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Hellboy
Hellboy: The Midnight Circus
Young Hellboy runs away from the B.P.R.D. only to stumble upon a weird and fantastical circus and the few demons from Hell who inhabit it. * Cover and story by Mike Mignola! * Duncan Fegredo returns! * An original graphic novel in hardcover! "In the world of Hellboy; the stony hand that Hellboy uses to clobber opponents is called the Right Hand of Doom. For cartoonist and creator Mike Mignola; his right-hand man for doing Hellboy these days could be considered Duncan Fegredo." —Newsarama
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2013
17 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
About the author
Mike Mignola
1,864 books2,528 followersMike Mignola was born September 16, 1960 in Berkeley, California and grew up in nearby Oakland. His fascination with ghosts and monsters began at an early age (he doesn't remember why) and reading Dracula at age 13 introduced him to Victorian literature and folklore from which he has never recovered.
In 1982, hoping to find a way to draw monsters for a living, he moved to New York City and began working for Marvel Comics, first as a (very terrible) inker and then as an artist on comics like Rocket Raccoon, Alpha Flight and The Hulk. By the late 80s he had begun to develop his signature style (thin lines, clunky shapes and lots of black) and moved onto higher profile commercial projects like Cosmic Odyssey (1988) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989) for DC Comics, and the not-so-commercial Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser (1990) for Marvel. In 1992, he drew the comic book adaptation of the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Topps Comics.
In 1993, Mike moved to Dark Horse comics and created Hellboy, a half-demon occult detective who may or may not be the Beast of the Apocalypse. While the first story line (Seed of Destruction, 1994) was co-written by John Byrne, Mike has continued writing the series himself. There are, at this moment, 13 Hellboy graphic novel collections (with more on the way), several spin-off titles (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Abe Sapien and Witchfinder), three anthologies of prose stories, several novels, two animated films and two live-action films staring Ron Perlman. Hellboy has earned numerous comic industry awards and is published in a great many countries.
Mike also created the award-winning comic book The Amazing Screw-on Head and has co-written two novels (Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire and Joe Golem and the Drowning City) with best-selling author Christopher Golden.
Mike worked (very briefly) with Francis Ford Coppola on his film Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), was a production designer on the Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and was visual consultant to director Guillermo del Toro on Blade II (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). He lives somewhere in Southern California with his wife, daughter, a lot of books and a cat.
In 1982, hoping to find a way to draw monsters for a living, he moved to New York City and began working for Marvel Comics, first as a (very terrible) inker and then as an artist on comics like Rocket Raccoon, Alpha Flight and The Hulk. By the late 80s he had begun to develop his signature style (thin lines, clunky shapes and lots of black) and moved onto higher profile commercial projects like Cosmic Odyssey (1988) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989) for DC Comics, and the not-so-commercial Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser (1990) for Marvel. In 1992, he drew the comic book adaptation of the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Topps Comics.
In 1993, Mike moved to Dark Horse comics and created Hellboy, a half-demon occult detective who may or may not be the Beast of the Apocalypse. While the first story line (Seed of Destruction, 1994) was co-written by John Byrne, Mike has continued writing the series himself. There are, at this moment, 13 Hellboy graphic novel collections (with more on the way), several spin-off titles (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Abe Sapien and Witchfinder), three anthologies of prose stories, several novels, two animated films and two live-action films staring Ron Perlman. Hellboy has earned numerous comic industry awards and is published in a great many countries.
Mike also created the award-winning comic book The Amazing Screw-on Head and has co-written two novels (Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire and Joe Golem and the Drowning City) with best-selling author Christopher Golden.
