Here it is, the end of Hellboy and B.P.R.D. I liked this volume better than the previous two. The storytelling is clearer, the action is easier to folHere it is, the end of Hellboy and B.P.R.D. I liked this volume better than the previous two. The storytelling is clearer, the action is easier to follow, and the ending, while rushed, leaves me satisfied. The final twelve pages illustrated by Mignola are beautiful, a real highlight. I still think the whole Devil You Know chapter could have been executed much better, but I suppose it gets the job done. Now I’m curious if Mignola will continue the story from here....more
Hellboy’s back on Earth, helping the B.P.R.D. launch its attack on Varvara and her demon horde. As with the first volume, the storytelling here is fraHellboy’s back on Earth, helping the B.P.R.D. launch its attack on Varvara and her demon horde. As with the first volume, the storytelling here is fractured. I sometimes had trouble following the action, like panels are missing. And the deaths (or near-deaths) elicited little to no reaction from me. Chalk it up to poor writing. Although Allie does manage a pretty funny exchange between Hellboy and Abe when they land in war-torn NYC:
“Guess I haven’t been to Manhattan in a while.” “Ha. Just isn’t the same, is it?” “God damn Giuliani...”
Elsewhere, this series feels more and more like a misfire as it stumbles toward its inevitable conclusion. A real shame....more
Well. This was not good. The Devil You Know is marketed as the final Hellboy story, and the first five issues are convoluted and jagged. It’s written Well. This was not good. The Devil You Know is marketed as the final Hellboy story, and the first five issues are convoluted and jagged. It’s written by Scott Allie who’s simply not as strong as Mignola or Arcudi. There’s a lot going on here – jumps from one plotline to the next are jarring, and some characters (especially Liz) feel off. I like seeing where the world is post-Ogdru Jahad, and things pick up the final two issues, though I had difficulty getting a handle on all that’s happening. I guess it's more of the same: the word's ending, brought on by a cult, etc. I’m holding out hope that it’ll come together in the end. Judging from this book however, I'm not sure it will....more
A terrific standalone Hellboy story. Koshchei the Deathless is having drinks with Hellboy in Hell, telling him his life story. He starts at the very bA terrific standalone Hellboy story. Koshchei the Deathless is having drinks with Hellboy in Hell, telling him his life story. He starts at the very beginning and goes through the time he faced down Hellboy in the Darkness Calls arc. Accordingly, much of his story concerns his tumultuous relationship with Baba Yaga, including what happened to them after Darkness Calls. The rest is a series of Koshchei’s adventures and quests when he was prideful. This isn’t a wildly important story in the grand scheme of the Hellboy universe, but it’s fascinating and well-told. Mignola writes it himself, so of course the treatment of folklore comes off as highly intelligent and respectful. The story is very readable though. And Ben Stebeck brings a fantastical edge to the series; there are many cool creatures here, including dragons, giants, and trolls, plus many scenic landscapes. Casual fans may not get as much out of this as those who’ve read most of Hellboy, but it’s an awesome read regardless. I just love how Mignola writes mythology and folklore....more
“Nowhere, Nothing, Never” is a powerful story about Johann and the cost of leadership in war. Arcudi’s writing is wonderfully nuanced, and I really li“Nowhere, Nothing, Never” is a powerful story about Johann and the cost of leadership in war. Arcudi’s writing is wonderfully nuanced, and I really like this character-driven vignette in the middle of battle. B.P.R.D. is at its best when honing in on characters like this.
Then we get “Modern Prometheus,” which continues Johann’s story and ties into the Sledgehammer ‘44 miniseries. It’s a satisfying turn of events not only for Johann but the Hellboy world as a whole. Mignola and Arcudi were clearly planning on this happening with the vril suit from the start, and it’s awesome looking back at the seeds planted in Lobster Johnson’s series. These guys know how to play the long game.
“End of Days” is where it starts to go down. The Ogdru Jahad, Black Flame, and more finally come to a head. This is an intense five issues that immediately ramps up the stakes and brings together so many previous storylines. It’s a bit convoluted honestly, but the big moments hit hard and it feels like a culmination.
Finally, there’s “Cometh the Hour.” This is the real battle, where B.P.R.D. (mainly Liz and Johann) fight the Ogdru Jahad, along with a few surprise players. We also see Iosef and Varvara’s journey in Hell, tying in nicely to the Hellboy in Hell series. This is a great conclusion. It’s perhaps a little rushed but nonetheless exciting and emotionally resonant. Now to read the *actual* end in The Devil You Know.
A final note: this collection largely focuses on Johann. I didn’t expect him to be such a major player at the end, and admittedly he hasn’t been my favorite character. So I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed his journey here. And I know I keep saying it, but I love how Mignola and Arcudi bring together so many elements from past storylines. It’s some awesome, long game storytelling....more
This is considerably better than the previous omnibus. Abe finally learns his purpose, and the journey is both compelling and surprising. There’s stilThis is considerably better than the previous omnibus. Abe finally learns his purpose, and the journey is both compelling and surprising. There’s still some vagueness that I don’t like, but I suppose Mignola, Allie, and co. accomplished what they set out to do with Abe’s story. That is, provide enough information for the finale of Hellboy and Abe’s part in it. I love the art in this book, especially in the later issues. I can’t help but feel though that an Abe Sapien series missed an opportunity to have gorgeous ocean landscapes. There are some of those in these stories, but a lot of them were Abe just walking around. Oh well....more
“Exorcism” and “The Exorcist” are my favorite stories in this collection, and some of my favorites of Hell on Earth. New agent Ashley Strode seeks out“Exorcism” and “The Exorcist” are my favorite stories in this collection, and some of my favorites of Hell on Earth. New agent Ashley Strode seeks out Ota Benga (from B.P.R.D. 1947) for help exorcising a demon from a boy. Then she goes to a small town where kids are disappearing, encountering another demon there. These stories are well told, exciting, and a cool showcase for Strode, who has a good amount of character development here. Another reason I like these stories is because I’m a big fan of The Exorcist movie.
As for the rest of the book, “Grind” is another highlight. It’s a darkly funny yarn about a man in a town experiencing semi-normality. The other stories are decent, but they’re a bit convoluted. Honestly, this collection does feel like Mignola and co. are spinning wheels a bit until the finale, but there’s enough fun to be had that it’s not really a bother. This stuff is definitely better than the Abe Sapien stories going at the same time....more
Underwhelming. These stories mostly consist of Abe wandering around the American Southwest encountering monsters and strangers, some helpful, some notUnderwhelming. These stories mostly consist of Abe wandering around the American Southwest encountering monsters and strangers, some helpful, some not. He’s trying to discover his purpose and doesn’t really arrive at any answers. Hellboy editor Scott Allie writes most of the stories; he’s simply not as good as Mignola or Arcudi. An Abe Sapien solo series could be excellent but this book was rarely compelling. I came away from this with the same feeling as when I read The Drowning omnibus: that Abe is more interesting in Hellboy and B.P.R.D. stories. The one bright spot is Sebastian and Max Fiumara’s art, which is a nice dusty fit for the largely desert setting....more
There’s some good stuff here, but I think the series is treading water at times. A few story arcs are flat out uninteresting. Barring character develoThere’s some good stuff here, but I think the series is treading water at times. A few story arcs are flat out uninteresting. Barring character development from Liz and Fenix, the global Ogdru Hem plot moves at a snail’s pace, while all the fighting blurs together after a while. At times the series feels more like The Walking Dead or Starship Troopers than B.P.R.D. I do like the stuff with Liz, as she’s one of my favorite characters – it’s great seeing her again. I’m getting tired of Iosef though, and the new agents don’t really stand out. The sense of helplessness is prominent in this collection, to the point where it’s a dreary and even depressing read. Those aren’t adjectives that I typically associate with B.P.R.D. Dark and apocalyptic, yes, but also emotional and hopeful. Things will probably turn around at some point, but I have to say I wasn’t very invested or interested in the stories here....more
Hellboy died saving the world in “The Storm and the Fury.” Now he’s in Hell, where demons have fled Pandemonium hiding from him and Satan has been aslHellboy died saving the world in “The Storm and the Fury.” Now he’s in Hell, where demons have fled Pandemonium hiding from him and Satan has been asleep for two thousand years. Hellboy meets Sir Edward Grey who wishes to help him, as well as others he’s encountered before. Plus several new faces. So, “Hellboy in Hell” is basically Hellboy wandering around Hell, encountering weirdness, occasionally fighting, and getting some sort of closure. At the time, this was supposed to be the absolute end of Hellboy’s story, and I can see why some fans were disappointed. It’s an extended epilogue that goes out in a whimper compared to the epic arcs that preceded it. I loved it though.
First, this is some of Mignola’s best art ever. He’s drawn Hell before, but his vision here is so perfectly realized and atmospheric. There’s not a page that I thought was lackluster. And second, the storytelling is rather bold, consisting of short interconnected vignettes. I thought this was a welcome and unexpected way to go after “The Storm and the Fury.” Sure, there are some epic moments, but the sense of uncertainty in where the story was going kept me on my toes, and I liked that. There's also a melancholic feel to these issues that's quite haunting.
