The Lost Army

Rating:
Summary: Not Worthy of Hellboy
Review: As a huge Hellboy fan, I put off reading this book because I loved the comics so much and did not think a prose writer could capture the dark but wry tone so easily set by Mignola with his fantastic graphic artwork and minimal use of word balloons. I feel my hesitation was justified. "Lost Army" did not feel like a Hellboy story at all - from the fairly unoriginal and frankly boring lost army in the desert premise to the superfluous lake monster to the weak anticlimatic ending (the mysterious glow is...? ). It was like a simplistic Hardy Boys mystery. But just when you are feeling like you are in PG action horror territory complete with zombie warriors and Krull-like giant spider web scenes, Golden throws in a disturbing and out-of-nowhere attempted rape just to make things more "adult" (or something). This uneven tone is fairly consistent and although the relationship between Hellboy and his ex-flame is fun to read - the best thing about this book are the illustrations.

Rating:
Summary: Golden captures the spirit of Mignola's creation
Review: Mike Mignola's Hellboy character and the universe he inhabits is one of the most engaging and interesting comic creation. Mignola took a large helping of H.P. Lovecraft, added in a healthy dose of James Bond and finished it off with a good dash of European folklore and mythologies and he comes up with Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.

Hellboy was originally just in comics and graphic novels, but Christopher Golden was given a chance by Mike Mignola to try and come up with a novel-lenght story to give Hellboy a new medium to appear in. Golden succeeds with this first Hellboy novel titled The Lost Army. It helped that Mignola drew some illustrations for the book and these illustrations help explain some of the words Golden has wrought.

There really is no need to explain the plot since Amazon has conveniently copied the back cover summary to explain the book. The story is very Lovecraftian in its tone as most of Hellboy's comic book exploits have a tendency to be. Unlike the comics, Golden's novel allows more of Hellboy's inner personality and feelings to come through. It has only been hinted in the comics, but in Golden's story Hellboy's past history and his current unfolding situation are allowed for some romance.

The Lost Army is very much more adult than the comics, but the overall theme and story fits well with the canon that Mignola has created for Hellboy and his universe. I have to admit that the ending has abit of Deus ex Machina to it that lets off Hellboy and crew too easily, but it is really just a small quibble on the overall satisfying read The Lost Army turned out to be.

Rating:
Summary: A great transition from comics to prose
Review: More monsters than you can shake a giant stone hand at! I loved this adventure - especially the constant tension provoked by Hellboy's recurring realization that he's a monster fighting monsters. It was also a treat to discover that Hellboy has a sex life. Who woulda guessed?

Rating:
Summary: Excellent new Hellboy adventure
Review: Until now, Hellboy has been a visual experience. Mike Mignola's artwork has been, and still is, 90% of what defines Hellboy. Understandably then, I was sceptical of the written Hellboy. Luckily, my scepticism was unwarrented. This is a fine book. The characterzation is right on the mark, the supporting cast is great, and the locale and mythology are intriguing. And Mignola's occasional illustrations are just enough to remind us that Hellboy will always be a graphic character. I could've done without the water serpent and the giant spiders, but regradless, bring on more of the same

Rating:
Summary: I am a converted skeptic!
Review: Well, I was told to read this by a friend who is also a fan of Christopher Golden's work and, frankly, I went in convinced that I wouldn't like it. Boy, was I wrong! Golden's amusing and fast-paced prose are a perfect complement to Mignola's starkly mesmerizing illustrations; the whole package is a must-read! I hope these two collaborate again in the near future!

Rating:
Summary: I am a converted skeptic!
Review: Well, I was told to read this by a friend who is also a fan of Christopher Golden's work and, frankly, I went in convinced that I wouldn't like it. Boy, was I wrong! Golden's amusing and fast-paced prose are a perfect complement to Mignola's starkly mesmerizing illustrations; the whole package is a must-read! I hope these two collaborate again in the near future!