Mike Mignola brings us The Serpent in the Garden: Ed Grey and the Last Battle for England, adding more to the lore of the Hellboy Universe. This series is the first to be published by Mike Mignola’s Curious Objects imprint at Dark Horse Comics, setting up an epic battle of good and evil.

In the first issue, Morgan le Fay wakes after two hundred years of slumber. Upon her return, she gets the rundown on Hellboy’s demise and that his sacrifice has returned Avalon to its original glorious state, now ruled by Queen Alice Monaghan. Meanwhile, Witchfinder Edward Grey leaves his love Mary to serve Queen Alice and defend Avalon from Morgan le Fay in one more final battle.

Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck aim to conclude their fantasy epic started in Koshchei the Deathless. This first of three issues is a lot of building of anticipation for the coming battle. There are some weird detours, but this issue is a great climb up the hill before the rollercoaster takes off. Mignola’s writing is crisp, yet condensed, as both sides prepare for war.

Stenbeck’s art is on par with the rest of the art in Mignola’s epic universe, a cross between Edward Gorey, Tim Burton, and how you would picture Edgar Allan Poe’s works being interpreted by them both. Dave Stewart’s colors are as amazing as ever. Stewart and Stenbeck are no strangers to the Hellboy Universe. The contrast between the panels with Morgan le Fay and panels with other characters living in Avalon is fantastic. The gloomy grays and blacks of Morgan le Fay’s castle, in comparison to the perpetual springtime palette of Avalon, draw up more than just sides of good and evil. Clem Robins’ lettering conveys the humor, urgency, and strangeness Mignola’s lore is known for.

While things seem to be wrapping up in this part of the Hellboy Universe, this story is just starting to ramp up for war.

Creative Team: Mike Mignola (writer), Ben Stenbeck (artist), Dave Stewart (colorist), Clem Robins (letterer)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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