A wayward theologian travels across mysterious lands and goes up against mythic monsters, bandits, and more in pursuit of proof of the existence of the old gods.
In this story of the search for gods in a world that feels abandoned by them, the titular hero travels a pilgrim road in his quest for answers. Along the way he encounters dragons, giants, devils, and a tomb of unspeakable horror, and learns not just the truth about the universe but the gravity of his own role in it.
Set in the same universe as his hit graphic anthology Bowling with Corpses, Mignola returns to Lands Unknown and both writes and draws this new, original graphic novel that bursts with the fantastic, the folkloric, and even the frightening. Longtime Mignola collaborator Dave Stewart joins to bring color to this fanciful story.
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.
I'm really digging this new world Mignola is creating. Since the first book was a short story collection, I didn't expect this one to be a single narrative, with a sequel to come. I loved it though ! The ruler has declared the old gods dead, and ordered all theologians killed, but our hero is visited in his dreams and flees just in the nick of time. So we follow the titular Uri Tupka on his cross country journey as a wanted man on the run. This book manages to both develop the mythology and show us a good cross section of the world, which is quite a lot to pack into 100 some pages while developing a character. I'll be honest, it felt a little rushed at times. But the world is so interesting and the art so gorgeous that I'll allow it
It's fun to tag along with Uri Tupka, a wayward theologian, as he travels unknown lands in search of old gods. You can tell that Mike Mignola and Dave Stewart still make for an awesome creative duo in this new universe they're building up. The story is infused with mythology, although I kept on craving for more out of this 100-page graphic novel. Everything went by too fast, especially when they let the artwork do all the talking.
This feels like Mignola in a hurry. Not careless, just eager. As if he opened a door to Lands Unknown and decided to show us everything before it closes again. New places, strange gods, monsters, side characters passing by like ghosts. A fast walk through a world that clearly wants more space than it gets.
You can tell he is enjoying himself,he even says so in the afterword! That matters, and the energy is there, the sense that this is something he wants to keep building, not just finish and file away. Uri Tupka’s story feels like a starting point, not the destination. Gods found, devils waiting. There is more road ahead in 2026, as part two is already scheduled for a release.
The art does the heavy lifting. Mignola still draws like few others can. Thick shadows, crooked shapes, skulls tucked into corners, beasts half seen, old statues of forgotten gods staring through the dark. Every page feels carved rather than drawn. On visuals alone, this is an easy top score. The story, though, feels thin. This mix of pseudo-Eastern European and pseudo-North African moods has weight to it, but here it is only sketched. Hopefully in the future we will spend more time there. And even with Mignola abandoning Hellboyverse for Lands Unknown, familiar evil lurks in the cosmic darkness.
This feels like the beginning of something. The next book cannot come soon enough.
Mignola can do no wrong. His art always puts a smile on my face and I just love what he does with his take on folk tales/fairy tales. Bring on the next book later this year.
I’m a fan of Mike Mignola and I have followed his work for a long time. This latest part of his creative journey is thoughtful and very, very interesting. Not quite horror, more than a weird tale, it’s something of its own and well worth the reader’s time. His visual storytelling is at a new peak and I’m glad I picked this one up.
Once again, another year has past and we have a new Lands Unknown graphic novel from Mike Mignola! It was a fantastic read. my typical reviews are 5 star. but id give this 6 if I could.
Mike's main character in this book in outer appearances is very noticeably drawn as he himself. which is pretty great I think. a tangent thought but im interested to see where his character Uri Tupka develops from the wild events of this tale.
The follow up to Bowling with Corpses is just so fantastic. Mike truly knows how his colorist Dave Stewart brings out the strengths of his art in these deeply inky pages.
I won't spoil too much. But the 'Pilgrims Road' was my favorite portion. almost reminding me of this old russian film VIY, which if you haven't seen, i reccomend it!
Mike's art & storytelling is just the best out there, and im deeply grateful to see him continue making graphic novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In his afterward, Mike Mignola mentions this is the most fun he's had with a comic in a long time. It definitely shows. The Lands Unknown feel like such a beautiful blank canvas that Mignola's keen to fill with all his favorite themes. Uri Tupka gives us a deeper tour than our first book did as he goes off in search of the gods, meeting demons and witches along the way. The results are visually incredible, dark, and in a very Mignola-ish way, weird and Lovecraftian.
Awesome, if a little episodic, journey across Mike Mignola's Lands Unknown. The artwork is, as always, darkly beautiful, and I can’t wait to see more of this fascinating world (although the author says that the next book will probably be the last full-length one for the character, something I’m a little sad about).
I'm really enjoying the Lands Unknown stories of Mike Mignola. He's always had a flair for making legends and creatures come to life, and freeing him from the burdens of folklore has only emboldened him. The world he creates in the story feels real; lived in, frightening, fantastic, wondrous. While the story here isn't grand in its impact, it is grand in its scope. Definitely recommended.
Another fun adventure story in this setting. Really just one story instead of the various short stories in the first volume, but broken into distinctive parts. I like how it it builds more of the world, including some useful maps. My only complaint is having to wait for the next volume of a story that doesn't fully reach its conclusion.
Mignola can sure tell a story. The gods are alive, but where have they gone? Uri Tupka plans to find out. Running for his life, he takes a pilgrimage. He is going to find where they went.