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The World of Hellboy: Standalone Books
Rise of the Black Flame
The B.P.R.D.'s greatest foe was not always a man ...
Little English girls are going missing, and the trail leads to a bloodthirsty cult wielding an ancient power of evil--the Cult of the Black Flame.
No villain in the history of the Mike Mignola's line of books has caused as much death and destruction as the Black Flame. See what it was like when that power belonged to a secret order of priests hidden in the jungles of Siam.
Christopher Mitten (Umbral, Criminal Macabre, Wasteland) joins Mignola and Chris Roberson (Hellboy & the B.P.R.D. 1953, iZombie) to explore an uncharted corner of the Hellboy's fictional world.
Little English girls are going missing, and the trail leads to a bloodthirsty cult wielding an ancient power of evil--the Cult of the Black Flame.
No villain in the history of the Mike Mignola's line of books has caused as much death and destruction as the Black Flame. See what it was like when that power belonged to a secret order of priests hidden in the jungles of Siam.
Christopher Mitten (Umbral, Criminal Macabre, Wasteland) joins Mignola and Chris Roberson (Hellboy & the B.P.R.D. 1953, iZombie) to explore an uncharted corner of the Hellboy's fictional world.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2017
9 people are currently reading
188 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 57 reviews
May 21, 2019
This exploration of the Black Flame's origins was reasonably entertaining but it didn't really grab me by the throat, if you know what I mean. I didn't think I really cared about where the Black Flame came from, especially since he's dead in the main Mignolaverse books, and this book didn't change that.
Christopher Mitten's artwork was really nice, though. It's worth reading for his work alone.
Christopher Mitten's artwork was really nice, though. It's worth reading for his work alone.
February 2, 2019
3.5! Art and mood was fantastic!
World: The art was great, the depth and style that set the tone and the mood was perfect. The world building was also top notch with call backs to past characters and dipping into lore and legends of Thailand make for some awesomeness. I love mythology and this had it in spades.
Story: The story of the Black Flame is interesting but we don't really get the origin of the Black Flame but the origin of a Black Flame booo! The pacing is okay, the tone and banter great, and the pieces that Mignola pulled from the past to put this story together was good. However I found that this story is kinda out of place, if this came before the final battle with the Black Flame in B.P.R.D Hell on Earth it would have been better. I also think the characters could have been more in depth making us care for the finale.
Characters: The cast of characters was rather bland, yes the link the Witchfinder was good and that's the only good character in the cast of characters that are highly forgettable. The Black Flame character is also not baked and not fully formed making this a rather poor character piece. This was disappointing.
I wanted to love this and I ended up liking it, I like the lore and the story but I think this was a missed opportunity.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art was great, the depth and style that set the tone and the mood was perfect. The world building was also top notch with call backs to past characters and dipping into lore and legends of Thailand make for some awesomeness. I love mythology and this had it in spades.
Story: The story of the Black Flame is interesting but we don't really get the origin of the Black Flame but the origin of a Black Flame booo! The pacing is okay, the tone and banter great, and the pieces that Mignola pulled from the past to put this story together was good. However I found that this story is kinda out of place, if this came before the final battle with the Black Flame in B.P.R.D Hell on Earth it would have been better. I also think the characters could have been more in depth making us care for the finale.
Characters: The cast of characters was rather bland, yes the link the Witchfinder was good and that's the only good character in the cast of characters that are highly forgettable. The Black Flame character is also not baked and not fully formed making this a rather poor character piece. This was disappointing.
I wanted to love this and I ended up liking it, I like the lore and the story but I think this was a missed opportunity.
Onward to the next book!
May 29, 2017
This odd little side-trip into the origins of the Black Flame character--an entirely standalone volume, not numbered or branded as part of any of the ongoing Mignolaverse titles--may not provide the most necessary or visceral reading, but it's a lot of fun, and introduces some intriguing new characters while also tying together the Witchfinder and Lobster Johnson series.
