Troll Witch and Others

[TBolt]

Didn't expect to find this when I went to the LCS. I went to get LOJO and Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin.

[Juno Reactor]

LCS? What's that? Are you saying you went to a store and found a copy of The Troll Witch, and bought it?

Is the book out early? I need this book.

[Todd H]

Whaaaaat? I didn't think it was due until the first week of Oct? Well if it's out it'll be in Baltimore this weekend I'm sure.

[TBolt]

LCS- Local Comic Shop. And yes I have it in my grubby little hands.

[FrBoukas]

Same thing happened to me best surprise ever!

[Neil Hill]

I didn't think this TPB was shipping until October.

Has anyone else picked up a copy of this TPB yet?

[Poe Ghostal]

My comic shop didn't have it yet (Cambridge, Massachusetts).

[el seth]

Say WHAT now??

Now I have to back into Manhattan today... grrr!

(holy crap it's out awesome)

[Eric M]

My comic shop didn't have it yet (Cambridge, Massachusetts).

which store? Million Year Picnic? Im gonna try NE Comics this weekend.

[Poe Ghostal]

which store? Million Year Picnic? Im gonna try NE Comics this weekend.
New England Comics is the one that didn't have it. I didn't try MYP.

[Donald]

My FLCS didn't have it but he said it was shipping next week, the 12th. Are the shops that got it on the west coast by chance?

[FrBoukas]

Nope I'm east coast. We were shorted some other books though, like Jonah Hex and some others. I thought Madman #3 was going to be out this week.

[TBolt]

I'm in Central FLA.

[Jakob Westman]

Got it.
And I'm in Stockholm, Sweden.

:D Jakob

[Juno Reactor]

Holy crap.

Do you think Walden Books or Barnes and Nobles would have it? I know those are bigger stores, but they still carry vol. #1-6 of the Hellboy TPBs.

JR

[pimpernel]

I'm in Scotland and my LCS had it. Technically. There are no LCSs near me, so i have to mail order from a place south of the border... but they had it in stock and i should have it early next week. :D

[gdeo]

Nothing here on the West Coast:(

[el seth]

No luck at my place here at NYC. It's cool, because I picked up Baltimore while I was there.

[Neil Hill]

Well, even if us West Coast folks got shafted this week, I'm sure next week will yield the results we're hoping for. I don't mind waiting a week, but waiting until October would be akin to agonizing torture! :p

[Juno Reactor]

Someone who got the book already should share some spoiler-free impressions of the new short story by P. Craig Russell. What's it like, how is the art, how does it feel?

ALSO: who wrote the book's intro, what's the sketchbook like at the end, and what order do the stories appear in? Is the book dedicated to anyone?

- JR

[Juno Reactor]

ARGH, double post. My apologies.

[TBolt]

Walt Simonson wrote the intro. Vampire of Prague story was good, typical Hellboy, lots of humor and local legends. The Russell art for the story was great, I hope he does some more HB art in the future. Sketchbook has art from Mignola, Russell, and Corben.
Story order:
The Penanggalan
Hydra and the Lion
The Troll Witch
Vampire of Prague
Dr. Carp's Experiment
The Ghoul
Makoma

[Juno Reactor]

Wow, that's quite the mixed-up order. I mean, given their original publication dates, it's mixed up.

But that's cool! As a student studying Journalism, I've always had an interest in how editors arrange compilations like this. I'm sure a lot of thought went into how to order the stories so that they'd read best.

From what I've seen so far, these stories are perhaps Mignola's most emotional to date. "The Hydra and the Lion" is heartwarming and funny, while "The Troll Witch" is beautifully poetic in its sadness; an interesting change of emotions to cycle through between those two stories in the line-up alone. Then you have a great atmosphere piece with "The Penanggalan," classical horror with "The Ghoul," straight-up pulp action with "Dr. Carp's Experiment," and the sheer epicness of "Makoma." I don't know what the new story is like, but I hope it's just as good!

