Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal

by Mike Mignola, Thomas Sniegoski

They're not your average heroes, but they still want justice.

From the blackest shadows, masked in a grisly visage, rises a mysterious agent of Grim Death. He takes to the streets to fight the forces of darkness and serve his master, Death, as he avenges souls taken before their time.

With him, an ex-con clad in the striped costume of Bill the Electrocuted Criminal.

In this beautifully illustrated 1930s-pulp-style novel, two dark characters created by bestselling authors Tom Sniegoski and Mike Mignola team up to fight supernatural evil--and discover the mystery of Grim Death's past.

Get ready for an adventure that only Mignola and Sniegoski could create--one where razor-wielding monkeys, cannibal undertakers, and murderous mythical beasts threaten Grim Death at every twist and turn.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Audiobook

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2017

About the author

Mike 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.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berkeley Hawthorne has been reborn as the Grim Death. The wrongfully dead appear before him and cry out for justice. Berkeley tracks down their murderers and gives them the Grim Death they deserve. Told in alternating chapters, bouncing back and forth between the Grim Death's origin and his current case, avenging a trapeze artist.

Yet another good supernatural pulp tale from Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy. The book borrows heavily from the Shadow with some of the real life story of Sarah Winchester thrown in for good measure. There aren't a lot of illustrations in the book for an illustrated novel, but the ones there are have the great sense of mood Mignola's known for.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Bentley Hawthorne is the sickly son of a wealthy couple that will do anything to keep him alive. They hire a doctor, (mad scientist?), who comes up with a procedure to save Bentley's life. Something goes awry, (of course), and now Bentley is destined to become Grim Death.


With his new responsibilities comes the ability to see ghosts. Ghosts needing help-whether that help be in catching their killer, righting past wrongs, or...other things. With each ghost, Bentley is tasked with figuring out what needs to be done for them. Bentley's loyal butler/body man/assistant, Pym, is always, faithfully nearby helping out as he can, snide remarks aside. Will Bentley succeed in helping the various ghosts? Will he survive the dangers in which his work often lands him? You'll have to read this to find out!

This narrative is whimsical and often funny, but the horror here is wicked, make no mistake. (I mean, really, what horror-loving reader doesn't love it when mutant cannibal babies make an appearance?)

All throughout there are black and white illustrations that add to the overall feel of this tale. Somewhere along the line this story wheedled its way into my heart and felt almost...magical. I felt genuine affection for Bentley and the ever patient Pym, (who often reminded me of Jeeves), and I wanted them both to be successful.

It looks like this book was originally released in 2017, but now has this new edition from Bad Hand Books. I don't know about anyone else, but I would LOVE to read more about these characters. The denouement in this tale leaves lots of room for a sequel. So how about it, you guys?

Highly recommended!

*ARC from publisherThis narrative is whimsical and often funny, but the horror here is wicked, make no mistake. (I mean, really, what horror-loving reader doesn't love it when mutant cannibal babies make an appearance?)

All throughout there are black and white illustrations that add to the overall feel of this tale. Somewhere along the line this story wheedled its way into my heart and felt almost...magical. I felt genuine affection for Bentley and the ever patient Pym, (who often reminded me of Jeeves), and I wanted them both to be successful.

It looks like this book was originally released in 2017, but now has this new edition from Bad Hand Books. I don't know about anyone else, but I would LOVE to read more about these characters. The denouement in this tale leaves lots of room for a sequel. So how about it, you guys?

Highly recommended!

*ARC from publisher

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I am still thinking about this book - yes I enjoyed it, I have read books by both these authors and thoroughly enjoyed them however this one I am not so sure. Okay I will try and explain while maintaining my spoiler free approach.

The first issue is ironically one of the last things to happen - the book is about two characters however one of them has a far greater share of the story than the other - a surprisingly amount to be honest. Next this book feels like it is set for sequel one I cannot find but most certainly was part of the plan.

