Lethal Weapon
Hellboy mythology is explored in spin-off The Sword Of Hyperborea
AFTER THE GHOSTLY GANGSTERS OF their AWA Studios series Old Haunts, Rob Williams and Laurence Campbell are now exploring the occult history of the Hellboy universe in The Sword Of Hyperborea. Co-written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, the four-parter charts the supernatural weapon’s journey through the centuries.
“We’ve previously seen the sword in the hands of [prehistoric warrior] Gall Dennar at the end of the Hyperborean Age. Then we saw BPRD agent Ted Howards pick it up in a Chicago temple and sort of take on Gall Dennar’s memories and use the sword in the battle against the Ogdru Hem at the end of the world,” explains Williams. “It’s a sword that Gall’s grandfather found in an abandoned Hyperborean city, and it does seem to have some kind of magical properties. What, exactly, you’ll have to read the series to discover.”
“The sword gives us the opportunity to explore new and old areas of the world of Hellboy,” adds Campbell. “As an artist, it’s great to explore and touch on so many different eras. Doing the research was fun, and there’s a slightly pulp feel to some of the stories.”
With Williams confirming that “there’s an appearance from one of the Hellboy regulars,” each issue focuses on a different wielder of the spooky blade. “Within the confines of the Mignolaverse, we’re able to see different ages, different gods, and even a new race of creatures we’ve never seen in Hellboy’s world before,” he says. “Some of the characters might have a life beyond this particular run. It’s sort of skipping around existing Mignola mythology and offering new possibilities for the past and future.” SJ
The Sword Of Hyperborea #1 is out on 12 January.