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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. That was pretty cool. I have the first Hellboy book with short stories, but I didn't know it was short stories, I thought it was just a story. When I listened to this audio book I understood and that's really cool. The idea that several authors can come together to write different stories involving the same characters is very similar to the concept of fan fiction. It gives an idea of what a group of people who like the original concept can do when they are sanctioned by the original author. It was interesting to see the way in which different authors portrayed the same characters. This idea is incredible. This made me really want to see all the other versions that might exist of stories created with the remarkable characters created by Mike Mignola. This is an excellent book. I will definitely read or listen to other books like these that already exist.
I don't like opening this way, but I found myself disappointed with this book. I should clarify that I think it is me and not the talent of the authors or the content of the short stories contained therein. Although, I am finding the skill of the Voice Actor reading the book can change, or at least sway, my feelings toward an audio title.
I really, really enjoyed Hellboy: The Bones of Giants. Which was highlighted by the voice talents of Wayne Mitchell. I loved the gruff he was able to add to Hellboy's voice. And I didn't even realize it until I heard Seth Podowitz' version. Not to say that Seth's Hellboy was bad because it wasn't. Wayne's just had that special touch that made the character come alive for me.
So, maybe this is a poor comparison or maybe I'm just not a big fan of anthologies, but I found I just wasn't gripped by these stories. And I wouldn't even begin to place all of that at the feet of the voice actor. So, in the end, I'm not entirely certain what it is that didn't really grip me like the last Hellboy story I read (heard), but it just didn't. There were still some really interesting Hellboy stories in there which is why I'm giving it 3 stars, but I thought some explanation was required as to the two star drop from the previous Hellboy title.
I really, really enjoyed Hellboy: The Bones of Giants. Which was highlighted by the voice talents of Wayne Mitchell. I loved the gruff he was able to add to Hellboy's voice. And I didn't even realize it until I heard Seth Podowitz' version. Not to say that Seth's Hellboy was bad because it wasn't. Wayne's just had that special touch that made the character come alive for me.
So, maybe this is a poor comparison or maybe I'm just not a big fan of anthologies, but I found I just wasn't gripped by these stories. And I wouldn't even begin to place all of that at the feet of the voice actor. So, in the end, I'm not entirely certain what it is that didn't really grip me like the last Hellboy story I read (heard), but it just didn't. There were still some really interesting Hellboy stories in there which is why I'm giving it 3 stars, but I thought some explanation was required as to the two star drop from the previous Hellboy title.
This was a fun collection of Hellboy mythos short stories that for the most part kept the old school horror feel of the comics. Usually when I read short story collections, there are usually several that I don't care for. I was pleasantly surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories presented.
Review - http://geekpronblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/review-hellboy-oddest-jobs.html
*Book source ~ Library
Anthology of 14 stories with the common theme of Hellboy and an introduction by Christopher Golden.
Ok, so every one of these stories is weird, some way more than others. Way, waaaay more. I’ve never seen a Hellboy movie (though we have them) or read the comics. This anthology is the first time I’ve read any Hellboy stories. I gotta say, Hellboy is fairly entertaining. I need to watch the movies and dig up more stories to read.
Jiving with Shadows and Dragons and Long, Black Trains by Joe R. Lansdale ~ Gross and yet enthralling. Probably my favorite.
Straight, No Chaser by Mark Chadbourn ~ Meh.
Second Honeymoon by John Skipp & Cody Goodfellow ~ Oooh, mythology. Nice touch.
Danny Boy by Ken Bruen ~ This author has an aversion to periods. The punctuation kind. I have no idea about the other kind.
Strange Fishing in the Western Highlands by Garth Nix ~ Really enjoyed this one.
Salamander Blues by Brian Keene ~ This reminds me of a Monster of the Week episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Thursday Men by Tad Williams ~ I like the sci-fi aspect. Another good one.
Produce by Amber Benson ~ This one just didn’t seem right. Too adult for the narrator. Meh.
Repossession by Barbara Hambly ~ Weird.
In Cupboards and Bookshelves by Gary A. Braunbeck ~ I didn’t really understand this one.
Feet of Sciron by Rhys Hughes ~ Weirder than weird.
Monster Boy by Stephen Volk ~ Sorta reminds me of Ralphie in A Christmas Story.
Evolution and Hellhole Canyon by Don Winslow ~ Hellboy’s work is never glamorous.
A Room of One’s Own by China Miéville ~ Totally bizarre. And I didn’t really get it.
Anthology of 14 stories with the common theme of Hellboy and an introduction by Christopher Golden.
Ok, so every one of these stories is weird, some way more than others. Way, waaaay more. I’ve never seen a Hellboy movie (though we have them) or read the comics. This anthology is the first time I’ve read any Hellboy stories. I gotta say, Hellboy is fairly entertaining. I need to watch the movies and dig up more stories to read.
Jiving with Shadows and Dragons and Long, Black Trains by Joe R. Lansdale ~ Gross and yet enthralling. Probably my favorite.
Straight, No Chaser by Mark Chadbourn ~ Meh.
Second Honeymoon by John Skipp & Cody Goodfellow ~ Oooh, mythology. Nice touch.
Danny Boy by Ken Bruen ~ This author has an aversion to periods. The punctuation kind. I have no idea about the other kind.
Strange Fishing in the Western Highlands by Garth Nix ~ Really enjoyed this one.
Salamander Blues by Brian Keene ~ This reminds me of a Monster of the Week episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Thursday Men by Tad Williams ~ I like the sci-fi aspect. Another good one.
Produce by Amber Benson ~ This one just didn’t seem right. Too adult for the narrator. Meh.
Repossession by Barbara Hambly ~ Weird.
In Cupboards and Bookshelves by Gary A. Braunbeck ~ I didn’t really understand this one.
Feet of Sciron by Rhys Hughes ~ Weirder than weird.
Monster Boy by Stephen Volk ~ Sorta reminds me of Ralphie in A Christmas Story.
Evolution and Hellhole Canyon by Don Winslow ~ Hellboy’s work is never glamorous.
A Room of One’s Own by China Miéville ~ Totally bizarre. And I didn’t really get it.
Usually confined to graphic storytelling, it was interesting to read Hellboy stories in prose. While there is a Mike Mignola graphic at the beginning of each story (in a manner similar to Baltimore and other collaborations between Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola), the stories rely on the skills of a wide variety of writers. I liked the variety here. While not all of the stories hit one out of the park for me, I think at least some stories of this collection will appeal to any reader or Hellboy fan.
A little uneven, like all short story collections, but if you like Hellboy, you will like this. Up points include revamping of old myths and the "Delivery" story, and down points include the scarecrow story and one author who made Hellboy's internal dialogue inconsistently uppercrusty for such a blue (or red) collar character. Still worth a read.