Let’s be honest, it’s not necessarily the best time to be a Hellboy fan, what with the big screen reboot going south in a big, bad way earlier this year. However, in the pages of Dark Horse Comics, it’s an exciting time for The Hellboy Universe. Specifically, we have news of a fascinating new project that centers on Sir Edward Grey, aka the Witchfinder.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, with a crack team that includes Chris Roberson (iZombie), Christopher Mitten (Rise of the Black Flame) and colorist extraordinaire Michelle Madsen, is set to take on none other than Jack the Ripper! This will take place in a five-issue miniseries set within the larger Hellboy Universe, utilizing Sir Edward Grey’s skillset.
The book will be titled Sir Edward Grey, Witchfinder: The Reign of Darkness. This could all be interesting, as Grey is notoriously known for his investigations into the paranormal. Are we about to get a ghostly twist on this famed killer? It’s hard to say, but it’s entirely possible.
"It's been long-established that Sir Edward Grey was involved in some capacity in the investigation into the Ripper killings in 1888, and that shortly afterward he left government service for good,” Robertson said. “But we've never known just what Sir Edward discovered during his investigation, or who was behind the Ripper murders in the world of Hellboy, or what happened that caused the royal Witchfinder to having a falling-out with Queen Victoria"¦until now, at least."
Sir Edward Grey, Witchfinder got its start as a solo spin-off from Hellboy back in 2009. It’s been running off and on ever since. Over the years, he’s encountered all sorts of interesting cases, as an agent of Queen Victoria. But this is something rooted in reality, which adds a rather chilling element. Especially since the mystery of who Jack the Ripper actually was remains a big question mark in the pages of history.
"It’s an interesting time to be wandering around inside this world, playing with the styles and the architecture, the mood of time and place as seen through the Mignolaverse lens,” Mitten said” We revisit some wonderful set pieces from Victorian London, while finding a few new ones. The terrific characters are just the icing on the cake."
With San Diego Comic-Con just around the corner, it’s possible we could be learning more about the upcoming book in the very near future. Especially since Mike Mignola will be on hand at the event.
Sir Edward Grey, Witchfinder: The Reign of Darkness is set to launch on November 27. We’ve also included the cover art for the first issue below for you to check out. So what do you think? Are you going to check out this surely fascinating new take on Jack the Ripper? Sound off in the comments!
