Mike Mignola has done it again with an excellent addition to the series. The mythos of Hellboy grows deeper and Mignola reveals some of his frustrations and sidetracks in creating the seminal character. Included are the failed rough drafts for the second story-an entire narrative scuttled because it wasn't quite right. Attention to detail like this make the noir adventures of Hellboy that much more enjoyable.

I don't know anything about the background of this book nor anything about the author's other projects as the other reviewers. I'm just judging this at face value based on my own entertainment value. Personally, this one lost me. Maybe my impressions of this volume will change after reading 7 and 8 (the latest volume available at the time of this review.) Volume 5 hit a crescendo ... and I somewhat enjoyed the first half of this book. But then the story telling and the artwork got sloppy. I'm still not sure what's going on, quite honestly ... and then the last few pages were unfinished? What the heck is that? Still, I think that the series (?) as a whole is the best that I've read since I started buying these "graphic novels".

I love the drawings, the characters and the storyline. And even more the questions it brings. Soul, evil, love, destiny, God, "Why am I here?"

It isn't a distraction from the most important things in my life, its a chance to see them through another lens.

After a long delay Hellboy is back. At the end of his last collection, Hellboy left the BPRD and set out to discover things about himself on his own. Since then we have seen at least four BPRD collections before seeing Hellboy again.

In this volume we have two tales that involve the sea. In the first story Hellboy finds himself at the bottom of the sea. But even there he can not escape from others who wish to control his destiny. His unwillingness to be controlled may be his greatest strength.

The second tale mentions a bit about the passage of time and how long was spent beneath the waves. Here Hellboy comes upon a ships' graveyard and a strange island. Here Hellboy's unwillingness to be controlled meets part of his history and purpose. But Hellboy's heart continues to struggle against control and prophesy.

These two stories help set a new direction for Hellboy. The reader is treated to more of the secrets of the universe both past and present. A good chapter and a necessary one in the saga but a little thin compared to earlier collection. Only a few characters in this one and obviously no BPRD. Still, Hellboy manages to stand on his own. A must for Hellboy fans.

This is definitely vintage Mignola. Poor Hellboy is still trying to run from his destiny, but the further he runs the closer that dreaded destiny becomes.

There is much about the story in "The Third Wish" that is quite sweet despite its dark underwater character. But when Hellboy finally washes up to shore after having been down below for two years, the story in "The Island" becomes much darker and even more apocalyptic than the series had already been tending.

As always, I'm mesmerized by Mignola's art work and hope that any subsequent "Hellboy" offerings drawn by others will have this same power. But in the long run, I'm the most fascinated by the character of Hellboy himself. Fate versus free will--it wasn't until "Hellboy" that I realized such deep, essential concepts could be more than adequately dealt with in a comic book or graphic novel.

I came to the original "Hellboy" comics via the 2004 motion picture of the same name. In my opinion, the film is a masterpiece in its own right. But the character of Hellboy in Mignola's original comics is much, much deeper and more iconic. If it wasn't for Mike Mignola's genius in creating such a complex, complicated, and conflicted character there would have been no film for me to fall in love with.

The priority of genius must go to Mignola and "Strange Places" is a prime example of that genius. Highly recommended.

Mike Mignola is taking a breaking from drawing Hellboy, and as the last pure Mignola Hellboy book we're going to be seeing for a while, this is a real treat. Collecting the two issue mini-series "The Third Wish" and the two part "The Island" along with a new epilogue for "The Island" and bonus material, this is the thickest Hellboy yet. "The Third Wish", which takes place directly after the last Hellboy story, Conqueror Worm, takes place almost entirely underwater and is a great read. It gives perspective on how other supernatural beings view Hellboy and his place in the world. However, "The Island" is where this book really picks up. After spending a good chunk of time underwater, Hellboy washes up on a mysterious island and is soon caught up in the long dead struggle between a priest, a heretic, and something much, much worse. The Island also gives insight to Hellboy's right hand, and even the creation of the Ogdru Jahad. With this addition of an epilogue and additional sketches, this book is a great buy for any Hellboy fan, and I recommend it fully.