I don't really know what makes one artist's work feel like it fits into the Mignolaverse while anothers does not. It isn't as if there's a significant through-line that links all the work I think fits together. Some stuff just seems right while other stuff doesn't. Luckily, Chris Mitten's art on Rise of the Black Flame not only feels right, but is great, especially in some of the flashback panels, or the pulled back shots of the jungle and/or ruins. Also, what are pretty clearly some of my beloved Privateer Press gatormen made a guest appearance in one panel, so that made me very happy!
I don't really know what makes one artist's work feel like it fits into the Mignolaverse while anothers does not. It isn't as if there's a significant through-line that links all the work I think fits together. Some stuff just seems right while other stuff doesn't. Luckily, Chris Mitten's art on Rise of the Black Flame not only feels right, but is great, especially in some of the flashback panels, or the pulled back shots of the jungle and/or ruins. Also, what are pretty clearly some of my beloved Privateer Press gatormen made a guest appearance in one panel, so that made me very happy!
December 1, 2018
More (alt) history than a typical comic book, this unusually loquacious read is flawed at numerous levels. Featuring an unabashedly orientalist veneer (that to be fair, probably reflects a historically accurate colonialist perspective) and an unusually wordy word count detracts from anything that could have been (at least kinda) good. All the more bizarre concerns the relatively low ratio of action to its oddly high word count. And while it’s good when comics try to do something different, when working within an established canon that is characterized by all sorts of macabre-demon tinted violence, any deviance is going to come across as unfaithful to its source material.
Case in point: With relative up-and-new-comers such as Campbell and Robinson at the helm of the visuals, most everything here feels particularly infidel to the HellBoy Universe (as it were). All the more damning is that the visuals (while not bad in any regard) come across as particularly dull and uninspired. Again, to repeat myself, they’re not bad but, to but to be cut from the same incredibly idiosyncratic cloth that is HellBoy (and it’s superbly original artwork, that according to Alan Moore is “German Expressionism meets Jack Kirby) there’s nothing at all delicious for our eyes to drink in.
As a corollary to the previous, the story under-girding the visuals doesn’t have much going for it either. Favoring a skim rather than a proper read, the ratio of filler to substance is dismayingly high. With a very utilitarian feel, the importance of getting from point A (the beginning) to point B (the ending) is only superseded by its commercial telos.
Indeed, reducing to just yet another grab for cash, this profit-making dribble will leave you with a stale taste.
Case in point: With relative up-and-new-comers such as Campbell and Robinson at the helm of the visuals, most everything here feels particularly infidel to the HellBoy Universe (as it were). All the more damning is that the visuals (while not bad in any regard) come across as particularly dull and uninspired. Again, to repeat myself, they’re not bad but, to but to be cut from the same incredibly idiosyncratic cloth that is HellBoy (and it’s superbly original artwork, that according to Alan Moore is “German Expressionism meets Jack Kirby) there’s nothing at all delicious for our eyes to drink in.
As a corollary to the previous, the story under-girding the visuals doesn’t have much going for it either. Favoring a skim rather than a proper read, the ratio of filler to substance is dismayingly high. With a very utilitarian feel, the importance of getting from point A (the beginning) to point B (the ending) is only superseded by its commercial telos.
Indeed, reducing to just yet another grab for cash, this profit-making dribble will leave you with a stale taste.
June 18, 2017
It was nice to read this as a trade. I think the Black Flame is a really cool villain in the Mignolaverse, and I'm glad they took the time to give him an original story.
July 29, 2020
The origin of the Black Flame...
Not mind blowing by far and not adding much to the mignolaverse but entertaining enough to read because of the exotic time and place and the direct ties with the Witchfinder and Lobster Johnson series.
A bit wordy maybe (not to say much in the end) but Christopher Mitten's art is interesting and on the whole it's perfectly commendable to BPRD fans. Better to borrow than buy it though.
Not mind blowing by far and not adding much to the mignolaverse but entertaining enough to read because of the exotic time and place and the direct ties with the Witchfinder and Lobster Johnson series.
A bit wordy maybe (not to say much in the end) but Christopher Mitten's art is interesting and on the whole it's perfectly commendable to BPRD fans. Better to borrow than buy it though.
May 11, 2021
A decent story in an under-utilized setting, but the ending is unnecessary sequel-bait.