“Hellboy in Hell” may not be the best part of the series, but I loved it for its uniqueness and beautiful art. Mignola appears totally in control of his vision here. Even though some plot threads are left hanging, I would’ve been okay if this was the true end of Hellboy’s story....more
I thought this was a slight step down from the first collection. This one consists mostly of shorter stories focusing on various characters fighting OI thought this was a slight step down from the first collection. This one consists mostly of shorter stories focusing on various characters fighting Ogdru Hem around the world. These are some of the bloodiest, scariest B.P.R.D. stories ever, which is a plus in my book. Not all the stories are great though - some feel like insignificant sketches, starring low tier characters that I’m likely to forget. The main cast being largely sidelined doesn’t exactly thrill me. On the other hand, there’s stellar art throughout the book: Tyler Crook, James Harren, Jason Latour, and Max Fiumara bring the heat.
I really like the first two stories. “The Devil’s Engine” follows Devon and Felix heading to B.P.R.D. headquarters and running into trouble along the way. In “The Long Death,” Johann dangerously leads a team to the Pacific Northwest where he gets closure on the Daimio situation. Both stories are revealing character pieces with brutal bursts of action, and more than a few creepy images. The following few shorts don’t do much for me; we get a story about some southern vampires, backstory of the crazy B.P.R.D. professor, and a boring, extended look at prehistoric humans fighting Ogdru Hem. Not only are these stories forgettable, but they’re less exciting than the ones surrounding them. This series has produced some good short stories in the past. Sadly these don’t measure up.
“The Return of the Master” is a bit better. We finally learn what that body in the tank is all about, while the global repercussions of the Ogdru Hem are further revealed. I was surprised by the return of two villains in this story, and while I’m not totally convinced of their presence, I’m interested to see where Mignola and Arcudi take them. The action is this story is also fantastic. Felix is starting to annoy me though. There are hints as to her purpose in B.P.R.D. but she’s little more than an angsty teen throughout the book. I also think there’s too much going on in this story.
So, not as good as the first book, but some cool developments. Like I said, I miss Abe and Liz, though it seems they’ll be returning soon. The scope of the story gets bigger here and I doubt Mignola and Arcudi will let up....more
“New World” is a classic B.P.R.D. story that nicely transitions from the old world to the new one where Ogdru Hem have awakened. It starts out small w“New World” is a classic B.P.R.D. story that nicely transitions from the old world to the new one where Ogdru Hem have awakened. It starts out small with Abe going off on his own to investigate something in Canada, while we see growing tensions between other B.P.R.D. members now that they report to the U.N. Kate is stressed out, Panya is sneaking around, and Johann seems to be trying to revive Roger. The team dynamics have certainly changed, and Abe gets a taste of what’s to come, monster-wise. This is just a really solid read with good dialogue and action. Well done.
After a short story featuring a pair of B.P.R.D. agents, we get the dual “Gods” and “Monsters.” These focus on groups of people surviving in the aftermath of the Houston volcano. In “Gods,” we see some kids roaming around under the hesitant leadership of a psychic girl named Fenix. I’m interested to see where this goes. This story also has the potential death of a major character; I’m guessing it’s not permanent but it’s still shocking. Then, “Monsters” picks up Liz’s story where she’s living with hillbillies in a trailer park. Normally I love Liz but this story felt a little off to me. Maybe it’s the focus on frogs, which I’m kind of done with honestly. Tyler Crook comes on board for this arc, and his art fits like a glove. No disrespect to Guy Davis but I like Crook’s style better.
Then we have “Russia.” This is the best story in the collection, as it expands the scope of the Ogdru Hem world even more. Kate and Johann head to Russia where weird things are happening. Namely, that zombies are building a large structure near a mine that a psychic explored and came back from infected. The Russian team is led by Iosef, the soldier from the Abe Sapien story “Abyssal Plain.” He’s basically an asshole here, and seems to be slated for a major villain role, or at least a pain in the ass for B.P.R.D. That last page has me really interested in what comes next with him.
