A Hell-Family Affair From The Mignola Brothers — ‘The Crown: A Tale Of Hell’
by Anton Kromoff
Welcome to the table,
I love the stories set in and around the life and times of Hellboy. The world Mike Mignola has created feels very much like the books of Greek Mythology I read as a little kid, under the covers when I was hiding from the world that was far more dangerous than the hydra or harpy.
As the real world feels like it crumbles around us with every hour of the 24-hour news cycle, I feel like some kind of man tossed adrift in a shipwreck. I cling to bits of floating wreckage, each a respite from the choppy seas. In this metaphor, the bits of floating salvation are Hellboy stories. In this particular instance, I want to tell you about the newest announcement from that storied world, The Crown: A Tale of Hell.
What is cool about this one is that it’s coming from Mike Mignola and his brother Todd Mignola, with artist Warwick Johnson-Cadwell. It’s set to be a family reunion of sorts as both Hellboy’s brothers and mother are set to show up in this two-comic event.
“Todd came to me with the idea of writing something about Hellboy’s brothers,” explains Mike Mignola. “It never would have occurred to me to do more with those guys but it didn’t take much prodding. Brothers writing about brothers in a somewhat complicated family dynamic—once we got going it was almost too easy. And fun. And so much fun that I could only imagine it drawn by Warwick.”
“The Crown follows a day in the 16th century life of Hellboy’s ‘Hell family.’” says Todd Mignola. “In the bowels of Castle Azzael, a crown is secretly being forged for a new king. Palace intrigue and deceitful backstabbing ensue as Hellboy’s dad, uncle and half-brothers all vie for the prize; for the chance to seize sleeping Satan’s throne.”
The Crown: A Tale of Hell will feature Hellboy’s brothers Gamon and Lusk, who first appeared in Mignola’s 2012 series Hellboy in Hell, as they fight for control of Pandemonium. But it isn’t just the siblings who get involved in the power struggle, as their mother returns from her prison for the first time in a hundred years with plans of her own.
“I love where Todd and Mike are taking us with The Crown: A Tale Of Hell.” says Johnson-Cadwell. “I’m so grateful to have worked with Mike on Mr. Higgins and the Encounters With Evil books, but this is a step into the Hellboy universe and the opportunity to draw some of those legendary characters. And more exciting still, to introduce someone altogether new.”
I am thrilled about this story, as anything happening in Hell fascinates me, and it feels like each time we get bits of lore these days, it expands upon the mythos I have been following for the majority of my life. The Crown: A Tale of Hell #1 is due out on February 11th, 2026, and you know I will get you a review of it as soon as I have a copy in hand.
Until next time, go catch up on Hellboy in Hell if you have not checked it out yet. It’s a radical ride through existential dread and self-discovery, and the art honestly rules.