And the final one and this is more personal I guess is the fact it felt like there were so many horror and macabre story references. some only fleeting while others are major plot devices and yet it felt at times a case of this was a homage to this story and that was a homage to that and so on.

They all fitted together well just it was surprising how familiar parts of the story felt and I cannot make my mind up if this was intentional or accidental - but like I say I enjoyed the story and yes I do hope there are more adventures out there.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time the was a sickly boy by the name of Bently Hawthorne and his parents knew that his life would be way too short. They found a professor that found the dead avatars with dying people and was persuaded to help the Hawthornes to catch Bently at the time of his demise. The result was big mess, three people gone missing presumed dead, one professor and two parents. Bently is still alive and will grow up to be a young man cared for by the families trusted butler Pym.
Why did Bently survive this encounter with Dead itself?- Well he kinda took a fancy to young Bently and took him in his employ as deadbringer by the name of Grim Death. Oh and he sees dead people who speak to him and ask him for help.

A nice pulp-like supernatural thriller in which the Grim dead not only takes people and whatnots lives but also gets confronted with a mystery in which he has to save Bill from the electric chair.

This book is well written, easy to read and a hoot and a half. And if you like me enjoy the Sandman or the Shadow this book will bring you a childlike kind of fun. It is not a kids novel and has its gruesome moments, but is just well worth your while with some excellent illustrations.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like noir and supernatural then you will definitely enjoy this. Not for the sqeemish either.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book but unfortunately I didn't love it as much as I had hoped

[Siona Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, fairly quick read (of course I haven't been in the mood to read novels recently, which is why it took me some two odd months to get through it, though when I did pick this up it went pretty quickly).

Nothing new in general, or for Mignola and Sniegoski, and pretty predictable. I just really enjoy anything that Mignola touches (with few exceptions).

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

*Book source ~ Library

Bentley Hawthorne has a mission, a mission not of his choosing, but he must pay the price for something his parents did. For him. Sucks to be Bentley.

I’ve recently been reading Hellboy in both story and graphic novel forms, so when I saw this new story (not a graphic novel though it does have some illustrations) by Mike Mignola (and Tom Sniegoski though I haven’t read any of his stuff yet) at the library I snatched it up post haste. It’s different and yet it’s not. A lot too Batman-esque for my tastes, but unlike Batman, Bentley has supernatural abilities. Because of the lengths his parents went to save him when he was a sickly child on the verge of death, Bentley now has to work as Grim Death for his boss, Death. The family retainer, Pym, is a great addition. He’s very much like Batman’s Alfred, but yet slightly different. Bentley also has a “co-worker”, a raven named Roderick. And though the title indicates Bill as another co-worker, his active part in the story comes more at the end. There are several POVs which I enjoy and there are flashback chapters to get Bentley’s back story, what he was like as a child and how he came to be Grim Death, dispensing justice for those murdered before their time. Overall an interesting if horrifying tale and I look forward to more stories featuring Bentley and Bill.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit too "batman-y" here but an interesting premise/character. not bad but it really wanted to be a graphic novel. the plotting was a bit slow & the dialogue, while nicely stylized, was sometimes clunky. the images wanted to be seen & not described (or in this case, over-described). the title is cute but misleading, impling future sequels. i hope they are done graphically.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Mignola brings to life another great character in the tradition of the 1930s pulps. Grim Death is a young man that was chosen to be death's avatar. He can see ghosts and must bring the justice deserved against those that committed the heinous act of murder. He encounters a dead trapeze artist, who does not want to see her boyfriend executed for the crime. A crime that he confessed to. Perplexed by this series of events, Grim Death find himself drawn to the circus where the couple worked and discovers an evil befitting of his skills. With a butler that feels his master has gone mad, and a fun adventure, Mignola has once again struck gold.

[Jay Sprenkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice reluctant hero story. Death needs a helper and Bentley Hawthorne is it. Death doesn't like it when you murder someone before their time.

The book was good but marred by a very slow start. The worst flaw is every other chapter devoted to back story. It splits the reader's focus and ruins the fun teasing out the mystery of Bentley's past.

