By Zack Quaintance — What if I told you there is a Hellboy comic that tackles norse mythology, specifically whether or not Hellboy can lift Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir? Well friend, I can tell you that because that comic exists, and it’s out this week, with Hellboy - The Bones of Giants #1, which is an adaptation of a Hellboy novel of the same name.

The book is co-written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and the novel’s author Christopher Golden, with artwork by Matt Smith (colored by Chris O’Halloran), now drawing his second story featuring these characters after the recent one shot, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. - Long Night at Goloski Station. And today we are honored at Comics Bookcase to have an interview with Smith, who was kind enough not only to answer our questions but also to unveil some exclusive process artwork from the forthcoming book…all of which you can find below.

Enjoy!

INTERVIEW: Matt Smith talks HELLBOY - THE BONES OF GIANTS

ZACK QUAINTANCE: I absolutely loved this comic, which is adapted from a novel I haven't read, to be totally honest. I'm curious though, what was your process like in adapting the novel into a comic?

MATT SMITH: Many thanks, Zack! That work was really done by Christopher Golden, adapting his own fantastic novel into a script for comics. I can only guess at how much of an effort it was. I think the novel was something like a 300-page book, which was being adapted to an 80-page series. Different length and a different format. I know my first reaction to reading the script was being impressed with how smoothly it flowed, capturing the great atmosphere of the story and including all my favorite scenes from the book. It was no small feat.

ZACK: It's probably not a spoiler to note that there's some Norse imagery in this comic, given the cover art and concept. I thought it all looked fantastic, and I'm curious if you have any thoughts on why Norse mythology seems to lend itself so well to all different sorts of comics? Really badass lightning strikes seems one obvious reason...

MATT: Right? What is it? It’s funny that I’ve been a die-hard fan of Norse mythology for decades. I'm a fan of mythology in general, but specifically of the Norse world and how it’s represented in music, books, and comics. I’d say part of the appeal is that it’s the drama and foibles of the gods themselves, but you also have that in other mythologies, as in the Greek myths. I suppose it’s something about that “grim cheerfulness” of the northern myths, which probably has to do with Ragnarok. It’s all been written and it’s all going to burn. That’s pretty rough, but you don’t have to be downcast about it or throw in the towel. What you do have is the stories you leave behind and the honor of your name, that kind of thing. Maybe this all lends itself to the wonderfully grim and yet heroic tone you often find in the northern myths and sagas, which runs into these comics.

Die with honor in life, and be chosen for Valhalla’s mighty host to fight again at the ending of all things. Thor and his constant combat with the giants––there’s certainly no lack of action in these stories. There’s plenty of drama and humor in them as well, all the things you’d want in an epic tale.

The cosmic world-spanning tree, the wolf that eats the sun, a snake that circles the world. Visually, there’s also a lot there that inspires writers and artists, and it’s all pretty damn great. And there is that lightning.

ZACK: I was especially taken with the coloring in one of the Norse scenes in this book. What sort of direction did you give Chris O'Halloran on those pages? They really stand out in the best way from the rest of the comic.

MATT: That was all Chris. That guy knows what he’s doing and doesn’t need me bothering him. Not that I still don't, ha! We had come through working on a book called Folklords together, and developed a great working relationship. I think at the start of that we took the time to work out what approach of his coloring best suited my linework. Occasionally we’ll have different ideas about how things should go and that’s good, I think. It’s a functional collaboration. Sometimes he’ll ask for my thoughts, but mostly I just try to get out of his way and let him do his thing.

ZACK: This is your second story within the Hellboy Universe. How, if at all, was the work different on this story than on Long Night at Goloski Station?

MATT: It was a little easier in some ways and harder in others. Easier in that the intimidation of being invited to draw one of my favorite fictional characters had abated a bit. A little bit, anyway! Mike had been incredibly welcoming, as was Christopher Golden, when I met them both. The internal pressure not to mess it all up is definitely still there, but you kind of have to try to put that in the background and just focus on doing the best you can for something you hugely respect. This story was harder than the last in that this is a bigger story. Not only longer, but there’s a greater cast of characters and just a lot more going on. I loved the smaller, atmospheric and spooky vibe of Goloski Station, but this was a different kind of story––maybe a little more of an "action movie" kind of story. There's a difference of scale and tone between the two, but I loved working on both.

ZACK: Finally, did you have a favorite scene, panel, design, etc. in this first issue? And if so, what makes it your favorite?

MATT: It’d have to be those Ragnarok scenes. As a fan of Norse mythology in general, it was a real treat. I get to draw Thor and Jormungandr in the Hellboy universe? I have to let that sink in again even writing it now. I'd imagine every comic book creator has known some heartache––whether it’s deadlines or projects falling through, you name it. You have the moments, though, when you think “Holy hell, I get to do this?” This was definitely one of those.

Hellboy - The Bones of Giants #1

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Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.