Ode to Howard Phillips Lovecraft in series B-mode

In 1944 in England, some Nazi officers practice an occult rite under the responsibility of Rasputin to open a door into reality and bring a being who will offer them more power. The rite does not appear to succeed, but not far from a very young demon appears and is collected by an American company, under the supervision of Trevor Bruttenholm. 50 years later, it returned from an expedition on top of the world and carries horrible stigma. His protégé bearing the moniker of Hellboy will embark on the track of the forces that have undermined his adoptive father. He is accompanied by Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman. His quest will take him to a hospital remains small family, and before him who conjured 50 years ago.

This first Hellboy story by HP Lovecraft oozes its every pore. Mike Mignola adopts a style designs that take a little towards the abstract. The purpose of the illustrations is not to make reality as accurately as we are very far from a photo-realistic style. Mignola is more concerned with making an impression, a mid-gothic atmosphere, half horror. Thereby refined style can confuse fans of clear and detailed drawings. In reading, the lack of decorations can be exasperating, especially when the stylization of the characters does not effect. By cons, when Mignola manages its composition, abstraction effect is striking and the reader has the impression of seeing the forces that inhabit the characters.

John Byrne is credited in this first volume because it is he who takes care of the dialogues. Their tone voluntarily gives in series B.

Reading this volume is entertaining, monsters reminiscent of Lovecraft the ancient gods have a perfect vibration. However, some sequences are even too cheesy to be taken in the second degree; Mike Mignola still needs to mature his style for transport in these strange dimensions where the rules are flouted geometry can be complete.