Hellboy: Makoma

[krikkit13]

I finally got down to my LCS and picked these two issues up, and I have to say that my opinion is sort of up in the air about them. I always love seeing new art from Mignola, so there's a plus. I don't mind seeing other people draw Hellboy either. As far as Richard Corben - his art in this mini seemed a bit inconsistent. Did anyone else notice this? His figure work got a bit strange whenever he drew small full-figure panels.

Story-wise I thought it was ok. It's not going to go down as one of my favorite HB stories, and as far as I'm concerned the connection between Hellboy and Makoma is still a mystery - I'd love to hear if anybody has any theories. All in all it was a nice bit folklore (I can't find if it was based on an actual myth). The biggest difference to me was that instead of having Hellboy interact with a myth, he (or a representative of him) was inserted directly into it.

Oh - did anyone else notice that Mignola's panels looked they had been blown up for printing? The art and lettering looked like it was printed larger than intended. Could just be me...

...and I'm definitely looking forward to the next mini, especially after seeing some more of Fegredo's art at the back of issue 2.

[Bruce Lee]

I like Corben's work, and would consider his recent HELLBOY stuff to be very strong work from him. He's always been a little inconsistant though, and his people always seem a little squat in stature and rather long-faced to me. The coloring really added a great deal to his work in these two issues though, and all and all, it was a nice package. And yet...

I don't think HELLBOY works without Mike Mignola drawing the book. Any other artist--no matter who it is--just doesn't deliver the same storytelling sensibilities and stylized pacing that Mike does, so I find that I can't be satisfied with another artist stepping in, no matter how good they might be, or whatever new tricks they might bring to the mix. It just doesn't say HELLBOY to me without Mike's distinct style, lighting, pacing, etc. Mike Mignola = Hellboy. No one else on the planet can help but deliver a pale reflection of Mike's character. Take away Mike, and you just have an empty shell of a book, IMO.

Loston

[Stark Raving]

I agree that this wasn't the best Hellboy story I've read, and that nobody brings that special touch to the characters like Mignola does. But, in the end, it's still Hellboy, so I'm reading it. :D
I am very much looking forward to Duncan Fegredo's art in the next miniseries. The preview images look great.

[ScottWegener]

I also have mixed feelings. I think the art was very good (aside from the few critiques mentioned already). Despite the fact the anything that even resembles stipling makes my gag-reflext start to kick in I really enjoyed the visuals.

But I think its true that Mignola = Hellboy. There is just so much of him that personally shines through his work. I still liked the story and art enough to buy it.

I'm trying to think of the various artists who ahve tackled BPRD that I have enjoyed. Oeming, Jason P. and a few others -though I should note they were not really dealing with Hellboy but the other BPRD characters. Maybe that is important.

[misfitX]

Wow, I almost completly disagree with all of you here.

Especially you, Loston. I love Mignola's work on Hellboy. I think it's some of the best storytelling out there. But I don't think only he can pull off Hellboy. I feel like Corben did a great job with this. It feels like an african folktale, which is far more important than trying to be a Hellboy story, like Conqueror Worm.

It might be due to my intense love of folklore and myth, but my favorite stories of Hellboy's are the ones that are re-told stories.

Corben has been a favorite artist of mine for years. Den was one of the first books I ever owned when I started collecting. I don't really remember any inconsistancies in his work, but I don't have the book here in my apt. right now. The only HB trades I have (right now) are The Chained Coffin & Other Stories, Weird Tales Vol.1, and BPRD: The Hollow Earth & Other Stories.

While Makoma may not be a ground breaking book, I feel like it is a strong story (the part where the Rhino god calls him by his name is chilling) and it became what it set out to do. A succesful book all over.

As far as a connection between Hellboy and Makoma, I don't really know if there is one. It seems like the mummy was telling the story and Hellboy just became an avatar for Makoma. The similarities between Makoma's hammer and Hellboy's Hand are obvious. I'm sure Mignola just saw this as a good translation.

I'm curious Scott, why do you hate stipling so much? That's one of my favorite ways to shade. And one of the most difficult to manage. It takes a lot of skill.

[ScottWegener]

I'm curious Scott, why do you hate stipling so much? That's one of my favorite ways to shade. And one of the most difficult to manage. It takes a lot of skill.

I couldn't say exactly. It just sets my teeth on edge -like fingernails on a chalkboard.

I don't mind it in portrait pieces, or more "serious" work, but in comics it drives me nuts. I remember when I was young I bought Palladium Book's ROBOTECH MASTERS RPG book. The first book had been filled with great clip art from the b&w mecha designs, and concept boards (as well as some really bad artwork by a staffer at PB). In that second book someone had taken all these really great, clean mecha designs and stipplied the living hell out of them. It looked horrible -I think that was the begining of the end for me and stippling.

Damn you Palladium, DAMN YOOOOOOUUUUU!!!!!

As far as Makoma goes; like I said, I did enjoy it. Just not as much as Mignola HB. For me (and I only speak for me) HB is as much about Mignola's work as it is is the character/story. I sort of feel the same way about Davis and his work on Excalibur. Who could draw Powers, but Oeming? But I still buy HB Weird Tales and enjoy it very much.

The creepy, melencholy tone of HB is more about Mignola's art than his writing. So . . .I dunno. Can't figure out how to end this.

hehe

[Bruce Lee]

Especially you, Loston. I love Mignola's work on Hellboy. I think it's some of the best storytelling out there. But I don't think only he can pull off Hellboy. I feel like Corben did a great job with this. It feels like an african folktale, which is far more important than trying to be a Hellboy story, like Conqueror Worm.

Heh. I can live with you thinking differently about Hellboy, misfitX. I was only stating my personal opinion regarding the title. My tastes are obviously different. I do agree that Corben did do a great job on it, and you're right, it does feel like an African folktale. Still, I can't help but thinking how much more I'd have personally enjoyed the story if Mignola had done it instead of Corben. Both artists are an acquired taste I think, but for me, Mignola's the flavor of choice because HELLBOY's energy stems from Mike. I don't believe it's an energy that can easily be matched, and hasn't been so far, in my mind.

Take care,

Loston

[misfitX]

stuff about mechs and whatnot

Yeah, that sounds like it sucked. Stipling to me is really only called for on certain textures. Mech metal isn't one of them.


I sort of feel the same way about Davis and his work on Excalibur. Who could draw Powers, but Oeming?
I see your point. Moreso with Oeming than Davis.


The creepy, melencholy tone of HB is more about Mignola's art than his writing.

I really don't know many artists that can pull off creepy like Corbin. Not so much melancholy.


I can live with you thinking differently about Hellboy, misfitX.

I know you can, I was just saying that I disagree with you. 'Cause you're a big dumby head. :p

[ScottWegener]

I know you can, I was just saying that I disagree with you. 'Cause you're a big dumby head. :p

Well, I can't argue with that. :D