Comic Review: Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land #3 (Dark Horse Comics)

As Hellboy, and his companions, venture deeper within the island, an ancient being once dormant awakes from its slumber.

The vampire known as Vesperra has arisen, setting her sights on Hellboy and his allies. Who amongst them has the means to defend against Vesperra and her undead army? How will this experience shape young Hellboy’s future?

It’s fascinating to see that Mignola still invests time and care into Hellboy as a character, putting as much energy into the spin-off series as he has done for the original series. Mignola and Thomas Sniegoski provide another fun entry in this four-issue mini-series, focusing on a moment in time in Hellboy’s youth, before the iconic paranormal investigator of legend that readers would come to know him as.

Both writers craft an amazing tale full of horror, mystery, and adventure, that while lighter in tone, is still very much in line with the previous Hellboy series and its spin-off B.P.R.D. Young Hellboy is an adorable character that shows glimpses of what is to come despite being a child. His relationship with his father, The Professor is well written, adding another layer to their relationship and continuity as a father/son duo. The antagonist Vesperra is a terrifying vampire of old that fits in the mold of the various monsters that exist within the Hellboy echelon of monsters. She’s powerful, and evil, with no remorse, as all good villains of horror should be.

The art by Craig Rousseau is wonderfully fitting for this series. Rousseau’s layouts and aesthetic preserve the visual flair of the Hellboy brand while also being its own, complementing the story and world that Mignola has expertly crafted throughout his career. The colorwork by Dave Stewart and the lettering by Clem Robins complement this layered cake of a book, providing an excellent read for new and old Hellboy fans alike.

It’s a fun action, horror story filled with mystery and humor that only a series like Hellboy can deliver. Mignola, Sniegoski, Rousseau, Stewart, and Robins deliver a book that I think is worthwhile for anyone interested in those genres, and curious enough to want to jump into the beautiful mythos of Hellboy, without requiring much familiarity with the previous material. I recommend adding this to your pull list!