Hellboy in Hell: The Death Card

Mignola has been drawing the adventures of his signature character, a gruff but good-hearted demon raised by humans, for more than 20 years. Along the way, Hellboy has been adapted into animated series, video games, and two feature films. The acclaimed saga comes to an end with this story arc in which Hellboy dies and returns to his infernal birthplace, where he continues his work of punching out supernatural baddies. Even longtime readers may have trouble following the narrative, which wanders through the geography of hell and encounters with foes new and old. But occasional murkiness barely diminishes the heady atmosphere of the Hellboy world, an idiosyncratic mix of classical mythology, Lovecraftian horror, punch-’em-up pulp fiction, and an affection for all things weird. Above all, there’s Mignola’s glorious art, some of the best in American comics, all bold, looming shapes and audacious chiaroscuro. Ideally, you will have read all of Mignola’s Hellboy books and finish on this one. But do read it regardless. (Oct.)