- JR

[Jankenstein]

It's P. Craig Russell. Of course it's gonna be good! :cool:

[Neil Hill]

Thanks for the details about the trade! Looking forward to this one big time!

[diefarbe]

Wow, that's quite the mixed-up order. I mean, given their original publication dates, it's mixed up.

The stories are ordered as usual chronologically according to Hellboy world and not ours :) starting with the 'penanggalan' that takes place in 1958 through 'the vampire of prague' of 1982 in the middle up till 1993 when 'makoma' takes place.

[Juno Reactor]

Ah, I can't believe I didn't consider that the stories were listed in chronological order according to the time they take place. That makes perfect sense! Thanks for clearing that up for me, Diefarbe.

- JR

[gdeo]

alrighty westcoasters...along with the BPRD killing ground, the Troll Witch trade is on the Diamond Preview list.cannot wait until Weds.:D

[Poe Ghostal]

Yep, saw it in my weekly email from New England Comics too. A nice consolation prize for the lateness of Darkness Calls #6...

[Asa]

My comic shop didn't have it either. I was able to get it at baltimore comic con, and mike signed it for me.:D

[Todd H]

My comic shop didn't have it either. I was able to get it at baltimore comic con, and mike signed it for me.:D


I looked all over for that book at the con but couldn't find it. Every time I asked a vendor they would tell me it comes out in October.

I think it's avoiding me :(

[Eric M]

One of the LCS here in Boston (Comicopia) has it on their new release list for next week.

Who knows at this point................

[Asa]

I looked all over for that book at the con but couldn't find it. Every time I asked a vendor they would tell me it comes out in October.

I think it's avoiding me :(
There was only one place that had it and only a few. I went from booth to booth several times making sure I didn't miss anything.

[Neil Hill]

Looks like it's listed on this weeks Diamond ship list for all things Dark Horse, so keep your eagle-eyes peeled for it at your LCS.

[Todd H]

eagle-eyes peeled for it at your LCS.

In my case it's a 90 year old eagle with cataracts!
:D

[Eric M]

Actually I just saw this:

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

COMICOPIA'S PICKS
COUNTDOWN SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER WILDSTORM #1
DAREDEVIL #100
DRAFTED #1
---Humanity unites to fight aliens
FABLES #65
GREEN LANTERN #23
GROO 25TH ANNIV SPECIAL
HELLBOY TPB VOL 7 THE TROLL WITCH & OTHERS
JLA WEDDING SPECIAL #1
NEW AVENGERS #34
SUICIDE SQUAD RAISE THE FLAG #1 (OF 8)
THOR #3
---Thor vs Iron Man!
WALKING DEAD #42
---Didn't this just come out??
WONDER GIRL #1 (OF 6)
X-MEN EMPEROR VULCAN #1 (OF 5)

I guess this coming even earlier than expected!

[TBolt]

Ooooh Suicide Squad!!!

[unkiedev]

which store? Million Year Picnic? Im gonna try NE Comics this weekend.Jeez, you guys are so Lucky. I grew up In Sharon, MA and still remember blissful trips in to Million Year Picknic and New England Comics. Memories.

For what it's worth: Forbidden Planet in New York City has copies. Get em' while they're hot!

[Neil Hill]

Got my copy today! Love finally having all of these great stories in one place, larger pages (by a little bit), the- what I'm sure will be- great P. Craig Russell story included, and drop dead gorgeous Mignola sketches in the back!

So, so glad this volume came out sooner rather than later. Great TPB!

[Gary_B]

I just picked it up. There are some awesome sketches in the back. I love the ghost nun with the sword through her neck and the water sprite who drowns people by day and sews shoes at night!

[Eric M]

Jeez, you guys are so Lucky. I grew up In Sharon, MA and still remember blissful trips in to Million Year Picknic and New England Comics. Memories.

For what it's worth: Forbidden Planet in New York City has copies. Get em' while they're hot!

dude I love Forbidden Planet! I always make sure to stop in when Im in NYC. There and Mondo Kims on St Marks are my fave spots in NYC!!!!!

