Hellboy: The Crooked Man (Talkback)

[Angilas-Man]

Issue one came out today. Basically a setup for the next two issues, but a lot of weirdness unique to Hellboy comics.


...and Corben has mastered HB's character design. Several times I stopped and though "Wow, Hellboy looks great in that panel." Cover is great too (but if you look for the issue #3 cover it is possibly the best Hellboy cover ever).

[Kees_L]

Talkback? Sure :smile::
Upon hearing of sir Corben's return I was hoping it to prove more easily approvable to readers, as Makoma seemed less liked by some. Makoma had me liking Corbens' art (like enough for an artist of his high stature) 'though at the same time I wondered how I could read his odd art so easily.
Witnessing the covers gave me great assurance The Crooked Man to turn out sweet. Basically what this threadstart does also :cool:.

[Todd H]

The art was good but I was picking up an "Emerald Hell" vibe off the story. I kept thinking "man this is familiar" while I was reading it. Took me a minute to realize it was the similarities with the novel.

[E. Spears]

Spoilers ahead, probably:




I liked it. I loved Corben's work on Makoma, and I'm still digging it here. Raccoons crawling into witch skins is pretty freaky. I want to see more of this Crooked Man character, he intrigues me. I agree with Todd H about the similarities with Emerald Hell. I don't rightly remember what year Emerald Hell took place, but perhaps Crooked Man takes place after the events in the novel--HB said he'd finished some stuff up down south, if the timeline fits perhaps he was referencing Emeral Hell. In any case, I'm stoked about the next two issues, and the ad for The Warning in the back got me pumped, too. High-fives all around.

[Kees_L]

Spoilers ahead, probably:

:biggrin: Really gonna remind myself to start my future posts this way if there may be content involved. I mean you can do no wrong...

High-fives all around? Sure.

(To be sure: is there not like a Hellboard signature salute or telling omen gesture? Possibly a six-fingered one - no - flat-fingered) - wait, I ask too soon perhaps?)

[ultramandingo]

............loved that the hillbillys purty much took no notice of the giant red guy with the tail

[Ambassador Curt]

Issue one came out today. Basically a setup for the next two issues, but a lot of weirdness unique to Hellboy comics.


...and Corben has mastered HB's character design. Several times I stopped and though "Wow, Hellboy looks great in that panel." Cover is great too (but if you look for the issue #3 cover it is possibly the best Hellboy cover ever).

I don't know about best ever. I've always been partial to The Island #1. Dunno why. I just am. Then again, favorite cover could be it's own thread. As far as Corben goes, I love his art and welcome the new story.

[zigart]

I'm looking forward to seeing more of the crooked man. He seemed real interesting or like he will be.

[H.G. Manifold]

I just picked it up and I'm really digging the how Hellboy looks!
It's making me want to read "Bigfoot" again!

Slight spoiler...




Regardless of the outcome of Tom's character, i really like his story and can't wait to learn more.

[Rachel Edidin]

As usual, I encourage everyone interested in talking back directly to the editors and creators to write into Hellmail:

hellmail(at)darkhorse(dot)com

OR


Hellmail
Dark Horse Comics
10956 SE Main St.
Milwaukie, OR 97222

[MaskedMan]

i went to my usual comic book store today to pick this up and they had sold out of it! so i had to go to a lower quality store and hope to find it there... but i did. so i dont have to start killing people now.

[edhopper]

Great stuff. Loved the Corben art. Keep this "young upstart" around on Hellboy.:wink: :biggrin: And the story is really good. Maybe because Mike wasn't plowing in the fields of obscure Russian or Sumerian Gods, I found it much easier to follow than some other Hellboy stories. (Just a comparison, not a criticism of the denser stories).
Can't wait for #2.

[Boston Style]

i love the story, but I gotta admit I can't stand Corben's art. I don't know what it is but I just can't get past it. I didnt like it in Makoma, and I dislike it even more here.

Am I alone on this?

eric

[Clayton]

eric,

you're sooo alone. ;)

[pimpernel]

i love the story, but I gotta admit I can't stand Corben's art. I don't know what it is but I just can't get past it. I didnt like it in Makoma, and I dislike it even more here.

Am I alone on this?

No i agree totally.

[InAdia]

Its amazing how things change. Before, during the Makoma days, I was sort of knackered that Corben was drawing and not Mike, now, since my feelings for Mr. Mignola have change, I am thankful that he hasn't touched this project art wise. I am enjoying Corben's work immensely.

The Real Inadia

[Erwin Heinek]

Regarding Mr. Corben's art on The Crooked Man the sequence of the horse being unbridled really conveyed the horror of the moment. Not many other artists could have come close.

Needless to say, I love the book.

[Pangaea]

I loved it, The Crooken Man himself, dark and spooky, I can't wait to see where it goes.

