Romancing The Stone: Unexpected Amore

Told in three, here be Nina Stone's take on Hellboy The Storm. Part One. Part Two.

Hellboy: The Storm # 3
Written by Mike Mignola
Art by Duncan Fegredo & Dave Stewart
Published by Dark Horse Comics

"THAT was unexpected." 

Those are the words said to Hellboy from the the-end-is-nigh guy after Hellboy suddenly smacks him across the face midway through this issue. And that's just how I feel about nearly every moment in this issue. Some were eyes-wide "Oh My GOD!" moments and some were quiet, "wow" moments. But nearly every moment was unexpected.

The coolest thing is that the thing that delivered every gut-thumping moment was the art in congruence with the text. Usually, when I'm blown away by something in comics, its been because of the dialog (whether it be funny or serious), or because a drawing has jumped out and made me stare at it for a while. Everything here worked together, nothing overshadowed the other.

In the beginning of this issue, faced with the entire army of "Noble Dead of Britain," we first learn that they are there, not to fight Hellboy, but to be on his side if he rally's them forth. (oh my god) He only has to say the word. 

He decides not to. His gut tells him this is not the way to go. (Oh. My. God!) Helen pleads with him and let's me in on the fact that he's been told by several soothsayers and wise (hmm) people that the only way things will turn out well is if he leads this fight, this army, this whole shebang. And he just trusts his gut as tears roll down his girlfriend's (it's official!) face. OH. MY. GOD. I mean, who does this nowadays? What character or even real life person trusts their gut that securely even though all the voices outside of them are telling them to do the opposite? It's just the ultimate act of strength. 

In all those moments, the awaiting, grey, still army of dead juxtaposed to the orange-red Hellboy just walking through them saying "sorry fellas. You've got the wrong guy" is stunning. And before that there' a frame of Hellboy hugging Helen with one arm as she gries and he stands strongly upright. His other, giant arm "dangling" at his side. Such a powerful picture.

And next? Holy shit! The pig! First, he's hanging from a tree. Shocking. Disturbing. And he's begging Hellboy for forgiveness. Explaining himself. BEGGING. And I don't know if it's in response to the Pig saying, "I want to die. Please...." or if it's an angry reaction to the Pig's confession - but Hellboy takes out his gun and shoots him!! Seven "BLAMS" fill the frame!! I mean, the way that's drawn?! The scene goes from dark grey and blue to all lit up yellows and oranges while the Pig is being shot. It's INTENSE.

And just as I'm about to be sad - the pig doesn't die!!! "Even now, I cannot die," he says. And Hellboy nonchalantly walks away responding, "sorry, pal." Mmmm. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm. (Mmmm? Yeah, I don't know either. Feels right.)

You know, I should probably stop illustrating my point SO much as this will end up being a straight-up spoiler post. But indeed, it's all very unexpected and it's depicted supremely well. 

Well, wait. One last thing. I may not fully know what debt Hellboy owes this creepy blind woman who promises that she can deliver Hellboy straight to Nimue. But he seems to trust her, and decides to pay his debt. SO HE GIVES HER ONE OF HIS EYES. I mean, when the request for "two eyes to see that end come" is made, I assume it's going to be someone else's eyes. Hellboy says "okay" and - OH MY GOD! - the next frame is a picture of the blind man holding up and orange eyeball with Hellboy standing in the backgroud with one eye shining, and the other eye and empty socket with orange colored liquid running out of it. Holy Shit. Yeah. I had to drop a "holy shit" there. It's just amazing. That picture alone is...god. Look!

And so the end begins. (Which is actually the beginning of a whole new series. The last text box states "to be concluded in The Fury.")

Hell yeah, I'm in! This torrid affair is NOT over. I'm hooked. I know, we came on a little hot and heavy. So, now we've got a week to cool off until we see each other again. It's going to be fun waiting.

-Nina Stone, 2010 

Comments

[John Pontoon]

I believe that the blind person is Baba Yaga. Hellboy fought her and, in the process, relieved her of 1/8 pound or so of ugly fat (her left eye, I mean.) I'm not sure why they're friendly now.

[Tucker Stone]

You gotta read these comics John, they're fucking perfect.

[John Pontoon]

I do own them... after a fashion. You're right, I have all the new stuff, since, uh, War on Frogs 1 or Conqueror Worm. The rest of it's all a victim of when I just said, "Fuck This Shit!" at the sheer ugliness of 1994, and didn't buy anything except Hate and Eightball and LOEG and Bacchus and Cerebus and Joe Matt till 2006. Point is, I missed a shit-ton of great, idiosyncratic work.

We're in a golden age in the medium, right now. Since you can't have two golden ages, I guess we gotta call this a renaissance or something. Golden Age Reboot.