The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #1 Review: A Slow Start

Practically everyone knows Hellboy’s origins and what happened in his earlier years. That still doesn’t stop these stories from coming out, even with the twist that someone was observing Hellboy since birth. Enter “The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed” co-written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson with art by Paul Grist and Bill Crabtree. The first issue gives a slow start to the story.

When Hellboy was born, an alien was present who was assigned to destroy him. However, after having a discussion with his mothership, he instead spends the next few years observing Hellboy and sees if he isn’t the destroyer of worlds that his race believes him to be. If he is, then Hellboy has to be destroyed.

That’s essentially the entire first issue. This one alien watching Hellboy during different phases of his life up until 1954. While there are some fun things happening (Hellboy buying an issue of “Weird Tales” will always be funny) that’s all you’ll get here. Still, this is the “calm before the storm” and, knowing how “Hellboy” is, that storm will have a ton of high winds, rain, sleet and Kansas farmhouses.

The artwork is average at best. While the art keeps the overall look and feel of “Hellboy,” it doesn’t stand out as much as other “Hellboy” comics. There are no wrong design choices or poorly drawn characters/backgrounds, it’s just the art seems there. The art is there to serve its purpose and does little else. Nothing eye catching, exciting or creepy at all.

The first issue of “The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed” is a slow start to a “Hellboy” story that might get crazy in later issues. There is still a lot of story left and potential to be had with the ending making readers wanting more. The art may be average, but it’s not a deterrent.