at first simplistic. It's not like any other artists, and each panel is is filled with amazing little details. I especially loved the panels that flashed sculptures on the walls watching events unfold which gave me The Exorcist and The Haunting of Hill House vibes (the original B&W version)
I will absolutely be picking up the rest of this complete collection. I am a Hellboy convert.
First, the story is as much fun as i could have hoped for. Hellboy and his buddies go up against all sort of Eldritch evils and fantastic beasties and I loved his personality and interactions with his teammates. What i wasn't expecting was such great world building. I thought this would be something closer to a monster-of-the-week book, but there's a strong longform storyline here where ever story beat matters, and it made for a really rich and satisfying world to explore.
Then the artwork is absolutely incredible. The use of colour, and heavy black lines and shadows create a lot of depth to artwork that is at first simplistic. It's not like any other artists, and each panel is is filled with amazing little details. I especially loved the panels that flashed sculptures on the walls watching events unfold which gave me The Exorcist and The Haunting of Hill House vibes (the original B&W version)
I will absolutely be picking up the rest of this complete collection. I am a Hellboy convert.
zuuru's review against another edition
5.0
Yeah, I loved this. But it also means I'll have to start collecting the series because I want MORE and rip my wallet :D