I know damn well it's not going to go over

March 7, 2024 4:27 AM

Mike Mignola on Hellboy, drawing, creativity, and monsters at the Society of Illustrators in 2019. [SLYT][1h56m]
posted by cupcakeninja (7 comments total)

I've watched or read this and many other interviews of Mignola previously, including seeing him live doing an "in conversation" at my university some years ago, and I learn something every time. I enjoy the drawing stuff, and I try to apply it when I draw, but his focus on creativity and storytelling and sticking to your goals is gold.
posted by cupcakeninja at 4:31 AM on March 7

Hellboy is a comic book character that I love so so deeply and I came to the party late. It was del Toro's movie that brought me fully into the Hellboy fold and I have never looked back. (In fact, the del Toro film is one of my comfort watches. My mom--who has been so patient with my love of the wieird--is also a fan of the film. She will watch it when it comes on cable!)
posted by Kitteh at 5:19 AM on March 7 [4 favorites]

If you're visiting New York -- or even if you're local -- the Society of Illustrators is well worth a visit. It's a snack-sized museum on the Upper East Side, and works as a break or an alternative to other museums in that neighborhood. Their bar on the 3rd floor is an excellent space for a quiet drink.
posted by hovey at 9:29 AM on March 7 [2 favorites]

I'd love to watch this, but the audio is terrible. These guys couldn't take his audio feed off the board instead of getting the room sound? And why is he not in close-up throughout? We don't need to see projected images of his artwork. I'm sure there's lots of great content, but I'm straining to hear him clearly.
posted by the sobsister at 9:34 AM on March 7

Has anyone asked Mignola about the political turn Hellboy (or more accurately BPRD) has taken? The cast shifted from misfits trying to help people who might fear them to soldiers fighting a war on terror analogue.

I'm also curious how and if that shift in tone ties into the severing of ties with Del Toro.
posted by thecjm at 10:01 AM on March 7

I'll have to check this out soon, thanks!

There is one thing Mignola said in the notes to one of the first few Hellboy collections that's just stuck with me. Something like "I love drawing giant goofy monsters, and by having my star be one of those, there is always something on the page I'll love to draw.".
posted by egypturnash at 12:04 PM on March 7 [1 favorite]

For more Mignola material, check out the Drawing Monsters documentary film.

It's not clear if this crowd-funded film will be available outside of already-released Kickstarter Blu-rays and festival screenings, but it's an enticing teaser. At least The Amazing Screw-On Head is still out there on used DVDs.
posted by JDC8 at 1:19 PM on March 7