hellboy hardcovers...!

[craig rousseau]

saw this bit over on newsarama ...

Also in spring of 2008, Dark Hose will begin releasing Mike Mignola’s Hellboy in hardcover, “Library Editions” similar to the treatment it has given Frank Miller’s Sin City. Each hardcover will collect two trades which will be collected in chronological order. All of the current trades are slated to be collected in this format.

sweet!

-c

[parrish]

Woo Hoo!!!!

[Ivar_L]

So, what's about acid-free paper?...

[Jankenstein]

Oh HELL (boy) yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Mr Allie and Mr Mignola!
*does the celebratory dance, which isn't anything the the LoJo Cha-Cha*


Craig, sorry I missed you in Baltimore, but the car conspired against me!

[Neil Hill]

LOL...Craig you so-and-so, you beat me to it! :D

Yeah, this is incredibly cool news! Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with all of the TPB's I've purchased over the years to get new Mignola covers. Garage sale anyone?

Speaking of which; does anyone know (meaning Scott or Rachel) if these additions will sport new Mignola covers? This, of course, won't impact my desire to purchase these volumes (as I have been talking about wanting them for years now), but it certainly would be a neat thing!

[gdeo]

this is great news...it's time has come.we have all been waiting for these.now i can pass the trades down to my son:D

[morna]

oooo I'm in - sounds great

[Juno Reactor]

This is great! Once I get these bad boys I'll feel comfortable loaning out my current trades. What a great way to promote the new movie!

A question, though: how do you think the volumes will break down? If each volume collects two trades, maybe we'll see "Seed of Destruction" and "Wake The Devil" in Volume One; "The Chained Coffin and Others" and "The Right Hand of Doom" in Volume 2; and "The Conqueror Worm" and "Strange Places" in Volume 3.

I guess "The Troll Witch and Others" would be collected with a "Darkness Calls" trade in Volume 4, unless they can arrange another short story collection before them to go with it.

Or do you think they mean the stories from the trades will actually be rearranged to match the order they take place in the timeline, hence "chronologically." In that case, they wouldn't be collecting two trades each, so much as they would be collecting two trades' worth of material, but rearranged in chronological order. In which case the hardcovers would be a blend of full story arcs and short stories.

I wonder how it'll work out. Personally, I think it'd be nice to have all three of the short story trades collected in one volume. I love me some Hellboy short stories!

- JR

[Maija]

These had better have sewn binding and acid-free paper, otherwise, what's the point?

[patrick r]

I'll just have to wait and check them out before I make any comments.

[Angilas-Man]

Ha! Some of my tpb's are getting a bit ragged and this gives me an excuse to buy!

[Mikolaj]

Oh yeah! Heal yeah! Yeah! :D

thanks for the info, Craig!

[TBolt]

Great, just when I finish replacing all the HB comics I lost in the 2004 hurricane season in trade format.

[Eric M]

Being a fan of books as collectibles, I love the fact that comic book houses are putting out these "absolute" and "library" editions of books. I dont know about you guys, but the New Frontier and Kingdom Come Absolute Editions from DC are brilliant!

[Juno Reactor]

These had better have sewn binding and acid-free paper, otherwise, what's the point?
Yes. Assuming that means the pages won't fall out and that fingerprints won't appear on the black ink, I totally agree! Sewn binding and acid-free paper is the way to go and will help make rebuying these in hardcover an easy decision.

So how about it, Rachel?

Also, will there be a dust cover? If so, it would be nice if the dust cover could be made in such a way that it's HIGHELY unlikely the inside flaps would ever get bent the wrong way and creased.

It'll be cool to see all these hardcovers on shelves by the time HB2 hits theaters.

- JR

[Hellbaby]

Cool. I need to get me some.

[el seth]

Guess I'll start selling blood now.

[Jankenstein]

Being a fan of books as collectibles, I love the fact that comic book houses are putting out these "absolute" and "library" editions of books. I dont know about you guys, but the New Frontier and Kingdom Come Absolute Editions from DC are brilliant!


The Absolute Sandman is the way a book SHOULD be done. DC really did a great job on that one.

[Mikolaj]

The Absolute Sandman is the way a book SHOULD be done. DC really did a great job on that one.

I've purchased both the Absolute Sandman and New Frontier. Both of these are worth every penny they cost but I guess that Sandman vol. 1 has something magical about it. The design, shape, the layouts are just breathtaking- reminds me of some of the "white crows" books my old folks have in their collection. I hope they can pull off something as good as this with the HB-HC.

[Ivar_L]

I have Watchmen and Sandman #1 Absolute Editions. I must say that I was somewhat disappointed with Sandman - when Watchmen's artwork looks SO much better in bigger format, in Sandman it didn't really add that much.
It was just more visible that the scanning quality of Vess' artwork in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was pretty bad. Also, I was very disappointed that they didn't do anything with Zulli's butchered (by Parkhouse) line art in my favourite Sandman story, "Men of Good Fortune".

