By Mignola, Arcudi, Harren & Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse
ISBN: 9781616554712
Since the Hell On Earth run began BPRD, once one of my firm favourites, has felt very much a hit and miss exercise with a lack of direction. However, the previous volume was certainly an improvement and then along comes this one – a stupendous return to form, with a firm sense of place, great character set pieces and challenges, some terrific monsters and some exceptional art.
Two BPRD teams are attempting to break into Manhattan, somehow sealed off from the outside world and crawling with hellish beasties. Fenix’s premonition is able to guide one team past the hideous monstrosities, but the second team, led by the undead Iosif, have to face them head on, but fortunately have the firepower to do so. Once inside Manhattan their job is to observe, understand, and then get out, but of course they get side-tracked by the horrors and the unexpected machinations of Zinco, the global company with a very dark agenda who appear to be thriving amongst this hellish backdrop. So things naturally fall apart as Iosif decides to take on Zinco while the newly returned Liz Sherman finds her inner-strength as she strives for a re-match against an incredibly powerful and altered Black Flame.
This is much better, largely because of the incredible artwork and designs of James Harren. His intricate illustrations of New York buildings, nasty-looking demonic creatures and the main cast and crew ground the book firmly in the moment and give it a weight that some of the previous volumes have been lacking. Also, the writing appears to have found a more solid direction now and there’s a sense of progress, albeit small steps. Iosif in particular is heroic and sensitive, and the book could have featured him alone and still been an excellent read. I’ll gladly have more from Mr Harren, please.
And if you liked that: Follow the Hellboy books too for a parallel tale
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