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Writers: Mike Mignola and Rob Williams Penciller: Laurence Campbell / Colour Artist: Quinton Winter / Letterer: Clem Robins / Collects: Sword of Hyperborea #1 - #4 / HC / Dark Horse Comics
5th August 2022 (Released 31st August 2022)
The Pitch: From the ancient warrior Gall Dennar, to Sir Edward Grey, to the B.P.R.D.'s Agent Howards, the iconic Hyperborean sword from the world of Hellboy has landed in many influential hands. And this has been no accident. Trace the sword's path through the adventures and encounters that finally brought it to Ragna Rok, at the end of the world, and witness the sword's journey through history.
Side stories in big universes can often be hit or miss. Filling in gaps in the history of the universe as a whole, helping a series stay cohesive and interconnected. They can also contradict and damage the wellspring they come from. Is Hellboy and The B.P.R.D. A universe that risks this? It seems content in rooting around the basement and attic for past lives to tell tale tales about. Not that there's anything wrong there. What an attic and basement they are. Big mythologies require big world-building, even for their magical objects. That said, would you want to watch Purple Lightsaber: The Movie? No, me neither. But I love Hellboy and I'm pretty sure now that Rob Williams can turn his hand to anything, so onward we press.
There is a jumpy feel to this, initiated by the episodic structure of the issues. Because we've already seen what the Sword can do, we feel somewhat at a loss here. So, wisely, Big Mike and Williams focus on the lives the sword has touched rather than the damage it does. It's the quest for it that ruins and kills, not the sword itself. It's a beautiful mirror to the old trope - "The power was within you the whole time." Sure. And so is the destructive avarice and darkness that can bring about the end, too. Characters are here to give witness to evil walking the Earth, with the footsteps of great creatures leaving their footprint in time. We're thrust back to the early days of Gall Dannar and his long sleep.
Original art by Laurence Campbell
Here we begin to track the sword through time and through a cast of characters, including Sir Edward Grey (easily one of the best creations in fantasy/horror fiction right now) and the sinister, weird Helioptic Brotherhood of Ra. This allows Williams to craft a script full of espionage and agenda. It also means Campbell gets to flex his considerable muscles in creating atmosphere and mood. It has to be one of the better-looking books out there right now and there's already a sense of longing building because no matter how much Campbell I get, I never get enough. He creates a smoky, dense vision. A world cloaked in cloud and darkness. It's gorgeous.
Williams' writing is as wonderfully evocative as Campbell's art, making them a great pairing. His story is the characters and vice versa. Within the pages of the book, they find destiny, a calling and deep resonating darkness. Despite my earlier comments, one cannot deny the power of magical totems well used. Objects carry memory and we could easily be looking at the Sword's recall of its own existence as each wielder imprints something new upon it. He even gives us a brief glimpse into the sword's future, or perhaps its dream and ambition for what’s to come.
Original art by Laurence Campbell
Campbell's art communicates the horror the characters feel, not just at the things they witness but the things they're asked to do. Deals with the devil, or perhaps demons and Gods, are all part of the Sword's journey. Quinton Winter's colours add a nice sheen and sense of eerie light to Campbell's pencils and inks. Clem Robins creates a sound to match the vision in his letters. The character’s voices are full of awe and fear, something that should be shared by the reader. It's certainly resonating that way with me.
The Sword of Hyperborea HC is released on 31st August 2022 at your local comic book shop. Don't want to wait? Purchase the original issues here!