Readers of this blog will know that I’m a really big fan of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy/BPRD, and the stories featuring the expanded universe ( often called the Mignolaverse ) and its characters are pretty much the only comics I actually follow these days.

Because there are so many stories and keeping track of them becomes difficult, I’m always happy when hardcover omnibus editions like these are released, which are compilations of the rather flimsy trade paperbacks (TPB). They not only make reading easier because all the stories are collected in one volume, but are also much more sturdy to keep because of the hardcover format.

Book synopsis – Longstanding mysteries from the Mignolaverse, finally solved in this collection of standalone stories!

When did Rasputin find his calling to bring about Ragna Rok? How did the Visitor stay hidden on Earth for so long? And where did the legendary Sledgehammer armor really come from? These questions and more are answered in this new collection from the world of Hellboy! Three stories of instrumental side characters are explored in full, collected for the first time in a handsome hardcover perfect for any Hellboy fan’s library.

Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is joined by John Arcudi, Chris Roberson, Laurence Campbell, Christopher Mitten, Dave Stewart, and others to bring these hidden corners of the Mignolaverse to light.

Collects Rasputin: The Voice of the Dragon TPB; Sledgehammer 44 TPB; The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed TPB.

I love all these Mignolaverse omnibus editions, not just because of the great stories they tell but also the fantastic art. The sketches and concept art section at the end of every book is also a very welcomed bonus and really help me appreciate just how much prep work goes into the making of a finished comic. Recommended, and I intend to keep reviewing more of these titles as they come.

“Hellboy Universe – The Secret Histories” details :

– Dimensions – 6.91 x 1.28 x 10.46 inches
– Hard cover, 424 pages
– Full color, in English

Buy From Amazon CA | Amazon JP | Amazon UK | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon ES

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