Rumors spread about a sawmill that appears to be haunted yet no one knows the cause. Hellboy, Professor Bruttenholm, and agent Archie Muraro embark on a mission to investigate the source of the hauntings, but what they discover might be stranger than fiction!
Mignola and Chris Roberson reunite to tell a one-shot tale about investigation, hauntings, and secret societies, which is often the case for a Hellboy story. Mignola and Roberson craft a story that feels a part of the world of Hellboy, simultaneously making it a stand-alone that is reader-friendly for new fans and longtime fans alike. The book is nicely placed, with a nice balance of horror, mystery, and well-timed humor. The banter between Hellboy, Professor Bruttenholm, and Archie Muraro is enjoyable and complimentary to the horror elements that the writers establish within this book. It’s always interesting to see a new Hellboy story that is complementary to the completed series, providing readers a good reason to read a book such as this and seeing where it fits within the timeline of the Hellboy and B.P.R.D books. It’s action-packed and enjoyable to digest as a book, which is always welcomed for a Hellboy comic.
Mike Norton illustrates this tale and does an excellent job making the book fit within the established aesthetic of the Hellboy universe, while simultaneously standing out artistically as an illustrator. His ability to visually exude Mignola without detracting from his own style makes this book. Lee Loghridge’s color work and Clem Robins’ lettering seals the deal, establishing the horror and mystery as displayed by the colors and dialogue, making this story a worthwhile and visually satisfying read. It’s an enjoyable book that helps to fill the void for longtime fans of the completed series while giving new readers something digestible to enjoy. It’s worth picking up for new comic book day
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