Hellboy Omnibus Volume 4: Hellboy in Hell by Mike Mignola

Title: Hellboy Omnibus.
Volume: 4.
Writer(s): Mike Mignola.
Illustrator(s): Mike Mignola.
Colourist(s):Dave Stewart.
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics.
Format: Paperback – Omnibus.
Release Date: September 18th 2018.
Pages: 288.
Genre(s): Comics, Horror, Fantasy.
ISBN13: 9781506707495.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★☆.
Previously on Hellboy:
Hellboy Omnibus Volume 1: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola
Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Volume 1 by Mike Mignola
Hellboy Omnibus Volume 2: Strange Places by Mike Mignola
Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Volume 2 by Mike Mignola
Hellboy Omnibus Volume 3: The Wild Hunt by Mike Mignola

Thanks to Dark Horse Books’ recent reprinting of the Hellboy franchise with four omnibuses to cover the complete original Hellboy series as well as two omnibuses to gather the quintessential short stories that give vital insight on the world, fans are now able to fully embrace in their chronological greatness the whole saga that has turned Mike Mignola into a comic book legend all the while making Hellboy one of the most iconic comic book character to have graced the medium. With Hellboy Omnibus Volume 3: The Wild Hunt, Mike Mignola not only proved why his franchise is not a simple over-hyped creation that doesn’t contain the material or power to convey great storytelling, he showed us that his stories had a bigger plan to it all. However, as that volume concluded the series, many questions were still left for readers to ponder on and that is where Mike Mignola marks his return as the writer and artist of Hellboy and gives everyone the final chapter with the Hellboy in Hell series, a two-volume saga through hell now collected in Hellboy Omnibus Volume 4: Hellboy in Hell.

As Hellboy does the most honourable and courageous act that he has ever had to do in The Storm and the Fury, he is now brought down to hell where he is to experience one of the weirdest, uncanniest and most eye-opening adventure yet that will give him the ultimate send-off. In this hell, things are far from what the mind could ever have imagined and brings out more of the insane and tributary lore that graces this universe. As his life-drained self chills around the odd corners of hell, he is guided by mysterious figures that seek to enlighten more of his origin story as well as his unknown family, but also convey a eerie aura that screams mischief. More mysteries are unraveled at the same time as more questions arise, but the action keeps on coming as Hellboy continues to do what he does best: find himself innocently brought into the hands of danger and beat the hell out of everything that wishes him harm.

What Mike Mignola achieves in Hellboy in Hell is what only a creator could have ever been able to deliver and that’s a perfect ending for a character who has seen it all while always looking to avoid what destiny has always wanted for him. In this story, Hellboy unfortunately doesn’t have the freedom to avoid his faith as he has always sought too and is now stared straight in the face by it as it demands a decision to what he wishes to do with his life from now on. In fact, the story brings him to an ultimatum that he would never have envisioned himself embracing, but it is how he is convinced into doing what he knew deep down he would always have to do that makes this volume so epic. The introduction of new characters as well as the appearances of old ones to tie up loose ends also adds to the full legendary impact that our Big Red will have by the time you read the very last panel.

The story however also continues to deliver all the magical elements that are signature to his character and world, from his personality to the action sequences. Hellboy’s innocence in a world filled with horrors and his desire to always be a helping hand—see what I did there?—is hilarious yet also epic at the same time. Even more beautiful is how Mike Mignola’s classic artwork style is brought back into this final story for fans to relish on his shadow-heavy, abstract and creepy designs. It’s not easy to indulge, as always, but it still remains somewhat nostalgic and beautiful to see the artwork for one last time, especially thanks to colourist Dave Stewart. This last ride through hell is simply everything you’d expect from Mike Mignola and Hellboy. By the end of it, you just know that a re-read will only be much more rewarding now that you can finally comprehend what the full picture was truly all about.

Hellboy Omnibus Volume 4: Hellboy in Hell is the ultimate adieu for a character filled with a desire for freedom yet stuck in the suffocating chains of destiny.

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Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy for review!

The long-awaited reboot of Hellboy finally has a trailer! Who’s excited to see David Harbour take on the character of Hellboy? Out in theaters on April 12th 2019!

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