Koshchei The Deathless #1
Written by Mike Mignola
Art by Ben Stenbeck
Colors by Dave Stewart
Cover by Mike Mignola
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: January 3, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

In a time where the entire world’s information is available at our fingertips, it’s comforting to know that Hellboy will sit around with his enemies and chat. Origin stories can be difficult to incorporate, especially when it’s a character that is not as prevalent as others might be. Thanks to creators Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck, we get a deep dive into the life and times of an immortal killer in Koshchei The Deathless #1.

If ever there was someone who had a string of bad days, it is definitely this guy. As his tale begins to unwind, we watch as fate turns against him, causing him to make extremely poor decisions. But if your life was on the line, would you choose differently? As he speaks of hate, jealousy, and betrayal, you might find your disposition softening and maybe even a bit of compassion for the poor creature he has become.

Now, I will not say he is innocent in all of it, not even close. But circumstances often dictate response and the story specifically shows what drove him to this point. This first issue sets up the fireside chat in Hell between our big red buddy, Hellboy, and the man Baba Yaga sent to kill him, Koshchei The Deathless. It is an engrossing read, to say the least, and I hope you enjoy this premiere issue as much as I did. What a great way to start off the new year!

Hellboy’s immortal foe!

Sent to kill Hellboy by the Baba Yaga in Darkness Calls, Koshchei the Deathless hinted at a long and tragic life before being enslaved to the Russian witch. Now Koshchei relives every horrible act on his road to immortality and beyond, with none other than Hellboy himself–in Hell.

Mignola returns to Hell and to the bizarre folklore that’s filled some of his greatest books, reuniting with one of his favorite collaborators, Ben Stenbeck (Frankenstein Underground, Witchfinder: In The Service of Angels, Baltimore).