This year has been an embarrassment of riches for Mike Mignola fans. We’ve been treated to the introduction of an all-new universe in Bowling with Corpses and Other Strange Tales from Parts Unknown, a blast from the past adventure with the B.P.R.D. in Shadow of the Golden Crane, and this week sees the release of the second issue of Frankenstein: New World – The Sea of Forever.

For those unfamiliar with the current state of the Hellboy Universe, this series takes place after the cataclysmic conclusion of Mignola’s Hellboy epic. This “new world” has emerged from the ashes of the old, with Frankenstein continuing to safeguard the innocent from darkness one thousand years after Ragna Rok. Frankenstein is traveling alongside Lilja, a human child he had returned to life, towards an as-yet-unknown destination. The relationship between Frankenstein and Lilja is the charming center of this series. As I mentioned in a previous review, this book feels a lot like a mixture of the gothic horror and wry humor of Hellboy combined with the apocalyptic road trip feel of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road.

In the last issue, the traveling companions crossed the titular Sea of Forever. On the shore of this new land, they encounter a peaceful race of squid-like creatures who communicate through song. It isn’t long before Frankenstein and Lilja discover a dark presence seeking to prey on the squid-people that is only repelled by song each night. Frankenstein continues to wrestle with the troubling vision of the vampires of the old world he had while they were crossing the sea. Readers are also given a glimpse of Murk, the “evolved” vampire hunting Frankenstein and Lilja. Murk is completely oblivious to who or what he has been tracking; he’s simply following an enticing energy trail that promises a satisfying feast. Murk’s march has spread the evil of the old world into the new, and he has amassed a following of corrupted inhabitants in his wake. Mignola, Golden, and Sniegoski introduce a new mystery revolving around Lilja that has me wondering who Murk is really tracking across the New World. I had previously thought it was Frankenstein and his Vril mystic energy, but there is clearly more to Lilja that will be revealed.

I’m really enjoying this continuation of the Hellboy mythos and its ability to embody the same style of the older stories while delving into other fantasy genres. One theme Mignola tackled in Hellboy that carries through into the Frankenstein: New World series is the idea and importance of found family. Frankenstein and Lilja’s relationship mirrors that of Dr. Bruttenholm and Hellboy, and both pairings teach readers that maybe there is more to family than just blood.

Peter Bergting once again admirably evokes the classic Mignola aesthetic while also making it his own. His character designs are fantastic. The new squid-people are both completely alien and completely cute. Michelle Madsen’s color work adds a sense of menace and danger to Bergting’s pencils. The use of darker tones for Murk and his entourage allow the bright pops of red in Murk’s followers’ eyes to convey their full malevolence. The red of the blood and gore also stand out against the darker hues, lending even more ferocity to Murk’s actions.

The new Hellboy era is off to a compelling start. Frankenstein and Lilja are great main characters, with Lilja especially beginning to come into her own. Everything I loved about Hellboy is still here: the humor, fantastic monsters, and emotional storytelling. All Hellboy fans should be reading this series.

Creative Team: Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, and Thomas Sniegoski (Script), Peter Bergting (Art), Michelle Madsen (Colors), Clem Robins (Letters).
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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