This just makes me all the more ready for The Warning, The Black Goddess and The Wild Hunt!

[gdeo]

Great story so far ..i cannot wait for the next issue,it was probably just me ...but i kept on reading the story in my inner hillbilly voice:tongue: ...classic Mignola and classic Corben...i loved it!:biggrin:

[THE REAL kirk]

No complaints here. I have been a Corben fan since the early 70's (ouch) and was thrilled when he did the last story. This one does not disappoint. I am also getting the Emerald Hell vibe but I am sure it will distance itself after this set-up issue. My only regret is it's not longer series!

[Mike Cross]

I didn't like Corben's work on Makoma. I figured Crooked Man would be another Hellboy series I bought just to say i bought it. Nope...one issue in and it's the best Hellboy-related story I've read in years. Tom's story is just great, and he would have made a fine addition to the BPRD, yet i get the sense that he might not make it out of this one.....

[timbolton]

It's funny, I think I have been more accepting of new artists in the Hellboy/BPRD range than most, but I wasn't sure how/where Corben fits in - even after reading Makoma. Don't get me wrong, I really loved his style in its own right, but it just stood out against the rest. But after a few readings of that story, I really really started loving his style, and how it's part of the Hellboy universe now. So I absolutely loved issue one of the Crooked Man.

Like a few others, I did think Emerald Hell when I was reading it, but I think that is only a good thing, though I had a feeling the business down south Hellboy was referring to was the "lost weekend" (1956 May-October Hellboy Companion, pp.166-167), but that can't be right since Crooked Man is set in 1958 - and between the lost weekend and 1958 HB has been a few places, including India and Malayasia. Just checked Emerald Hell, there is no date mentioned as far as I can see.

Anyways, great story and beautiful art - loving all the little details.

Did anyone get Corben's other comic this week? There is a link in with HB in a way.
HAUNT OF HORROR: LOVECRAFT #1
Art and story by Richard Corben

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=8882

[edhopper]

Did any get Corben's other comic this week? There is a link in with HB in a way.
HAUNT OF HORROR: LOVECRAFT #1
Art and story by Richard Corben

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=8882

Corben, Lovecraft...OMG
I am so getting this.

http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/0608/HOH_LC_1.jpg

[MaskedMan]

the crooked man reminds me of that fat assassin from cowboy bebop that kicks spikes ass in the amusement park.

[Pangaea]

The Crooken Man reminds me of a skinnier caricature of Danny Devito as The Penguin.

[Ambassador Curt]

HAUNT OF HORROR: LOVECRAFT #1
Art and story by Richard Corben

http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=8882

It is a great issue. Way better than the "Poe" series of the same name.

[Angilas-Man]

the crooked man reminds me of that fat assassin from cowboy bebop that kicks spikes ass in the amusement park.


Huh. I can see that.

That was a great Cowboy Bebop episode BTW.

[MaskedMan]

Huh. I can see that.

That was a great Cowboy Bebop episode BTW.

one of my favorites

[grogtheslayer]

having spent a good chunk of my life around the Appalachian region, I am really enjoying this story

plus, now I'd like to see a Corben and Eric Powell work together

[PaddyN]

I haven't read Makoma yet, however after reading Issue #1 of "The Crooked Man" I'm running to my comic shop.

Gorgeous, art by Corben (however I could see how some people wouldn't like it). The tone of the art fits so well with this intimate story. I love the lighting/coloring in this issue as well. Simply 'mazing.

I'd like to see much more Mignola/Corben work. I can't wait for Issues 2 & 3.

[Pangaea]

I haven't read Makoma yet, however after reading Issue #1 of "The Crooked Man" I'm running to my comic shop.


Good luck, I've depleted all the comic shops around here from anything Hellboy; Makoma #1 you should find, but for some reason I've only been able to find Makoma #2 on eBay.

[shonokin]

Loved issue one enough to be really bummed that it came to an end and have to wait til next month for more. As the person that runs manlywadewellman.com I'm pretty happy to see some southern mountain mythos popping up.

Tried to get the Corben Lovecraft comic but it was sold out. I'll have to try at another store tomorrow.

[Rachel Edidin]

Good luck, I've depleted all the comic shops around here from anything Hellboy; Makoma #1 you should find, but for some reason I've only been able to find Makoma #2 on eBay.

It's also collected in the Troll Witch and Others TPB.

[Pangaea]

It's also collected in the Troll Witch and Others TPB.

That's right, so if you're interested in just reading the story you can just purchase the trade paperbacks.

I just have to own it in comic form. All the comics must be mine. It's a sickness.

[PaddyN]

It's also collected in the Troll Witch and Others TPB.

That's the one I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

Pangaea, that's a sickness I would have as well, if only I could afford it.

On a slightly related topic; Wouldn't The Crooked Man look amazing in one of the Hellboy Library Editions?

