Thomas Sniegoski has a long list of credits to his name in the world of comics, short stories, and novels, but when the prolific writer got a chance to re-enter the world of Hellboy (along with Mike Mignola, Craig Rousseau, and Dave Stewart), he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Conskipper had the pleasure of speaking with Sniegoski recently about the new Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land series, some of his previous work in the Mignolaverse, his return to Vampirella, and some of his upcoming work in this exclusive interview.
How did you get involved with Young Hellboy and the Mignolaverse once again?
Thomas Sniegoski: About two years ago, Mike Mignola was in Boston for a comic show and he, Christopher Golden, and I went to lunch and started talking. That’s always an interesting thing! Once lunch was done, we pretty much had our basic idea for Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land.
We have rarely seen Hellboy at this age. What defines the character at this point in his life?
Sniegoski: This is Hellboy still looking at the world with a sense of wonder. He hasn’t yet been beaten down by the world’s experiences. Everything has that “gee whiz” quality still, everything is still colorful.
What does artist Craig Rousseau bring to the series?
Sniegoski: Craig’s work is amazing. There’s this simplicity to his style, and yet a complexity, if that makes any sense. There isn’t a line wasted, everything that he puts on the paper is there for a reason. I absolutely love his work, and what he’s doing with Mike’s and my story.
Many fans have fond memories of your Lobster Johnson novel, The Satan Factory. Like Young Hellboy, both are steeped in Pulp traditions. What attracts you to this era and style of storytelling?
Sniegoski: I’ve always loved the pulps. There’s this bizarre innocence to those kinds of stories, a real “anything goes” sensibility. Nothing seems too crazy, and that just lets my imagination run wild.
Many people know you from your work on Vampirella. What was it like returning to the character recently?
Sniegoski: Writing Vampi again is an absolute blast. When Nick Barrucci over at Dynamite asked me to come back for Vampirella’s 50th Anniversary, I had to seriously consider whether I could do the character any justice after all these years. Then Nick had to go and tell me that I could pick up directly where I left off close to twenty-five years ago with my Vengeance of Vampirella run, and there was no way I could turn that down.
Other writing projects/novels that you are working on?
Sniegoski: Hmmmm. I’ve just finished a new novel with my super talented writing partner, Jeannine Acheson, that we’re in the process of editing, and I’m working toward the big finish on my current Vengeance of Vampirella run. And there’s a ton of other really cool projects that I’m going to be working on, but I can’t talk about any of them–yet! Poke me again in a few months and I’ll spill the beans!
Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land #2 is currently available in finer comic book shops everywhere.
