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Mike Mignola's Tales from Lands Unknown
Uri Tupka and the Gods: Another Story from Lands Unknown
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.
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.
104 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2026
About the author
Mike Mignola
1,869 books2,615 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 54 reviews
May 3, 2026
Going back to read this a 2nd time; and maybe a 3rd. Can’t wait for the next one. Passion project for MM is top tier.
April 19, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
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
August 26, 2026
A master at the height of his powers, which is I think may be verbatim what I said about the last one of these. It's wild to watch one of my favorite artists suddenly hit a new gear, 20 years into adoring his work. It's unfettered, unfiltered, pure joy and expression in an almost stream of consciousness way. What a gift
April 4, 2026
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.
May 22, 2026
Wow. What a follow up to the first book. The fantastical feel of this, the lived-in world, the folklore, the art. Wow!
Very happy with this series so far. Looking forward to seeing where it goes.
Very happy with this series so far. Looking forward to seeing where it goes.
May 3, 2026
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.
April 28, 2026
Mignola himself stars in this Vancian chiaroscuro fable, and perhaps when combined with the next volume will be perfection.
April 5, 2026
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.
September 20, 2026
This is the second installment of Mike Mignola's "Lands Unknown" series, an original scenario completely disconnected from the author's best-known creation (Hellboy). As with Bowling with Corpses & Other Strange Tales from Lands Unknown, this slim volume is mostly an excuse for Mignola to draw dark ages-inspired characters and environments. However, the single continuous story in this volume definitely makes for a more engaging reading experience, and gives me reason to look forward to future volumes in this series.
July 18, 2026
Mike Mignola is a genius. In these newer stories from ‘lands unknown’ the mood and visual narrative is special. So much is left for the reader to fill in and place their ideas into the story to enrich what is written. Just elite.
June 15, 2026
Interesting mythology take - will the k
Gods help? Do they still exist? How has Uri Tupka survived?
Gods help? Do they still exist? How has Uri Tupka survived?
May 24, 2026
Uri travels a pilgrim road to find the answers he crave from the gods he is convinced exist.
Mignola's stories have always had a pretty fast pace, but like in the first Lands Unknown story he is in a rush to tell us about the world and it's inhabitants. At times it seems he is afraid that if he doesn't present a new fantastical being every other page, he will lose the reader. I wish he would settle down a bit and have faith that we will still follow him to the next page and the next story. Part of his Hellboy run taught many of us to take a deep breath every now and then when reading a comic, to just take in the environment and the emotions they bring. By slowing down and focusing on different aspects of the environment, he invited us to ask ourselves questions like "What sounds would I hear here?". "How would this look if I stood in place of the character". "What emotions do I feel in this place".
Besides that, Uri Tupka and the Gods still scratch the itch. It brings exciting adventure and deep, mythic lore. The art is great and I felt that the eagerness issue did resolve more and more throughout the story, feeling less and less scattered and making me more invested in the story. I really hope Mignola keeps these up and I cannot wait for the next entry
Mignola's stories have always had a pretty fast pace, but like in the first Lands Unknown story he is in a rush to tell us about the world and it's inhabitants. At times it seems he is afraid that if he doesn't present a new fantastical being every other page, he will lose the reader. I wish he would settle down a bit and have faith that we will still follow him to the next page and the next story. Part of his Hellboy run taught many of us to take a deep breath every now and then when reading a comic, to just take in the environment and the emotions they bring. By slowing down and focusing on different aspects of the environment, he invited us to ask ourselves questions like "What sounds would I hear here?". "How would this look if I stood in place of the character". "What emotions do I feel in this place".
Besides that, Uri Tupka and the Gods still scratch the itch. It brings exciting adventure and deep, mythic lore. The art is great and I felt that the eagerness issue did resolve more and more throughout the story, feeling less and less scattered and making me more invested in the story. I really hope Mignola keeps these up and I cannot wait for the next entry
June 1, 2026
Mignola doesn’t miss and his stories always get my mind to wander to realms and places that have long been confined to the beyond.
September 1, 2026
I love the worlds Mignola has created (I do sincerely believe it is all just one giant world that we see through different time periods and lenses), it is such a gothic and mysterious vibe. One of my favorite things about his monstrous creatures is that they have a set of rules they abide buy, they don’t make sense to me but there are rules- the gods have to do things a certain way because that’s how they are.
Overall, this was a fine new adventure with an older and more solemn character, the world is zipped through at times and felt like a fun writing exercise more so than a new Hellboy. It’s worth reading and everything he does is worth looking at. I want to live in a world where all the headstones and crypts are designed by Mignola.
Overall, this was a fine new adventure with an older and more solemn character, the world is zipped through at times and felt like a fun writing exercise more so than a new Hellboy. It’s worth reading and everything he does is worth looking at. I want to live in a world where all the headstones and crypts are designed by Mignola.
May 18, 2026
One story in seven episodic chapters. The visuals are great. Lots of folklore and small map insets. Not gonna lie, it got a little confusing with all the world building and stacked narrative framing—e.g., Uri, recounting his travels to two acquaintances, tells the story of a count's daughter being pursued by a strange university student, as it's being told to him by an old hermit.
That's fine with me, as it's a book I'll be happy to revisit. Glad to see there's another one coming. I wonder why these aren't released as comics; maybe it's easier to let each story dictate its own length?
If I'm feeling critical, it's a whole lot of an old dude having conversations with demons or deities. (Despite the title, demons abound.) Working title: My Dinner with Uri.