Mike worked (very briefly) with Francis Ford Coppola on his film Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), was a production designer on the Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and was visual consultant to director Guillermo del Toro on Blade II (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). He lives somewhere in Southern California with his wife, daughter, a lot of books and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
August 25, 2013
I wonder, at this point, if Mike Mignola could write a bad Hellboy book if he wanted. Seed of Destruction was ‘94 and we’ve had about a dozen Hellboy books, a hugely successful spin-off series, BPRD, and numerous other associated titles, assorted Hellboy anthologies, prose novels, and, of course, the superb movies. In other words, in the nearly 20 years since Mignola debuted Hellboy, he’s turned a cool random sketch into one of the greatest comic book characters ever inhabiting one of the richest worlds created in comics. He knows Hellboy inside and out and knows exactly what kind of stories suit the character perfectly. So when in this latest book he basically retells Carlo Collodi’s world famous novel Pinocchio with a young Hellboy in the lead, he knocks it out of the park, again - were you expecting anything less?
Set in Hellboy’s youth, our plucky red hero escapes the BPRD one night and runs away to join the circus. But this is no ordinary circus as he is about to discover. Filled with devils, demons, monsters, and assorted spooky beings, he meets an over-familiar circus master and his feminine friend who show him around their shadowy carnival. As Professor Bruttenholm searches frantically for his young ward, Hellboy enacts the Pinocchio story through a series of magical tents - but who is the circus master really and what does he want with young Hellboy?
In Mignola’s hands, Collodi’s already unsettling story becomes even more warped and gothic, helped in large part by artist Duncan Fegredo’s utterly gorgeous illustrations assisted by award-winning colourist, Dave Stewart . Longtime Hellboy readers will know what some of the more cryptic scenes mean as they allude to the overall Hellboy storyline where he is currently “dead” and in Hell, but new readers can still enjoy this book as a standalone spooky fairy tale.
It also has a really sweet moment between Professor Bruttenholm and Hellboy at the end as the Professor scoops up his adopted son - who will grow up to become the toughest dude in this world and the next but is right now a crying child wanting his dad - and the two walk off home together. The story starts out with father and son apart with the son feeling that he doesn’t belong, to ending with the two closer than ever - and we get an awesome story in between as well! That’s why I love this series so much - for all its imagination, wonder, and sheer artistry, Hellboy is a comic that also possesses a heart and true emotional core, and it’s why I’ll keep coming back to this comic for another 20 years.
The Midnight Circus is far shorter than the usual Hellboy book at just 56 pages, but still manages to tell an involving and memorable story from an era in Hellboy’s life that remains largely unexplored, ripe with storytelling potential. It’s yet another excellent book from the superstar creative team of Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo.
Set in Hellboy’s youth, our plucky red hero escapes the BPRD one night and runs away to join the circus. But this is no ordinary circus as he is about to discover. Filled with devils, demons, monsters, and assorted spooky beings, he meets an over-familiar circus master and his feminine friend who show him around their shadowy carnival. As Professor Bruttenholm searches frantically for his young ward, Hellboy enacts the Pinocchio story through a series of magical tents - but who is the circus master really and what does he want with young Hellboy?
In Mignola’s hands, Collodi’s already unsettling story becomes even more warped and gothic, helped in large part by artist Duncan Fegredo’s utterly gorgeous illustrations assisted by award-winning colourist, Dave Stewart . Longtime Hellboy readers will know what some of the more cryptic scenes mean as they allude to the overall Hellboy storyline where he is currently “dead” and in Hell, but new readers can still enjoy this book as a standalone spooky fairy tale.
It also has a really sweet moment between Professor Bruttenholm and Hellboy at the end as the Professor scoops up his adopted son - who will grow up to become the toughest dude in this world and the next but is right now a crying child wanting his dad - and the two walk off home together. The story starts out with father and son apart with the son feeling that he doesn’t belong, to ending with the two closer than ever - and we get an awesome story in between as well! That’s why I love this series so much - for all its imagination, wonder, and sheer artistry, Hellboy is a comic that also possesses a heart and true emotional core, and it’s why I’ll keep coming back to this comic for another 20 years.
The Midnight Circus is far shorter than the usual Hellboy book at just 56 pages, but still manages to tell an involving and memorable story from an era in Hellboy’s life that remains largely unexplored, ripe with storytelling potential. It’s yet another excellent book from the superstar creative team of Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo.
October 7, 2017
This is a story from when Hellboy was very young.
