Despite his comparative youth, the origin of Hellboy is a story more publicly recognized than many of Marvel or DC Comics' classic heroes. Drawn to Earth in an occult ritual, a demonic child is left stranded among humans. Taken in and accepted by them, he soon becomes their champion against supernatural threats which they face despite his destiny to bring about Armageddon. However, that's not quite the beginning is it? We know nothing of his origins in Hell, what made him so different to others nor how he came to bear the titanic fist which singles him out as doom-bringer. Well, expect some answers at long last.
As the title says, this is the tale of Hellboy's journey through the realm of demons following the aftermath of the conflict in England. Taken out of his element, it often seems more like an attempt by Mignola to further flesh out his world and ideas more than anything else; along with giving him new and interesting things to draw. While far more of a traditional evil than the cosmic cephalopods known as the Ogdru Jahad, Mignola thankfully avoids the usual fire and brimstone depictions of Hell. Crumbling bastions of Greek architecture, frozen plains over a seemingly endless abyss, the place is less fire and more a realm of twilight. Every detail streaked with dark shadows which befit the comic's art style and the monsters who lurk there are less the cloven hoof variants. Instead they are more the sort of thing you'd see H.R. Giger producing if he was Salvador Dali's works as direct inspiration.
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