That's fine with me, as it's a book I'll be happy to revisit. Glad to see there's another one coming. I wonder why these aren't released as comics; maybe it's easier to let each story dictate its own length?
If I'm feeling critical, it's a whole lot of an old dude having conversations with demons or deities. (Despite the title, demons abound.) Working title: My Dinner with Uri.
September 4, 2026
So much style! Beautiful aesthetic with a well fleshed out world!
August 27, 2026
Uri Tupka is a pilgrim searching for the gods in Mignola's Lands Unknown universe. He travels across various countries and bodies of water, encountering strange and amazing sights. It's a land populated with demons, ruins, monsters, dungeons, fairies, deserts, and even the titular gods.
The story reads more like an excuse to explore the exotic landscapes and discover imaginative beings (human, animal, even floral) strewn all over. Mignola crafts a lot of interesting visuals with his art style that I enjoy so much. The story is a bit light and contains Mignola's typical sense of whimsy and folk narrative. I'll probably forget what happened by the time the sequel, Uri Tupka and the Devils, comes out. But I will read that, probably re-reading this beforehand.
Mildly recommended--this is really for Mignola art and story-telling fans.
The story reads more like an excuse to explore the exotic landscapes and discover imaginative beings (human, animal, even floral) strewn all over. Mignola crafts a lot of interesting visuals with his art style that I enjoy so much. The story is a bit light and contains Mignola's typical sense of whimsy and folk narrative. I'll probably forget what happened by the time the sequel, Uri Tupka and the Devils, comes out. But I will read that, probably re-reading this beforehand.
Mildly recommended--this is really for Mignola art and story-telling fans.
August 23, 2026
Ugggh. This was so good. I want to be Uri Tupka when I grow up.
May 11, 2026
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.
May 6, 2026
The Mike Mignola magic is still there, this is as good as any of the classic Hellboy stories. Looking forward to reading the rest of this story.
Read
May 4, 2026Mignola doing what he does best - witches and corpses and statues and crumbling castles - with some really good coloring. Can't fault it.
May 3, 2026
This one grew on me, and by the end I liked it so much. I really dig this new world Mignola’s been crafting and can’t wait for more.
April 10, 2026
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.
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.
April 25, 2026
the master is at it again!
April 10, 2026
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).
April 1, 2026
Adicta a esta saga de cómics.
April 6, 2026
Let it take you for a ride.
April 7, 2026
mike mignola, thank you
October 8, 2026
Ai slop
A. Theological Absenteeism and Cosmic Dread
The central crisis driving Uri Tupka is the burden of navigating a world actively abandoned by its creators. Unlike classic mythology where gods manipulate mortal affairs, Mignola’s deities are distant, exhausted, or utterly indifferent. The text functions as a playground for theological ambiguity, challenging the classical definition of a hero's quest by casting the search for the divine as a path toward potential madness rather than ultimate salvation. [1, 2]
B. Epistemological Violence
In an academic reading, knowledge in Uri Tupka and the Gods does not offer comfort; it inflicts harm. Uri is an intellectual iconoclast—a heretic—seeking an absolute, childhood-like clarity of faith. However, when he is granted a vision of the cosmic hierarchy in Chapter 7, he does not find peace. Instead, he discovers that the gods are mere gatekeepers shielding creation from an older, Unknowable Darkness. This thematic foundation directly sets up the subsequent volume, Uri Tupka and the Devils, transforming the pursuit of knowledge into an act of literal and spiritual violence. [1, 2, 3]
C. Visual Semiotics and the Aesthetics of Hope
Mignola’s distinct use of heavy blacks, geometric shadows, and semi-abstracted forms—enriched by colorist Dave Stewart’s expressionistic palettes—serves a narrative purpose. The environments are oppressive and "bruised," yet critics have identified a rare undercurrent of narrative hope. In a landscape dictated by harsh cosmic realities, the comic argues that human endurance, moral responsibility, and the struggle to protect humanity from dark forces (such as the Queen of Witches) provide their own intrinsic meaning. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
A. Theological Absenteeism and Cosmic Dread
The central crisis driving Uri Tupka is the burden of navigating a world actively abandoned by its creators. Unlike classic mythology where gods manipulate mortal affairs, Mignola’s deities are distant, exhausted, or utterly indifferent. The text functions as a playground for theological ambiguity, challenging the classical definition of a hero's quest by casting the search for the divine as a path toward potential madness rather than ultimate salvation. [1, 2]
B. Epistemological Violence
In an academic reading, knowledge in Uri Tupka and the Gods does not offer comfort; it inflicts harm. Uri is an intellectual iconoclast—a heretic—seeking an absolute, childhood-like clarity of faith. However, when he is granted a vision of the cosmic hierarchy in Chapter 7, he does not find peace. Instead, he discovers that the gods are mere gatekeepers shielding creation from an older, Unknowable Darkness. This thematic foundation directly sets up the subsequent volume, Uri Tupka and the Devils, transforming the pursuit of knowledge into an act of literal and spiritual violence. [1, 2, 3]
C. Visual Semiotics and the Aesthetics of Hope
Mignola’s distinct use of heavy blacks, geometric shadows, and semi-abstracted forms—enriched by colorist Dave Stewart’s expressionistic palettes—serves a narrative purpose. The environments are oppressive and "bruised," yet critics have identified a rare undercurrent of narrative hope. In a landscape dictated by harsh cosmic realities, the comic argues that human endurance, moral responsibility, and the struggle to protect humanity from dark forces (such as the Queen of Witches) provide their own intrinsic meaning. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews