Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil: Seed of Destruction / Wake the Devil (Hellboy (Dark Horse Library))

Book bleeds quality, great for the price, art jumps out the page - great way to start the hellboy series.

Like many, I was introduced to Hellboy by way of Guillermo del Toro's fabulous films. I've watched them many times and often considered dipping into the comics. When I finally decided to take the plunge, I went top-shelf and got the Library Edition.The most obvious first impression is its size, which is far larger than a standard comic trade. Granted, Hellboy contains the equivalent of two trades, but the most impressive dimensions here are the height and width of the book; which, of course, translates to the page size as well. And this is a good thing for the art. It's for this larger size and better presentation of the art that I selected the Library Edition. The panels are huge and the colours are brilliant ... the art pops off the page very nicely. And due to the larger page-size, I don't find myself needing to bend over the book to see everything or to be able to read each and every word. It's a very relaxing read.I'm no expert on paper selection, but the pages here are made of a high-gloss, thick stock; the stock is of the sort you'd expect to see in something like a high-quality Broadway programme or perhaps poster stock. It's almost like a thin card stock.This, of course, adds physical depth/thickness and weight to the book, which some may find off-putting. I wouldn't want to hold this in a one hand for several minutes, but it sits very comfortably on my lap.There's little point in covering the story content in great detail at this stage. Hellboy is no secret, and you generally know what you're getting into. You'll either like it or you won't. But it's worth noting that this particular volume contains "Seeds of Destruction". This is the first Hellboy story, on which the first Hellboy film was loosely based (along with bits and pieces from other stories). Reading the story now as Mignola originally wrote it, and seeing the film again makes me see very clearly the appreciation that del Toro had for the original work. He didn't do a Zack Snyder and try to translate the book panel-by-panel to the big screen. Instead, he took the original story seeds (pun intended) and gave them a substance all his own...while at the same time keeping true to the overall flavour of Mignola's original. This makes the final result of the film all the more impressive.It is also worth mentioning that there are around 33 pages of "bonus content" at the rear of the book in the way of Mike Mignola's sketchbook and some 2-page short stories which really got Hellboy started. these are a nice addition which you supposedly won't find in the standard trades.Highly recomended.

I have known Hellboy via the B&W previews in the Dark Horse Presents comic book. It was a shock but no more. I have followed the career of Mignola because I really love his art. But for Hellboy, not so much.Then came the movies. Then came the B.P.R.D. comic books. True hits in my face!!But quid of Hellboy?? How to start reading his stories?? The SC trades were and still are diificult to find for some.And Dark Horse, Blessed His Glorious Name (by Grud!!), released the Library Edition.OK, the books are not cheap. But what you have in your hands is the excellency of the highest qualities you can find in printed HC graphic novels.Over-sized book, strong paper, sewn booklets binding, highest printing and colours processes, a book design at its best. Frankly, you must not by pass this edition if you are a Mignola's fan and/or an Hellboy's fan. No way!!!What's the best in this already the best of the best (the DC's Abolute are a level below despite their slipcase!!): complete reprint of numerous SC trades and in their best colours. Ton of extras, delightful little draws along the book. You really have a book well worth its price. It's not a bargain book sold at an expensive price. It's an excellent book sold at a bargain price.My only advice (or two!!): buy it!!! (and the other ones too!!!)They will marvelously fill your shelf with the big B.P.R.D. Plague of Frogs HC omnibuses.(be sure that your shelf can handle the heavy weight!!!)Hellboy rocks!!!

What's not to like about Hellboy and we all know these rich stories, but nothing can prepare you for sheer beauty of them in these amazingly crafted books.

This is how you do a library version! The binding is incredible, the book itself is huge and looks great on my shelf. The pages are thick and the spine of the book is made in such a way that you can easily read it without bending the paper.As for the comic itself - the art is unique and I've heard some describe it as too stylized. It's definitely weird looking but I think that reflects the strange story and universe of the material. The stories are interesting and the characters are cool, this book definitely got me hooked.This is by far the best hardback comic collection I've ever seen.

The book itself is pretty huge, no paperback to flip through. Better suited to a patient read with a coffee, it’s a fantastic way to go through the story, lovely detailing on the hardback. Tons of extra art in the back too.

Hi. I won't focus on the stories (try wikipedia for that). The stories are the same here or in the TPB's. What this edition is all about is quality. In the presentation of the artwork (this is almost double the size of a standard comic book page). In the quality of the paper (most covers aren't as good as the page paper in here). In the quantity of extras included. The binding. Even the cover is special (ok, you might not like it, and it's a dust magnet, for sure, but it is special). Certainly it's not cheap, but for what you get, this is excelent value for money. It's just gorgeous to look at!!

Never been a fan of the hellboy films, but I do love the comics. Hellboy is a interesting character. This book covers everything from mythology, history, religion, horror.The deluxe edition is definitely worth the purchase. The cover has such a nice feeling to it. Dark horse put the best hardcovers in comics and then image.