Hellboy runs off to visit a circus. But the Midnight Circus has many secrets. I won't spoil the story by giving away the plot. It is a nice short story.
The art is actually very compelling. Duncan Fegredo's art is similar to Mignolas but it seems to have an ability to show detail better. I really enjoyed it and thought it a great fit for the Hellboy stories.
As far as the Clown and the Giant who chant "....Spirits of Earth and Air, burning wreck of a demolished world; Wandering Hell..I do compel ye- APPEAR!"...do I detect a nod to Lord Byron's Manfred? Well done! I appreciate a well educated nod to certain books.
This was really a short story. Still it was entertaining and well illustrated. Thus it did it's job of being a good example of the comic book medium. If this is your thing (Hellboy) then you will like this short story. I did.
Hellboy runs off to visit a circus. But the Midnight Circus has many secrets. I won't spoil the story by giving away the plot. It is a nice short story.
The art is actually very compelling. Duncan Fegredo's art is similar to Mignolas but it seems to have an ability to show detail better. I really enjoyed it and thought it a great fit for the Hellboy stories.
As far as the Clown and the Giant who chant "....Spirits of Earth and Air, burning wreck of a demolished world; Wandering Hell..I do compel ye- APPEAR!"...do I detect a nod to Lord Byron's Manfred? Well done! I appreciate a well educated nod to certain books.
This was really a short story. Still it was entertaining and well illustrated. Thus it did it's job of being a good example of the comic book medium. If this is your thing (Hellboy) then you will like this short story. I did.
April 1, 2016
A birthday gift from my daughter, this was a short, but enjoyable story from Hellboy's youth. The young HB sneaks off base at night and discovers a strange circus in the woods, where things are not as they seem. Inspired by both the Pinocchio story and Ray Bradbury, according to Mignola. Good story, even if so short that it leaves one hoping for more. Good artwork by Duncan Fegredo, as well.
December 19, 2013
This could be a book to hook new readers on Hellboy in general. It's set when Hellboy is still very young, and you don't really need much in the way of background. The art and writing are both good enough to draw the reader in, and the inspirations of Pinocchio and Something Wicked This Way Comes are clear throughout. The imagery is just perfect for the story. But it is very short. Maybe one day, these wee little Hellboy graphic novels will get collected into a larger trade. That would be far more satisfying.
February 21, 2014
This is a charming graphic novel set in 1948 when Hellboy is still just a child. After running away from home, he runs into a mysterious circus, one which clearly knows who he is and has an ulterior motive for trying to lure him in. Of course, he escapes from their clutches and runs back to the safety of his adopted father and the B.P.R.D.
There are clear influences of both Something Wicked This Way Comes with the circus, and Pinocchio with Hellboy himself cast in the role of the puppet who wants to be a real boy (including a great dream sequence set inside the whale that swallows Pinocchio). In some respects Hellboy is a classic Pinocchio figure, but in this series we at least get to see what he is like when he grows up, whereas we never see Pinocchio as an adult. (The Adult Adventures of Pinocchio sounds like a porn movie!).
A nice introduction to Hellboy, but probably more like 3 1/2 stars
There are clear influences of both Something Wicked This Way Comes with the circus, and Pinocchio with Hellboy himself cast in the role of the puppet who wants to be a real boy (including a great dream sequence set inside the whale that swallows Pinocchio). In some respects Hellboy is a classic Pinocchio figure, but in this series we at least get to see what he is like when he grows up, whereas we never see Pinocchio as an adult. (The Adult Adventures of Pinocchio sounds like a porn movie!).
A nice introduction to Hellboy, but probably more like 3 1/2 stars
March 19, 2022
Inspired by Pinocchio, The Midnight Circus is really a "growing up and learning a lesson" kind of story set in Hellboy's childhood, that really builds up the relationship between him and Professor Bruttenholm.
