It feels a bit strange, writing a review of Hellboy Winter Special 2019 when it is 72 degrees outside, but that’s Texas for you, make no mistake. Putting the hell in Hellboy, in my opinion. But, be that as it may, this is one amazing one-shot comic. In true Dark Horse fashion, everything is a bit darker and twisted than what most other comic companies produce. And that, my friends, is why I love almost everything they produce!
The only question I have is… why hasn’t Joss Whedon received every award that has ever existed in the history of awards? Saturday, he delivered his yearly sermon in Hall H (he skipped last year) AND won the Comic-Con Icon Award (the 9th of its kind). He likes to give his fans what they want – a chance to listen to him speak in that genius voice, and to ask questions about anything and everything, which he is only too happy to answer. But the most important question of the night was:
The classic slayer wit and charm returns in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Library Edition, Volume 1. After an epic, yet fairly disappointing story-arc in season 8, Joss Whedon, Andrew Chambliss, Georges Jeanty, and a small group of other talented writers and artists have recaptured the allure and excitement that made Buffy, well…Buffy!
Season 9 has been available for a while now — with season 10 already in the middle of its run — but if you haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, the Library Edition, Volume 1 is the perfect place to start. Collecting the first and second volumes of the ninth season, as well as a couple of one-shots, there is a plethora of scoobie mischief to take a stab at all at once.
Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword, Volume 1 Written by Paul Tobin, Scott Allie, Mark Finn, Marc Andreyko, Joe Casey, Robert E. Howard, Jeremy Barlow, David Lapham, Joshua Williamson, Dave Land, Peter Doree
Art/Illustrations/Pencils/Inks/Colors by Wellington Alves, Ben Dewey, Greg Scott, Pop Mhan, Tony Parker, Fabio Cobiaco, Patric Reynolds, M.S. Corley, Sean Phillips, Tim Bradstreet, Tim Seeley, Robert Atkins, Rebecca Buchman, Michael Atiyeh, Dave Stewart, Grant Goleash, Michelle Madsen, Jose Villarrubia, Brian Miller, Hi-Fi Colour Design, Dan Jackson
Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: January 9, 2013
Cover Price: $17.99
Okay, first off, the individuals listed above were done so in the order in which their stories were placed in the anthology, subdivided by the type of work they contributed. No offense was implied towards any person who might have been placed incorrectly in this review. There, I’ve been about as politically correct as I can be. All characters are based upon the work of Robert E. Howard. This is, after all, Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword, Volume 1.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press