June 9, 2020
The Mignola-verse mines its past, giving the Black Flame an origin story he didn't really need. Worse, the whole thing feels a bit generic, with kidnapped children, sword-wielding cultists and abandoned temples.
The setting is Siam, and even the inclusion of a native-born lead character doesn't keep the whole dynamic from feeling iffy from a racial and cultural standpoint. We have a largely white cast of characters heading into the jungle to shoot down the bloodthirsty locals, and even if the final story is a bit more complicated than that, it doesn't feel complicated enough to justify the framing.
The art by Christopher Mitten is strong, giving us memorable scenery, distinct characters, and a nice variety in the action. The story itself feels a bit like bonus material, though, only really necessary for fans looking for the "full" experience.
The setting is Siam, and even the inclusion of a native-born lead character doesn't keep the whole dynamic from feeling iffy from a racial and cultural standpoint. We have a largely white cast of characters heading into the jungle to shoot down the bloodthirsty locals, and even if the final story is a bit more complicated than that, it doesn't feel complicated enough to justify the framing.
The art by Christopher Mitten is strong, giving us memorable scenery, distinct characters, and a nice variety in the action. The story itself feels a bit like bonus material, though, only really necessary for fans looking for the "full" experience.
February 12, 2024
Історія молодих років Сандху, яка цікавим чином подібна до попередньо прочитаного Распутіна. Там Сандху стає патроном Брума, а тут сам Сандху ще зелений, а його наставником стає сержант Макклаістер, котрий раніше був свідком всяких паранормальних явищ і навіть одного разу допоміг серу Едварду Ґрею. Це історія однієї з перших інкарнацій Чорного Вогню. Місце дії – Сіам, джунглі, таємні храми сектантів, людські жертвопринесення і всяке таке. Знову тішить малюнок Міттена.
Тут же ж з’являється Сара Джуел – така собі міс Марпл Геллбойверса з габітусом Гертруди Стайн (вона ж – партнерка Едварда Ґрея в минулому) і її компаньйонка Марія-Тереза Лефлер (норм. підгон під наступну однойменну серію, візьмусь за її прочитання після цієї).
Фінал – передбачуваний для всіх, хто читав Геллбойверс раніше: Раймонд Дістель стає аватаром Чорного Вогню, дитина , котру він рятує від жертвопринесення – Камала, стає його Вищою Жрицею. Їх кінець можна побачити на сторінках іншого тайтлу – Лобстера Джонсона.
Тут же ж з’являється Сара Джуел – така собі міс Марпл Геллбойверса з габітусом Гертруди Стайн (вона ж – партнерка Едварда Ґрея в минулому) і її компаньйонка Марія-Тереза Лефлер (норм. підгон під наступну однойменну серію, візьмусь за її прочитання після цієї).
Фінал – передбачуваний для всіх, хто читав Геллбойверс раніше: Раймонд Дістель стає аватаром Чорного Вогню, дитина , котру він рятує від жертвопринесення – Камала, стає його Вищою Жрицею. Їх кінець можна побачити на сторінках іншого тайтлу – Лобстера Джонсона.
November 6, 2019
Well, I finally (and I do mean finally) got to this one. After missing an issue and then putting the others aside until I was able to pick a collected edition and then setting that aside for some inconceivable reason - I read it. And it's wonderful.
Mignola and company deliver yet another thrilling tale of Lovecraftian peculiarities for the reader's delight. This is great stuff with some interesting twists along the way.
Mignola and company deliver yet another thrilling tale of Lovecraftian peculiarities for the reader's delight. This is great stuff with some interesting twists along the way.
August 20, 2021
Yeah, this was alright. I don't know what I was expecting the Black Flames origin story to be, but it wasn't really this.
This felt like kind of an outdated adventure, almost like it was a comic from the 60's. The evil forest cult and some of the tag along friends that come with them and the Black Flame baaasically being set up with a child are kind of weird, but I know who the Black Flame is now, so I guess they did what they wanted to do.
This felt like kind of an outdated adventure, almost like it was a comic from the 60's. The evil forest cult and some of the tag along friends that come with them and the Black Flame baaasically being set up with a child are kind of weird, but I know who the Black Flame is now, so I guess they did what they wanted to do.
