Hellboy & The B.P.R.D.: Long Night at Goloski Station Review
Writer: Mike Mignola
Art: Matt Smith
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Clem Robins
The first thing that struck me about this one shot was the fantastic art by newcomer Matt Smith. Careful not to confuse him with the Matt Smith who has previously worked in the Mignolaverse, contributing tales such as Abe Sapien Versus Science. There exists a friendly rivalry between the two artists, to find out more click here to read an interview I did with Matt Smith.
The art is incredibly detailed and there are definite similarities between Matt Smith and Duncan Fegredo, who is probably my all-time favourite Mignolaverse artist. I look forward to seeing more from Matt Smith within the Hellboy universe.
One of the strengths of this one shot are the quiet moments before the action begins. Most of the comic is made up of Hellboy talking with new character Yad Tovich, and as they talk a number of characters who already exist are mentioned, allowing Matt Smith to draw a wide range of characters, a brief who’s who in Hellboys world. At times it feels deliberate to showcase his considerable talent. Did I mention how much I like his art?
Despite this though the story will welcome new readers and acts as a great sampler of the Hellboy universe. Self-contained enough that no prior knowledge is needed new readers will have a pretty good idea after this whether Hellboy is for them or not.
The main Hellboy story has a beginning, middle, and an end. There is however big chunks of time missing and the Hellboy & The B.P.R.D. comics allows Mignola to explore some of those untold adventures. Now that the decision has been made to drop the years from the titles (1952 onwards) it allows the series to tell tales throughout the years. Whatever takes Mike’s fancy at any given point. And that is the joy of this series.
One of Mignolas strengths as a storyteller is to tell you what’s going on in as few words as possible. What might take half a comic in less experienced hands gets told over a page, we learn why Hellboy is in Russia, and then we get to the real meat of the story. There is so much happening, yet it never feels crammed in, it is quite naturally and slowly told.
Another staple of Hellboy stories are the little details that eagle-eyed fans notice. Here we learn the origins of Bishop Zrinyi’s silver buttons which he uses in The Chapel of Moloch. Easily missed by the reader, but a nice nod to those fans who pay really close attention to it all.
Dave Stewarts colours are on point as always, which really helps to make all the different artists feel part of the same shared universe.
This story doesn’t add anything to the Hellboy mythos, but that’s not the intention with any of these one shots either. Any excuse for another foray into the Mignolaverse is one I’ll leap at. Hellboy fans, buy this, you won’t regret it. This has the feel of becoming a classic, up there with The Corpse or Pancakes. Earlier in the year Hellboy & The B.P.R.D.: Beast of Vargu was released and that was another instant hit. Hellboys story may have reached its end, but there’s no sign of these fantastic stories ending which I for one am incredibly glad of.
Long night at Goloski station has everything we’ve come to expect from a Mignolaverse tale, fantastic artwork, a story which will haunt you long after you’ve put the comic down, each page practically dripping with melancholy.
Art: Matt Smith
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Clem Robins
The first thing that struck me about this one shot was the fantastic art by newcomer Matt Smith. Careful not to confuse him with the Matt Smith who has previously worked in the Mignolaverse, contributing tales such as Abe Sapien Versus Science. There exists a friendly rivalry between the two artists, to find out more click here to read an interview I did with Matt Smith.
The art is incredibly detailed and there are definite similarities between Matt Smith and Duncan Fegredo, who is probably my all-time favourite Mignolaverse artist. I look forward to seeing more from Matt Smith within the Hellboy universe.
One of the strengths of this one shot are the quiet moments before the action begins. Most of the comic is made up of Hellboy talking with new character Yad Tovich, and as they talk a number of characters who already exist are mentioned, allowing Matt Smith to draw a wide range of characters, a brief who’s who in Hellboys world. At times it feels deliberate to showcase his considerable talent. Did I mention how much I like his art?
Despite this though the story will welcome new readers and acts as a great sampler of the Hellboy universe. Self-contained enough that no prior knowledge is needed new readers will have a pretty good idea after this whether Hellboy is for them or not.
The main Hellboy story has a beginning, middle, and an end. There is however big chunks of time missing and the Hellboy & The B.P.R.D. comics allows Mignola to explore some of those untold adventures. Now that the decision has been made to drop the years from the titles (1952 onwards) it allows the series to tell tales throughout the years. Whatever takes Mike’s fancy at any given point. And that is the joy of this series.
One of Mignolas strengths as a storyteller is to tell you what’s going on in as few words as possible. What might take half a comic in less experienced hands gets told over a page, we learn why Hellboy is in Russia, and then we get to the real meat of the story. There is so much happening, yet it never feels crammed in, it is quite naturally and slowly told.
Another staple of Hellboy stories are the little details that eagle-eyed fans notice. Here we learn the origins of Bishop Zrinyi’s silver buttons which he uses in The Chapel of Moloch. Easily missed by the reader, but a nice nod to those fans who pay really close attention to it all.
Dave Stewarts colours are on point as always, which really helps to make all the different artists feel part of the same shared universe.
This story doesn’t add anything to the Hellboy mythos, but that’s not the intention with any of these one shots either. Any excuse for another foray into the Mignolaverse is one I’ll leap at. Hellboy fans, buy this, you won’t regret it. This has the feel of becoming a classic, up there with The Corpse or Pancakes. Earlier in the year Hellboy & The B.P.R.D.: Beast of Vargu was released and that was another instant hit. Hellboys story may have reached its end, but there’s no sign of these fantastic stories ending which I for one am incredibly glad of.
Long night at Goloski station has everything we’ve come to expect from a Mignolaverse tale, fantastic artwork, a story which will haunt you long after you’ve put the comic down, each page practically dripping with melancholy.
A Look Inside