August 25, 2015
This slim story tells of a young Hellboy's encounter with a mysterious circus and its master. This being a Hellboy story, it's of course not a bright and happy place, but something dark and sinister, and I think it represents the first time Hellboy is tempted to take up his infernal destiny. Young Hellboy is charming and adorable, rebelling against the limits Professor Bruttenholm and the army place upon him while also crying out for reassurance when things get scary. One of my favorite images is Hellboy fleeing through the Hall of Mirrors and seeing in one the possible reality in which he is the King of Hell. It's not a very big story, but it's a satisfying one.
September 25, 2025
"From the clock strikes midnight to the fearful crack of dawn"
June 16, 2021
6.5/10
I always loved Pinocchio, a haunting book full of misery, death and absurd. Hellboy is basically a comics counterpart to Collodi's novel, or at least it becomes such when the character leaves the BPRD to start his own personal absurd journey along the path to become 'a real boy'. So, I am happy that the analogy was brought up on the surface in this book featuring kid Hellboy. At least in the first part, where we see Hellboy reading the book in the library, and later discussing with his devil uncle how the book is so much better than the motion picture! (Which is so true, if you have not read the book, you have no idea of what Pinocchio is.) However, in the final part Hellboy gets captured by some 'cat and fox' ghosts, and at that point the analogy becomes a bit too forced. Anyhow, kid Hellboy is so cute. (And his sister is quite hot, at least now that she is drawn by someone other than Mignola - as she was in this.)
I always loved Pinocchio, a haunting book full of misery, death and absurd. Hellboy is basically a comics counterpart to Collodi's novel, or at least it becomes such when the character leaves the BPRD to start his own personal absurd journey along the path to become 'a real boy'. So, I am happy that the analogy was brought up on the surface in this book featuring kid Hellboy. At least in the first part, where we see Hellboy reading the book in the library, and later discussing with his devil uncle how the book is so much better than the motion picture! (Which is so true, if you have not read the book, you have no idea of what Pinocchio is.) However, in the final part Hellboy gets captured by some 'cat and fox' ghosts, and at that point the analogy becomes a bit too forced. Anyhow, kid Hellboy is so cute. (And his sister is quite hot, at least now that she is drawn by someone other than Mignola - as she was in this.)
January 24, 2023
From the first pages, I had a feeling that "The Midnight Circus" is going to be one of my favorite Hellboy stories. Poetic writing. Epic illustration. Genius coloring. The creative team simply delivered unmatched beauty.
March 24, 2019
PAN LEGENDA SPISOVATEL. Mysl Mikea Mignoly je pro me zahadou. Na jednu stranu vytvori naprosto primitivni pribeh o tom jak Hellboy utece ze zakladny a najde podivny cirkus, ale zaplete do toho celou radu ruznych veci, myslenek a odkazu, ktere ale nepusobi nucene, ale naopak cely zazitek ze cteni umocnuji. Plus ta kresba... TA KRESBA! Misty mi pripomanala PANA LEGENDU BERMEJA.
No tuhle jednohubku jsem si uzil jak Kaluzatko Kacera Donalda.
No tuhle jednohubku jsem si uzil jak Kaluzatko Kacera Donalda.
December 13, 2020
(4 z 5 za hezký příběh o mladém Hellboyovi)
půlnoční cirkus je příběh s přesahem a kontextem do Hellboyversa, který tam je zakomponován velmi citlivě, házejíc udičky fanouškům i relativně novým čtenářům. Malé zklamání je v tom, že je opravdu krátký a tím pádem nemůže zabrat - sotva se atmosféra vygraduje, zavírá se krám. Což je škoda - vizuální stránka totiž vtáhne během několika okamžiků, Fegredo a Steward za to opravdu umí vzít.
půlnoční cirkus je příběh s přesahem a kontextem do Hellboyversa, který tam je zakomponován velmi citlivě, házejíc udičky fanouškům i relativně novým čtenářům. Malé zklamání je v tom, že je opravdu krátký a tím pádem nemůže zabrat - sotva se atmosféra vygraduje, zavírá se krám. Což je škoda - vizuální stránka totiž vtáhne během několika okamžiků, Fegredo a Steward za to opravdu umí vzít.
