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Reviews
Baltimore, Vol. 2: The Curse Bells by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, Dave Stewart, Ben Stenbeck
jonhutchings's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
quetzelish's review
5.0
Significantly creepier and much better paced than vol 1, the curse bells feels more coherent and engaging. Baltimore's story feel more fleshed out and all together this is just a much better story than the first volume. The art work is the same only it captures the shadows and faces in a more emotional and interesting way. Plus the vampire nuns are wonderful characters, unsettling and thought provoking. All in all, the creative team seems to have grasped the story of Baltimore much better this time around.
ollie_lee's review
3.0
The second installment to the Baltimore graphic novels. Baltimore is hunting the vampire that took his leg in battle and started the plague that is spreading through Europe. He comes to a town that has been over run by a magician who is trying to control the minds of the people through cursed bells in a church where the nuns have been turned to vampires. He has to put his mission on hold even though the vampire he hunts is at his finger tips. Great art and disturbing writing.
adam_nie's review
3.25
Still not 100% on this series. Just one edgelord after another hatching their little schemes, protagonists included. I like an ill-conceived scheme as well as anyone, but it's not always clear whether the authors see the flaws.
Specifically,how are you gonna conquer Europe with the brainwashed population of a small city in Switzerland? That's not that many people.
Nevertheless, this is a fun monster of the week comic. If you like old-timey action horror you'll probably enjoy it.
Specifically,
Nevertheless, this is a fun monster of the week comic. If you like old-timey action horror you'll probably enjoy it.
calistareads's review
4.0
Vampires, zombies and madness, oh my!
I enjoyed this story. Lord Baltimore is mad, no doubt, but don’t mess with him. He is one deadly dude. He is still hunting his Vampire that killed his wife and here he gets close. We see that anyone that comes into contact with him is doomed, still. There is some insane inquisition dude following Baltimore and he is evil, my gosh.
Lord Baltimore finds a monastery full of nuns that have been turned into Vampires and he must stop what’s going on inside. He charges right into this nest. The dude is crazy.
It’s gruesome and dark and yet it’s not too much for me. I’m enjoying this story. This was better than the 1st volume. I look forward to Vol. 3.
I enjoyed this story. Lord Baltimore is mad, no doubt, but don’t mess with him. He is one deadly dude. He is still hunting his Vampire that killed his wife and here he gets close. We see that anyone that comes into contact with him is doomed, still. There is some insane inquisition dude following Baltimore and he is evil, my gosh.
Lord Baltimore finds a monastery full of nuns that have been turned into Vampires and he must stop what’s going on inside. He charges right into this nest. The dude is crazy.
It’s gruesome and dark and yet it’s not too much for me. I’m enjoying this story. This was better than the 1st volume. I look forward to Vol. 3.
peyjturner's review
3.0
More of the same. Interesting take on the inquisitor thing though. Lots of blood, lots of moral grey (gray?) areas.
kattbiff's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
Note: I receieved a free copy via Netgalley.
Baltimore: the Curse of the Bells.
I’ve never read Hellboy. I read, a long time ago, Rocket Raccoon which was the absolutely wonderful min-comic series when I was kid. When I picked up the Baltimore book, I was happy to see the connection. Mignola, Golden, and crew have an ability to weave truly gothic tales and refer to great works of literature. It’s wonderful. And this is coming from a reader who was turned off comics and graphic novels for the longest time.
This story is part homage to Poe as well as bringing to mind Ann Radcliffe and Lewis’ The Monk. It also is a more modern version of the old Hammer House of Horror movies.
On a quest to kill a vampire, Baltimore finds himself surrounding by fallen nuns and working with an American reporter. What the pair uncovers is a plot to seize control of people’s minds and a reference to another historical event that to reveal will be a spoiler. The story combines the best of speculative fiction, gothic mood, creepiness, and humanity that the best novels do. This is, in part, because the story challenges the reader, not just the current romantic view of vampires, but also with what constitutes humanity, holiness, and rightness. It’s good when a work does this and it what makes these stories worth reading.
That and all those references.
It isn’t all dark. There are some dark and funny moments, in much of tradition of a dark comedy.
Baltimore: the Curse of the Bells.
I’ve never read Hellboy. I read, a long time ago, Rocket Raccoon which was the absolutely wonderful min-comic series when I was kid. When I picked up the Baltimore book, I was happy to see the connection. Mignola, Golden, and crew have an ability to weave truly gothic tales and refer to great works of literature. It’s wonderful. And this is coming from a reader who was turned off comics and graphic novels for the longest time.
This story is part homage to Poe as well as bringing to mind Ann Radcliffe and Lewis’ The Monk. It also is a more modern version of the old Hammer House of Horror movies.
On a quest to kill a vampire, Baltimore finds himself surrounding by fallen nuns and working with an American reporter. What the pair uncovers is a plot to seize control of people’s minds and a reference to another historical event that to reveal will be a spoiler. The story combines the best of speculative fiction, gothic mood, creepiness, and humanity that the best novels do. This is, in part, because the story challenges the reader, not just the current romantic view of vampires, but also with what constitutes humanity, holiness, and rightness. It’s good when a work does this and it what makes these stories worth reading.
That and all those references.
It isn’t all dark. There are some dark and funny moments, in much of tradition of a dark comedy.
jlsigman's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Gore, and Body horror
mzjai117's review
3.0
I'm enjoying this series. The hero, Lord Baltimore is continuing on his journey to find Haigus, and avenge his family. But he has several obstacles in his way...for one the Inquisitor. I think he's really one of the villains in the story. Of course religion plays a huge part in it and even in the story I'm pissed that this man is using religion and god against people. I won't go on a rant but I seriously don't like this character and I hope eventually Baltimore deals with him.
On a good note I like that the story is suspenseful and is keeping me interested to see what will happen next.
On a good note I like that the story is suspenseful and is keeping me interested to see what will happen next.