But the book looks nice and I ordered the second one from Amazon too.

And of course I'll try to get Hellboy books... :) I hope there will be more than just paperback reprints in bigger format - sketchbooks, cover galleries, scripts, color scans of line art...

[Asa]

I love hard covers , can't wait till it comes out.:D

[Brisco]

These had better have sewn binding and acid-free paper, otherwise, what's the point?

Completely agreed, Maija. And if that makes 'em cost more, it's worth it. I can't imagine hardcovers of that size lasting too long (stored upright, at leasts) if they're glued, considering how many of my glued TPBs are falling apart now.

But enough with the negative! I'm sure Dark Horse has considered all this, too, and that they WILL be sewn binding on acid-free paper, and that they will be AWESOME! And I can't wait. These should make some VERY nice additions to the bookshelf.

Interesting speculations on the order, Juno. I'd probably personally opt away from the re-ordering, as the volumes would just become obsolete when new short stories come out taking place before and in between existing ones. But I DO like the idea of collecting all the short stories together! I think one of the Sin City volumes was that thick. I also hope these definitive volumes aren't tainted by the inclusion of Hellboy Jr. or Weird Tales... although I COULD abide the addition of the Mignola-drawn stories from HB Jr. to the short story volume, as an appendix or something...

Brisco

[GRANT!]

Crap i should have checked the news before I got the latest trade. Oh well thank god for ebay.

[Todd H]

Crap i should have checked the news before I got the latest trade. Oh well thank god for ebay.

Ya keep the trades for reading/ passing around to friends and the hard covers for display!

[Brisco]

Ya keep the trades for reading/ passing around to friends and the hard covers for display!

Yeah, you can't very easily lug one of those hardcovers to work with you to read on your lunch break... The trades will still come in handy!

[arex]

I'm really stoked about this news. I can hardly wait.

[Ivar_L]

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil (Hellboy Library Editions 1) (Hardcover)

is in stock in Amazon.com!

[bosco]

And mine'll be waitin for me at my bookshop tomorrow.
Can't wait. It'll look good next to my Sin City library. :D

[gdeo]

yes...i cannot wait to see all the new sketchbook stuff

[St August]

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil

is in stock in Amazon.com!
Items not yet shipped:
Shipping estimate: April 29, 2008

say what? where's my order Amazon!

[Jankenstein]

I got my copy on Saturday. 'tis a gorgeous thing!

[Juno Reactor]

Jankenstein:

I just ordered this at Amazon.com. While I await its arrival, could you please describe what it's like?

Thanks,
- JR

[Jankenstein]

Page dimension-wise, it's the same size as The Art of Hellboy hardcover, and has the same kind of black cloth binding. It also has the Robert Bloch introduction for Seed of Destruction, and the Alan Moore intro for Wake the Devil. There's a sketchbook section with some material I hadn't seen before.

I loves it. :biggrin:

[rhboyd]

...in my hands.... it's so SO great... I know it's like the 4th or 5th copy of SOD I have, but I can't help myself... it's SO pretty....

thanks Dark Horse... thanks MM....

just so pretty....
luv,
-r!

[Neil Hill]

...in my hands.... it's so SO great... I know it's like the 4th or 5th copy of SOD I have, but I can't help myself... it's SO pretty.

Ha-Ha...so true, and I'm right there with you, Ron! Between the smallish reprints aligning with the movie releases, b/w German edition, and various English language reprints we've seen over the years, I have this story in many, many forms. However, I hadn't yet had it at this size and with a great sketchbook section to boot, and these are both reasons to re-purchase the story for sure!

[el seth]

I got mines.

I'm smelling it right now.

It smells good.

[Mikolaj]

Anyone there up for puting some detailed photos of how astonishing it looks? ;)

[Juno Reactor]

Anyone there up for puting some detailed photos of how astonishing it looks? ;)
I second this notion. Someone post pictures, NOW.

Hopefully they'll ship mine sooner rather than later...

- JR

[Ivar_L]

Is the new sketchbook section just images or are there some comments/text too?
(I think it will take some 3 weeks before I will receive my copy...)

[el seth]

Comments.

Awesome comments.

[Eric M]

I didnt plan on getting this but I took one look at it and it's is well worth the 50 clams.

I cant wait for the next volume.

[el seth]

Getting mine signed Friday.

[jimm]

Looks like a winner to me, just talked meself into it

[gdeo]

best investment..ever.cannot wait for the volume!

[Todd H]

I'm not getting mine till my birthday, so I've got another month to wait. Ack!

[Ken O]

I got it late last night. No real time to sit down and read it. It looks great on the bookshelf next to "The Art Of Hellboy" though.

[pimpernel]

Ooh it's lovely. :redface:

And i love the African pre-Lobster guy. :biggrin:

[Neil Hill]

Ooh it's lovely. :redface:

And i love the African pre-Lobster guy. :biggrin:

How about Lock n Load? For some reason the description of the two characters fitting into each other seemed vaguely sexual and somewhat disturbing, however I'm sure that's just my sickness and not anything to do with Mike. :tongue:

[pimpernel]

I know that was a little out there, but still kinda fun.

