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Ricker, Aaron. Hellboy and the Apocalyptic Imagination: Christs, antichrists and comics in historical context. Studies in Comics and Religion. Jefferson: McFarland, 2026. Added by: joachim (04/10/2025, 11:58) Last edited by: joachim (10/03/2026, 22:14) |
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| Resource type: Book Language: en: English Published ID no. (ISBN etc.): 978-1-4766-9635-5 BibTeX citation key: Ricker2026 Email resource to friend View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: "Hellboy", Apocalypse, Religion Creators: Ricker Publisher: McFarland (Jefferson) |
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The bold artistic imagination of Mike Mignola’s comic Hellboy draws on Western beliefs surrounding heroes and villains that are shaped by centuries of storytelling, theology, and popular culture. The “Christ/Antichrist complex” is at the core of Western apocalyptic imagination, offering a clear divide between good and evil and highlighting the evolving dynamics of heroism and villainy. Throughout history, violent heroes and violent villains have been presented as paired opposites, entwined in a way that frames the violence of the “good guys” as natural, noble, and necessary. Through the examination of how messianic and heroic figures have relied on displays of power that might otherwise be perceived as excessive, vulgar, or villainous, this volume reveals how deeply ingrained these narrative traditions are and how they inform the stubbornly mysterious but artistically coherent world of Hellboy and its adaptations. Utilizing multiple disciplines, it encourages a more critical, historically grounded understanding, reminding readers that it is always worth questioning the stories that justify violence and moral certainty. Table of Contents Preface 1 Introduction 5 Chapter Notes 151 Added by: joachim Last edited by: joachim |