The collection closes with the 8-pager “An Unmarked Grave.” Kate meets Father Bill and Alice in England and gets caught up on Hellboy’s fate in “The Storm and the Fury.” You’ll want to read that before this....more
Epic. This collects probably the three best Hellboy arcs - Darkness Calls, The Wild Hunt, and The Storm and the Fury - which build and build to a stunEpic. This collects probably the three best Hellboy arcs - Darkness Calls, The Wild Hunt, and The Storm and the Fury - which build and build to a stunning conclusion. Mignola’s mythology melding has never been better or more fascinating than it is here, as he brings together everything from Celtic, Russian, Norse, and Arthurian legends. Even though Hellboy’s story continues after this, it feels like a capstone to his journey. So many elements from previous stories come to a head. It’s a dense read but ultimately rewarding if you’ve been following closely. And even if some stuff goes over your head, you can’t help but be awestruck by the world Mignola has created. I loved reading this collection and already want to do a reread of the whole series, because the world-building is one-of-a-kind....more
The Dead Remebered. In 1976, Professor Bruttenholm takes Liz Sherman to Massachusetts where a ghost has been haunting his pastor friend’s new home. ThThe Dead Remebered. In 1976, Professor Bruttenholm takes Liz Sherman to Massachusetts where a ghost has been haunting his pastor friend’s new home. This is above all a character study of Liz, who is very young here and still unable to fully control her pyrokinetic abilities. Mignola does a great job moving the story along while focusing on Liz and where she’s at during this period in her life. It’s a welcome spotlight on one of my favorite B.P.R.D. characters, with a cool witchcraft plot to boot. Probably the best story in the book.
Casualties. A brief story about Abe and Liz reflecting on their lots in life and that of non-powered B.P.R.D. agents. This is more a sketch than anything else, but it’s a nice contrast to the previous story, showing how Liz has made some sort of peace with herself several years later.
Being Human. First off, Richard Corben’s art is so good. He’s done some other Hellboy stories and I always get excited when I see his name in the credits. This particular story is a good one, focusing on Hellboy bringing Roger out for his first case. Roger is forced to make some difficult, life-or-death decisions on the trip as Hellboy counsels him.
The Ectoplasmic Man. Johann’s origin and first “case.” I love this story for how the newly dead Johann retains his humanity and goodness. Unlike Liz and Roger, he doesn’t need much guidance from Hellboy and Bruttenholm, as he already has control over his abilities. The villain in this story is pretty wacky and Ben Stenbeck provers some dynamic art. I really like how he visualizes Johann.
This is a very solid, character driven collection of stories about Liz, Roger, and Johann in their early years. Don’t overlook it....more
“The Drowning” opens this collection as the longest story here. It’s also one of the weakest. Abe is two years into his B.P.R.D. career, sent to a sma“The Drowning” opens this collection as the longest story here. It’s also one of the weakest. Abe is two years into his B.P.R.D. career, sent to a small French island to retrieve the remains of a warlock and the supernatural dagger that supposedly killed him. Of course it’s not as easy as it seems, and Abe becomes involved in a larger mystery surrounding the island. I like the setup of this story but the storytelling gets convoluted towards the middle. Mignola includes a lot of backstory, and not always gracefully, resulting in lessened excitement. I’m also not into Jason Shawn Alexander’s scratchy art. Aside from a few striking images, it’s a weird fit for Abe. All in all, a disappointing start to the collection.
Thankfully, the short stories are all pretty good, even if they’re sort of forgettable. They’re arranged chronologically with the final story taking place during the Hell on Earth period. We see Abe go on a bunch of cool missions basically. He doesn’t have much personality until the later stories - I find that Abe doesn’t become interesting until he discovers his past and after Hellboy leaves B.P.R.D. So most of these stories are decidedly plot-driven with little character development for Abe. I still enjoyed them though, especially “The Abyssal Plain,” where Abe and a pirate crew retrieve a powerful helmet from the ocean, and “Land of the Dead” which sees the return of Camazotz in Xiabalba. Those are the best of the bunch, I think. There’s excellent art here as well, but the best-looking stories are sadly the weakest: “Witchcraft & Demonology” is stunningly drawn by Santiago Caruso, but the story is entirely exposition. Likewise, Mark Nelson’s art is gorgeously dreamy in “Subconscious,” which is too too brief to leave an impression. Guy Davis, Peter Snejbjerg, and Kevin Nowlan also rise to the top in the art department.
