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Hellboy Novels #Anthology
Hellboy: Odder Jobs
As part of the ongoing Dark Horse celebration of Hellboy in 2004, Christopher Golden (author of the Hellboy novels The Lost Army and The Bones of Giants) has brought together a stellar array of talents to further the Hellboy canon. Lavishly illustrated by creator Mike Mignola!
Contents:
Introduction / Frank Darabont;
* The Brotherhood of the Gun / Frank Darabont;
* From an Enchanter Fleeing / Peter Crowther;
* Down in the Flood / Scott Allie;
* Newford Spook Squad / Charles de Lint;
* Water Music / David J. Schow;
* The Vampire Brief / James L. Cambias;
* Unfinished Business / Ed Gorman, Richard Dean Starr;
* Saint Hellboy / Tom Piccirilli;
* Sleepless in Manhattan / Nancy Kilpatrick;
* The Wish Hounds / Sharyn McCrumb;
* Act of Mercy / Thomas E. Sniegoski;
* The Thrice-named Hill / Graham Joyce;
* Of Blood, of Clay / James A. Moore;
* A Full and Satisfying Life / Ray Garton;
* The Glass Road / Tim Lebbon;
* Tasty Teeth / Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins.
Contents:
Introduction / Frank Darabont;
* The Brotherhood of the Gun / Frank Darabont;
* From an Enchanter Fleeing / Peter Crowther;
* Down in the Flood / Scott Allie;
* Newford Spook Squad / Charles de Lint;
* Water Music / David J. Schow;
* The Vampire Brief / James L. Cambias;
* Unfinished Business / Ed Gorman, Richard Dean Starr;
* Saint Hellboy / Tom Piccirilli;
* Sleepless in Manhattan / Nancy Kilpatrick;
* The Wish Hounds / Sharyn McCrumb;
* Act of Mercy / Thomas E. Sniegoski;
* The Thrice-named Hill / Graham Joyce;
* Of Blood, of Clay / James A. Moore;
* A Full and Satisfying Life / Ray Garton;
* The Glass Road / Tim Lebbon;
* Tasty Teeth / Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins.
248 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2004
24 people are currently reading
1374 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Golden
798 books2,959 followersCHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of such novels as Road of Bones, Ararat, Snowblind, Of Saints and Shadows, and Red Hands. With Mike Mignola, he is the co-creator of the Outerverse comic book universe, including such series as Baltimore, Joe Golem: Occult Detective, and Lady Baltimore. As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Seize the Night, Dark Cities, and The New Dead, among others, and he has also written and co-written comic books, video games, screenplays, and a network television pilot. Golden co-hosts the podcast Defenders Dialogue with horror author Brian Keene. In 2015 he founded the popular Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival. He was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. His work has been nominated for the British Fantasy Award, the Eisner Award, and multiple Shirley Jackson Awards. For the Bram Stoker Awards, Golden has been nominated ten times in eight different categories. His original novels have been published in more than fifteen languages in countries around the world. Please visit him at www.christophergolden.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 20, 2024
Hellboy: Odder Jobs
By Christopher Golden
This is a collection of stories by various authors. I averaged my ratings of the stories to get the overall rating.
By Christopher Golden
This is a collection of stories by various authors. I averaged my ratings of the stories to get the overall rating.
July 10, 2015
Another great book of Hellboy short stories!
A few standouts in this volume:
Brotherhood of the Gun by Frank Darabont (Yes, the Walking Dead producer): This is a Hellboy Weird Western tale, and since I am partial to Weird Westerns, really enjoyed this one.
Down in the Flood: Great story mostly focusing on Abe Sabien
The Vampire Brief: Great humor story
A Full and Satisfying Life: Ray Garton spins this tale of Hellboy Vs. a Manticore
Tasty Teeth: Featuring the tooth fairies from the Hellboy Movie
These are just a few. I enjoyed every story in the volume, just some more than others. I think I even liked this one slightly better than Odd Jobs, the first collection.
If you are a Hellboy fan, read this one for sure!
A few standouts in this volume:
Brotherhood of the Gun by Frank Darabont (Yes, the Walking Dead producer): This is a Hellboy Weird Western tale, and since I am partial to Weird Westerns, really enjoyed this one.
