otherwyrld's review
4.0
This is a charming graphic novel set in 1948 when Hellboy is still just a child. After running away from home, he runs into a mysterious circus, one which clearly knows who he is and has an ulterior motive for trying to lure him in. Of course, he escapes from their clutches and runs back to the safety of his adopted father and the B.P.R.D.
There are clear influences of both Something Wicked This Way Comes with the circus, and Pinocchio with Hellboy himself cast in the role of the puppet who wants to be a real boy (including a great dream sequence set inside the whale that swallows Pinocchio). In some respects Hellboy is a classic Pinocchio figure, but in this series we at least get to see what he is like when he grows up, whereas we never see Pinocchio as an adult. (The Adult Adventures of Pinocchio sounds like a porn movie!).
A nice introduction to Hellboy, but probably more like 3 1/2 stars
There are clear influences of both Something Wicked This Way Comes with the circus, and Pinocchio with Hellboy himself cast in the role of the puppet who wants to be a real boy (including a great dream sequence set inside the whale that swallows Pinocchio). In some respects Hellboy is a classic Pinocchio figure, but in this series we at least get to see what he is like when he grows up, whereas we never see Pinocchio as an adult. (The Adult Adventures of Pinocchio sounds like a porn movie!).
A nice introduction to Hellboy, but probably more like 3 1/2 stars
bloodravenlib's review
4.0
Actually, I gave it 4.5 out of 5, but we all GoodReads and fractions don't play nice together.
Visit my blog, The Itinerant Librarian to read my review. Just click (or copy and paste in your browswer) the link:
http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/10/booknote-hellboy-midnight-circus.html
Visit my blog, The Itinerant Librarian to read my review. Just click (or copy and paste in your browswer) the link:
http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/10/booknote-hellboy-midnight-circus.html
2kimi2furious's review
5.0
Loved the visuals. A circus from Hell is basically everything I want to read about.
I'm rating it four stars because it was a little short. A lot of the Hellboy trades seem to be longer than this and not much happens. I just felt like the story could have been fleshed out a little more, especially in regards to the Pinocchio references. I felt like Hellboy could have done more at the circus than just sort of wander around and be scared. If they were going to make a reference to how evil he could turn out to be, I would have liked to see more of him actually doing something rather than just be a good guy the whole time.
But maybe this is just because I wanted to see more of the circus itself.
In any case, I'm glad I bought it and read it. Just wish it was a little longer.
I'm rating it four stars because it was a little short. A lot of the Hellboy trades seem to be longer than this and not much happens. I just felt like the story could have been fleshed out a little more, especially in regards to the Pinocchio references. I felt like Hellboy could have done more at the circus than just sort of wander around and be scared. If they were going to make a reference to how evil he could turn out to be, I would have liked to see more of him actually doing something rather than just be a good guy the whole time.
But maybe this is just because I wanted to see more of the circus itself.
In any case, I'm glad I bought it and read it. Just wish it was a little longer.
blackestclovers's review
5.0
Fantastic book from page one. Story and art perfectly blended together. This is a story that the fans wanted. Must read for new and old Hellboy fans alike.
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
In this story, young Hellboy has run away from the B.R.P.D. and finds himself at the circus. But this is no ordinary circus and thighs are not all fun and games.
This was a great story. I loved that this focuses on Hellboy as a kid because his childhood is still a bit of a mystery. His adventure at the circus was fascinating and shows enemies he doesn’t even know about, or understand yet. This story was just a great glimpse at a young boy who is still sheltered and naive. I really wish there were more stories of Hellboy’s childhood because I want to see how he learned about all the creatures and became the grump that he is.
I enjoyed Duncan Fegredo’s art style. His young Hellboy was cute and I loved how he hadn't grown into his body yet.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
In this story, young Hellboy has run away from the B.R.P.D. and finds himself at the circus. But this is no ordinary circus and thighs are not all fun and games.
This was a great story. I loved that this focuses on Hellboy as a kid because his childhood is still a bit of a mystery. His adventure at the circus was fascinating and shows enemies he doesn’t even know about, or understand yet. This story was just a great glimpse at a young boy who is still sheltered and naive. I really wish there were more stories of Hellboy’s childhood because I want to see how he learned about all the creatures and became the grump that he is.
I enjoyed Duncan Fegredo’s art style. His young Hellboy was cute and I loved how he hadn't grown into his body yet.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
ldyliberty's review
Short but interesting story of baby Hellboy sneaking out to smoke cigarettes, and getting lured in by a demonic circus. I got a kick out of the Very Serious demon lord trying to talk Hellboy over to the dark side, and having all his subtle lessons about being true to ones (demonic) nature going right over Hellboy's head.
crowyhead's review
4.0
Young Hellboy runs away from home and ends up encountering a phantasmagorical circus, part "Something Wicked This Way Comes," part "Pinocchio." The artwork here is magnificently gorgeous. The story's a little slim, but this was really enjoyable nonetheless.
kevingentilcore's review
5.0
I wonder if they could make a bad Hellboy book if they tried. Simply beautiful.