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A review by paulviebranz
Seed of Destruction by John Byrne, Mike Mignola
4.0
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction is a book I've meant to read since Guillermo del Toro's first film adaptation was released in 2004. I've seen his two films at least five times each (the first one probably closer to ten), and I also suffered through that one with David Harbour (respect to him, but that was just a miserable experience). When I think of Hellboy, I picture and hear Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and Doug Jones as Hellboy, Liz, and Abe, and I imagine the worlds del Toro and company brought to the screen.
Mike Mignola's first volume of the comic is a great read, but with my love of the del Toro films as deep and longstanding as it is, I have to admit it fell a little flat for me in terms of characterization. The plot is fairly similar to that of the first film, but even absent several supporting film characters, the characters in the comic feel fairly thinly drawn. Hellboy easily gets the most meat on his bones, but even he is a far cry from the complicated weirdo Perlman immortalized.
That being said, the artwork is mindblowing. Whatever my mild disappointments may be with the characters or plot, I would (and will) happily reread Seed of Destruction to pore over the images again.
After so many years, this first volume of the comic was, I think, destined to underwhelm me a bit. The first film is too near and dear to me, and this inaugural published tale just doesn't have quite the complexity and quirkiness of character I adore so much in the adaptations.
I'm eager to get into the second volume soon! I am confident that with a story divorced from a plot I'm already familiar with, absent those specific expectations, I will dig it a whole lot more.
If nothing else, I can't wait to see more of Mignola's incredible artwork!
Mike Mignola's first volume of the comic is a great read, but with my love of the del Toro films as deep and longstanding as it is, I have to admit it fell a little flat for me in terms of characterization. The plot is fairly similar to that of the first film, but even absent several supporting film characters, the characters in the comic feel fairly thinly drawn. Hellboy easily gets the most meat on his bones, but even he is a far cry from the complicated weirdo Perlman immortalized.
That being said, the artwork is mindblowing. Whatever my mild disappointments may be with the characters or plot, I would (and will) happily reread Seed of Destruction to pore over the images again.
After so many years, this first volume of the comic was, I think, destined to underwhelm me a bit. The first film is too near and dear to me, and this inaugural published tale just doesn't have quite the complexity and quirkiness of character I adore so much in the adaptations.
I'm eager to get into the second volume soon! I am confident that with a story divorced from a plot I'm already familiar with, absent those specific expectations, I will dig it a whole lot more.
If nothing else, I can't wait to see more of Mignola's incredible artwork!