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I read Hellboy to fill a diesel punk prompt for a reading challenge. I never thought of this book as diesel punk, as most of the action takes place in the 90’s. It does start in the diesel punk era of 1944, but I think moreover it is a feeling, and not just the period that makes it diesel punk. It’s that dark and grittiness that comes after water and steam. That smell of diesel fuel and heavy equipment, the feeling of oppression and resistance. You get all that from the original Hellboy comics. Hellboy is a monster, but a friendly one with a poor attitude. He is a great anti-hero. He is who he was raised to be. I watched the movie years ago and loved it. I have read newer iterations of Hellboy but going back to the original really shows off that Hellboy is not just another Merc with a mouth, or a supped-up version of Deadpool, but a sensitive, broad backed character, with unusual friends and abilities, that turn a teddy bear rock hard. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, between the unusual art style for a graphic novel and the modern story that was both historical and new. It all works together to create a lasting work or fiction. ( )

Like Hellboy I had no idea what was going on. Did not lessen my enjoyment of this comic. I'm really glad I got this gifted. This edition is gorgeous and the artwork is to die for. ( )

This volume collects the first two (connected) Hellboy story arcs in a beautiful large format. Mike Mignola's art is gorgeous and the stories are pretty solid, though there were a few instances where I felt a solution to a dilemma occurred too easily because of magic supernatural something. This collection also includes a couple short promotional pieces and sketchbooks with commentary by the artist. My only real complaint is that "Seed of Destruction" was printed with black borders and on this glossy paper the ink is prone to register even the slightest touch of the cleanest fingers. Even though I was careful holding the book and turning the pages I still slipped a couple times and got some smudges on. Everybody has their condition peeves and that's mine. Recommended, but maybe lay it on a table rather than reading it in bed like I did. ( )

Reading these in one sitting had me enjoying them far more than when I read them monthly. ( )