SuperHeroHype Senior Editor Noah Dominguez spoke with Hellboy Winter Special: The Yule Cat writer/artist Matt Smith about the new Dark Horse Comics release. The comic book creator discussed Hellboy’s first trip to Iceland and what the future might hold for Mike Mignola’s demonic antihero.
Hellboy Winter Special: The Yule Cat teams Smith with colorist Chris O’Halloran and letterer Clem Robins. The holiday one-shot’s official synopsis reads as follows: “Hellboy travels to Reykjavik, where children are disappearing and a giant beast has been spotted … could it be the infamous Yule Cat of Icelandic lore? Fan-favorite Hellboy artist Matt Smith writes and draws this chilling wintery one-shot!”
Noah Dominguez: First and foremost, what was it like to break new ground and take Hellboy to Iceland for the very first time?
Matt Smith: It was both daunting and seriously meaningful. It’s like being handed the keys to a car you’ve always been in awe of and told you could take it for a spin around the block. Simultaneously not wanting to mess it up and also wearing a grin from ear to ear.
What fascinates you most about Icelandic folklore?
Everything we know about Norse mythology was preserved by Icelanders and there’s folklore all its own, like the Yule Cat. I guess I was initially taken in by the Icelandic Sagas a couple decades back and all those stories of ghosts and trolls seeming to blend in “unremarkably” with the lives of these farmers and part-time sea pirates — it’s just fascinating stuff. Some places just seem to foster wonderful and unique folklore and Iceland is way up on that list.
This is your latest Hellboy one-shot, though you’ve also done a few limited series as well. How does tackling these more self-contained stories compare to the multi-part adventures?
It’s tricky to set up and resolve a story in twenty pages. Or rather, it’s tricky for me. When I think of all those classic Hellboy shorts Mike created, as brief as King Vold which is maybe my favorite Hellboy short, he has no problem doing just that. But it’s fun like a punchy song, set it up and get on with it, as opposed to some sprawling epic with a spoken word section in the middle. I love both though. There’s occasions for a two-minute punk burner and a 2LP proggy concept album.
This also isn’t your first time teaming with artist Chris O’Halloran. What’s it like collaborating with him to bring these stories to life?
I can’t say enough good things about collaborating with Chris and his work. He’s very good at what he does and if I do have a comment, he’ll listen. Even if I’m clearly wrong.
In your opinion, what are the essential ingredients of a good Hellboy story?
I think this could be different for different Hellboy readers. People come to a thing from different angles even if they all agree it’s fantastic. For me, it’s that you have this moment with a folklorist, B.P.R.D or outside, who gives Hellboy some info on what he’s about to run into. The set up is always a favorite bit for me, you know you’re in for a ride somewhere interesting. Talking animals is also a big one. I always remember the panels where some mouse says “beware!” or creatures discuss the movements of Hellboy in the world. I just love that mythic vibe and it’s a big part of what makes me love the series as a whole.
Do you have anything else cooking in the Mignola-verse? Any idea where in the world you’d like to take Hellboy next?
There’s been some talk with Mike about a possible new direction in the greater Hellboy world but nothing imminent. Oh man, there are so many places he could go. It’s a bit hard to shake all the other Icelandic story ideas I had in mind before settling on the Yule Cat in order to move somewhere else on the map. It’d be something to take him to Massachusetts. Put a big ol’ Dunkies in that big hand and have him deal with Boston drivers. True horror, friends.
Hellboy Winter Special: The Yule Cat is on sale now from Dark Horse Comics.