I've had a chance to read the entire sketchbook now, and i have to say there are some neat unused ideas in there. I know Mike seemed a little dismissive of it, but i sort of like the one with the frankenstein guy.

Could have used some more Rasputin tho.

BTW a little off topic but: has Mike ever said why he made Rasputin bald? I mean Rasputin has such a distinctive/iconic look, it seems unusual that Mike altered him.

[Eric M]

does anyone know when the next volume is scheduled?

[pimpernel]

I think the latest letter column said sometime around christmas?

[Gary_B]

I got mine today and it's a beauty. I love seeing the coloured pages on a larger scale. And the sketchbook is a real treat to peruse.

[E. Spears]

Gah, I wish I could get these. No moneys. )':

I guess I know what I'm putting on my X-mas list this year, hah.

[Neil Hill]

BTW a little off topic but: has Mike ever said why he made Rasputin bald? I mean Rasputin has such a distinctive/iconic look, it seems unusual that Mike altered him.

This is strictly opinion based editorial here, but perhaps the reasons are two-fold. One, his baldness may imply that the character endured a transformation of sorts from human to something other than....when he was beaten, stabbed, castrated, and thrown into a river and then eventually resurrected to become Baba Yaga's 'chosen one'. Two, it could be that the visual asthetic of Rasputin as bald just made more sense to Mike at the time that he borrowed the character for his comic series.

I suppose either or neither could be the reasons, but it is an interesting question to try and answer.

[grogtheslayer]

BTW a little off topic but: has Mike ever said why he made Rasputin bald? I mean Rasputin has such a distinctive/iconic look, it seems unusual that Mike altered him.

Bald people are evil.
http://zerotosixty.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/medium_dr_evil_1.jpg
But sexy as hell.

[Jankenstein]

Anyone there up for puting some detailed photos of how astonishing it looks? ;)


I would if I had a camera. Harrumph.

[Juno Reactor]

That's understandable, Jankenstein.

The rest of you fellas who have the book but aren't posting pics are poopheads, though.

- JR

[DannyBoy7783]

http://www.amazon.com/Hellboy-Library-Chained-Coffin-Others/dp/1593079893/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208701144&sr=1-25

[Jake Capps]

http://www.amazon.com/Hellboy-Library-Chained-Coffin-Others/dp/1593079893/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208701144&sr=1-25

"and others" ? I really don't want to wait untill December for this.

[Ken O]

That's understandable, Jankenstein.

The rest of you fellas who have the book but aren't posting pics are poopheads, though.

- JR

Sorry, living in hotels again for awhile. Far, far away from my bookshelf.

[patrick r]

Got mine today for $32. Wow, it is beautiful and WILL look great next to the "Art of" book. If a nice slip cover doesn't become available, I am going to have to make one.

[Juno Reactor]

Got mine today as well. I really ought to take pics since I was whining about that earlier, and I probably will, but first I have finals and an internship to tend to...

That being said, it's a gorgeous book. Smells good, too! If anyone's wondering, the supplemental materials are 30+ pages, although several pages contain items from the sketchbook in Volume 4 of the TPBs. However, Mignola has a running commentary throughout that adds a lot to each sketch and doodle.

Again, a gorgeous book. I love the fact that it DOESN'T have a dustcover -- I hate always having to keep the flaps from folding in on themselves, and I don't have to worry about that here thanks to the soft cloth cover. In other words, the Library Edition is a perfectly constructed book.

I'm looking forward to Volume II. When they say "and Others," does that imply stories beyond TPBs #3 and #4, or is that just a nice way of saying "This is #3 and #4, which contain a lot of short stories?" I'd think the latter, but you ne'er know.

- JR

P.S. My book was also $32, from Amazon. They delivered it super-quick in perfect condition. I highly recommend using them for this item.

[Neil Hill]

Mignola has a running commentary throughout that adds a lot to each sketch and doodle.

Agreed! I really liked that personal touch as well. The Art of book had great material, and Scott Allie did his best to to give a running commentary on the various pieces, but the first person point of view from Mike in this tome was very welcome. Thanks, Mike!

[shockroach]

i think "and Others" is part of "The Chained Coffin and Others"(the title on the TPB) with "The Right Hand of Doom" dropped in, because "The Chained Coffin and Others and the Right Hand of Doom" doesn't roll off the tongue as well.

[gdeo]

to state it again...the sketchbook is very,very,cool!

[Damascinos]

Got mine today as well. I really ought to take pics since I was whining about that earlier...

What an excellent idea! Seconded! I agree, you really ought to take pics... right now!!! :wink:

[Jankenstein]

I tried, but beams of Pure Awesome shot out of the book and mesmerized me, and I don't know what happened after that. :wink: