Review: Hellboy – The Seven Wives Club

<Spoiler> Hellboy is dead and gone, his transformative death spawning something new in the Mignola universe. <Spoiler>  However, Dark Horse continues to bring us new offerings for the “big red monkey”, expanding on the lore and giving us new tales of supernatural mystery and terror.  At first, it seemed the continuing adventures of Hellboy were simply a money grab, meant to cash in on an incredibly popular character whose main storyline has ended.  Perhaps that is the underlying reason that Dark Horse is introducing tales like Seven Wives Club and the adventures of Young Hellboy in February.  Nevertheless, these tales fit perfectly into the Hellboy lore and are a delight to read on their own, filling in the blanks of Hellboy’s career as an agent of The Bureau For Paranormal Research and Defense.

The Seven Wives Club, written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, is a stand alone book.  In this tale, Hellboy arrives in Savannah, Georgia to investigate an alleged murder committed by an acquaintance of his.  This acquaintance, Jane Howell, is a young lady who finds it amusing to explore haunted houses.  Mignola hooks his readers by revealing that Jane killed her boyfriend in a local haunted house.  However, she insists it was not her boyfriend that she shot.  What follows is a supernatural mystery of the type that have made both Mignola and Hellboy famous.  Each page turn reveals another layer to the mystery as the story of “The Seven Wives Club” unfolds.  Along for the ride is the usually well written, but ultimately disposable, BPRD agent that Mignola has gotten so much use of in the past.  Their vulnerability to the supernatural, and Hellboy’s guardian/mentor status to these mortals stepping into his world, provides not only stakes for the reader but continuing proof that Hellboy, despite his nature, is a force for good and a protector of humanity.  In fact, I would say that this story is exemplary, one of the best examples of the power of Mignola’s writing.  This is especially true when he writes stand alone stories like this, “The Penanggalan” or “A Christmas Underground”.  Mignola is able to latch onto the essence of a story or monster, milk it’s essence, and then weave a mesmerizing tale that enriches his characters and the world they live in.  This formula is what keeps Hellboy alive long after the main storyline of Anung-Un-Rama has long since been finished.

Adam Hughes’ (Zatanna, Wonder Woman) work in this book is superior to Mignola’s, if that can be believed.  While the story is fantastic, the work by Hughes on this book catapults it to another level.  If you know me,  you will know that Hellboy is one title, of several, that I’m fanatical about.  While I have enjoyed many of the artists that have drawn him, I have always considered Mignola’s work to be definitive when it comes to the look and feel of the titular character and the world he inhabits.  My feelings about this are so strong it is my belief that Mignola influenced the art style at Dark Horse as a whole as evidenced by titles like “Black Hammer”.  However, here, Hughes has introduced a classic comic book feel while retaining the aesthetic and essence of Hellboy and his world.  I’ve never seen him like this before.  His face still has it’s angular aspect, strong jaw line and trademark shorn horns.  However, Hughes has managed to bring a humanity to Hellboy’s demonic nature and his trademark samurai top-knot gives him a sense of dignity that I didn’t know was missing until I saw it in this book.  Similarly, Hughes’ camera placement is classic DC/Marvel and his face work on other characters in the book is incredible.  (Notably: BPRD Agent Pauline Raskin, Mr Ford and Wakeman)  Hughes technique is clean, his lines tight and the inking used to great effect to provide depth for specific panels in the book that would be flat and awkward without it.  The color can be understated but explodes off the page in moments of suspense and intense action.  This technique makes the adrenaline rush and made the book feel like I was watching a horror movie at times.  Hughes’ has only been involved with Hellboy once before but I’d love to see him do work on this title on a regular basis.

All in all I would have to say that this is one of the finest stand-alone Hellboy book I’ve read in several years.  It may be one of the finest Hellboy books I’ve ever read period.  It was intriguing, frightening, comfortable and welcoming….like a haunted house I haven’t lived in for several  years and I’m now returning to.  I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are lovers of Hellboy, the supernatural, horror comics and ghost stories.

Writing – 4.75 of 5 Stars
Art – 5 of 5 Stars
Ink – 4.8 of 5  Stars
Color – 4.75 of 5 Stars

Overall Score – 4.8 of 5 Stars

Writer – Mike Mignola
Art – Adam Hughes
Letters – Clem Robins
Publisher – Dark Horse Comics

Author Profile

Nemesis

Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.

He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.

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