Hellboy in Mexico (Or, A Drunken Blur) – Review

by Mike Mignola (writer), Richard Corben (art), Dave Stewart (colors), and Clem Robins

The Story: Hellboy teams up with a trio of luchadores to fight vampires in 1950s Mexico.

What’s Good: Believe me when I say that Mignola definitely delivers on the insanity of that hook I typed out above.  With all the big powers and heavy talk of destiny that’s been going on in Hellboy lately, it’s sort of satisfying to get a Hellboy issue that kicks back and brings the sort of “out there” nuttiness that’s always been at least a small part of the comic’s appeal.

For the most part, this is a rollicking good time.  Seeing Hellboy party and fight alongside a group of luchadores (who stay in costume at all times) is a blast and when he has a full-on match with a vampire luchador, it’s all kinds of fun.  It’s about as much fun as writing “vampire luchador.”

I also found Mignola’s dialogue between Hellboy and his new friend, Esteban, the youngest of the three luchadors, to be particularly amusing.  Mignola effectively uses the old trick of having two characters converse with each of them exclusively speaking a different language, yet oddly being able to understand each other perfectly.  When Esteban says that Hellboy is his best friend in Spanish, only for Hellboy to respond in kind in English, it’s a guaranteed grin for all by the most stone-hearted of readers.

Despite all the comedy, the ending of the issue is beautifully tragic and a sharp, surprising bit of poignancy after an issue of vampire-wrestling and vampire-slaying.  The fact that such a wacky issue could have such a sad, but honest, ending and still feel completely organic is proof of Mignola’s skill as a writer.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: X-Force #26 – this whole Second Coming arc is firing on all cylinders and I think Marvel’s got a classic on its hands if they can keep this level of control and discipline on the story.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #1 – What!? Like it could be anything else? Johns, Tomasi, and Reis are starting the new Green Lantern epic!

Other Top Picks: Batman and Robin #12, JSA All-Stars #6, Red Robin #12, Superman: War of the Supermen #1, Spider-Man: Fever #2, Uncanny X-Men #524.

Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Scalped #37 -A really fantastic issue and a perfect conclusion to what could’ve been just another filler arc.  Brave, gritty stuff all around, Scalped continues to be one of the best books around.

Most Anticipated: iZombie #1 – A new Vertigo ongoing is always something to check out and with Mike Allred behind the art that becomes doubly so.  My curiosity is piqued and I hope that Vertigo continues it’s current hot streak.

Other Picks: Hellboy in Mexico (Or, a Drunken Blur), Sweet Tooth #9, Brightest Day #1, Batman & Robin #12, Secret Six #21

Joe’s Top Picks

Best of the Week: X-Force #26 – Kyle and Yost back to form on the title they made a great read and the death of a major  X-character all wrapped up in beautiful artwork by Mike Choi and Sonia Oback?  ‘Nuff said.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #1 – The zero issue was a pleasant surprise and, well, hello?!  White ring to finish my collection?  Yes please.

Other picks: Uncanny X-Men #523, X-Men – Second Coming Revelations – Hellbound #1, Red Robin #12, Secret Six #21, Demo 2 #4, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1

Dean’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Incorruptible #5 – None of the “big” titles really blew my socks off last week and I smile because that allows Incorruptible #5 to steal the cheese.  This was the best issue yet of this series.  You should definitely be reading this and its sister title, Irredeemable.

Most Anticipated: Orc Stain #3 – The first two issues of this series from Image have been trippy, vulgar fun.  Can’t wait to see what happens in this issue!

Other Picks: I, Zombie #1, Uncanny X-Men #524, Amazing Spider-Man #630, Secret Six #21, Batman & Robin #12