[batmanosaurus]

For anyone in Toronto ... Paradise Comics had lots. I just finished reading mine. Awesome awesome awesome!! I loved Makoma. Sad that although I bought the issues when they came out I never read them. Now I wonder what I was waiting for. Oh right, I had to catch up.

[Juno Reactor]

Grr. I called Barnes & Noble the other day and asked if they had it, but the guy looked at his computer and told me it's due out in October. Now I'm wondering whether his computer accurately represents what they have shelved...

I might end up driving out there later this week. There's a Waldenbooks nearby as well. My best bet would be a local comic shop, but I don't know of any around where I live...

I. NEED. THIS. BOO- *is smacked by Right Hand of Doom*

- JR

[el seth]

Got it.

Love it.

[gdeo]

I just love this collection...everything about it,especially the aformentioned sketchbook :D

[Jankenstein]

My best bet would be a local comic shop, but I don't know of any around where I live...

http://www.comicshoplocator.com/

[pimpernel]

Bah.

My copy came through the mail today and one corner is completely ruined, crushed and creased all the way through the book.

:(

[Neil Hill]

Bah.

My copy came through the mail today and one corner is completely ruined, crushed and creased all the way through the book.

:(

I feel your pain, Pimpernel. That's part of the reason I didn't order this volume through Amazon even though they were about 5 bucks cheaper than my LCS. The last few issues of Modern Masters ordered through Amazon have arrived with bent corners and such- not happy one bit with that.

[Todd H]

I feel your pain, Pimpernel. That's part of the reason I didn't order this volume through Amazon even though they were about 5 bucks cheaper than my LCS. The last few issues of Modern Masters ordered through Amazon have arrived with bent corners and such- not happy one bit with that.

One of my BPRD books came with the back cover bent to hell. You'd think a company like Amazon would have a handle on these things.

I'm hoping my LCS ordered me a copy. I'm friends with the owner but he can be a little scatter brained sometimes when it comes to his regulars.

I better get on him about Chinatown to while I'm at it.

[Juno Reactor]

Thanks for the link, Jankenstein. None of the comic shops in my area are very conveniently located, but I may give them a try if the big stores don't pan out.

A request: could somebody post a panel -- a single panel -- from "The Vampire of Prague?" I'm preparing a book review in advance for the college paper, and I briefly mention Russell's style as being more detailed. I just want to make sure I'm correct in saying so.

Also, how many pages are in the sketchbook?

I'll have it soon enough, then I can finalize my review and submit it. I'm not quite sure when to have it published, since I'm not sure when it's officially "out." I guess when the big stores have it, that'll be a good time. Amazon is already sending it out, it seems.

And a side note about Amazon: I got "Strange Places" from them, and it suffered a very small, hardly noticeable divot on the bottom of the cover. It was caused by the tight plastic wrap they use. Other than that, it's fine, but I guess I got lucky.

- JR

[Kelly Tindall]

Got mine today. Beautiful stuff... Breaks my heart that Mike isn't drawing more stories, his work is so haunting and weird. I especially enjoyed the non sequiturs that made up "The Hydra and the Lion", as well as the weirdly noble eponymous heroine of "The Troll Witch".

[Benjamin Ong]

Walt Simonson wrote the intro. Vampire of Prague story was good, typical Hellboy, lots of humor and local legends. The Russell art for the story was great, I hope he does some more HB art in the future. Sketchbook has art from Mignola, Russell, and Corben.
Story order:
The Penanggalan
Hydra and the Lion
The Troll Witch
Vampire of Prague
Dr. Carp's Experiment
The Ghoul
Makoma

Did Mike Mignola write all the stories?
Which ones did he draw as well?
Who illustrated the rest?

[Juno Reactor]

Mike Mignola wrote ALL of the stories. Mingola drew "The Penanggalan," "The Hydra and the Lion," "The Troll Witch," "Dr. Carp's Experiment," and "The Ghoul," as well as the opening and ending of "Makoma."