October 30, 2013
Just in time for Halloween, we get another standalone hardcover Hellboy story, a la House of the Living Dead, this time with the great Duncan Fegredo back and outdoing himself on art duties, with a story about young Hellboy running away from the B.P.R.D. to join the circus. But of course, since this is Hellboy, it's a little more Something Wicked This Way Comes than your average circus.
The book is slim, maybe only equivalent to about two issues worth, and the story seems slighter than the packed-to-the-gills House of the Living Dead, but it's beautifully told and gorgeously illustrated. Fegredo and colorist Dave Stewart switch up their style on the scenes within the circus to great effect. And Mignola, always a master at inserting dialogue taken from classic literature, plays, and poems, uses adapted snippets from one of my favorite Lord Byron pieces beautifully here.
The only complaint I have is that I wish these standalone hardcovers contained more background stuff like author's notes and sketchbook material. I love that stuff, and it's sorely missed.
The book is slim, maybe only equivalent to about two issues worth, and the story seems slighter than the packed-to-the-gills House of the Living Dead, but it's beautifully told and gorgeously illustrated. Fegredo and colorist Dave Stewart switch up their style on the scenes within the circus to great effect. And Mignola, always a master at inserting dialogue taken from classic literature, plays, and poems, uses adapted snippets from one of my favorite Lord Byron pieces beautifully here.
The only complaint I have is that I wish these standalone hardcovers contained more background stuff like author's notes and sketchbook material. I love that stuff, and it's sorely missed.
September 29, 2013
Still a comic newbie, this was my first exposure to Hellboy outside of the cinema. The story follows the plight of a young Hellboy who wanders away from the protection of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense.
The confused and lonely young Hellboy portrayed in this story was absolutely endearing. The tale did a good job of presenting the quandary of dealing with the potential expectation for evil from both sides. Yet, all the young Hellboy wants is love and acceptance, to be embraced as a real boy, just like Pinocchio.
The artwork is dark, of course, as is fitting to the darkness of the Hellboy story. Yet, the artists did a great job of capturing the wonder and innocence of the young Hellboy. The images carry as much of the story as the writing.
My absolute favorite cell in this book is the final image of the Professor cradling the tired and repentant Hellboy child in his arms after they find the lost boy. It depicts the affection between the Professor and Hellboy, and effectively captures the essence of the story.
I think Hellboy has captured my heart, as he did the Professor's.
The confused and lonely young Hellboy portrayed in this story was absolutely endearing. The tale did a good job of presenting the quandary of dealing with the potential expectation for evil from both sides. Yet, all the young Hellboy wants is love and acceptance, to be embraced as a real boy, just like Pinocchio.
The artwork is dark, of course, as is fitting to the darkness of the Hellboy story. Yet, the artists did a great job of capturing the wonder and innocence of the young Hellboy. The images carry as much of the story as the writing.
My absolute favorite cell in this book is the final image of the Professor cradling the tired and repentant Hellboy child in his arms after they find the lost boy. It depicts the affection between the Professor and Hellboy, and effectively captures the essence of the story.
I think Hellboy has captured my heart, as he did the Professor's.
February 5, 2017
I love seeing Kid Hellboy. And the story was pretty interesting.
January 20, 2022
Solidan filler, ali mogao je imat bolje zaokruženu priču da je poentirao na kraju s Hellboyevim pubertetom. Emocije i character archovi definitivno nisu Mignolin forte tako da se moram zadovoljit čisto s pričom u kojoj se mali Hellboy po prvi put susreće s vizijom svoje moguće sudbine.
December 6, 2013
In a story set when Hellboy was young, he sneaks out of the Bureau For Paranormal Research and Defense. He discovers a creepy circus in the woods that only runs in the dead of night. He also discovers something that may endanger his life.
It's a story with some great nods to the book Pinocchio, with it's imagery of fish puppets and giant whales, and a caring father figure who just wants his young one safe. There are characters that Hellboy will meet later in his life that want to kill him here.