Down in the Flood: Great story mostly focusing on Abe Sabien
The Vampire Brief: Great humor story
A Full and Satisfying Life: Ray Garton spins this tale of Hellboy Vs. a Manticore
Tasty Teeth: Featuring the tooth fairies from the Hellboy Movie
These are just a few. I enjoyed every story in the volume, just some more than others. I think I even liked this one slightly better than Odd Jobs, the first collection.
If you are a Hellboy fan, read this one for sure!
April 4, 2019
You know you have created something really good when other writers and artists want to contribute to the stories of your character. Hellboy is a character and this collection of stories from some of the industries top talent showcase the character and his universe in new and interesting ways. Very recommended
July 13, 2008
I liked this volume of Hellboy stories much better than the first. This group of writers seems to have a better handle on the characters. There was also a much greater ratio of hits to misses for me than the first book. The first story in Odder Jobs, The Brotherhood of the Gun, is so enjoyable that it has found a special place in my heart amidst my other Hellboy all-time favorites such as Pancakes, the Corpse and the Third Wish.
June 19, 2007
In this second collection of Hellboy/BPRD stories, editor Christopher Golden gathers together an edgier and better group of stories than appeared in the first volume that explored Mike Mignola's world. This volume also features Mignola illustrations with the sixteen stories. Lots of fun; Hellboy rocks!
June 28, 2013
Better than prior volume. Always a problem when you have multiple contributers.
August 16, 2020
The second collection of Hellboy short stories has uneven tone and pacing as befits stories by different authors. As a test, I'll be including my favorite quote from each short story.
Brotherhood Of The Gun - Frank Darabont - 5*
"We're a Brotherhood," said Doc Jessup. "A Brotherhood of the Gun."
Wow. This short story reads like a screenplay and it is obvious why Darabont is renowned in the film industry. His writing is superlative, reading it you can picture it in your mind and on a screen. If this were made into a short TV episode it would garner a LOT of high ratings and love from critics and watchers alike. Also the story is great and fits with the Hellboy universe. Don't believe me? Read the first 2 pages and you'll be hooked.
From An Enchanter Fleeing - Peter Crowther - 5*
"Hold my hand."
"Hey," Hellboy says, taking a single backward step, "Don't I get flowers? Candies?"
Great premise, the banter between the protagonists is like some 50s buddy cop movie and it's a supernatural yet touching story.
Down In The Flood - Scott Allie - *
"His name's Abraham, He's a doctor."
A letdown after 2 great stories. Expected much more from Scott Allie.
The Newford Spook Squad - Charles De Lint - 4*
Walker "Nah, I think I'd rather give myself an enema with a fire hose"
Enjoyable read about an X-files type of squad assembled to investigate the paranormal, and its formerly unwilling leader meets and works with BPRD consultants Hellboy and Liz.
Water Music - David J. Schowr - 3*
Interesting fugue story, with a nice ending line.
The Vampire Brief - James L. Cambias - 5*
"Thanks, Little Augie!"
I want to insert a lawyer joke in here but in truth this story is such pure gold I laughed out loud at the last line. You should just go ahead and read it.
Unfinished Business - Ed Gorman & Richard Dean Starr - 5*
"Do I strike you as the type to make jokes? Especially Classified ones?"
A fantastic succubus story.
Saint Hellboy - Tom Piccirilli - 5*
"You're going to need a good contractor."
"We've got plenty, but there's never enough insurance.
Hellboy meets the Mob! 'nough said.
Sleepless In Manhattan - Nancy Kilpatrick - 3*
"Come on! I didn't imagine this!"
An average story, not great compared to what else has come before.
The Wish Hounds - Sharyn McCrumb - 4*
"There are some gates that can never be closed"
Reads like it was written by Mignola himself, from the mythos to the action.
Act Of Mercy - Thomas E. Sniegoski - *
"When someone bothers to send an invitation by giant bird on such nice stationery, I'd have to say they're real serious about getting attention."
"Dyavo Mahr was quickly moving to the top of his must-punch-hard list.
A surprisingly touching story.
The Thrice-Named Hill - Graham Joyce - 4*
Hellboy knew it was an English trait to talk endlessly about the weather. So far as he remembered, there were 3 types of weather in England: light rain, heavy rain, and raining six-inch nails.
This was good, but depressing. Oh well.
Of Blood, Of Clay - James A. Moore - 4*
"I was thinking you'd look great on the wall in my office that way."
Roger gets a story!
A Full and Satisfying Life - Ray Garton - 4*
Joey leaned forward and folded his arms on the tabletop. "Who else picks on ? Please, this may be important."
