Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Hellboy Buster Oakley Gets His WishHellboy: Buster Oakley Gets His Wish
Dark Horse Comics
Mignola & Nowlan

This issue was solicited as the most bizarre Hellboy story of the year. To be more accurate, this is arguably the most bizarre in the history of the character. The book is complete with devil worship, missing livestock, missing kids, aliens, robots, flying pigs, men with cow heads and UFOs. It is a very strange story but a terrific one and done comic book. This comic has a lot to like about it but I can see some folks being turned off by the nature of the odd story. It doesn't exactly feel like the kind of thing Hellboy would get into usually, but all in all it's a good book.

Hellboy happens to be in the neighborhood of a farmer in Kansas that seems to have his cows disappearing on him. Hellboy decides to take a look and gets dragged into a story where a kid is missing. The kid, presumably Buster Oakley, was last seen trying to contact the devil. Hellboy gets abducted in the process. What ensues is a battle with aliens, spiders and robots. I'm not kidding. Hellboy fights everything in this book. None of it seems to make a lot of sense but Hellboy doesn't like getting prodded like cattle so he hits back.

Without giving away a lot of the ending, Hellboy eventually gets himself out of the mess but it's not a full happy ending. The issue could be viewed as a throwaway mostly because it doesn't really bring anything new to the character or to the overall lore in his universe. On the other hand, this is a fun romp. It's the kind of story that anyone can pick up and enjoy. There are not a lot of comics that can provide that level of entertainment, especially with a high profile character, without requiring loads of continuity and back story.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe artwork is handled entirely by Nowlan. He does a good job of presenting a visual story that is packed with action and is loud and fun. His colors seem brighter which is a bit of a departure for a Hellboy comic book but it's nothing too crazy. Nowlan does make sure his Hellboy isn't just a copy of how Mignola draws him which is a good thing. Overall, the book is solid in the art department.

Hellboy one shots are generally the kind of books that are good to great no matter what the contents contain. The character just lends itself towards stories that can be set anywhere at any point in time and still be enjoyable. This one walks one of the oddest lines to date. If you are looking to dip you toe into the Hellboy universe then this should give you an entertaining read. For those that aren't thrilled with Hellboy interacting with aliens…well…this one might make you cringe. Either way it's a solid book.

4 out of 5 Geek Goggles