Mike Mignola Praises ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ Amidst Mixed Reviews

At the recent San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Mike Mignola, the creator of the ‘Hellboy’ comic series, expressed his admiration for the latest film adaptation, ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man.’ The film, the second reboot in the series, has stirred mixed reactions among critics and audiences, but Mignola himself is notably pleased with the adaptation’s fidelity to the source material.

Mignola, who co-wrote the screenplay, highlighted the film’s loyalty to the original comics, noting that many scenes are direct recreations of his work. He was particularly impressed by a scene set in a church, a tender moment he feared might be overshadowed by special effects or cut entirely. Instead, he found that the filmmakers had preserved this and other key scenes, maintaining the essence of the comics he holds dear.

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Reflecting on past adaptations, Mignola acknowledged his fondness for Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Hellboy’ films from 2004 and 2008 but felt they didn’t quite capture the essence of his comics. He was not involved in the 2019 reboot directed by Neil Marshall and similarly felt it fell short. In contrast, Mignola believes ‘The Crooked Man’ is the most faithful adaptation to date, genuinely reflecting the spirit and detail of his beloved comic series.

Director Brian Taylor, also present at the Comic-Con, echoed Mignola’s sentiments, explaining that his film aimed to stay true to the comics rather than draw from previous adaptations. Taylor described his vision for ‘The Crooked Man’ as a “genre-defining folk horror,” striving to create a Hellboy film that mirrors the comic books’ unique atmosphere and storytelling.

Taylor shared that this adaptation marks the first time Mignola felt his work was properly translated to the screen, noting that even Mignola was thrilled to see his vision come to life in such an authentic way. ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ stars Jack Kesy as Hellboy, with Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, and Joseph Marcell among the supporting cast. The film is produced by Millennium Films and is set for release by Ketchup Entertainment.