HB:B
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Kevin Nowlan
It’s hard for comic companies that aren’t “the big two” to stay in the reader’s minds sometimes. Sure, they have a hardcore cult following but it’s a little more difficult to grab the average casual comic-goer. While Image has been doing a smashing job lately at dishing out new and intriguing (and fast-selling) product, it’s important to not overlook the small fish. While Dark Horse definitely isn’t the smallest fish in the pond, it definitely lives up to it’s name as the ‘dark horse,’ and it’s easy to forget how consistent they are, especially when it comes to anything Hellboy related. (BPRD, anyone?)
Anything with Mike Mignola’s name on it is an instant draw to me. Not only has he created one of my favorite comic characters of the new generation but his art is impeccable and perfectly tailored for his specific genre of comics. Mike only graces the variant cover of this particular one shot with his timeless pencils but it doesn’t stop the comic from being a fun mindless romp that dabbles in both the paranormal and the extraterrestrial.
Kevin Nowlan is the man who designed the Hellboy logo and he’s the man behind the inks on this ish. You can tell he’s definitely been under the tutelage of one Mister Mignola but it doesn’t stop him from distinguishing his own style. While many of the shots involving Hellboy and the local farm folk are very on-key with other Hellboy works, he really shines when our titular hero discovers the Human-Cow hybrid about half way through the comic.
Yes. You read that right.
Nowlan’s art tends to be a little, how do I put this, brighter. Not in the sense that it’s lighter colors or any such thing, but the whole overall tone of the comic is much more playful and it definitely correlates directly with his art. It’s complimented perfectly by Mignola’s absurd b-movie style story. Hellboy finds himself in the cornfields of Nebraska looking for some young tween wannabe-cultists who have had quite the accident. What ensues is a truly joyful read chock full of 50′s style horror and ridiculous fight scenes. It’s a nice 180 degree spin from the more somber tone of the ‘Boy universe right now.
$3.50 is a hefty price for a one-shot during this recession, but like I said, I pick up just about anything Mignola gets out and him and Nowlan are an ace-in-hole team.
5/5
Ryanscribbles
Tags: b.p.r.d., bprd, buster oakley, comic book reviews, comic books, comics, Dark Horse, dark horse comics, hellboy, kevin nowlan, mike mignola