Richard Corben drew the bulk of the two-parter "Makoma," namely the dream sequence that tells the legend. The fact that the bulk of "Makoma" is a dream sequence makes Corben's art consistent with Mignola's opening and closing, since it explains why it's more detailed and surreal. It looks great! And P. Craig Russell drew all of "The Vampire of Prague," which is 19 pages long. His depiction of Prague is dazzling, and his colorist is brilliant. He also renders some of the creepiest (and strangely funny) ghosts I've ever seen...

Oh yes... And as you can probably tell, I got the book today! I've read half of it so far, up through "The Vampire of Prague," and I'm LOVING it. The new Mingola pin-ups at the start and end are incredible (those marionettes are creepy as hell), and the intro is wonderful, with anecdotes and artspeak blather (I say the latter lovingly). I also leafed through the ten-page sketchbook at the back and I'm amazed at how much they squeezed in. It has a cover sketch by Corben, many pages of Mignola, and a couple pages of Russell.

I've been anticipating this volume for a year now, and it's been worth the wait. Oh, and for the record, I got it at a local comic shop! I used the site Jankenstein recommended to locate a shop and took the time to drive out there after school today. I'm glad I did, because the place is a lil' slice of geek heaven -- the first comic shop I've been to in years -- and I plan to return soon!

- JR

[Ollie]

What were the two panels that Mike re-drew for The Penanggalan? I didn't read it when it came out in the Darkhorse book of... so I don't have that to compare them, but now I'm curious. :)

[Jankenstein]

Glad to be of help, JR.

Got my copy today!

[Kelly Tindall]

What were the two panels that Mike re-drew for The Penanggalan? I didn't read it when it came out in the Darkhorse book of... so I don't have that to compare them, but now I'm curious. :)

I was wondering the same thing myself, so I dug out my copy of the Wizard Premiere Edition and checked it out.

Looks like Mike re-drew the big Penanggalan reveal on page six... It's essentially similar, but everything is larger and he added the lungs and more detailed intestines to the monster.

The second panel is on the seventh page... the fifth panel used to be a panel of ominous-looking trees, but Mike changed it to be a panel of the scary face carved on the monster's wall.

[Rannus]

What were the two panels that Mike re-drew for The Penanggalan? I didn't read it when it came out in the Darkhorse book of... so I don't have that to compare them, but now I'm curious. :)

The two new panels were on the 6th and 7th pages, Hellboy being lifted by the Penanggalan was redrawn but very close to the original and the demon fresco image (3rd from last panel) has replaced an image of jungle.

[Rannus]

Anybody else really let down by The Vampire Of Prauge? I've loved all other choices for the Hellboy universe artists but (in my opinion) P. Craig Russell just wasnt the right fit. What could have been a very beautiful and spooky little story just came out goofy. Color me unimpresed. Come on Mignola, at the very least give us shorts drawn by you, we all miss it so!

[Myron L]

WhileI love Craig Russell's stuff for its own merit, I agree that it felt out of sync with the rest of the compilation...Jonell...maybe you should merge this thread with the Troll Witch and Others one ?

[Ollie]

Thanks guys. :)

[Neil Hill]

In context with what felt like a deep desire for Mike to work with P. Craig, I can completely understand him as the choice for this story. That being said, I do conditionally agree with what's being said in this tread. Conditionally because I don't believe there is a type of story that doesn't look better with P. Craig as artist, however, this story in particular may have benefitted more from having Mike himself illustrate it.

Of course, this could be said to be true of nearly any story that Mike writes, but here specifically the fit didn't feel as right as I wanted it to.

[Juno Reactor]

Looks like I'm going be the first Hellboarder to say I loved it.

