Dark Horse Comics recently released a new chapter in its Hellboy in Love series, a one-shot that takes place shortly after the events of the last mini-series. This chapter, Black Eyes, acts as an epilogue to the run of mini-series that came before it.
The Hellboy in Love story is set in the 1970s and features the love story between Hellboy and archaeologist Anastasia Bransfield and their adventures across Europe. As shown in the finale of the last series, Anastasia’s employers believe she should take a leave of absence, as they don’t feel she can adequately do her job while in a relationship with Hellboy. Hellboy, too, is at a crossroads, as he is on leave from the B.P.R.D. to spend more time with Anastasia. Thus, this chapter begins with a couple in crisis trying to solve the age-old dilemma of balancing their work and social lives. Who hasn’t been faced with having to make sacrifices for the good of a relationship or loved one? Of course, most of us aren’t fighting witches or confronting ghosts at the same time. It’s this relatable predicament that grounds the characters even with all the fantastical action occurring around them.
Hellboy and Anastasia arrive at the home of retired and married B.P.R.D. operatives Archie Muraro and Margaret Laine, ostensibly to take care of a ghost problem, but it’s pretty clear early on that Hellboy just needs to be around his found family as his relationship with Anastasia is at a crisis point. Longtime readers may remember that Archie accompanied Hellboy on his very first mission for the B.P.R.D. in the 1950s and Margaret served as the director of the B.P.R.D. for a time. As a fan of this world, it was great to revisit this couple at a later stage in their lives. As is often the case with Hellboy stories, the value of found family shines through. In many ways this issue felt like Hellboy was bringing Anastasia home to meet his parents. Of course, this wouldn’t be a Hellboy book without some paranormal fun, and this issue delivers with a heartfelt tale that matches the familial tone of the rest of the series and illuminates the importance of a home.
Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden present a heartfelt epilogue for their work on Hellboy in Love up to this point. Alex Nieto’s art is once again the perfect complement to the script, carrying the load in delivering the emotional beats of this episode. His design of the ghost in this story somehow walks the line between evoking both fear of and compassion for the ghost. As always, Nieto captures the feel and overall aesthetic of the Hellboy Universe that Mignola has crafted while also bringing his own style to the project. I strongly recommend this book for all longtime fans and anyone on the lookout for a moving paranormal adventure.
Creative Team: Mike Mignola (Script), Christopher Golden (Script), Alex Nieto (Art and Colors), Clem Robbins (Letters)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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