Brandon chuckled and said, "Like, who doesn't?"
Sometimes the bullied fight back, and when they do, it's not always pretty.
The Glass Road - Tim Lebbon - 3*
I don't know this language, but it's speaking to me.
This could have been much better than it actually was.
Tasty Teeth - Guillermo Del Toro & Matthew Robbins - 4*
"Guess what, guys. I got baby bones all around me."
A short, enjoyable and heart warming story.
Brotherhood Of The Gun - Frank Darabont - 5*
"We're a Brotherhood," said Doc Jessup. "A Brotherhood of the Gun."
Wow. This short story reads like a screenplay and it is obvious why Darabont is renowned in the film industry. His writing is superlative, reading it you can picture it in your mind and on a screen. If this were made into a short TV episode it would garner a LOT of high ratings and love from critics and watchers alike. Also the story is great and fits with the Hellboy universe. Don't believe me? Read the first 2 pages and you'll be hooked.
From An Enchanter Fleeing - Peter Crowther - 5*
"Hold my hand."
"Hey," Hellboy says, taking a single backward step, "Don't I get flowers? Candies?"
Great premise, the banter between the protagonists is like some 50s buddy cop movie and it's a supernatural yet touching story.
Down In The Flood - Scott Allie - *
"His name's Abraham, He's a doctor."
A letdown after 2 great stories. Expected much more from Scott Allie.
The Newford Spook Squad - Charles De Lint - 4*
Walker "Nah, I think I'd rather give myself an enema with a fire hose"
Enjoyable read about an X-files type of squad assembled to investigate the paranormal, and its formerly unwilling leader meets and works with BPRD consultants Hellboy and Liz.
Water Music - David J. Schowr - 3*
Interesting fugue story, with a nice ending line.
The Vampire Brief - James L. Cambias - 5*
"Thanks, Little Augie!"
I want to insert a lawyer joke in here but in truth this story is such pure gold I laughed out loud at the last line. You should just go ahead and read it.
Unfinished Business - Ed Gorman & Richard Dean Starr - 5*
"Do I strike you as the type to make jokes? Especially Classified ones?"
A fantastic succubus story.
Saint Hellboy - Tom Piccirilli - 5*
"You're going to need a good contractor."
"We've got plenty, but there's never enough insurance.
Hellboy meets the Mob! 'nough said.
Sleepless In Manhattan - Nancy Kilpatrick - 3*
"Come on! I didn't imagine this!"
An average story, not great compared to what else has come before.
The Wish Hounds - Sharyn McCrumb - 4*
"There are some gates that can never be closed"
Reads like it was written by Mignola himself, from the mythos to the action.
Act Of Mercy - Thomas E. Sniegoski - *
"When someone bothers to send an invitation by giant bird on such nice stationery, I'd have to say they're real serious about getting attention."
"Dyavo Mahr was quickly moving to the top of his must-punch-hard list.
A surprisingly touching story.
The Thrice-Named Hill - Graham Joyce - 4*
Hellboy knew it was an English trait to talk endlessly about the weather. So far as he remembered, there were 3 types of weather in England: light rain, heavy rain, and raining six-inch nails.
This was good, but depressing. Oh well.
Of Blood, Of Clay - James A. Moore - 4*
"I was thinking you'd look great on the wall in my office that way."
Roger gets a story!
A Full and Satisfying Life - Ray Garton - 4*
Joey leaned forward and folded his arms on the tabletop. "Who else picks on ? Please, this may be important."
Brandon chuckled and said, "Like, who doesn't?"
Sometimes the bullied fight back, and when they do, it's not always pretty.
The Glass Road - Tim Lebbon - 3*
I don't know this language, but it's speaking to me.
This could have been much better than it actually was.
Tasty Teeth - Guillermo Del Toro & Matthew Robbins - 4*
"Guess what, guys. I got baby bones all around me."
A short, enjoyable and heart warming story.
July 27, 2024
Normally, I would try to write a pithy or engaging review here - and this work is definitely worthy of my best work, but I will just say that this was one of the most fun reads I have had in some time. The diverse views and stories set in Mignola's Hellboy universe zipped along, and while Darabont's introduction promised a lot, the book probably over delivered on those promises. If you are not a Hellboy fan, perhaps this will not be "for you," but it also might help you discover, as Darabont discusses in that introduction, one of the most compellingly fun characters of modernity. In varied stories from different authors, Hellboy mediates the underworld (demonic and criminal varieties, at least in one story) and the nature of his world, and likewise characters like Abe Sapien and Roger get excellent and compelling stories of their own.