The opening sequence is stunning. This was the first Hellboy story I found to be legitimately SCARY. I lingered on the first two-page spread for a good five minutes, studying each ghoul in the menagerie of spirits, one by one. I wish I knew the story behind each ghost. Especially the disturbing ones: the baby with the swollen head and spermatozoa in tow; the man stepping off the rooftop; and the ballerina with – correct me if I’m wrong – a condom in her hand. The kid clipping the panel’s frame with scissors was a nice dash of humor to lighten up an otherwise frightening scene.

I’ve never seen anything drawn by Russell before, so I’m thoroughly impressed. Look at the rush of leaves and swirling clouds in the first panel. It looks so fluid that you can practically feel the cool night breeze. And in spite of how creepy and atmospheric everything is, the characters still had a warm charm to them. I especially liked the weapons expert in the flashback about the Vulcan 40 and 50. Also, I must give props to the liberal use of pillow shots detailing the various statues, and the whirling clouds of fog on the streets -- very kinetic.

My favorite part, though, is the coloring. Lovern Kindzierski is brilliant. The fact that I looked up the colorist’s name after reading the story is a testament to her work (I know, they deserve more credit, but that's how things go). The last page, with the golden sunrise over Prague, is so warm and radiant that I can’t help but stop and look at it every time I leaf through the book. It’s amazing.

If I had a problem with the story, it would be its focus. When Mignola draws a story, he tends to make each panel work on multiple levels, condensing a lot of story into a shorter, more focused and effective piece of work. Russell here has a lot of action drawn out over many pages, and it begins to feel a little shallow. I felt “The Wolves of St. August” had a similar problem when they got to the werewolf fight. Sure, the action is brilliantly staged – and I love how the reader’s eye tracks the flight of the vampire up and across the page as he fights Hellboy in midair – but it feels like more could’ve been squeezed into fewer panels for a tighter experience. Seeing Mignola’s two puppet pin-ups also makes me wonder what the story would’ve been like if drawn by him.

At the end of the day, though, I love this story. Not only is it a good Hellboy yarn, but it opened my eyes to Prague. It’s such a whimsical-looking place, like a slice of fairy tale Europe frozen in time. I’d dearly like to take a walking ghost tour of the city, and see one of its puppet shops.

I now leave you all with a question: did sunlight kill the vampire, or was its soul set free by Hellboy besting it at poker? Either way, the result is the same: the bat spirals out of control and explodes against a stone crucifix.

Awesome.

- JR

P.S. Could somebody fix the thread's title? The misspellings and lack of capitalization really bother me!

[Benjamin Ong]

Mike Mignola wrote ALL of the stories. Mingola drew "The Penanggalan," "The Hydra and the Lion," "The Troll Witch," "Dr. Carp's Experiment," and "The Ghoul," as well as the opening and ending of "Makoma."

Richard Corben drew the bulk of the two-parter "Makoma," namely the dream sequence that tells the legend. The fact that the bulk of "Makoma" is a dream sequence makes Corben's art consistent with Mignola's opening and closing, since it explains why it's more detailed and surreal. It looks great! And P. Craig Russell drew all of "The Vampire of Prague," which is 19 pages long. His depiction of Prague is dazzling, and his colorist is brilliant. He also renders some of the creepiest (and strangely funny) ghosts I've ever seen...

Oh yes... And as you can probably tell, I got the book today! I've read half of it so far, up through "The Vampire of Prague," and I'm LOVING it. The new Mingola pin-ups at the start and end are incredible (those marionettes are creepy as hell), and the intro is wonderful, with anecdotes and artspeak blather (I say the latter lovingly). I also leafed through the ten-page sketchbook at the back and I'm amazed at how much they squeezed in. It has a cover sketch by Corben, many pages of Mignola, and a couple pages of Russell.

I've been anticipating this volume for a year now, and it's been worth the wait. Oh, and for the record, I got it at a local comic shop! I used the site Jankenstein recommended to locate a shop and took the time to drive out there after school today. I'm glad I did, because the place is a lil' slice of geek heaven -- the first comic shop I've been to in years -- and I plan to return soon!

- JR

Thanks! I'll be on the lok out for it then!