Story by Mike Mignola is superb. Art by Duncan Fegredo is nightmare producing, with creepy clowns and menacing monkeys and other creatures. The coloring has the hues of deep night which just serves to enhance the dreamlike quality of the story. It's a pretty good stand alone story, and I'd like to see more from this era of Hellboy's life.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
It's a story with some great nods to the book Pinocchio, with it's imagery of fish puppets and giant whales, and a caring father figure who just wants his young one safe. There are characters that Hellboy will meet later in his life that want to kill him here.
Story by Mike Mignola is superb. Art by Duncan Fegredo is nightmare producing, with creepy clowns and menacing monkeys and other creatures. The coloring has the hues of deep night which just serves to enhance the dreamlike quality of the story. It's a pretty good stand alone story, and I'd like to see more from this era of Hellboy's life.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
January 17, 2014
Everyone else is raving about this book but I have to say...wha?!?!? First, 56 pages? $16.99? Are you kidding me? I know that isn't a review of the story but still, you have to be some kind of crazy to buy it. Second, the art is passable but not the jaw dropping spectacular the other reviews were build it up to be. Anatomy problems, Mignola-lite, not a lot of creativity. Story-wise? Well it is 56 pages what do you expect. It is a cute little short story that didn't add anything to the character. I guess I have never fallen in love with Hellboy the way other people have (even though I love Mignola's art from way back when I first saw it in the 80's) and this short story didn't change that opinion. A cute idea but the stories never interest me. This is no exception. And only 56 pages??!? I still don't get why people are handing out the 4 stars for this. But to each their own.
October 7, 2020
“Опівнічний цирк” - це історія про дорослішання, через яке має пройти навіть Хеллбой. Заборони, бунтарство та втеча - ну чого ще чекати від підлітка. Але деякі спокуси, що чекають посеред ночі, можуть мати жахливі та непередбачувані наслідки.
Який хлопчик не мріє у певному віці втекти з дому, щоб щось довести собі і всьому світові? І ось до цього дійшов і сам Хеллбой, але таємничі сили завжди оточують його, і навіть його втеча зі штаб-квартири бюро не залишається непоміченою і приводить його у містичне місце - демонічний цирк. Власне, так, ця історія - переробка пригод Піноккіо у скороченому варіанті, з неймовірними переходами від фальшивих сцен з дешевими фокусами до потойбічних марень, які мали б спонукати малого до того, для чого його колись було створено: запалити світ. А як Хеллбой не запалить сірника, то за дзвінку монету знайдуться охочі вкоротити йому віку.
Відмінне коротке оповідання, яке варто прочитати. Українська версія на момент написання рев'ю була доступна для передзамовлення.
Який хлопчик не мріє у певному віці втекти з дому, щоб щось довести собі і всьому світові? І ось до цього дійшов і сам Хеллбой, але таємничі сили завжди оточують його, і навіть його втеча зі штаб-квартири бюро не залишається непоміченою і приводить його у містичне місце - демонічний цирк. Власне, так, ця історія - переробка пригод Піноккіо у скороченому варіанті, з неймовірними переходами від фальшивих сцен з дешевими фокусами до потойбічних марень, які мали б спонукати малого до того, для чого його колись було створено: запалити світ. А як Хеллбой не запалить сірника, то за дзвінку монету знайдуться охочі вкоротити йому віку.
Відмінне коротке оповідання, яке варто прочитати. Українська версія на момент написання рев'ю була доступна для передзамовлення.
May 11, 2024
A surprisingly emotional little one-off about a young Hellboy, feeling like an outcast, running away from home only to stumble across a demonic circus. I found myself really affected by this, particularly knowing where Hellboy's story ultimately leads. This idea that he's part of a monumental destiny he has no interest in and no desire to bring about, meanwhile he's just this innocent little kid who doesn't want to be treated like a freak. It's very touching, though I do think you need to have read most of the other stuff from the Hellboy Library Editions for it to really land. But, since I had, I liked it!