July 6, 2023
Reading this is Basically just a big waste of time. It gives us an origin for the black flame which is entirely unnecessary and serves as a sort of pointless introduction to Sarah Jewel.
At least the art is really nice, Mitten is at his best here, shame is wasted on what is mostly people sitting around and talking.
At least the art is really nice, Mitten is at his best here, shame is wasted on what is mostly people sitting around and talking.
March 31, 2019
I wish I hadn't bought all the spin-offs of Hellboy & B.P.R.D. Most of them are mediocre at best. This is another instant-forgettable comic book.
November 20, 2023
Not sure why I gave this 3/5 previously, this was great. Would have liked more history of the black flame during hyperborea, but that’s one of the reasons I love the Mignolaverse.
September 28, 2019
Weird pacing in this one. Feels like we get two issues of material spread over four issues, and then the actual meat in the final fifth issue. It's all a bit dull.
2.5 stars
(Read as five single issues.)
2.5 stars
(Read as five single issues.)
December 11, 2023
A worthy entry into the Mignola-verse canon.
December 21, 2021
Series: Rise of the Black Flame #1-5
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
This is the origin of the Black Flame, who has appeared as an enemy in B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Vol. 5, Lobster Johnson Vol. 2, and Sledgehammer 44.
This origin story takes place in Siam at a hidden temple dedicated to the Cult of the Black Flame. It follows the journey of two police officers, Sarah Jewell, Marie-Therese Lafleur, and Farang on their way to the temple to rescue some missing children. This was kind of a sad origin story because the Black Flame never really wanted to be what he became but he does end up being a very powerful enemy in the future. I think I liked him more in the previous comics he has shown up in.
The only character that I was really interested in learning more about was Sarah Jewell who has appeared in previous comics like Witchfinder. I like how strong and tough she is and I really want more stories of her fighting monsters.
Overall, this was an ok origin story for the Black Flame.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
This is the origin of the Black Flame, who has appeared as an enemy in B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Vol. 5, Lobster Johnson Vol. 2, and Sledgehammer 44.
This origin story takes place in Siam at a hidden temple dedicated to the Cult of the Black Flame. It follows the journey of two police officers, Sarah Jewell, Marie-Therese Lafleur, and Farang on their way to the temple to rescue some missing children. This was kind of a sad origin story because the Black Flame never really wanted to be what he became but he does end up being a very powerful enemy in the future. I think I liked him more in the previous comics he has shown up in.
The only character that I was really interested in learning more about was Sarah Jewell who has appeared in previous comics like Witchfinder. I like how strong and tough she is and I really want more stories of her fighting monsters.
Overall, this was an ok origin story for the Black Flame.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
September 1, 2017
I'm trying to read the Hellboy Universe in roughly chronological order. Though this is a fairly recent comic it takes place before arrival of Hellboy and the rise of the BPRD. Continuity-wise, it has some fun nods to the later books, but it's far duller and plodding than most of the Mignola books I've read.
There's a lot of "I remember the time when..." rather than just showing a story. There's also obligatory racist sentiments of characters you aren't supposed to like. I understand the idea behind them, but they're really clunky in this book. Well. Everything is really clunky in this book. In addition to Mignola and Chris Roberson's story taking forever to go anywhere, Christopher Mitten's wavy linework isn't a good match for this story. I've loved his work in The Disciple, and the short story he did for American Vampire, but the way he draws people's faces and movement felt really stilted. I do like the way he draws the supernatural aspects of the story, but there's not enough of it in this volume for me to get past the way he draws regular people.
Overall, I think this would have made an excellent one-shot where we have the first four or five pages from volume one, and then cut to the action of issue five, but the five part series we got was too much filler.
I recommend this only for hardcore Hellboy enthusiasts, and people who enjoy Steve Niles-like horror/fantasy.
There's a lot of "I remember the time when..." rather than just showing a story. There's also obligatory racist sentiments of characters you aren't supposed to like. I understand the idea behind them, but they're really clunky in this book. Well. Everything is really clunky in this book. In addition to Mignola and Chris Roberson's story taking forever to go anywhere, Christopher Mitten's wavy linework isn't a good match for this story. I've loved his work in The Disciple, and the short story he did for American Vampire, but the way he draws people's faces and movement felt really stilted. I do like the way he draws the supernatural aspects of the story, but there's not enough of it in this volume for me to get past the way he draws regular people.
