Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land – Adventures Begin
I've been slowly working my way through the Hellboy universe, and one thing I've really come to appreciate is that not every story needs to be about saving the world. Sometimes it's enough to throw a young Hellboy into an unexplored corner of the globe, surround him with monsters, and let the adventure unfold.
The Hidden Land does exactly that. A Classic Adventure Story
Set during Hellboy's younger years, this four-issue miniseries feels like an old-school pulp adventure. A plane crash strands Hellboy and Professor Bruttenholm on a mysterious island that refuses to give up its secrets. Hidden civilizations, forgotten gods, vampires, ancient ruins, and monsters seem to lurk behind every tree. It's impossible not to smile while reading it.
Rather than rushing from one fight to the next, the story takes its time exploring the island and its mythology. Every issue uncovers another layer of mystery, making the island itself feel like one of the book's main characters. Young Hellboy is a Joy! One of my favourite parts of this series is seeing Hellboy before he becomes the legendary paranormal investigator we all know. He's still learning. He's curious, impulsive, and constantly looking to Professor Bruttenholm for guidance. Their father-and-son relationship sits at the heart of the story, giving the action real emotional weight. You can already see the hero Hellboy will eventually become, but he's still got plenty of growing to do.
It's a refreshing change of pace.
Scarlett Steals the Show
The introduction of Scarlett Santiago, the Sky Devil, is another highlight. She's adventurous, fearless, and instantly feels like she belongs in the Hellboy universe. Rather than overshadowing Hellboy, she complements him perfectly, bringing that classic explorer energy to the story while helping expand the world beyond the Bureau. I genuinely hope we see more of her.
Gorgeous Adventure
Craig Rousseau's artwork captures exactly what this series needs. The monsters are imaginative without becoming overwhelming, the jungle feels alive, and the action is easy to follow. There's a warmth and charm to the art that suits Young Hellboy perfectly, making the book feel adventurous rather than oppressive. Even when vampires and ancient gods arrive, the comic never loses that sense of wonder.
Final Thoughts
I had a fantastic time with Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land. It captures everything I enjoy about Hellboy without relying on massive world-ending stakes. Instead, it embraces mystery, folklore, exploration, and old-fashioned adventure. More than anything, it reminded me why I love this universe so much. Every new location feels like it has centuries of untold history waiting to be discovered. And if I'm being completely honest...I'm finding myself borrowing more and more from Hellboy's style of storytelling for my own Sector 102 projects. The folklore, the ancient mysteries, the forgotten places hiding impossible secrets, it all feels incredibly inspiring, especially for the unexplored Spillways and beyond.
This was simply a fun adventure from beginning to end.