[jnapper]

Jonell...maybe you should merge this thread with the Troll Witch and Others one ?

Merging threads

[Neil Hill]

I now leave you all with a question: did sunlight kill the vampire, or was its soul set free by Hellboy besting it at poker? Either way, the result is the same: the bat spirals out of control and explodes against a stone crucifix.

I think, in a way, you answered your own question, Juno. If I had to hazard a guess of my own though, I would say that the point of the thing was to best the Vampire at a hand of cards, which Hellboy did, thus freeing the Vampire from its curse. The sunlight seemed an after thought, simply finalizing the overall effect, which was to disperse/vaporize the Vampire once it had been bested at cards.

[Kelly Tindall]

I really liked The Vampire of Prague, actually.

I think Mike has a lot of skill as a writer. In particular, I think he has a tremendous facility for tailoring a story to the talents of his artists. Makoma, for example, is an excellent Richard Corben story. And "The Vampire of Prague" is a great P. Craig Russell story.

I think part of Mike's writing skill comes from his time as an artist... He's very good at figuring out what his artist wants to draw, and what he'd be good at. Russell, for example, creates a really great and really creepy vampire that just wouldn't have looked as creepy if anybody else (including Mignola) had drawn him.

The "Full house, jackass!" scene is made much stronger by Russell's letterer... Clem Robins wouldn't have pushed it the same way if it were Mignola's art, and it wouldn't have been such a broad punchline. It wouldn't have been as funny, basically.

I think Mike's sensitivity as a writer is one of his most overlooked traits, which is why I wholeheartedly endorse his work with artists with whom I am largely unfamiliar... Especially artists who Mignola loves.

[Neil Hill]

I really liked The Vampire of Prague, actually.

I think Mike has a lot of skill as a writer. In particular, I think he has a tremendous facility for tailoring a story to the talents of his artists. Makoma, for example, is an excellent Richard Corben story. And "The Vampire of Prague" is a great P. Craig Russell story.

I think part of Mike's writing skill comes from his time as an artist... He's very good at figuring out what his artist wants to draw, and what he'd be good at. Russell, for example, creates a really great and really creepy vampire that just wouldn't have looked as creepy if anybody else (including Mignola) had drawn him.

The "Full house, jackass!" scene is made much stronger by Russell's letterer... Clem Robins wouldn't have pushed it the same way if it were Mignola's art, and it wouldn't have been such a broad punchline. It wouldn't have been as funny, basically.

I think Mike's sensitivity as a writer is one of his most overlooked traits, which is why I wholeheartedly endorse his work with artists with whom I am largely unfamiliar... Especially artists who Mignola loves.

Good points, all, Kelly.

[Rachel Edidin]

Apropos to nothing, and for no good reason, the panel on page 15 of "The Vampire of Prague," where the snake's wings pop out with the "POIT POIT" sound effect makes me giggle like crazy. It's such a great SFX.

[Juno Reactor]

Apropos to nothing, and for no good reason, the panel on page 15 of "The Vampire of Prague," where the snake's wings pop out with the "POIT POIT" sound effect makes me giggle like crazy. It's such a great SFX.
I agree, it's a great sound effect, made all the more effective by Russell's zany letterer.

But that panel confused me; is the body portion of the vampire turning into a snake, or did the head turn into a snake and then into a bat?

- JR

[Jankenstein]

I thought The Vampire of Prague was absolutely bloody brilliant! Then again, I am overly biased towards Craig's art. The motion line in the panel where HB and the vampire are bouncing off various roofs on their way to the ground is such a subtle and simple thing, but very effective.

I do admit that I would like to see Mike draw this story as well. That's a fairly natural reaction for those of use who love Mike's art. But if Mike's not going to draw it, PCR is certainly an artist who treats the story well.

Tangentially (this could deserve a whole thread of its own), I can think of a few comics works that I would like to see reinterpreted by another artist. The first one that springs to mind would be the initial Sandman story arc drawn by Bernie Wrightson instead of Sam Keith.