This is like a box of assorted chocolates, but in this case, all of them are good—and as tastes may vary, I'll still say most are excellent. Plus, this features stories by Frank Darabont, David J. Schow, and Guillermo del Toro—amongst others—so I can guarantee you'll at least have an experience. I truly enjoyed discovering this book!
This is like a box of assorted chocolates, but in this case, all of them are good—and as tastes may vary, I'll still say most are excellent. Plus, this features stories by Frank Darabont, David J. Schow, and Guillermo del Toro—amongst others—so I can guarantee you'll at least have an experience. I truly enjoyed discovering this book!
March 3, 2025
Por se tratar de uma antologia, é inevitável fazer uma comparação entre as histórias, pensando numa lógica de pódio, eu destacaria as histórias: "os cães de caça assombrados", "santo Hellboy" e "o depoimento vampiresco".
A primeira história, embora eu considere a melhor de todo livro, falhou no final, não fez o necessário para me fisgar e me fazer realmente importar com a revelação feita. Soou como uma nota de rodapé desnecessária, nos desviando da conclusão.
A segunda história pôs o Hellboy num cenário onde eu nunca o havia imaginado (Não vou contar porque é spoiler). Algumas descrições foram bem construídas e tornaram a história mais interessante.
Quanto a terceira história, entre outras coisas, me pareceu uma forma bem humorada de enxergar a burocracia, definitivamente uma história divertida.
No mais, o livro possui algumas histórias ok e outras que eu realmente não gostei. Se o sistema do site fosse de numerais e não de estrelas, minha nota seria 3,5 de 5. Como são estrelas ficou 4 de 5.
A primeira história, embora eu considere a melhor de todo livro, falhou no final, não fez o necessário para me fisgar e me fazer realmente importar com a revelação feita. Soou como uma nota de rodapé desnecessária, nos desviando da conclusão.
A segunda história pôs o Hellboy num cenário onde eu nunca o havia imaginado (Não vou contar porque é spoiler). Algumas descrições foram bem construídas e tornaram a história mais interessante.
Quanto a terceira história, entre outras coisas, me pareceu uma forma bem humorada de enxergar a burocracia, definitivamente uma história divertida.
No mais, o livro possui algumas histórias ok e outras que eu realmente não gostei. Se o sistema do site fosse de numerais e não de estrelas, minha nota seria 3,5 de 5. Como são estrelas ficou 4 de 5.
September 10, 2020
Any Hellboy fans out there?
After i read the Hellboy series and The B.P.R.D series, i was hunting down everything Mike Mignola or Hellboy related. I read Witchfinder, Baltimore and Ape Sapien, and frankly dont think its enough. I am now trying to find all novels and found a couple! They are pretty hard to find like more in this so called Mignolaverse, but we will see. I read Odder Jobs first. This is a collection of 16 short stories all from different writers, ranging from script writers, and seasoned horror writers, just Anybody who is into horror and macabre stuff. It got a tale by Guillermo Del Toro, Tim Lebbon, Charles De Lint and Frank Darabont to name a few. It also got gorgeous artwork by the great Mignola ofcourse. Its a great collection and for me a very cool way to find some for me new authors and to read some more of of the characters in this amazing universe.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
After i read the Hellboy series and The B.P.R.D series, i was hunting down everything Mike Mignola or Hellboy related. I read Witchfinder, Baltimore and Ape Sapien, and frankly dont think its enough. I am now trying to find all novels and found a couple! They are pretty hard to find like more in this so called Mignolaverse, but we will see. I read Odder Jobs first. This is a collection of 16 short stories all from different writers, ranging from script writers, and seasoned horror writers, just Anybody who is into horror and macabre stuff. It got a tale by Guillermo Del Toro, Tim Lebbon, Charles De Lint and Frank Darabont to name a few. It also got gorgeous artwork by the great Mignola ofcourse. Its a great collection and for me a very cool way to find some for me new authors and to read some more of of the characters in this amazing universe.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 30, 2023
em 1994, mike mignola criou uma das mais únicas e visualmente surpreendentes HQs já impressas: hellboy. dezenas de milhares já seguiram as façanhas do maior detetive paranormal do mundo na forma de quadrinhos, e em romances escritos por christopher golden. agora, fãs dos gibis poderão apreciar o mundo de hellboy visto através dos olhos de alguns dos grandes nomes do horror, mistério e quadrinhos.