[Pangaea]

Pangaea, that's a sickness I would have as well, if only I could afford it.


Yeah, it's getting expensive but I almost have all the Hellboy specific comics, you know, other than the ridiculous ones such as Dime Press #4 and the SDCC comic; I'm closing in on the Next Men appearance.

The B.P.R.D. comics aren't that hard to snag up, not worried about those. I only have one rare sketch variant of Kick Ass #1 to buy and then I have the whole set so far(I'm subscribed to that so I get all the next issues, as well has B.P.R.D. Hellboy and The Goon).

My next goal is all the Goon's back issues.

[petriacce]

My next goal is all the Goon's back issues.Which ones do you need? I may be able to help you out.

[elmer]

Just finished reading the Crooked Man and noticed in the Hellmail section that Scott mentions further Golden Army comics that will be available at various conventions.Does anyone know anything about these?

[Asa]

Just finished reading the Crooked Man and noticed in the Hellmail section that Scott mentions further Golden Army comics that will be available at various conventions.Does anyone know anything about these?

It is the one they were promoting with the movie. It will have the face of Hellboy,or Abe, or Liz. that is seen on Ebay.
as seen below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mike-Mignola-Hellboy-Golden-Army-comic-promo-WonderCon_W0QQitemZ180260140640QQihZ008QQcategoryZ 66508QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Ambassador Curt]

I just have to own it in comic form. All the comics must be mine. It's a sickness.

I suffer from the same afflcition. TPB's just don't do it for me. I pick them up when they are on sale, so I can read the stories more easily, but nothing beats the feel of the comic.

[Maija]

I do not find Corben's art attractive. I'm disturbed by his manner of drawing everybody's heads as though they have undersized brain cases. Even if they are mountain folk, it's unheimlich.

But the creepiness is so appropriate to this story! Bleh, this might be the creepiest Hellboy story ever. The boiled cat, the hard-ridden horse, the raccoon crawling into the empty skin... eurg.

This one is shaping up well.

[elmer]

It is the one they were promoting with the movie. It will have the face of Hellboy,or Abe, or Liz. that is seen on Ebay.
as seen below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mike-Mignola-Hellboy-Golden-Army-comic-promo-WonderCon_W0QQitemZ180260140640QQihZ008QQcategoryZ 66508QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That was what I thought as well, but Scott mentions that some of us should have gotten the first one(bedtime story) for free comic book day.I think this means there will be further installments available online or at conventions.

[MaskedMan]

I do not find Corben's art attractive. I'm disturbed by his manner of drawing everybody's heads as though they have undersized brain cases. Even if they are mountain folk, it's unheimlich.

But the creepiness is so appropriate to this story! Bleh, this might be the creepiest Hellboy story ever. The boiled cat, the hard-ridden horse, the raccoon crawling into the empty skin... eurg.

This one is shaping up well.

Im with you on this one. I wasnt impressed with the art at all and I found myself feeling awkward when i would look at it for too long. Oh well...maybe it will grow on me.

the story i definitely dont have a problem with

[Pangaea]

Which ones do you need? I may be able to help you out.

Well I just recently starting getting into the Goon, or should I say, deciding to collect the Goon, so all I have are the #1 from Exploding Albatross, #1 and #7(the Hellboy crossover) from Dark Horse.

[Maija]

Im with you on this one. I wasnt impressed with the art at all and I found myself feeling awkward when i would look at it for too long. Oh well...maybe it will grow on me.

the story i definitely dont have a problem with

:confused:

Did I say that I was not impressed with the art?

[petriacce]

I finally got to read this issue last night. The Crooked Man would make the most excellent Halloween costume. I think it would scare the crap out of people.

Corben's art always makes me feel like something isn't right with the world. He gives each story an element of "messed up enhancement" if that makes sense. It's like having a few drinks before dancing or taking a lot of cold medicine before a work meeting. For this story it's like a blanket of creepy and it works well. I'm liking it.

[MarisaSmith]

It was good. I finally got it today, and I liked it. I also liked Makoma, so maybe that has something to do with it. And I saw that someone said they thought it had an "emerald hell" feel to it, and I agree.

I am thinking of using it for teaching a group of students coming in from China next week. I'll have to see how much American culture they want in their class.
;-)
My other classes loved Hellboy when I've taught it. I've even got some of them going to see the movie while they're here! :-) I'm such a bad influence...

[MarisaSmith]

I suffer from the same afflcition. TPB's just don't do it for me. I pick them up when they are on sale, so I can read the stories more easily, but nothing beats the feel of the comic.

I have a variant form of that disease, but it's worse... I must have the comics and TPBs.... Oh! Ouch! My wallet!:tongue:

[Myron L]

It was good. I finally got it today, and I liked it. I also liked Makoma, so maybe that has something to do with it. And I saw that someone said they thought it had an "emerald hell" feel to it, and I agree.

