About book Hellboy: On Earth As It Is In Hell (2005)
When I really love an author I will go and read everything that author has written (or attempt to), usually becoming so overwhelmed with his or her work that I get sick of it and cannot read it again for many years (Robert Jordan, Anne Rice, Jim Butcher, Kinky Friedman have all suffered this fate with me). But sadly Brian Hodge sort of dropped out of sight in mid obsession. While I've read probably 89% of what he's done there's a few out there that still elude me.I have always loved him and I'm not sure if it's the absence that has made my heart grow fonder or if this was his best work. I tried to get my husband to read him and he read maybe three novels until one novel ended in a way he did not like and that pretty much ruined any other Hodge book for him. When I told him I was reading this one the first words out of his mouth were "Will it end with Hellboy jumping in a lake?!", so I guess he's still holding a grudge.As someone who is not a slave to the comics, I loved it. That being said I cannot tell you how true it was or was not to Mike Mignola's original series, though it follows quite well with anything I've seen on film and stands up brilliantly on its own.And really, if you know anything about the characters, who doesn't want to see Liz go up against the Seraphim?!It was a great book and I'm sad it's over because it means Brian has exited my life once more.
This Hellboy novel delved pretty deep into theology and came across as a great read. Basically a scroll is found that is supposed to have been written by Jesus himself. The problem? It would have been written well after the time of his "death." Several different forces are trying to possess the scroll for various reasons, and Hellboy and the BPRD must be sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. There are also some pretty scary angels involved in the hunt. Think The Davinci Code, but more supernatural and with Hellboy involved. I will warn you it's a dark tale.Overall, one of the better Hellboy stories Ive read. Hellboy fans will love it, and honestly, this may even appeal to fans who haven't read Hellboy.
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Angels have attacked the Vatican to destroy a controversial manuscript, and that's just for openers!Brian Hodge takes a stab at the world of Hellboy and the BPRD and does it exceptionally well. The characters ring true, which for me is the first thing I look for in a story written by someone other than the creator. These still feel like Mignola's characters, so I can jump right into the story.And what a story! Angels and demons after an ancient scroll, and the BPRD is right in the middle. There were elements of this one that didn't seem to fit right away, but they eventually pay off (but I was so interested in other parts that I forgot about some of them until the resolution).This is what Hellboy does best, a blend of religion, folklore, and ancient occult in the modern world. Good stuff.
—William Redd
