Young Hellboy: Thrilling Sky Adventures #1
Creative Team
writer: MIKE MIGNOLA AND THOMAS SNIEGOSKI
artist: CRAIG ROUSSEAU
colorist: CHRIS O'HALLORAN
letterer: CLEM ROBINS
publisher: DARK HORSE COMICS
Reviewed by Derek Mola
Young Hellboy is one of the best spin-off series from the Hellboy universe. Instead of the stoic monster hunter, readers see him at a time of innocence–a time of tasty flakes, chilling with his dog Mac, and reading comics.
Young Hellboy: Thrilling Sky Adventures is a four issue mini-series, and the third book in the Young Hellboy series. This issue is a fast-paced adventure, filled with non-stop action, and a fight against evil to save the world. If you’re a new fan, it’s a stand-alone story that introduces the world and characters without having to read previous continuity.
The Young Hellboy stories have him going on low stake adventures. In Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land, his memory is wiped. In Young Hellboy: Assault on Castle Death, it was all a hallucination from a fever. But what makes them fun is Hellboy’s giddiness to go on the journey, never wavering and always a smile on his face. A “comic adventure within a comic adventure”, this centers on the Sky Devil comic that Hellboy is reading.
Written by Thomas Sniegoski, it stars Scarlett Santiago, aka The Sky Devil, a spunky pulp hero wearing a devil mask, who fights criminals with her gun mounted plane. She is your typical plane-for-hire, but with a heart of gold. Scarlett is looking for money, only to be hired by our mysterious villain who stole an ancient artifact, for unknown reasons.
This issue also introduces a new character, Clark Henry Parish, The Ghost Leopard. Haunted by the spirits of the animals he’s killed, he’s called upon by them to fight those who harm animals. Clark is compelled by his need to redeem himself for his crimes, only for the animal spirits to make him aware of the stolen artifact that is said to bring about the end of the world.
Sniegoski is a Hellboy veteran, writing for the Hellboy prose novels, the B.P.R.D series, and the Hellboy audiobooks. He knows how to write loveable characters with focused motivations, easy stories of good vs. evil, and action sequences that keep readers engaged.
Adult Hellboy stories have dark and gritty art, similar to Mike Mignola’s original style. But Craig Rousseau’s art highlights Hellboy’s innocence, drawing him as adorable as possible. But the comic is not without dynamic action, with Sky Devil’s plane whizzing through the air, bad guys pumped full of bullets, ending with a grand explosion of grenades.
Final Verdict
Young Hellboy: Thrilling Sky Adventures is a strong start to an already strong spin-off series. With action, adventure, and light-hearted art, new and old fans are sure to get something out of it. Sky Devil and Phantom Leopard are a great addition to the universe, and Young Hellboy continues to be a fresh take on the beloved character.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 7 |
| Story/Plot | 7 |
| Art/Line Work | 8 |
| Colors | 7 |
| Final Score | 7.3/10 |