On the whole, this is a decent collection but I was left wanting more. Abe is a great character, but he’s more compelling in B.P.R.D. and Hellboy than he is here. Hopefully other Abe solo stories reverse course and give him more attention instead of being all about plot....more
Frankenstein Underground spins out of “House of the Living Dead,” one of the Mexico short stories. So I suggest reading that before this. Either way, Frankenstein Underground spins out of “House of the Living Dead,” one of the Mexico short stories. So I suggest reading that before this. Either way, Frankenstein Underground is a decent read, following Frankenstein’s monster as he discovers an underground world and the supernatural horrors residing there. Mignola includes Easter eggs throughout the story, which are always fun to pick out. However, there’s too much exposition, and the story doesn’t add much to the universe as a whole. It’s readable and well-drawn by Ben Stenbeck, just not likely to stand out amongst other B.P.R.D. and Hellboy books. I will say that this book makes me really want a series about Hyperborea....more
Very fun book collecting most of the Hellboy in Mexico stories. I love the idea of Hellboy wandering around Mexico for five months in a drunken daze, Very fun book collecting most of the Hellboy in Mexico stories. I love the idea of Hellboy wandering around Mexico for five months in a drunken daze, battling supernatural threats he only half remembers. All these stories take place during that period, and they’re all entertaining. The art is nothing to sneeze at either - Richard Corben, Fabio Moon, Gabriel Ba, Mike McMahon, and Mignola himself deliver the goods in that department. If I had to pick, the two stories illustrated by Corben are my favorites, as they’re the most substantial and contain nice doses of emotion. The whole collection is worth reading, even if it’s not the most important in the larger Hellboy saga. Not everything in Hellboy needs to be epic....more
The Midnight Circus is a short graphic novel flashing back to Hellboy’s youth in 1948. I previously read it in the first short story omnibus and lovedThe Midnight Circus is a short graphic novel flashing back to Hellboy’s youth in 1948. I previously read it in the first short story omnibus and loved it there. I loved reading it a second time, too; there’s a whimsical, creepy nature to this story, as Hellboy runs away to a circus one night. Mignola drops hints to future (and past) events, and I really like how he incorporates Pinocchio into the plot. Kid Hellboy is also kind of adorable, especially when he’s geeking out about Lobster Johnson. The best part, however, is Duncan Fegredo’s art. It’s phenomenal. I can’t imagine how much time went into those wash panels. This is some of my favorite Hellboy art not drawn by Mignola....more
A solid, if minor addition to the Hellboy catalog. This directly follows B.P.R.D. 1948 as Simon Anders sets out to deal with his vampire situation. HeA solid, if minor addition to the Hellboy catalog. This directly follows B.P.R.D. 1948 as Simon Anders sets out to deal with his vampire situation. He travels to a small town in Czechoslovakia where he gets a history lesson before going hunting. It’s a familiar B.P.R.D. setup, and I do feel like I’ve read this type of story before. The art by Moon and Ba is the best part for me - their style is a great match for the world of Hellboy, with lots of creepy panels and atmosphere. It’s gorgeous. And I can’t really fault Mignola’s writing, even if the story is a bit rote. I don’t think newcomers will get much out of this, but for regular Hellboy readers Vampire is worth checking out, especially if you’ve been following Simon’s story....more
1946. B.P.R.D. has been around for two years and Trevor Bruttenholm is in Berlin looking for occult objects the Nazis hoarded during the war. He and a1946. B.P.R.D. has been around for two years and Trevor Bruttenholm is in Berlin looking for occult objects the Nazis hoarded during the war. He and a leftover American platoon come across Russians led by a chipper little girl who already have many of the valuables. Together they uncover a secret vampire experiment the Nazis conducted in an asylum. What’s not like about this? It’s awesome. So much of what’s great about Hellboy is in this story, and the immediate postwar setting opens up cool occult possibilities. There are some nice ties to larger Hellboy events, plus it’s a good showcase for Bruttenholm. With top-notch storytelling and a thrilling climax, this is one of the best B.P.R.D. stories.
1947. Bruttenholm sends four soldiers to France to investigate Baron Konig who has been slaughtering Nazis across Europe. One of the soldiers goes off alone and is lured by a woman to the chateau where Konig supposedly committed atrocities in 1771. When he gets there, things aren’t quite what they seem. Like 1946, I like how this connects to other Hellboy events, particularly Hecate (I was surprised when she showed up). And the way Hellboy himself is integrated into the story is well done, and rather poignant. The story’s a little slow to start but picks up steam by the end. The last issue is excellent.
1948. Slightly disappointing. This mostly takes place at the Utah base which just isn’t as interesting as gothic Europe. The romance between Bruttenholm and Anna is underwhelming and the Hellboy plot is awkwardly shoehorned in. Exposition isn’t handled as smoothly as in the other stories, either. I guess they can’t all be winners.
Overall, this is a very good collection that fills in some gaps to the Hellboy universe and B.P.R.D. history specifically. There’s a lot of world-building and neat supernatural stuff across the stories, with a welcome focus on Bruttenholm - I like seeing the B.P.R.D. go from scrappy group to more organized team still working out kinks in just a few years. I haven’t even mentioned the art - Patric Reynolds and Paul Azaceta handle the two prologue stories, while Azaceta, Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba, and Max Fiumara illustrate the year stories. All the artists do a nice job but Moon and Ba are my favorites....more
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