July 26, 2025
A really sweet (at times devilish) story about little Hellboy- parallels Pinocchio. Hellboy runs off for not feeling appreciated or manly enough, gets caught up in a ghost circus and ends up fighting the spirit of two child murderers before he’s saved by his dad. This is a great short story that really helps illustrate how much Hellboy is a boy- looks can be deceiving!
July 24, 2017
I love stories about Young Hellboy so much
July 26, 2019
Short story from Hellboy's childhood. Encounter with magical circus, shows little glimpses into future. Good, but could be longer, I likead the idea and atmosphere
April 3, 2021
Mignola je génius
November 23, 2013
Das neue Jerusalem ist kein Zirkus
Parallel zu dieser neuen Hellboy-Geschichte lese ich Der Name der Rose, ein Buch, in dem viel über die Apokalypse des Johannes gesprochen wird, und auch in "Midnight Circus" findet sich ein längeres Zitat aus diesem ersten Horrorroman der Weltgeschichte. Eine andere Verbindung: Ron Perlman spielt sowohl den Hellboy in den entsprechenden Verfilmungen, als auch den Salvatore in der Verfilmung des "Der Name der Rose". Faszinierend, nicht?
Doch Hellboy selbst ist in "Midnight Circus" noch nicht reif für solcherlei Gruselgeschichten, die einem Kind nur Alpträume bescheren - er ahnt noch nicht einmal, dass er es ist, der der Welt diese Apokalypse bescheren soll, sondern beschäftigt sich lieber mit seinem Lieblingscomichelden, Lobster Johnson.
Erneut staune ich ob der Fähigkeit Mignolas, schon unzählig oft (selbst innerhalb der Hellboy-Reihe oft) gesehene Elemente neu miteinander zu verbinden. Der "alte" Zirkus, also nicht das, was der Fürst von Monaco gerne anschaut oder unter dem Namen Roncalli von Stadt zu Stadt tourt, sondern dieses faszinierende Gemisch aus unheimlichen und lustigen, erschreckenden und erstaunenden Elementen, wird hier zu frischem Leben erweckt durch die Identität des Zirkusdirektors und seiner Entourage.
Fegredos Artwork gefällt mir hier sehr, es hält sich an die Vorgaben des Meisters, was Schwarzanteil und leuchtende Augen angeht, ist aber inzwischen reif genug, um auf eigenen Beinen zu stehen, und illuminiert den Wanderzirkus und seine seltsamen Begleiter aufs vortrefflichste.
Die Dark-Horse-Ausgaben der Hellboy-Reihe haben immer überzeugt, auch hier lässt der Verlag nur einen minimalen Kritikpunkt zu - die Oberfläche des Papiers wechselt von Seite zu Seite, mal ist sie schön Hochglanz-glatt, mal sehr rauh. Sonst ist der dünne Band erneut eine Augenweide, mit einem erneut großartigen Cover Mignolas. Irgendwann suche ich mir eins davon aus und lasse es großformatig drucken, um es an die Wand zu hängen.
Parallel zu dieser neuen Hellboy-Geschichte lese ich Der Name der Rose, ein Buch, in dem viel über die Apokalypse des Johannes gesprochen wird, und auch in "Midnight Circus" findet sich ein längeres Zitat aus diesem ersten Horrorroman der Weltgeschichte. Eine andere Verbindung: Ron Perlman spielt sowohl den Hellboy in den entsprechenden Verfilmungen, als auch den Salvatore in der Verfilmung des "Der Name der Rose". Faszinierend, nicht?
Doch Hellboy selbst ist in "Midnight Circus" noch nicht reif für solcherlei Gruselgeschichten, die einem Kind nur Alpträume bescheren - er ahnt noch nicht einmal, dass er es ist, der der Welt diese Apokalypse bescheren soll, sondern beschäftigt sich lieber mit seinem Lieblingscomichelden, Lobster Johnson.