Overall, I think this would have made an excellent one-shot where we have the first four or five pages from volume one, and then cut to the action of issue five, but the five part series we got was too much filler.
I recommend this only for hardcore Hellboy enthusiasts, and people who enjoy Steve Niles-like horror/fantasy.
May 23, 2017
A Mignolaverse comic with zero recognizable characters save a nod to Edward Gray, this origin story for one of Mignola's best side villains is a bit thin. A adventure story with just the scarcest of character backgrounds for depth, the conclusion is forgone and the energy and humor in most of the Hellboy universe is sadly lacking. And I had such high hopes.
August 18, 2024
(3,3 of 5 for jungle cult adventure in not many appealing visuals)
I looked forward to this origin story and it is a fine story with origin as a (dried up) cherry on top. It's a great adventure towards a dangerous mission. And as that, the story itself is well executed, which became scarcer when it's "story by: Mike Mignola and" quite often now.
The thing I guess we all love about Mike's work is how much it's thought through. The connection, links, and references sprung among decades of this comic series. An observant reader is just "WOW!" when he meets the connection, hint, or link like that. And it all clicks. It seems to me that this is disappearing with "and" authors. Bot this and Witchfinder 6 is Mike and Chris Roberson. Witchfinder 6 was a terrible disappointment to me. Rise on the other hand has quite a good, well-executed story. But one example of all that I was talking about difference between Mike and "and" -
Rise (2017): Sarah says she met Eddie first time at Silver Lantern Club, which makes more sense. (I am yet to need to get Hellboy - SLC as I'm using the awesome Multiversity's reading order)
Witchfinder 6 (2020): Edward and Sarah meet first time at some random Monk's Head pub as it fits the story.
WTF, Chris? This is not iZombie mumbo-jumbo, it's Hellboyverse...
Anyway, I enjoyed Rise of the Black Flame's story. But as with Witchfinder 6, I didn't enjoy the art. Mitten's work appears rather ugly to me. But what a surprise - I thought the colouring was Michelle Madsen too. To my shock, it says DAVE STEWARD. The... what? Dave is one of the best colourists in this "industry", who always greatly levelled the art and this is nothing like him. Is that some kind of error? Was it like "Dave you old chap, here it is and you have 3 days to submit finals, chop chop!"?
To sum it up. As some others like the art, I do not. I don't like clumsy and messy art. I'm not saying it's awful art, it's not, but it's the kind I can't enjoy. The story - it works for me, but I was raised on this kind of adventure exploration story. Did we need the "origin story"? No. It changes nothing, it adds nothing. I see some saying "money grub", is that so? It very much feels that way. Dig some unimportant Hellboyverse past, and save expenses on story, art and colouring. Pay off Mike for some hints and the name and let's print it ahead to summer vacation.
I looked forward to this origin story and it is a fine story with origin as a (dried up) cherry on top. It's a great adventure towards a dangerous mission. And as that, the story itself is well executed, which became scarcer when it's "story by: Mike Mignola and" quite often now.
The thing I guess we all love about Mike's work is how much it's thought through. The connection, links, and references sprung among decades of this comic series. An observant reader is just "WOW!" when he meets the connection, hint, or link like that. And it all clicks. It seems to me that this is disappearing with "and" authors. Bot this and Witchfinder 6 is Mike and Chris Roberson. Witchfinder 6 was a terrible disappointment to me. Rise on the other hand has quite a good, well-executed story. But one example of all that I was talking about difference between Mike and "and" -
Rise (2017): Sarah says she met Eddie first time at Silver Lantern Club, which makes more sense. (I am yet to need to get Hellboy - SLC as I'm using the awesome Multiversity's reading order)
Witchfinder 6 (2020): Edward and Sarah meet first time at some random Monk's Head pub as it fits the story.
WTF, Chris? This is not iZombie mumbo-jumbo, it's Hellboyverse...
