Welcome to Mignolaversity, Multiversity Comics’ dedicated column for all things Mike Mignola. 2022 is already looming, and thanks the folks at Dark Horse Comics we have our first look at what’s ahead with the January solicitations. I know many “Hellboy” readers were hoping for a new Winter Special, and even though that isn’t on the cards this winter, I don’t you’ll be disappointed in the slightest when you see the full scope of what’s ahead. January is an absolutely packed month. Check it all out below.
HELLBOY: THE BONES OF GIANTS #3 (of 4)
Written by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
Illustrated by Matt Smith
Colored by Chris O’Halloran
Lettered by Clem RobinsOn sale January 5, 2022
Full color, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesHellboy, still inhabited by the ghost of the Norse god Thor, has his first confrontation with the newly resurrected Frost King Thrym! But not having recovered his full strength yet, Thrym slips away and leaves Hellboy to follow a grisly path toward their next encounter.
Based on the novel by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, this comics adaptation brings readers into Hellboy’s fight against the Frost Giants with stunning art by Matt Smith and colors by Chris O’Halloran.
Mark Tweedale: There’s going to be a bit of a theme in my comments this month, I think, because when I got the email containing these covers, I exclaimed “Oh my god” as I saw each one. Purely from a compositional perspective, this one really tickles my brain. I love seeing Ratatosk perched at the top there, but the way the branches define Garm, even though he’s largely hidden in the darkness, is masterfully done. It’s the sort of subtle thing that gives your mind enough information to interpret the image effortlessly, even though you may not notice the work it’s doing.
THE SWORD OF HYPERBOREA #1 (of 4)
with colors by Dave Stewart
Written by Mike Mignola and Rob Williams
Illustrated by Laurence Campbell
Colored by Quinton Winter
Lettered by Clem RobinsOn sale January 12, 2022
Full color, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesFrom the ancient warrior Gall Dennar, to Sir Edward Grey, to the B.P.R.D.’s Agent Howards, the iconic Hyperborean sword from the world of Hellboy has landed in many influential hands. And this has been no accident. Trace the sword’s path through the adventures and encounters that finally brought it to Ragna Rok, at the end of the world, and witness the sword’s journey through history.
Hellboy creator Mike Mignola gives us a new tale from the world of Hellboy, cowritten by Rob Williams and featuring the art of Mignolaverse veteran Laurence Campbell to deliver never-before-seen Hellboy lore!
• The story of the Hyperborean blade!
Mark: I’ve often wondered how the Hyperborean sword made its way from North America to the Sahara. I figured Gall Dennar or one of his ancestors ventured into the Hollow Earth and somehow came to find the Hyperborean city of Urrasan (or was it Hypos?). . . And since that teasing image in the opening pages of “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: Saturn Returns” #3, I’ve wondered about the Hyperborean sword showing up among human corpses following an attack by the Cold People. Needless to say, since its first appearance in “Witchfinder: In the Service of Angels” back in 2009, every time the mysterious Hyperborean sword has appeared, it has raised more questions than answers.
This series marks Rob Williams’s debut into the Hellboy Universe. If you missed it, he previously worked with Laurence Campbell on “Old Haunts” from AWA Studios, an absolutely fantastic comic that you simply must check out. I insist. If you aren’t already excited by Williams joining the Hellboy Universe, you definitely will be by the end of “Old Haunts.”
Continued belowAnd of course, I have to mention the covers. The first, with Gall Dennar in possession of the blade, drawn by the interior artist for this series, Laurence Campbell has me so thrilled for “The Sword of Hyperborea.” Campbell made his debut in the Hellboy Universe with “B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth—Wasteland,” which had Gall Dennar’s modern counterpart, Ted Howards, using the Hyperborean blade for the first time and it was a magnificent sequence. I remember in their review, Brian Salvatore and David Harper were utterly blown away by it and Campbell has been a favorite of all our Mignolaversity reviewers ever since. And Christopher Mitten’s variant cover puts that sword front and center, showcasing the iconic design of the weapon. I don’t even need a character on the cover, just that blade, to get me hyped for this book. If you haven’t read it already, check out the full announcement over at Superhero Hype.
HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: 1957
FALLING SKY
with colors by Dave Stewart
Written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough
Colored by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Clem RobinsOn sale January 19, 2022
Full color, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesCryptozoologist Woodrow “Woody” Ferrier joined the B.P.R.D. to find exciting and previously undocumented cryptids, but unfortunately most of his cases end in disappointment. But a trip with Hellboy to small town Virginia where a huge and mysterious creature stalks the woods might provide him with just the opportunity he’s been waiting for!
Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and longtime collaborator Chris Roberson gives us a new tale from the world of Hellboy. Featuring art by Shawn Martinbrough, colors by Dave Stewart, and letters by Clem Robins.
What’s hiding in West Virginia?
Mark: Here’s another cover that impressed me with its design, the way the treeline also functions as a gaping maw of triangular teeth. Laurence Campbell never disappoints with his covers. This issue sees the return of Shawn Martinbrough who previously worked on the one-shot “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1955—Secret Nature,” which also focused on Woody. I like his take on the character to the point that I’d say his is the definitive take on him, so to have him back doing another Woody story is very good news indeed.
HELLBOY: THE SILVER LANTERN CLUB #4 (of 5)
with colors by Dave Stewart
Written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Christopher Mitten and Ben Stenbeck
Colored by Michelle Madsen
Lettered by Clem RobinsOn sale January 26, 2022
Full color, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesSimon Bruttenholm relates a strange tale to Hellboy and the Professor, this time spinning a tale of dangerous creatures stalking the streets of London. The Silver Lantern Club teams up with an old vodka-loving, werewolf-hunting friend of Edward Grey’s to capture the ferocious beasts. But the chase is especially difficult when you’re not in your full faculties!
Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson expand the Hellboy universe with a new tale of deceit and danger. They’re joined by veteran artists Christopher Mitten and Ben Stenbeck, with colors by Michelle Madsen.
Mark: “. . .an old vodka-loving, werewolf-hunting friend of Edward Grey’s. . .” Yeah, that’s totally Yad Tovich from 2019’s “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: Long Night at Goloski Station,” a character that quickly became a fan favorite after that single appearance. Right away that makes this a rather exciting issue. But then there’re also werewolves, and I love the way the Hellboy Universe handles werewolves. Somehow, whenever they show up (which isn’t very often actually), the story is always exceptional. And then there’s that cover from Christopher Mitten, Mike Mignola, and Dave Stewart! I love seeing the progression of Hellboy’s posture from cover to cover. And the upper portion utterly pulls me in. I love the simplicity of it—no human characters, just wolves and moonlight. Yep, I can’t wait for this issue!
Continued belowHELLBOY UNIVERSE ESSENTIALS: LOBSTER JOHNSON
with colors by Dave Stewart
Written by Mike Mignola
Illustrated by Mike Mignola
Colored by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Clem RobinsOn sale March 9, 2022
Full color, 128 pages
$14.99
Paperback, 7″ x 10″Lobster Johnson has long been an idol of Hellboy’s, helping to shape the B.P.R.D.’s most famous agent into the occult crime-fighting professional we know and love. But was the Lobster real? Or just a story, a myth? Delve into the enigma known as the Lobster with this story, hand-picked by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola as the perfect jumping-on point for new Lobster Johnson readers! With writing by Mignola and John Arcudi, art by Tonci Zonjic, and colors by Dave Stewart, it’s a brutal and beautiful tribute to the classic adventure pulps that comics fans are sure to love!
• Collects Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1–#5.
Mark: Just a reminder, the “Hellboy Universe Essentials” are for readers that only want to try a little of the Hellboy Universe without taking a deep dive. There’s nothing in this volume that isn’t already collected in the “Lobster Johnson – Volume 1” omnibus edition coming in February 2022.
B.P.R.D.: HELL ON EARTH – VOLUME 4
—PAPERBACK OMNIBUS EDITION—
with colors by Dave Stewart
Written by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Cameron Stewart, and Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Laurence Campbell, Joe Querio, Tyler Crook, James Harren, Cameron Stewart, and Mike Norton
Colored by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Clem RobinsOn sale March 23, 2022
Full color, 416 pages
$29.99
Paperback, 7″ x 10″The B.P.R.D. continues to lead the defense against the apocalyptic Ogdru Hem from Japan to America, as the team splits up and Kate is possessed. Howards and a team of agents find themselves attempting to liberate a small town that holds secrets from Howards Hyperborean past.
Elsewhere, B.P.R.D. field agent Ashley Strode attempts to purge a demon from a 100-year-old exorcist, setting her on a path to battling a demon who is kidnapping and eating children.
A new format for this collection of spine-tingling horror from Mignola and others, this edition collects B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth volumes 10–11 and 14, for the first time in paperback, plus bonus material.
Mark: More “B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth.” I know people have been waiting for this to come back into print so they can pick it up in paperback. Your wait is nearly over!