I am thinking of using it for teaching a group of students coming in from China next week. I'll have to see how much American culture they want in their class.
;-)
My other classes loved Hellboy when I've taught it. I've even got some of them going to see the movie while they're here! :-) I'm such a bad influence...

I agree with the Emerald Hell thought...EXACTLY how it hit me...

[MaskedMan]

Did I say that I was not impressed with the art?

...

I do not find Corben's art attractive. I'm disturbed by his manner of drawing everybody's heads as though they have undersized brain cases. Even if they are mountain folk, it's unheimlich.

?? did i miss read something

[Maija]

Yes, apparently you misread it. Or you failed to read the next sentence that contextualizes the first one. But no where did I say that I was not impressed by the art. In fact, by my description, the art plainly left a substantial impression on me. I'll restate it another way:

Corben's art is not beautiful to me. His depictions of people are unnatural and uncanny and disturbing. This is totally appropriate for the story.

The art is impressive in the way that it fleshes the narrative with creepy, unsettling atmosphere.

[MaskedMan]

Yes, apparently you misread it. Or you failed to read the next sentence that contextualizes the first one. But no where did I say that I was not impressed by the art. In fact, by my description, the art plainly left a substantial impression on me. I'll restate it another way:

Corben's art is not beautiful to me. His depictions of people are unnatural and uncanny and disturbing. This is totally appropriate for the story.

The art is impressive in the way that it fleshes the narrative with creepy, unsettling atmosphere.

yikes.

ok...well i still think its awkward.

sorry for the misinterpretation

[Andrew Hein]

The Crooked Man himself might have just become the creepiest thing in the entire Hellboy universe. He really got to me for some reason. I think it's the smile.

[Pangaea]

The Crooked Man himself might have just become the creepiest thing in the entire Hellboy universe. He really got to me for some reason. I think it's the smile.

Kind of reminds me of the gentlemen from that Buffy the Vampire series, I think it was Hush...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/gallery/season4/images/340/17hush.jpg
Levitating corpse-like men in business suits with really big, toothy grins permanently on their faces.

[Kelly Tindall]

Wow, I was really impressed with this one.

I thought The Drowning was a little too 'hero walks into a vast space, confronts his past, and faces a horrible monster that is destroyed by super-powerful supporting characters' for my liking, and War on Frogs was just a cupcake in the feast that is the Hellboy universe, but The Crooked Man is a real powerhouse thus far.

Mike's script is really cracking, Tom's character is filled with doom and pity, and the hero's quest (slay the villain! save the girl!) is tried but true. Corben's work here is, as Maija sagely points out, the best kind of hideous... He's better suited for this sort of hillbilly nightmare than the dreams of a mummy, I think. It's always fun to see a master play with his favorite toys.

And, lastly, Hellboy is finally back in the Han Solo role, puncturing the mythos and lending a welcome bit of 'aw, crap' to a story steeped in blackness and horror. It's good to see him there.

[Ambassador Curt]

I have a variant form of that disease, but it's worse... I must have the comics and TPBs.... Oh! Ouch! My wallet!:tongue:

Penicillin might clear up your version. Especially if there's wallet pain.

I've read this comic about 3 times now. It is excellent. For a creepy setting, you can't beat Appalachia.

[MarisaSmith]

Penicillin might clear up your version. Especially if there's wallet pain.

I've read this comic about 3 times now. It is excellent. For a creepy setting, you can't beat Appalachia.

No, sadly only a little bit of green (money) can cure my affliction...:frown:

[mattmanw54301]

Just finished reading issue 1 for the third time. Amazing stuff. The art is just bizarre, and fits really well with the story. This is going to be a good series IMO.

[Neil Hill]

I finally got around to reading the first Crooked Man issue yesterday. I must say that I thank the God's Corben is on a Hellboy book, as his style is perfectly suited to this world! Thank you Mignola for bringing Corben on board, and thank you Richard for drawing the pants off of many of your contemporaries!

[Ken O]

I'm way late to this party but damn I loved this book. I gotta stop getting my books at the end of the month so I can discuss with everyone.

[Kees_L]

I'm way late to this party but damn I loved this book. I gotta stop getting my books at the end of the month so I can discuss with everyone.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly, as I received june and juli worth of HB in the mail today. (Gotta read - bye!).

[Ambassador Curt]

I'm way late to this party but damn I loved this book. I gotta stop getting my books at the end of the month so I can discuss with everyone.

I get mine on the Friday following the release. It sucks to have to avoid forum spoilers. Marvel is not so bad, but It kills me when a new BPRD or Hellboy book comes out. You guys are all chattin' it up and I'm left on the sidelines. I swear to God; it's prom all over again.