Anyway, I enjoyed Rise of the Black Flame's story. But as with Witchfinder 6, I didn't enjoy the art. Mitten's work appears rather ugly to me. But what a surprise - I thought the colouring was Michelle Madsen too. To my shock, it says DAVE STEWARD. The... what? Dave is one of the best colourists in this "industry", who always greatly levelled the art and this is nothing like him. Is that some kind of error? Was it like "Dave you old chap, here it is and you have 3 days to submit finals, chop chop!"?
To sum it up. As some others like the art, I do not. I don't like clumsy and messy art. I'm not saying it's awful art, it's not, but it's the kind I can't enjoy. The story - it works for me, but I was raised on this kind of adventure exploration story. Did we need the "origin story"? No. It changes nothing, it adds nothing. I see some saying "money grub", is that so? It very much feels that way. Dig some unimportant Hellboyverse past, and save expenses on story, art and colouring. Pay off Mike for some hints and the name and let's print it ahead to summer vacation.
April 22, 2025
🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
Rise of the Black Flame
2016
Comic Book
Rating: 4/5
Rise of the Black Flame is a gripping, atmospheric addition to the Hellboy universe that stands out with its blend of pulpy adventure and creeping horror. The story is a backstory to the core universe, with this miniseries following a group of unlikely heroes deep into the jungles of Siam, unraveling the mystery behind a series of child abductions, and ultimately confronting a sinister cult that would one day give rise to the Black Flame.
Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson channel the mood of classic pulp horror and colonial-era mystery, while Christopher Mitten’s artwork complements it with gritty, shadow-heavy visuals that drip with tension. The jungle feels dangerously close, the cult’s presence ominous, and the narrative steadily builds a sense of dread that culminates in an intense and satisfying climax.
A standout element is the way the story adds depth to the Black Flame mythology. While the villain has long been a staple of the B.P.R.D. lore, this origin tale peels back the layers of legend and reveals a chilling, more human core to the darkness. It’s not a book drenched in the core mythology of the series, but newcomers will feel lost without the knowledge of the character.
If you’re a long-time fan of the Hellboy universe or just love dark, supernatural stories with a strong sense of myth and atmosphere, Rise of the Black Flame delivers. It’s a short series, but it leaves a lasting impact, and adds rich depth to one of the universe’s most chilling villains. It’s a worthy addition to the universe and escapes the problem that many backstories face, and that’s a purpose, which this book covers successfully.
#riseoftheblackflame#2016#comics#comicbooks#comicbookcommunity#comicbooklover#booklover#bookworm#comicbookreview#comicbookcollection#comicbookcollector#comicbookcollecting#dupreewenttothemovies#books#bookrecommendations#readingtime#readingaddict#readingcommunity#readinglist#readingbooks#readingisfun#alwaysreading#ilovereading#lovereading#readreadread#readersgonnaread#mikemignola#book#darkhorsecomics#graphicnovel
Rise of the Black Flame
2016
Comic Book
Rating: 4/5
Rise of the Black Flame is a gripping, atmospheric addition to the Hellboy universe that stands out with its blend of pulpy adventure and creeping horror. The story is a backstory to the core universe, with this miniseries following a group of unlikely heroes deep into the jungles of Siam, unraveling the mystery behind a series of child abductions, and ultimately confronting a sinister cult that would one day give rise to the Black Flame.
Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson channel the mood of classic pulp horror and colonial-era mystery, while Christopher Mitten’s artwork complements it with gritty, shadow-heavy visuals that drip with tension. The jungle feels dangerously close, the cult’s presence ominous, and the narrative steadily builds a sense of dread that culminates in an intense and satisfying climax.
A standout element is the way the story adds depth to the Black Flame mythology. While the villain has long been a staple of the B.P.R.D. lore, this origin tale peels back the layers of legend and reveals a chilling, more human core to the darkness. It’s not a book drenched in the core mythology of the series, but newcomers will feel lost without the knowledge of the character.
If you’re a long-time fan of the Hellboy universe or just love dark, supernatural stories with a strong sense of myth and atmosphere, Rise of the Black Flame delivers. It’s a short series, but it leaves a lasting impact, and adds rich depth to one of the universe’s most chilling villains. It’s a worthy addition to the universe and escapes the problem that many backstories face, and that’s a purpose, which this book covers successfully.