[Dean Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I could eat it.
"Grim Death, ect" was a fun bumpy ride from start to finish, and while it was a novel, it had the feel and texture literarily like an old pump, comic book or graphic novel.
If you like Mignola's work, you will love this.
I hope that there are more!

[James Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are really well done. The back story is flushed out. It reminded me of Batman in some parts but certainly different. What makes it for me are the little things. The little factoids from the era make this book great. I hope there's more.

[Jayne Buc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book but not one I would read more than once. The book itself was very plot driven. This book better fits a comic book than an actual novel.

[Kori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm disappointed. This book had a great premise, and it would be an exceptional graphic novel. The problem is graphic novel screen directions (how this read) make poor literary works - dialogue goes from cartoonishly short because speech bubbles are limitations to "does this person speak full sentence English?"

And the cover art intrigues me. The skull faced death and crow remind me of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. There's a dwarf clown killer in this book! Tell me that wouldn't make great artwork.

As it is, clunky. Adapted to graphic novel? Would read again.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read. I was expecting a graphic novel. Mignola did the illustrations. They look like ink or liquid graphite. The story reminded me a little of Batman’s origins. And a little of grim reaper tales. I also was reminded of Terry Prachett’s Death and Christopher Moore’s San Francisco stories. I hope they write another one. This was good.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today’s post is on Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal by Mike Mignola and Tom Sniegoski. It is 272 pages long and is published by St. Martin's Press. The cover is an illustration of Grim Death with a raven and ghosts behind him. There is very mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this illustrated novel. The intended reader is someone who likes classic style pulp fiction and weird stories. The story is told from third person close of different characters moving from one chapter to another. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the dust jacket- An uneasiness festers upon the city streets, threatening the peace and safety of law abiding citizens. A war is escalating, and it seems as though the good and righteous are being crushed beneath the unholy weight of evil’s onslaught. Organized crime is spreading in an unchecked reign of terror.

Until a mysterious agent of retribution rises up from the shadows to challenge the villains. A lone figure, clad in a slouch hat and clothes seemingly stitched from the blackest shadows, masked in the guise of a skull-faced death—a Grim Death—emerges with guns blazing. With him, a wronged ex-con clad in the striped costume of his misfortune—Bill the Electrocuted Criminal.

In this beautifully illustrated 1930s Pulp-style novel, two dark new characters by New York Times bestselling author and comic book writer Tom Sniegoski and New York Times bestselling, award-winning creator of Hellboy Mike Mignola who also worked on the Hellboy movies with Guillermo del Toro, take to the street to fight the growing infection of organized crime. Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal are not your average heroes, but they want justice.


Review- A wonderful homage to the classic pulp fiction of the 1920-1940’s. Bentley should have died young but instead Death has chosen him. So Bentley becomes Grim Death and gets vengeance for those killed before their time. He sees ghosts who cannot move on until they are given justice so when the ghost of a young woman comes to him for justice he must discover what really happened to her and the man who says he killed her. Sprinkled with illustrations from Mignola which add to the overall feel of classic pulp weird. I had a wonderful time reading this book and I would love it if Mignola and Sniegoski would come back and write more in this world. If you are a fan of classic pulp then you need to read this novel.


I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I was given this book as a gift.

[Ethan Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book is tremendous. Bentley is an interesting character and the Pym/Bentley relationship is one that has a definite Alfred/Batman vibe to it. I also liked the way that the mask changed Bentley when he wore it but, even so, there was still a piece of himself beneath that could be communicated with. The book bounces a great deal between Bentley's youth (leading up to a very important incident) and the present day tasks of hunting down those who have committed murder. One in particular, a trapeze artist, is the main driver of the story.

As far as not giving the book a higher rating, it had some problems that held it back. First, the story loses steam the last hundred pages or so. The true villain's reveal and motive felt silly and, if anything, made you feel bad for them. Also, while the first half of the book was great, it becomes clearer towards the end that there really isn't any larger point being made about death/the afterlife/grim reaper, etc. by the author. There was so much that could have been done to explore that theme. Why does Bentley continue on like this? How does he feel about it? Is he Death's slave or hero? How do the other characters fit into this theme? The book eventually turns into a series of events without much of a moral premise. So while the book was entertaining it left a lot of potential unfulfilled and is something you likely won't think about often once you finish reading.

[Bill Philibin · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.0 Stars)

I really thought I'd rate this much higher. I've been a big fan of Mignola for years, but for me, this book just didn't work. I get that it was trying to be set in the backdrop of a pulp style noir, but I felt more like it was a badly done Batman clone. From the very first page, I felt like I was missing some crucial starting point. Like maybe this was based on something previous that I was not aware of. But I don't think that is it. The book does provide "background", but it is done through a series of "flashbacks" that were clunky and unhelpful when they were eventually presented.

The dialog is unclever, and the situations are unrealistic... even within the fantasy of the story. The book tells you what is going on, but never gives a good reason why I should care. Near the end of the book, you are given a lot more information about the protagonist's reasoning/motivation... but by that point it was "too little, too late". None of the story progression, character growth, or world building was organic or smooth. It was spoon-fed, seemingly as an after-thought.

The narrator did have a gritty deadpan voice, but never really gave the characters any "life". Maybe he never got a good feel for the characters either? He kept a nice pace and was clear and easily understandable.

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped 80% of the way through. It's a batman-esque story, transparent. Nothing new or interesting. The twists are easily guessed. All of the characters are flat as boards.

On top of that, it doesn't pass the Bechtel test for even a second. Why is this wealthy, talented newspaper heiress obsessed with scrawny, death owned Bentley again? Ah yes: gorgeous Women exist just to adore weird men. I could have gotten over that little tidbit and the headache from rolling my eyes so hard, if there were anything else to recommend it.

The idea of madness as a vehicle of horror was here, ripe and ready to be developed. It was a missed chance to actually explore some real horror. Some characters fear he's mad, but the reader is assured that Bentley is truly an avatar of death. It would have been 100% a better story if that were more clouded and the reader had to grapple with the violence done in the name of something that perhaps was not real.

[Zedsdead · Rating 2 out of 5]

What if Alfred, dedicated as he was, thought Bruce Wayne was off his nut?

This book has serious pulp potential: a young rich man, possessed by the vengeful spirit of Grim Death, is tasked with exacting vengeance on behalf of the ghosts of murdered innocents. His tools: a spooky skull masque, a pair of nondescript pistols, a profoundly skeptical butler, and an ability to communicate with the dead.

Plus Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal is perhaps the most badass book title I've ever had the opportunity to crack open.

But it's just so poorly written. It reads as if composed by an excited middle schooler who wants to cram every four-and five-syllable word he knows into each sentence, no matter how awkward the fit. I found myself in a constant state of low-grade disappointment.

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually not a fan of graphic style books but I had picked this book up on a whim, and I am happy that I did. Once there was a sickly boy who was on the verge of death and his parents would have done anything to keep him alive, and anything they did. As a result, he then became an agent of death and sees the ghosts of people that died a tragic death. It's his duty to avenge them. In this novel, Grim Death has to avenge the death of Tianna, whose killer is currently in prison awaiting execution. I liked that we switched from "before" to "after" every other chapter, and I thought that the characters were well-developed. Pym, the butler, added some comic relief. I would be interested in reading more in the series if it continued.

[Thomas Tymstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

☆☆ SPOILER ALERT ☆☆

I enjoyed listening to this book. Yes, it was an audiobook for me. The strange film-esk style and darker tone was just what I needed to combat the continuous and not so enjoyable Christmas cheer I am surrounded with when I leave my home.
>1) The only parts that put me off were the echoing of statements like a parrot on drugs. Repeating questions that are asked is very much an anime trope.
2) His butler Pim had from the time the boy was spared until he was an adult to come to terms with the reality of Bentley's oddity of a life, but still he questions and complains. At the end will he want to be left at home?


