Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden return to Hellboy’s greatest romance in a new two-issue comic event, Hellboy in Love: The Art of Fire. Drawn and colored by artist Alex Nieto in his Hellboy Universe debut and lettered by Clem Robins, the new story “will follow Hellboy and archeologist Anastasia Bransfield on an unforgettable journey to Iceland.” Ahead of the first issue’s release on August 6th, I caught up with Alex Nieto to learn about his experience on Hellboy’s latest adventure. We also have a 5-page preview you can read right now!
What role did Hellboy and the work of Mike Mignola play in your love of comic books and comic book art over the years?
Alex Nieto: A friend showed me a Hellboy comic when we were in college, and I was fascinated by Mignola’s drawing style. It was definitely one of the main reasons I wanted to draw comics. At first, his style heavily influenced my linework, but over time, I think I’ve shifted to a more conceptual influence than a purely drawing one.
How did your collaboration with Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden on Hellboy in Love: The Art of Fire come about?
Alex Nieto: Well, I’ve always drawn Hellboy in my spare time and occasionally uploaded drawings to social media. The surprise came when one day Mignola liked one of those drawings on Facebook.
I told him it would be an honor to work with the character, and one day he wrote to me to get started.
What can you tell us about the creative process and bringing your own style into the world of Hellboy?
Alex Nieto: INSECURITY! I wanted so badly to work on this project that I didn’t even think about the moment I started drawing it. I did a lot of preliminary work before starting the pages. Mignola was very kind to my approach to the character and made it clear that I should do it in my own style.
This story sees Hellboy and archeologist Anastasia Bransfield journey to Iceland. What excited you most about bringing these iconic characters to Iceland?
Alex Nieto: I’ve always wanted to go! I’m really drawn to its culture and landscapes. At least I’ve been able to travel with Hellboy and Anastasia for now.
Can you give our readers a tease of what they can expect over the story’s two issues?
Alex Nieto: Well, we learn a little more about Anastasia’s past and her relationship with Hellboy, while mummies and witchcraft are involved. I think this is just the beginning…
Do you have any other upcoming projects you’d like to share with our readers?
Alex Nieto: Yes, I have two projects I’m working on, but I’m afraid I can’t say anything yet.
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Hellboy in Love: The Art of Fire #1: “Hellboy and archaeologist Anastasia Bransfield trek to Iceland for evidence of a seemingly impossible network of occultists, but a fresh dig site holds answers that come at a steep—and risky—price.”
- Writer: Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden
- Artist: Alex Nieto
- Letterer: Clem Robins
- Cover Artist: Alex Nieto