#riseoftheblackflame#2016#comics#comicbooks#comicbookcommunity#comicbooklover#booklover#bookworm#comicbookreview#comicbookcollection#comicbookcollector#comicbookcollecting#dupreewenttothemovies#books#bookrecommendations#readingtime#readingaddict#readingcommunity#readinglist#readingbooks#readingisfun#alwaysreading#ilovereading#lovereading#readreadread#readersgonnaread#mikemignola#book#darkhorsecomics#graphicnovel
May 10, 2020
The Black Flame is one of the most fascinating and bad-a** looking villains I've ever encountered, probably my all time favorite in the Mignolaverse. This trade focused on the Black Flame's origins and even though I love this character I don't think I needed a whole story on how he came to be. Sure I wanted to know how he turned into a walking ball of blue/black flame but that could have been told in a few pages.
The way this plot was lined out is not a good way to tell an origin story. If you cut out a few pieces of dialogue you wouldn't even know this story was about the Black Flame. The major focus is on a seemingly different plot-line, which was a mistake in my opinion. At this point readers are picking up this trade FOR the Black Flame, we want to know more but we need to get to know the character that will come to be the Flame. The side characters (it's not obvious they are side characters while reading) are interesting and I'm kind of looking forward to some of them making another appearance down the line, but they were kind of pointless in general, considering none of them mean much to the Flame. A lot of time and pages was wasted here. Some character development for the Flame would have worked better.
The Black Flame is a great character with so much story potential, I hate that this origin didn't quite land. I would recommend this to Mignolaverse completionist only, even if you're a fan of the Flame I don't know if it really contributes much to the character.
The way this plot was lined out is not a good way to tell an origin story. If you cut out a few pieces of dialogue you wouldn't even know this story was about the Black Flame. The major focus is on a seemingly different plot-line, which was a mistake in my opinion. At this point readers are picking up this trade FOR the Black Flame, we want to know more but we need to get to know the character that will come to be the Flame. The side characters (it's not obvious they are side characters while reading) are interesting and I'm kind of looking forward to some of them making another appearance down the line, but they were kind of pointless in general, considering none of them mean much to the Flame. A lot of time and pages was wasted here. Some character development for the Flame would have worked better.
The Black Flame is a great character with so much story potential, I hate that this origin didn't quite land. I would recommend this to Mignolaverse completionist only, even if you're a fan of the Flame I don't know if it really contributes much to the character.
May 31, 2024
This is a lot better than most of the recent standalone Hellboy spinoffs. Well, it's somewhat standalone anyway. In actuality, it's the second volume in the Sarah Jewell trilogy (British Paranormal Society, Rise of the Black Flame, and House of Lost Horizons). For whatever reason they didn't put her name prominently in these titles, I suppose for marketability reasons. Anyway, despite the title, most of this story is not about the Black Flame. Rather it shows the Sarah Jewell expedition that led to the first Black Flame being born. Honestly there's not much story at all, but the characters are quite well-written and distinct (much better than other Hellboy volumes set in this time period). Their interactions are enjoyable. The story stays very focused and maintains momentum throughout. The real star though, is the art. Wow! Not all of the Witchfinder-era comics have art up to par with the more popular Hellboy books, but this one certainly does. I really enjoyed seeing 1920's Thailand in exquisite detail, and the horror elements provided some pretty memorable imagery. Even the covers were creepy.
For anyone wondering when to read this, I first recommend finishing the Plague of Frogs cycle and the Witchfinder series.
For anyone wondering when to read this, I first recommend finishing the Plague of Frogs cycle and the Witchfinder series.
May 28, 2018
Young girls are kidnapped in 1920s southeast Asia. Two British girls are victims in India, so a British police officer and an Indian officer investigate. A weird lead takes them to Siam, where they encounter an occult investigator, Sarah Jewel, who has her own sidekick, a Cajun woman named Marie-Therese. They hire a guide to take them to the Temple of the Black Flame (buried deep in the jungle, naturally), where a cult is bent on resurrecting an ancient evil by means of human sacrifice--probably the missing children.
The book is a fine example of pseudo-Lovecraftian horror that Mignola is so good at. The story moves at a good pace and twists enough times to be fun. It has enough background within itself that readers who haven't read other Hellboy books (where the Black Flame shows up many times) will not be lost as to what's going on.
Recommended if you enjoy Lovecraftian horror, even if you haven't read other stuff in the Hellboy canon.
The book is a fine example of pseudo-Lovecraftian horror that Mignola is so good at. The story moves at a good pace and twists enough times to be fun. It has enough background within itself that readers who haven't read other Hellboy books (where the Black Flame shows up many times) will not be lost as to what's going on.
Recommended if you enjoy Lovecraftian horror, even if you haven't read other stuff in the Hellboy canon.
May 28, 2019
Black Flame had always been one of those badass villains from the Mignolaverse who's always shrouded in mystery. Rise of the Black Flame delves into how the first Black Flame came into being. Before reading this book I thought it'd be more about the current Black Flame since he was such an intriguing character from the Hell on Earth arc. But I was pleasantly surprised (and I should have gotten the hint from the title of the book. duh) to find out the origins of the character and what a brilliant origin it is. Starting off from a colonial Bhutan, we go on an adventure to Siam with characters both new and old to the temple of the Black Goddess to learn more about how the first Black Flame came into being. Christopher Mitten's art sticks very well to the narrative and almost reminds me of 'These Savage Shores' with its hues and setting. It's great to finally learn more about this intimidating character and gives an all-new dimension to his arc throughout the Mignolaverse.
May 1, 2025
The artwork is nothing short of magnificent. Steeped in the smoke and mystery of pulp-era jungle tales. It hums with the fevered energy of dime-novel adventures set deep in the colonial unconscious, where every shadow hides a serpent and every temple breathes curses.
But when it comes to the Black Flame himself, the spark doesn’t quite catch. His origin feels rushed, like a ritual half-completed. The transformation lacks the weight it needs: the slow, dreadful inevitability that makes a villain truly unforgettable. Instead, it comes too quickly, too easily, like a crown placed on a head that hasn’t yet earned the curse it carries.
There’s atmosphere in abundance, but the fire at the center burns a little too cold.
But when it comes to the Black Flame himself, the spark doesn’t quite catch. His origin feels rushed, like a ritual half-completed. The transformation lacks the weight it needs: the slow, dreadful inevitability that makes a villain truly unforgettable. Instead, it comes too quickly, too easily, like a crown placed on a head that hasn’t yet earned the curse it carries.
There’s atmosphere in abundance, but the fire at the center burns a little too cold.
March 21, 2020
Amid the side catalog of Mignolaverse back stories, there are some that really stand out, and this is one of them, an extended origin story of how one of the more interesting villains of the Mignolaverse--the Black Flame--came to be. As with many Mignolaverse characters, its evildoers are rarely as simple as their vile deeds would suggest. And that is so here, as well. But we also get to meet several other great characters (at least one of which we'll see elsewhere) and the art matches the writing perfectly. This one hits a lot of high points: exotic adventure, supernatural goings-on, satisfying backstories, and a strange reveal to tie it all together.
August 4, 2019
Some major Mike Mignola malarky sans Hellboy. Evil cults worshipping the Great Darkness that resides in us all don't cha know. Set in the 20's in Burma & Thailand w/flashbacks to Germany & Britain, it's capably scripted & capably drawn. The colors are the major achievement, (Dave Stewart) not quite as darkly colored as other Mignola comix I've read. There's a somewhat happy ending w/of course a set-up for more occultic madness in the future.
March 7, 2022
Like many of these mini-series entries on villains from the Hellboy universe, this one was just okay- maybe even a little banal. Since we already know so much about the Black Flame and his actions, it was difficult to add much more to the lore. There were some fun tie-in to the Lobster Johnson and Witchfinder series, but overall there were no real surprises. In fact, compared to much of what has been written in the Hellboy universe, this tale was rather tame.
December 11, 2024
Solid art, good characterizations, and I’m happy to see Sarah Jewell in action again, but this story feels extremely unnecessary. Most of it is just people walking through the jungle and talking. Sets up/retcons a Lobster Johnson storyline that feels fundamentally different in tone. If you skip this you won’t even notice.
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