seja em uma névoa feita das mágoas dos falecidos, uma estrada de vidro pavimentada por cães do inferno, um vampiro capaz de se blindar usando as leis humanas ou fadas do dente de que boazinhas não tem nada: cada uma das histórias fascina pela agilidade e facilidade com que misturam terror, aventura e fantasia. uma boa porta de entrada para quem não conhece, e um presente para quem já é fã. amém, Santo Hellboy!
seja em uma névoa feita das mágoas dos falecidos, uma estrada de vidro pavimentada por cães do inferno, um vampiro capaz de se blindar usando as leis humanas ou fadas do dente de que boazinhas não tem nada: cada uma das histórias fascina pela agilidade e facilidade com que misturam terror, aventura e fantasia. uma boa porta de entrada para quem não conhece, e um presente para quem já é fã. amém, Santo Hellboy!
November 6, 2024
Las diecicéis historias aquí recogidas no solo ofrecen una uniforme calidad media que contentará a los seguidores del personaje, sino que además extiende el protagonismo a otros investigadores de lo sobrenatural imaginados por Mike Mignola. Cada autor, según su estilo, propone enfoques que la aventura, el terror, humor negro y hasta reflexiones sobre la tristeza, la soledad y el olvido entre las que destaco "Acto de Piedad" por Thomas E. Sniegoski y "Una Vida Plena y Satisfactoria" que firma Ray Garton.
June 15, 2023
Hellboy returns with yet another set of eclectic adventures. Each is fun, but only one really stood out to me. In The Vampire Brief, Hellboy is faced with a seemingly insurmountable problem. The vampire he is seeking to destroy has obtained a restraining order against him from the courts. So, Hellboy can’t kill the vampire because the police won’t let him anywhere near it. The solution to this problem made me smile.
June 24, 2024
3.5, a few really good stand outs and a few that actually bothered me as a fan. Worth a read for die hards but other than that could probably be looked over, especially since none of these stories are canon. More just a look into the different writing styles of the various authors and how well they know the characters they’re writing.
September 22, 2018
This was still wonderful, but overall did not grab me like the other anthologies. There were definitely some very high highs and I would still recommend it to any fans of the character or fans of pulpy, short horror stories.
November 30, 2016
Some of the best syfy short stories that I have read. Actually some are more fantasy -- but interesting, unique plots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2017
Part of a reading jag that I didn't record.
May 13, 2020
I normally don't like short stories but these Hellboy anthologies are great.
March 19, 2023
Some real gems in here. But I gotta say, just like in his movies, Del Toro gets the characterization of Hellboy way wrong. He's not that flippant and jokey.
December 1, 2023
Another collection of short stories. If you enjoy those and Hellboy, then this is for you.
January 6, 2024
Some of the stories we kinda meh but it was great overall
January 11, 2024
Hellboy is a fascinating superhero so I still love the idea of compiling short stories utilizing the creativity of multiple writers
March 2, 2024
see comments for Odd Jobs book.
September 21, 2018
This is a book very good.
March 12, 2015
Here we have the second collection of short stories involving Hellboy. This time there is an introduction and story from Frank Darabont (the story is one of my favorite of the lot), along with another group of fantastic storytellers getting the chance to play in Mike Mignola's sandbox.
Along with Darabont, there are stories from Tim Lebbon, Thomas Sniegoski, and Guillermo del Toro adding a prose tale to his other Hellboy works. Author Charles de Lint even crosses over his own characters from his Newford series with the BPRD as they take on a kraken deep underground (my other favorite story from this collection).
Odder Jobs is a good follow up to the previous Odd Jobs collection.
Along with Darabont, there are stories from Tim Lebbon, Thomas Sniegoski, and Guillermo del Toro adding a prose tale to his other Hellboy works. Author Charles de Lint even crosses over his own characters from his Newford series with the BPRD as they take on a kraken deep underground (my other favorite story from this collection).
Odder Jobs is a good follow up to the previous Odd Jobs collection.
September 10, 2007
Odder Jobs and odd jobs are great collections of short stories rather your a fan of Hellboy, or if your lookn for someoff the wall action horror.
June 23, 2008
As with any assortment of short stories, some are better than others. If you like the series/movies, give it a read.
November 14, 2008
Hellboy RULES!
March 19, 2009
For those lovers of Hellboy these short stories really fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews