Sledgehammer '44 TPB

Now this is interesting. With Mike Mignola’s monster-bashing hero Hellboy in a mighty strange place, I like seeing Mignola and John Arcudi bring in another working-class hero to bash Nazi’s and smash monsters. The visuals between Sledgehammer and Hellboy are mighty similar, with the baggy pants, bulky bodies, and thrashing fists.

But while the visuals are similar, the leads’ personalities are very different. Hellboy is a working class guy doing his best with a simple approach. Sledgehammer is more of a sad-sack barely willing himself into heroics. Its’ actually a tad more complicated than that, as there are multiple guys using the Sledgehammer name and powers in the first trade. Neither of the two driving personalities are very dynamic, although the second is at least determined once he gets moving.

The first few issues follow Sledgehammer’s initial deployment in the theaters of World War II. It’s a fun story, focusing more on the “support” team backing ‘Hammer up. The idea of the soldiers as backup is driven home in the dialogue, making it a lot more shocking when the soldiers end up having to carry the load. There are some fun, straight-up war sequences in the first limited series, totally devoid of any horror or supernatural elements.

The second arc gives ‘Hammer a super-villain to fight; the Black Flame. I can’t remember what we’ve seen the Flame do before, but in this he’s zooming through the sky and blasting into the ground like a comet. He’s much more of a superman than I remember, but he does make for an intimidating opponent. Sledgehammer does OK against him, but man, the Flame seems to have him outclassed. Again, keeping the story grounded with lots of soldiers and low-powered protagonists keeps the book grounded.

Jason LaTour and Laurence Campbell have different styles, with LaTour’s faces on the American soldiers almost looking like the Sunday funnies. This doesn’t take away from the drama in the story, but the look gives the opening arc a very different feel than normal BPRD titles. He does a crackerjack job on the Nazi super-robots, though!

Laurence Campbell has a grittier, tighter style that really works for the Black Flame. There are two or three sequences of mid-air combat that really impressed me. Setting the super-fight in the clouds surrounded by bombers and thunderheads makes for a hell of a dramatic and cinematic sequence. This is good-looking stuff.

This is still a GOOD comic, but it isn’t as good as BPRD and Hellboy. Those other books have had years to establish themselves, so I have hope for Sledgehammer. But for now, this is very far behind the other titles in the Mignola-universe. 

Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible and The New Race of Man TPB

As the rest of the B.P.R.D. deals with the slow descent of the world into the Apocalypse, Abe Sapien's comic is telling a much more personal story. After getting mortally wounded, Abe has fled his home at B.P.R.D. It doesn't seem he has a terribly clear goal in mind, he's just out trying to figure out who he is and what he stands for. Fortunately, he's still the same good-hearted, heroic character we've come to love over the last decade.

Dark and Terrible covers his initial run from home. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi get some nice mileage out of the recap sequences that lays out just how horribly messed up the world has become. Things were bad when Abe was shot, but things are a lot worse now. Eventually, Abe finds himself sheltering in a small town church; a church where the paster is a bit too accepting of weird ideas and people.

I enjoyed seeing Abe's stay in this town, because I've got to think this is what life is for most "normal" people in the Hellboy universe. Chicago is abandoned. San Diego is destroyed, we know lots of other cities are totally gone too. But small towns like Grayrock live on. Cut off from aid, with no military support coming, these small towns are just hanging on, hoping that things will get better. Sheriffs, local cops, and militias are the only line of defense against the supernatural. Maybe if something big is happening, the BPRD will send a strike team or two to help out.

Sebastian Fiumara's art is moody, dark, and evocative. In other words, perfect for a Hellboy universe story. It's a little thing, but I loved the tactical gear he gives the BPRD members. Everyone has hooks, clasps, and pouches hanging off them, making them seem so much better equipped for the madness than those poor normals hiding in rags.

The New Race of Man takes us to the Salton Sea, where strange egg pods are hatching, although their odd babies are rapidly eaten by mutated coyotes. Abe does some swimming in the salty water, finding more weirdness and maybe remembering a bit more about his past. The bulk of the story takes place on shore, as Abe joins a community of monster-watchers who are just waiting for the world to end. Again, the main focus is on the sociology of mankind as it watches everything collapse. Why go back to work at Costco when a horde of tunneling monsters might pop up and kill you tomorrow?

Max Fiumara handles the art on this story, and I don't care for the art as much as in the first. The details are a bit looser, fingers don't look right, faces are more impressionistic, body shapes are less realistic. It isn't bad art, but when the monsters look as realistic as the humans, that takes a bit from the narrative.

Mignola and Arcudi are still steering their corner of comics into some absolutely amazing places. You can't go wrong with this GOOD comic.

B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth: A Cold Day in Hell TPB

So clearly this is one of my favorite comics, but I’m worried that after so many years of consistent high quality, that people are forgetting about the Hellboy universe that Mike Mignola has created. This is a changing, almost real-time world where there are consequences in each and every story. The world is physically changed (usually not for the better) as the result of the BPRD’s adventures over the past few years.

Now, with huge monsters releasing spores into the atmosphere that turn humans into monsters, with horrifying demons crawling up out of the earth at random, and with the “normal” villainy of the Hellboy universe, things are very dire for humanity. But instead of letting the reader become overwhelmed by the post-apocalyptic world that is the status quo; Mike Mignola and John Arcudi spend this trade focusing on smaller stories. Focused narrative beats that keeps the horror from becoming hopeless, because even a few men with guns can still do some good.

The first story in the collection is A Cold Day in Hell. It follows Johann and a small team of BPRD agents as they try to track down what happened to a previous team sent in to stop a cult in Chicago. Complicating factors include the aforementioned monster spores and tunneling demons. When the team’s chopper goes down outside Chicago, the BPRD folks have to hoof it in on their own, meeting up with a few stragglers of the apocalypse along the way.

Again, society has collapsed. There is almost no one left alive for the agents to encounter. Yet they persevere and maintain their humanity as they complete their mission. With one possible exception. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be as suspicious of Johann as I am… the ghost man has no face, after all, but he just seems… off. There is one important scene where I’m not sure if Johann isn’t allowing someone to die so that he can complete his mission. The other agents are all well realized and it is easy to root and grieve for them, even after only a few pages of exposure.

The second story focuses on newer lead characters. The Russian Occult Sciences Division has an important mission to complete, with the help of a few stranded BPRD agents. It’s an excellent glimpse into the history of the Hellboy world, but it also shows one of my favorite aspects of the line. While accomplishing his mission, the Russian director has teams out saving civilians. Unlike Superman in Man of Steel, Director Nichayko remembers that if everyone is dead, winning doesn’t matter.

Dark Horse continues to maximize its artists too. Laurence Campbell knocks it out of the park in the Chicago sequence. His agents look memorable and recognizable, and dang if I’m not looking forward to seeing Agent Howard do a lot more. It still pays to have super-heroic agents on the team after all. Peter Snejbjerg is an old hand at this stuff, so his chapters look fantastic too. I particularly enjoyed how well detailed the Russian town felt as the team accomplished their missions.

This is an EXCELLENT comic. Don’t forget about it just because it has been coming out for years.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Return of the Master TPB

How many years has this series been going on now? 20? 25?

You have to admit, the fact that Mike Mignola has been chronicling the end of the world for this long is pretty darn impressive. Mignola and his co-writer John Arcudi aren’t afraid to upset the apple cart, either. At this point, the BPRD cast is almost unrecognizable. Only Johann, the ectoplasmic man, is left out of the squad of freaks that first appeared in Hellboy. Abe Sapien is floating in a healing tank. Liz Sherman is off the grid. Hellboy is in Hell. Roger the Homunculus is dead. Heck, even Captain Daimyo isn’t with us anymore after succumbing to his jaguar curse.

And the world needs the BPRD. Huge, Cthulhu-type monsters are sitting idle all over the world, spawning new clutches of monsters all the time. England is in ruins and in the midst of an evacuation. Things are frigging DIRE. Factor in the fact that there are still villains hanging around from the first Hellboy series, and things are bad. And this book is called Return of the Master. If you think that means the good guys are getting reinforcements, you haven’t been reading Hellboy.

I won’t spoil, but this trade includes the return of TWO of the Hellboy universe’s greatest villains. Honestly, the good guys don’t have a chance. And they know it. But what makes them heroes is that they keep fighting.

The fight is in the hands of new field agents like Carla Giarocco and Director Nichayko, the undead head of the Russian BPRD. Kate Corrigan is still in charge, and her confident leadership gives the heroes a chance, but it is getting tough to see a happy ending.

This book is full of insane battles. Human agents competently fighting monsters, ghosts, and creatures way beyond them. It’s tremendously entertaining seeing them trying to use high explosives and snipers against undead ogres. Part of the strength of this book is that even though I’m certain I’m not remembering everything I’m supposed to in the overarching plot, there is enough action front and center to make this a riveting comic.

I miss Guy Davis’ art something fierce, but Tyler Crook is doing a great job easing the transition. His simple line work can ably switch between the drab offices of the BPRD and the undead tendons on the monsters. Dave Stewart’s colors plant this firmly in the world of BPRD too; and that is coming from someone who rarely gives colorists the respect they are due.

This is my #2 comic (after G.I. Joe). Someday, when I have to purge some of my long boxes, I guarantee BPRD is going to make it to the last cut. This is an EXCELLENT comic. 

(But please, Mignola, at least bring back Abe Sapien! The heroes really do need some help!)

B.P.R.D.: 1948 TPB

So I recently complained about not knowing what was happening in Superboy volume 2. I was totally lost; felt dropped in the middle of a story I had no investment in.

This is the opposite of that. I started off in the same place. I have absolutely no memory of what happened in the last couple BPRD flashback books. Other than Professor Bruttholm, I don’t remember any characters. But IT DOESN’T MATTER. This book has everything you need to get invested in the current mystery. This book has horror, gore, action, and a great set of characters that pulls you right in.

A friend of mine just said “how can a comic keep being this good” and honestly, I just don’t know. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi have been putting out these excellent stories for so long, spanning genres and artistic styles in a magnificent fashion. Hellboy fans will adore these books, of course, but all you have to really like is good stories to get something out of this collection.

Set in 1948, this story is wrapped up with alternate dimensions, atomic bomb testing, and the early days of the BPRD as a military offshoot. One of my favorite aspects of these early days is the way the field agents are basically just US military troops with weird orders. I love monsters, because you can shoot them. And man, do the BPRD guys shoot a lot of monsters in these comics. No cheating vampires or ghosts with no rules, these are big, tentacle monsters that want to eat you.

I’m not a huge fan of Max Fiumara’s art, but honestly, his stuff didn’t bother me here. His monsters look so otherworldly and spooky that I’m willing to look past his odd faces and somewhat cartoony human drawings. Every scene has a strong sense of setting, and again, the action is fantastic. The jump cuts between the soldiers and the monsters sets each conflict in utter clarity.

This scary comic is GOOD!

Lobster Johnson and the Burning Hand TPB

Man, I simply can’t believe the batting average that Mike Mignola has going in his Hellboy universe. Lobster Johnson has gone from oddball, ghostly guest-star to headlining his own mini-series. And he belongs here! Even with the very minimal details we get on the guy, there plot and conflicts are strong enough to make this a thrilling read. Factor in the amazing art from Tonci Zonjic, and this is another thrilling collection.

I’m not sure how the work is divided up between Mignola and John Arcudi, but I love the tiny bits of background we get in this one. We know the Black Flame pretty well, but I certainly never expected to see him used as a mob enforcer. I suppose that’s only fair, though, because Lobster Johnson seems to have some amazing abilities going on too.

That brings up an interesting point, though. We know nothing about the man behind the mask, including his abilities. He seems to rely on his network of operatives, each one filling a required niche or sidekick stereotype. (It’s a good thing Lobster has so many; vigilanty-ing is a dangerous business!) Does Lobster actually get hit with all those bullets? Is he wearing a vest? Is he supernaturally protected? I literally have no idea, and it doesn’t even matter.

Even with the vaguely-defined powers he exhibits, Lobster has a real challenge on his hands. Gangsters with guns, strange foreign assassins, and basements full of zombies make for some good antagonists. Heck, the book opens with glowing Indians scalping policeman! As I read through one great set piece after another, I thought what a great movie this would make. Whoever scripted this thing really lays down a great rising action and climax. The world seems like a great place to visit too, complete with dynamic dames and plucky local cops.

The whole thing wouldn’t be quite as wonderful without Zonjic’s art. He’s got a really simple, almost animated-looking style. The details are fantastic (I loved reading the bonus materials to see him updating the look of Lobster’s gun for accuracy.) I’d absolutely love to buy a page from this series, but I don’t think I can afford it. That page where Lobster goes into the wrong basement? That ranks as one of my favorite scenes in a long time.

Excellent

BPRD: The Devil's Engine & The Long Death TPB

Is everyone tired of me raving about BPRD yet? I hope not, because every time I read a trade, I’m reminded that this is one of my favorite books on the stands. What is even more amazing is that while I like the main characters in this trade, none of my favorites are here. Abe Sapien and Hellboy are gone, and I like everywoman Kate Corrigan. Johan and Andrew Devon are the leads in this collection, and they do just fine carrying the load. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi can make anyone the lead now; that is how riveting this overarching plot has become. 

The Devil’s Engine follows Devon and the psychic Fenix as they attempt to get out of the American Southwest. That’s it. They don’t actually get anywhere; they don’t even interact with that many other characters. This is simply a study in how hard it is to get by in the new monster-filled world of the BPRD. With planes attracting too much attention, everyone travels by train or car. But those aren’t safe either, with earthquakes and gigantic bat-monsters complicating things. Devon gets to show off some of his special agent “Defense” training, even though he always focused more on the “Research.” Fenix’s powers are frustrating for Devon, but it’s a nice touch because that frustration carries through to the reader. What good are special powers if they don’t actually help you that much?

I also love the ongoing developments at Zinco. While the CEO seems like a nice guy, he’s obsessed with bringing back the Black Flame, a dangerous villain from earlier collections. While he never seems threatening, the obvious terror in his associates hints at an interesting dark side. He’s turning out to be a strong villain.

Tyler Crook clearly studied Guy Davis’ body of work with the BPRD. It’s not that everything looks exactly the same, but the tone, of the action, the clothes, the faces; everything looks like it inhabits the same world as when Davis did his wonderful work on the series.

The Long Death gives Johann even more time in the spotlight. He’s really carrying the series these days. It is a good thing he got his new tough-guy body from Russia or he wouldn’t be much of an action lead. This story finally resolves the Captain Daimo/Wendigo subplot that has gone on for years. I’m a tad saddened because I know I’m forgetting important history in this conflict, I am certain the story is even sadder and more dramatic than I realize.

That said, James Harren makes sure that the action keeps the story pumping. This thing is full of terrible, horrific monsters and they all make an impression. How anyone could stay in the BPRD after seeing the Jaguar beast staring into your campsite I’ll never know. Harren is a bit cartoony, which works better with Johann and the monsters than it does with the humans. There is never any doubt about the emotion the characters display, but sometimes the faces are a bit too much. But man, that action. Top notch monster fights, people! Doesn’t everyone want to see an undead moose fight a jaguar god?

Excellent

12 Days of X-Mas: Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure (1990)

On the fourth day of X-Mas, I got you Wolverine by Mike Mignola!

Remember when these prestige bookshelf books were a big deal? I’m sure I didn’t give this one the attention it deserved. I think I already liked Walt Simonson’s writing in 1990, but I don’t think I had the proper reverence for Mike Mignola’s artwork. 

The story is pretty simple. Wolvie travels to the Savage Land to track down the makers of a cyborg that tried to kill him. (Wolvie had a lot more free time back when he was only on the X-Men.) After beating up a local chieftain, Wolvie makes a grand discovery. His prowess in battle and gregarious attitude has won him the affection of that chief; when she unmasks, it turns out Gahck is a zaftig redhead who doesn’t wear a top. 

So Wolvie just chills in the Savage Land for months playing house with this gal, and only gets back on mission after he kills an enormous cyborg tyrannosaur. What a vacation! 

It turns out that Apocalypse had a rogue robot operating in the Savage Land and he wanted it taken out, so he tempted Wolvie up to the jungle with the attack back in the civilized world. Apocalypse’s logic seems unnecessarily complicated, and the villain is almost goofier than I think he should be, but this is still an early appearance.

More interestingly, the final panel shows Gahck holding a baby Wolvie. Has this little fella shown up in anything over the past few years? With Daken dead, I think it’s time to meet this kid again! 

Mike Mignola’s art is tremendous, as always, and he gets to channel some great pulp vibes in this one. Wolverine’s tribe is populated by hulking ape men and stocky human women in bikinis. This is John Carter and Conan wrapped into one. Mignola’s Apocalypse is more impressive in looks than in dialogue, and the blue shading on his armor is unique and impressive. The art alone makes this well worth revisiting. 

Good

BPRD Hell on Earth v4: Russia TPB

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Let’s celebrate with some fantastic horror comics, shall we?


I’ve long been on record with my love of the Dark Horse Mignola-verse, and that statement continues unchallenged. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi deliver another gut-punch of action and drama as they send Johann Krauss and Kate Corrigan. (Devon, the newest field agent gets some groundwork set for the next mini-series, including an interesting reveal about his past, but that’s only about 10 pages or so).

Kate and Johann are summoned to Russia to deal with another horrific situation. Infected citizens are turning into monsters and going berserk. Plus the dead have risen and are building some unnatural throne above an old mine. The Russian BPRD is on the case, but they can benefit from some good ol’ BPRD know-how. The head of the Russian’s Supernatural Service is Iosif, who we saw as a silent, mopey zombie back in Abe Sapien’s Abyssal Plain series. Iosif is a jolly, friendly zombie now, living in a seawater-filled diving suit. He’s a huge fan of both Corrigan and Johann, and in fact states that he and Johann are practically brothers due to their strange conditions. This guy is fantastic, and I hope he gets to stick around. We need more good monsters to make up for losing Hellboy, Roger, and the rest!

Johann is always so desperate for any connection; I loved seeing these two grow closer as the series wore on. Plus it is neat seeing the Russian commandos work with Johann and battle their way to the Cthullian monster in the mine. The commandos’ design is fantastic, and seeing them packing flamethrowers and acid sprayers made me like them; Mignola and Arcudi give the commandos an amazing amount of personality considering we only see those guys for a few pages!

The design work doesn’t stop with the commando designs. Johann gets a new suit (based on one of Iosef’s old suits). It looks a lot closer to the nice, combat-capable rig Johann sported in Hellboy 2. Maybe Johann will finally fit in on those field missions now! Abe Sapien spends this one in a coma, but he does seem to be recovering. The problem is, he’s a lot more lizard or fish-like than he was before; I just hope we can still get some of that great expression on his new, dangerous features.

Tyler Crook had massive shoes to fill, taking over for the fantastic Guy Davis. But he’s done it. The bonus materials show an artist who knows and respects the giants who’ve gone before, but Crook clearly stamps this material as his own. From the casual power in Iosef’s suit to the horrific “taking” of Johann’s commando team, this book is gorgeous and disturbing. As I’ve said before: best comic on the stands.

Excellent

Abe Sapien: The Devil Does Not Jest TPB

Is there a more consistent, entertaining book on the stands than Mike Mignola’s BPRD titles? I really don’t think so. Even the spin-offs from the spin-offs are excellent at this point, and honestly, if I could only follow one comic, I think BPRD might be it.

John Arcudi and Mike Mignola serve up more of the scariest monsters I can imagine in this trade, but they never short on the characterization either. Each of the stories collected stars Abe Sapien, he’s definitely the headliner. But the BPRD has a presence, and the locals fill out each chapter too. I like Sal, the new BPRD field agent that joins Abe on a couple of the missions. I think it’s important to have more names associated with those grunts that go out and get slaughtered on the missions with the main agents.

The collection has a nice variety of monsters, too. Ghosts, zombies, and Cthullian demons, every base is covered. I appreciate that the zombie story in particular is a lot more sedate and emotional than the average undead tale.

And Hellboy. Man, he barely shows up, but when he does, it is fantastic. One of my favorite tricks in storytelling is having an established bad-ass talk favorably about someone else. Having Hellboy talk up Abe just as Abe is taking care of business? Brilliant. I still have a hard time remember just how tough Abe can be. He’s a pretty suitable replacement for Hellboy.

As always, Dark Horse has a great line-up of artists. Peter Snejberg is most familiar for me, and he gets a fairly sedate tale that’s a lot more gross-out than horror. He handles it wonderfully, rupturing zombie bellies and all. James Harren is impressive in his tale as well. The horrific, Legend-style devil in the basement is a stop and stare moment, and the gross little creatures feeding on unconscious Abe really are almost cute while retaining their ickiness. Patric Reynolds does a nice job on his one-shot too; again, while there is action, Reynolds keeps the focus on the emotional toll of these battles with the horrific.

Excellent

B.P.R.D.: Being Human TPB

There’s got to be a common theme in my reviews these days, and it’s that I seem to be enjoying these creator-produced books more than the corporate ones. Not overall, but in general. BPRD continues to be one of the strongest titles on the stands, with stories that thrill and frighten, with art that grabs hold of your imagination and doesn’t let go.

This book in particular has a stacked deck. Written by Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, and John Arcudi, a list that includes two of my favorites. The Dead Remembered by Mignola and Allie is a neat glimpse into Liz Sherman’s first days with the BPRD. I worry a little about the timeline, she’s already a teenager in the 70’s, but that’s a small issue. I like seeing her interact with more of the normal world. And seeing the Professor interact with some of his friends is a nice touch too. Karl Moline excels with the younger characters, but his art isn’t scary. I don’t get lost in a panic reading even the spookiest scenes.

Now Guy Davis, his stuff scares the hell out of me. The short story Casualties by Mignola and Allie is horrifying in just 8 pages. That is one scary werewolf! And the panel where he looms out of the darkness? I want to own that page!

My affection for Richard Corben’s artwork is well documented. The guy draws horror, emotion, action, he can do everything. His Hellboy is iconic, and his work with Roger makes me miss the big guy even more. Corben’s work promises a few things: hulking dudes, overly endowed women (but not exploitative), and dynamic action. Being Human delivers.

I feel like I’ve read The Ectoplasmic Man before, but I loved it once again. Johann Strauss is a hard character to really root for, but his heart is in the right place. I love that his melancholy at his ghost-state is overcome by his thirst for justice. And it doesn’t hurt that Ben Stenbeck’s style is distinctly Guy Davis-y at numerous points in that story.

Excellent

Hellboy: The Storm and the Fury TPB

It is a simple fact: There are no better books on the stands than Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics. The world he’s created is wonderful, with only BPRD reaching the level of brilliance he’s achieved in this core title. The fact that Mignola has only been writing is a testament to his story and the tremendous skills of Duncan Fegredo. Fegredo is so good, I haven’t missed Mignola’s art, and I love Mignola’s art!

This trade just about brings things full circle. The creatures outside space and time have waited a long time to return to Earth, and they do so by taking over the form of the witch queen Nimue. The design on Nimue is fantastic, and her gradual transformation into the dragon is subtle and chilling. It’s thrilling seeing first her arms elongate, then her tiny little tail. The battle is huge, climactic, and the tremendous destruction gives it some high stakes. I hate seeing innocent bystanders die in comic books, but man, it sort of has to happen when the world is about to end. And things sure look bleak at the close of this chapter. Sure, Hellboy voices his intention to return to the BPRD, but he’s going to have a pretty big obstacle blocking his return to active duty.

The Hellboy vs. Dragon fight takes much of the book, but it is packed with other treasures too. The hedgehog warrior might have been my new favorite character, especially after the scene of his fall. That little guy lying there bleeding... I showed it to my daughters and told them it was “the saddest comic ever.”

The armies of the Dragon get a lot of stirring moments. Having them massed around the Nimue’s castle really gave me a Helm’s Deep vibe. The epic battle between the hordes of creatures and the “honored dead of England” must have been awesome, but Mignola and Fegredo would have needed another 20 pages to do it justice.

So the next arc is Hellboy in Hell. That should be pretty sweet. And we can keep up with the fall of the world in BPRD. Sounds like a plan.

Excellent

Baltimore: The Plague Ships TPB

Oh man, do I love the Mignola-verse of Dark Horse comics. I’m afraid I have absolutely no memory of Lord Baltimore, even though I think this is the second trade I’ve read starring the character. (Or am I confusing him with the Witchfinder character? I might be…)

Here’s the problem. I just don’t care about vampires. At all. They are so played out in mass media that even turning them into Nazis doesn’t greatly increase my interest. Now, turning them into big bat-monsters? Now that works. Any panel where the vamps are big furry monsters is OK by me. Fortunately, this trade has a slew of other threats too. Floating, Lovecraftian jelly-fish. Fungus-zombies (including deep-sea diving zombies)!!!

Vanessa is Baltimore’s new sidekick and a great POV for the reader. It certainly makes sense that she would be overwhelmed by the madness of Baltimore’s life, it’s just too bad it looks like even her brief association with him might prove troublesome.

I just saw an interview with Mike Mignola where he talks about his co-writers on the Dark Horse horror books. It seems he gives the germ of an idea, and leaves it to his co-writers to script and hammer out. That means that Christopher Golden handles the heavy lifting for Lord Baltimore. Golden sets some absolutely fantastic set pieces, many of which would look spectacular in a film. Can you imagine seeing Baltimore chasing a bunch of Nazi zombies onto a blimp in the middle of a lightning storm?

Ben Stenbeck has a habit of pulling his “camera” back and just drawing the outline of his characters. Sometimes the trick works, with hordes of monsters, zombies, or vampires. But I found it a bit distracting when he used it with his main characters. Seeing dialogue bubbles popping out of featureless faces is just a bit jarring. He does a wonderful job with the sunken zombies, though. The variety in costume, diving suit, and implement is a joy to examine. The sketches in the rear of the trade add a lot too, you can see the time that went into each design.

Good

Hellboy: House of the Living Dead HC

This is a slight read. It’s not that it isn’t entertaining, but I’m a bit annoyed at the price point. In fact, it’s the price point that made me pick this up from the library rather than buy it myself.


It was a tough choice. I always love Hellboy, but Mike Mignola has outdone himself with the whole Hellboy in Mexico concept. Hellboy working with luchadores to wipe out supernatural evil is a concept I can’t get enough of. I will never be satisfied, regardless of how many adventures we see of HB trolling around South of the border.

In this trade, Hellboy is coerced into a wrestling match facing down a reanimated dead man. Built from scraps, this Frankenstein is more than willing to throw-down in the squared circle. Naturally, the creature was brought to life by a mad scientist and his hunchback companion, but Mignola is out to hit all the tropes.

The scientist’s servant is a werewolf, and there is an old vampire on the property too. It only makes sense that the vampire’s crypt would be haunted by ghosts. How much can Hellboy take of these classic movie monsters?

It’s a fun little yarn, but Richard Corben’s stellar artwork makes this book sing. The wolf man’s transformation is probably the high point; it’s a fantastic three-panel run as he gives in and gets furry. The lady ghosts are almost hot, at first, but of course, they get real ugly when they decide it’s time to get Hellboy.

Again, if this was a one-shot or other, cheaper format, I’d be all over it. For now, I’ll just hope it gets wrapped up into a future trade.

Good

BPRD: Hell on Earth: Gods and Monsters TPB

Dark Horse comics deserves some praise for replacing Guy Davis and not leaving me crying over it. I have absolutely loved Davis’ work on this series over the past few years. His design work on the creatures of Hellboy’s world has been amazing, and that ability is on display here again. The world is ending, but it is ending slowly. And with enough talk shows and sterile reports, I’m not sure the BPRD can even recognize it coming.

Abe Sapien has become a true man of action; he just doesn’t have the same aura of invincibility that Hellboy always did. He handles all the same situations (often in the same ways) but I’m always more concerned for Abe. Turns out there may have been a good reason for that worry.

The second half of the trade explores the more mundane madness of the BPRD, as Liz Sherman finds out more about the trailer park where she’s made her new life. It turns out that those good ol’ boys (and gals) aren’t so good after all.

Tyler Crook gets his chance to work with Mike Mignola and John Arcudi on this storyline, and his work is stunning. Working off some great design work from Ryan Sook, I’m really impressed with Crook’s work. He balances the odd story-elements so well, everything has a great texture to it. Trailer-park cultists? Sure that makes sense, if they look this realistic and well-though out.

Good

Witchfinder v2: Lost and Gone Forever TPB

Mike Mignola and John Arcudi can pretty much do no wrong for me, but factor in one of my favorite sub-genres of the weird west, and we have a winner.

I barely remember the previous trade, I guess Sir Edward Grey just didn’t make much of an impression on me after I read that one. But I think this book will stick with me for a bit longer. Heading off into the American West in search of a missing Englishman, Grey gets caught up in some witchery, Native American mysticism, and zombies. It’s just as varied as it sounds, full of nice characterization and action

As always, the horror moments are rare but powerful, my favorite being the appearance of the rock hell-hound and the whole mine sequence. (I mean really, shouldn’t occult investigators know better than to go underground when there are zombies about?)

It was neat seeing Grey’s origin, although we only see it pretty quickly. I love Grey’s interaction and deductive skills, the entire book is filled with him making educated guesses and leaps of logic that totally make sense and add to the narrative. (My favorite being that Grey takes note of how quickly his buddy Morgan Kaler deals with their first zombie. Kaler stays pretty calm too, mighty suspicious!) Kaler is a great addition to the BPRD universe, a buckskin-wearing man of action who would fit right in working with Hellboy.

There are some really fascinating uses of magic on people of faith (or lack of). I loved seeing how Grey’s beliefs handled the many tests from the witchcraft in this story. But it’s all about the horror and action, and this book delivers.

John Severin is a classic Western artist, and it shows. Every detail looks fantastic, and the horror designs are perfect. The Buffalo God who appears so briefly has a huge impact on the story, and I loved the white witch and her strange pull on the Native American’s she’s stealing power from. I'm glad he got to go out with such a wonderful book.

Time and again I’m impressed by Mignola’s corner of comics. I shouldn’t be surprised at that quality any more, but I’m happy that I am.

Excellent

Hellboy: The Bride of Hell & Others TPB

I've been waiting for Hellboy in Mexico for a long time. Mike Mignola talks about the convention card he drew years ago that inspired the story, and yeah, I've got one. I believe it was a Chicago con, if I remember correctly.

In any case, factor in monster-fighting luchadores with some beautiful Richard Corben art and this first story was just fantastic. I really hope there are some follow-ups on the way, either featuring the surviving luchadores OR the bat-monster dude. Just more Hellboy in Mexico! Corben does a great job with the wrestling moves too; this is a fun issue.

Double Features of Evil has the kind of high-concept BPRD case that I wish we could see more of. With Hellboy's own path in sort of a weird place these days, I relish these chances to see glimpses of his old cases. And that haunted house story! Wonderful!

The Sleeping and the Dead is surprisingly sad, given the amount of smashing and vampire-punching involved. Mignola provides a pretty neat explanation why there aren't many blood-suckers in his world. Heck, when they do pop up, Hellboy just kills them anyway. I also liked seeing some more random field agents in this story. The BPRD is staffed by government shlubs who know about monsters. They're not so good at killing them, but at least they know monsters exist!

Richard Corben returns for the Bride of Hell. Another fantastic short story featuring Hellboy's background at the BPRD. It's always neat seeing Hellboy mix it up with crusaders and religious nuts, so I dug this one too.

Buster Oakley gets his wish is just plain silliness. That's what I used to love about Hellboy in the beginning. It was fun seeing him bust heads when reality wasn't on the line! Kevin Nowlan handles the fun art and horror mix perfectly.

Good

B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth TPB

Dang. Is there a better book on the stands than BPRD? I freaking love this comic. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi have created such a fascinating world, I can't get enough of it.

The world is in a rough spot. Some gigantic spore creature created a bunch of monsters in California, there's a volcano in Texas, and in Canada, entire towns are disappearing. This trade focuses on the Canadian diappearances, and it's a great, focused story about how the Earth is slowly giving way to chaos. While there are plenty of scenes for Kate Corrigan and the other folks back at HQ, the stars of this book are Abe Sapien and Capt. Daimio. It's been a long time since we saw the good Captain, but he's still out there doing his part to protect humanity. He just does it out in the woods like some sort of survivalist. These two men of action are a great team; it's been a long time since Mignola had two field agents who worked this well together (Hellboy had this relationship with both Abe and Roger the homunculus). The scene where the tentacle-beast chases the two of them through town while they empty AK-47's at him was thrilling.

As for Johann Kraus, he is getting harder and harder to like. The guy clearly blames Daimio for destroying his gigantic muscle-bod, and he's having a hard time thinking about anything besides getting it back. I understand Johann has had a hard couple of years now, but he's supposed to be a senior BPRD agent, and seeing him off in a daze all the time is unsettling. I am enjoying the developing suspicion he holds for Panya, the ancient mummy-woman.

One of the things Mignola and Arcudi do best is fill in the gaps around the stars of the book. Along with Devon, who has been around for a few books now, there are a couple more human field agents that really have the potential to add to the book. I loved the closing 8-page story with Carla. The world is crazy and she just put down a 60-foot monster, but she just wants to get home to her three-year-old. The world would go on, you know?

Guy Davis' art is simply amazing. That crazy pellican-monkey that's running around BPRD HQ is one of the silliest things I've ever seen, and yet I'm certain there is emotion in those weird eyes. The greenhouse, full of genetic mutations is another bright spot; when that gigantic hammerhead shark/gorilla hybrid comes out of the trees, who isn't tickled? One of my favorite Davis designs has always been his insane-looking Wendigo, Darryl. He shows up a few times in this, and man, that is one crazy beast-man!

I love it. What a fantastic comic.

Excellent

Amazing Screw-On Head HC

What a delightful collection of short stories from Mike Mignola. It shouldn't surprise anyone that this whole book is right up my alley, I'm a huge Mignola fan at this point.

The lead story has Screw-On Head (on a mission for Abraham Lincoln) taking on a zombie mastermind. S-O Head is a sentient head attached to a screw that can mount himself onto different robotic bodies, including his favorite, "lucky 13." If that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will.

The backups are just as good, with a fantastically twisted take on Jack and the Beanstalk, and the surprisingly touching Magician and his Snake story written by Mignola's daughter.

A bundle of fun pin-ups and one more short story about an alien invasion wrap up the collection. I found it tremendously freeing to read some of Mignola's mad ideas without the filter of Hellboy and BPRD. Both of Mignola's core titles have that palpable aura of sadness, from all the deaths in BPRD and Hellboy's eventual fate in his own title. This book has the crazy stories at full blast and raw, no complicated emotions coloring the delight of the madness.

Good

B.P.R.D.: King of Fear TPB

Another BPRD trade, another stroke of genius. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are simply unstoppable in this title. Their long-term story (now called War on Frogs) has been riveting, and it works quite well as the opening chapter of the BPRD. A lot happens in this trade, but most of it is character-related. There is certainly big action and plot movement, but this is an epilogue for the first era of the BPRD before things get kicked up to the next level.

It's fascinating to me how Abe Sapien has become Hellboy for the BPRD. What I mean is, he's the toughest field agent they've got, and he's out there leading strike teams and being a tough guy all the time now. It's sad seeing his teammate shy away from him because of his ties to the frogs, but I'm confident they'll come right back to him when they need him.

Johann's odd connection to Lobster Johnson gets wrapped up, and not in a way I expected. Johann's satisfied comment about Lobster being happy put a huge grin on my face. And that's saying something. Lobster's eternal fate is to fight Nazi ghosts forever, and yet that's exactly what the Claw of Justice would want.

Liz Sherman continues to be manipulated by Amon Saa. That dude has Liz's number. Once again, he spends a couple issues showing her an apocalyptic future with a destroyed BPRD helicarrier. The weirdest parts are seeing new names on some fatigues and seeing odd snapshots of our core cast in different circumstances. No sign of Daimio. LIz uses her powers on a global scale here, but she sure looks burned out at the end of the book. Without her pyro-powers, I'm worried the BPRD is overmatched.

There is plenty of face time for the rest of the BPRD cast, from Kate Corrigan and her new boyfriend all the way to Director Manning. The BPRD is global now, let's hope that means new agents, new gear, and new fights in the next series.

Guy Davis' art is still stunning.I can't comprehend how he seamlesly morphs a brick wall into an army of fighting ghosts. The new gigantic monster is California ia horrifying, as are its monster-mist offspring.

Excellent