2012 might be the “Year of Monsters,” but it is also the “Year of LoJo!”
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Illustrated by Tonci ZonjicHellboy’s favorite gun-blazing vigilante takes justice to the skies this time by getting locked in combat aboard a zeppelin!
David: Team Mignolaversity is back, and this time Brian and I have a look at yet ANOTHER Lobster Johnson joint. This has really been the year of LoJo somehow, as with no Hellboy books coming out, we’ve gotten a wide variety of one-shots, minis and other stories for Johnson in the big red guy’s place. It has gotten to be a little much, as we have talked about a number of times recently.
That said, this one-shot, titled Lobster Johnson: Caput Mortuum, features the return of vaunted LoJo artist Tonci Zonjic, and it frankly kicks ass even though it doesn’t really “matter.” What did you think Brian?
Brian: This is the ideal LoJo story – a quick, action packed, fun, beautifully illustrated piece of pulp. I don’t know if its the love of zeppelins that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade put in me as a 7 year old or what, but this issue was far, FAR, more riveting than I expected. And a lot of that credit needs to go to Zonjic – he remains the perfect fit for Lobster Johnson stories. His melting/burning images were especially haunting.
David: Yeah, his art throughout was stellar. There were some truly amazing spots though: I loved when he threw the guy out the window who had the gas mask on. It was stark black on the foreground with the background full color, and the effect was really powerful. Man, this issue kicked a lot of ass. It’s funny because it had the proper amount of pulp adventure vibe to it. It had everything a LoJo book should be, with the Zonjic business taking it to another level.
Have I mentioned I really enjoyed this issue yet Brian?
Brian: I think we got the idea. It is interesting, because last one shot, we were sort of bemoaning all the Lobster Johnson we got this year, but here we are, just a month later, and we’re praising the book up and down.
Well, this brings us to the end of LoJo in our Mignolaversity coverage for 2012, as from here on out, it is all B.P.R.D., including “1948” and, officially as of December, “Hellboy in Hell.” Since LoJo was clearly the breakout B.P.R.D. minor character in 2012, who are we putting our money on for 2013?
David: I do want to just add that this just proves that any character can have a good comic. It just has to be a good comic. The other LoJo stuff was really flat, while this reduces LoJo’s role and focuses on the pulpy adventure of it all, the way it should be. I think this issue does the same things the others did, just significantly better. Plus, Tonci Zonjic.
As for which B.P.R.D. character will break out? Well, I have two bets. One more likely than the other. The more likely character is Varvara, the little girl in the glass case that is being held by Iosif. She is really the constant in the 1940’s minis besides Bruttenholm, and it is unlike Mignola to bring her up AND back in real time without a purpose. I think 1948 and The Return of the Master brings her into the spotlight for real.
Then, my obligatory answer of ASHLEY STRODE. She’s coming Brian. I can feel it. She has to have a purpose.
What’s your take?
Brian: I think both are good guesses, but I think 2012 is the year of Devon. Haters, like you, David, are gonna hate, but I think this is the year Devon becomes one of the major players going forward. That isn’t to say I think he’ll be on the right side of any situation, but I think he’s going to have a huge part to play.
So, besides for us erecting a statue in the honor of Mr. Zonjic, what do you give this issue?
Continued belowDavid: My problem with saying Devon is that is assuming he hasn’t already made the leap, which in my opinion he has. If anything, his Padawan learner Fenix (now tied to Panya) is a good guess too. But Devon was Most Improved BPRDer in like…2010 or 2011. He’s out!!!
I have to say, I’m pretty pumped about the Mignolaverse right now. It’s weird how B.P.R.D. has this dramatic return to form with The Return of the Master and Exorcism and even LoJo gets a big leap up. I’m going to give this book a very, very solid 8.0. Damn fine comic booking here my friend.
Brian: Most improved and breakout character aren’t the same thing you silly Alaskan!
8 seems totally fair, though. 8 it is. Next week, we’re back again with “Return of the Master” #2 and then we will have a very special installment of Mignolaversity to celebrate the start of “1948”: our video version of Mignolaversity, live from New York Comic Con! You’ll finally get to see the two handsome men behind this column interact face to face! I can scarcely wait!
David: And don’t forget, we also should have some rad interviews with top Mignolaverse people. Who could they be?!!!
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Buy