Erneut staune ich ob der Fähigkeit Mignolas, schon unzählig oft (selbst innerhalb der Hellboy-Reihe oft) gesehene Elemente neu miteinander zu verbinden. Der "alte" Zirkus, also nicht das, was der Fürst von Monaco gerne anschaut oder unter dem Namen Roncalli von Stadt zu Stadt tourt, sondern dieses faszinierende Gemisch aus unheimlichen und lustigen, erschreckenden und erstaunenden Elementen, wird hier zu frischem Leben erweckt durch die Identität des Zirkusdirektors und seiner Entourage.
Fegredos Artwork gefällt mir hier sehr, es hält sich an die Vorgaben des Meisters, was Schwarzanteil und leuchtende Augen angeht, ist aber inzwischen reif genug, um auf eigenen Beinen zu stehen, und illuminiert den Wanderzirkus und seine seltsamen Begleiter aufs vortrefflichste.
Die Dark-Horse-Ausgaben der Hellboy-Reihe haben immer überzeugt, auch hier lässt der Verlag nur einen minimalen Kritikpunkt zu - die Oberfläche des Papiers wechselt von Seite zu Seite, mal ist sie schön Hochglanz-glatt, mal sehr rauh. Sonst ist der dünne Band erneut eine Augenweide, mit einem erneut großartigen Cover Mignolas. Irgendwann suche ich mir eins davon aus und lasse es großformatig drucken, um es an die Wand zu hängen.
November 2, 2015
A wonderful little tale that goes over familiar themes, but man is the art lovely!
I won't do the full review here as this is only a 50+ page tale, but yes as I've said above this story does tread familiar themes that HB has covered. This time it's in the form of a child HB tale and a thematic link to Pinocchio, which I rather enjoyed. The art was also fairly lovely with different styles to show different things and the coloring by Stewart is just beautiful (he's one of the best out there).
I think this is a read if you are a completionist like I am, but if not, this tale does not offer anything story, world or character wise new.
Onward to the next book!
I won't do the full review here as this is only a 50+ page tale, but yes as I've said above this story does tread familiar themes that HB has covered. This time it's in the form of a child HB tale and a thematic link to Pinocchio, which I rather enjoyed. The art was also fairly lovely with different styles to show different things and the coloring by Stewart is just beautiful (he's one of the best out there).
I think this is a read if you are a completionist like I am, but if not, this tale does not offer anything story, world or character wise new.
Onward to the next book!
March 31, 2022
I remember when Fegredo first started on HELLBOY, I was just so disappointed that he wasn't Mignola. But I've learned and grown in the years since. Fegredo is an absolute master and one of my favorite comics artists of all time. And he's weirdly in peak form, here. Jaw dropping work throughout.
I didn't really care much for the cartoon levity of The Hidden Land, and I was expecting this to be like that, but it really packed that classic Hellboy wallop! Portentous and zany by turns, with a little heart of gold that makes you absolutely love this kid in a way that enriches the character. And all heavily awash in Bradbury. A pleasant surprise, really charming.
I didn't really care much for the cartoon levity of The Hidden Land, and I was expecting this to be like that, but it really packed that classic Hellboy wallop! Portentous and zany by turns, with a little heart of gold that makes you absolutely love this kid in a way that enriches the character. And all heavily awash in Bradbury. A pleasant surprise, really charming.
January 26, 2014
I loved everything about this book--the art, the story, the smell of the paper. This is the first Hellboy comic I've ever read, and it was nice to see a story from his past. I fondly remember reading "Something Wicked This Way Comes" in junior high. I had this morbid fascination with the creepy circus and everything that went on there. This art in this book was a near perfect representation of how I imagined things while reading that book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more Hellboy graphic novels.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more Hellboy graphic novels.
July 11, 2017
Not necessarily the best story you'd expect from a standalone graphic novel, but it has a pseudo-fable feel to it that is admittedly charming, and kinda cute in its own way. (being a horror series, after all) What this is more than anything else though, is gorgeous. They didn't skimp on art quality here. There are more dramatic scenes depicted elsewhere in Hellboy books, but everything is very well done. Short for the normal retail price, but with concentrated quality to make up for it.
May 8, 2014
Very quick read featuring a young Hellboy which was a nice change of pace from the other Hellboy books. Also the art is some of the best I've ever seen.
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