'Hellboy and the BPRD: The Return of Effie Kolb' Preview: 'The Crooked Man' sequel reintroduces the witch
The legendary Mike Mignola is ready to drop a brand new miniseries starring the iconic Hellboy, Right Hand of Doom and Mignola's greatest creation. Dark Horse Comics' 'Hellboy and the BPRD: The Return of Effie Kolb' is a new two-issue miniseries that will serve as a sequel to Mignola's 2008 series 'The Crooked Man', one of the most twisted stories to feature the big red monster-hunting demon.
As the name suggests, the new series will deal with the return of the witch Effie Kolb, who was turned into a horse the last time we saw her at the end of 'The Crooked Man'. The series is penciled by Zach Howard, a relative newcomer to the world of 'Hellboy'.
"There was a production break during the 3rd issue of 'The Cape: Fallen' and I took a rare commission that ended up being a Hellboy piece," Howard told the Horror News Network. "I posted the inks when finished, and shortly thereafter Mignola contacted me about doing a book with him. Seeing how my first paid professional work in this industry was a little five-pager in The Hellboy Resource Manual, it seemed prudent to have my final freelance comic book revisit Mignola’s brilliant character. When I was drawing the original gig back in 2002, I knew that I stank and could only hope that one day I could get another crack at the big red guy. Fast-forward to now and voila. Except I’m bringing the s***-hose with me this time."
Here's the official solicitation for the upcoming first issue: "Years after he banished the Crooked Man, Hellboy returns to Appalachia when a young psychic warns Tom Ferrell of looming danger. But the Crooked Man's house is no longer empty, and threats both new and old simmer in the Virginia woods."
It goes on: "Mike Mignola returns to continue the tale of 'The Crooked Man'. He's joined by artist Zach Howard and colorist Dave Stewart for a stellar fright fest!"
'Hellboy and the BPRD: The Return of Effie Kolb' #1 will be released on February 19.