Overall enjoyable and I would listen to more about Grim Death.

[Steve Martinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. I had absolutely no preconceived notions about this book. Didn't know what to expect. This is like a superhero and sidekick origin story, told in a 30's-40's noir-ish type of story. The only thing I might change would be the use of the guns, and increase the paranormal element a little more. Keep the guns, definitely; just cut down a bit on his dependence on them. I liked the mermaid, too. To me, a lot more sensible version of what a 'real' mermaid might be like (maybe not the mental powers). I am awaiting more stories in this series.

[Andrew Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with Joe Golum and the Drowning City: the descriptor "illustrated novel" was misleading, and Joe Golum had a minimal role in the book. Regardless, I enjoyed it enough to immediately pick-up Grim Death when it arrived at the library.

Maybe because I had more an idea of what to expect, or maybe because I kept my expectations in check, but I was pretty pleased by this. Chapters alternate between past and present, illustrations are sparse but well done. It seemed to drag a bit towards the end; they tried to keep up the alternating timelines as the stories were ending. Story is self-contained, but open to more adventures. Recommended.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I found it to be unbelievably captivating. There are some dark moments but there are also some lighthearted ones too, and the lighthearted moments give the book such charm.

I found Grim Death’s character to be endearing. Pym is great. Yes, there is a bit of a Batman and Alfred dynamic to the relationship but it’s different, so don’t get too hung up on the similarities. Who doesn’t love a raven? And, the ending is fabulous.

(If you’re a Harry Dresden fan I think you’ll enjoy this book.)

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This was definitely an entertaining read that had an interesting idea around agents of death. It could have gone deeper with some topics on death but I liked when it focused on how some try to escape and the sort of revenge parts. I loved the darker parts in the story. The only issues would be the characters weren't that interesting or deep though I hope we may get to know then more. I liked the past and present chapters though at times the transitions were a little awkward. An entertaining read that had the potential to become something more and could in the future.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting concept with familiar but well written characters. The story telling style was distracting for me though. Just at each crescendo of action, there would be a flashback to something staid. In one instance right at a climactic scene’s peak there’s a flashback to introduce a character’s back story that would have fit a lot better much earlier in the story.

Reading this was like trying to drive through downtown at rush hour.

[Trent Hunsaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like a Comic Story Arc Outline
It's not bad. It's just not that good. What kept me intrigued was hoping to see glimpses of the Hellboy universe. That being said, Mike Mignola should hit up Eric Powell to illustrate this as a graphic novel; it would perfectly fit in The Goon's universe!

[Katherine Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So one weird thing I like is books with interesting narrators and narration styles. Most people like this, so that's probably not all that odd. But the other thing I have come to love is narrators that have some kind of close association with Death. (This is due to me finding an obscure little number called The Book Thief and falling madly in love with it as a child.) And I don't mean death, someone close to me has died, I mean the actual entity/demigod itself Death.
As the name of the book clearly implies, you get that but you also get so much more. Grim Death is really just a regular little rich boy named Bentley who is given a gift at a cost. He now works as an arbiter of justice for people who's lives have been cut off. His whole persona as the Grim Death is also just one of my favorite aspects of this book. He tries so hard to be scary and impressive while often enough you just get the feeling that he's over-dramatic and over-acting until he has a job to do. It's then that he assumes his full mantle and becomes a really awesome character. But the whole time, you are still aware of the fact that he is Bentley and that characterization is crucial to this book for me. It never takes itself too seriously, nor does it ever feel overly presumptuous in it's arc. The endless cycle of ghosts was a little much at times, but otherwise you have such a wonderfully interesting cast and absolutely gorgeous illustrations. I loved this book's secondary characters too, especially Pym, the sarcastic and concerned butler, and Roderick, the raven who acts as cryptic guide for Bentley. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who wants a good read that doesn't take itself too seriously, but refuses to sell itself short either.