Back in 2008, B.P.R.D. began the final story of the Plague of Frogs cycle, the Scorched Earth trilogy (collected in B.P.R.D. Plague of Frogs – Volume 4). This massive story spanned fifteen issues and brought Plague of Frogs to a horrific end, launching the Hell on Earth cycle. In B.P.R.D. #135, final story of Hell on Earth begins, wrapping up the story we’ve been following since 2010, and setting the stage for the next story cycle to follow…
Here to talk about the final story for the Hell on Earth cycle is the artist of B.P.R.D. #135–139, Laurence Campbell.
Laurence Campbell: Thanks for the kind comments on the covers. I was lucky enough to read the full scripts and see some of the art on Nowhere, Nothing, Never. I loved the arc, thought it was really powerful and an insight into Johann. I wanted to capture the changes of Johann and a slightly unsettling/surreal approach which I feel Johann gives.
It all came together for me when I connected the three issues to the three major changes to Johann. Once that came into place things moved quickly. With Modern Prometheus, the first cover I wanted to continue with the head shots, but in a slightly different way as it’s a different arc but still connected. The last part I wanted to just focus on Sledgehammer, so you see a journey.
But you’ve been doing more than just covers. You never really stopped working on interiors, I believe.
LC: I’ve been continually busy with B.P.R.D. since The Devil’s Wings, working on B.P.R.D. covers along with this upcoming arc.
Speaking of this upcoming arc, the solicitations for B.P.R.D. #135 billed the issue a the first part of the “final massive story of Hell on Earth.” Although, that doesn’t necessarily mean this is the final arc. After all, the final B.P.R.D. Plague of Frogs story spanned three arcs. Is Hell on Earth going to be doing something similar?
LC: I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say events happen which will bring us a lot closer to the end of Hell on Earth.
The Black Flame is going to play a big role in the upcoming arc. And while this arc will be your first time drawing this modern incarnation of him, you’ve had considerable experience with the character already, having drawn him in Sledgehammer 44: Lightning War. How are you finding returning to the character with this new design?
LC: I love drawing the Black Flame. Credit goes to John and Mike for making him such a classic villain. He feels like he’s been around for an age. James’s designs for the latest look of the Black Flame is fantastic and I’ve had a real blast drawing him. I guess there is some kind of symmetry with the Black Flame having drawn him in Sledgehammer 44: Lightning War in one form and then in this coming arc. Readers will hopefully pick up on some of the connections.
I’m sure they will. In a way, this is sort of a sequel to Lightning War. But it’s not just the Black Flame story threads you’ll be picking up. Last month a teaser for this arc was released…
As well as the Black Flame, there are other intriguing characters. There’s McWhirter from the Oannes Society, a Victorian-era cyborg. Aside from a brief appearance in King of Fear, we haven’t seen him since Garden of Souls back in 2007. And then there is the creature seen behind the Black Flame. Some readers may assume this is an Ogdru Hem, but we’ve seen this guy before all the way back in 2005’s Hellboy: The Island. It’s one of the Ogdru Jahad, the seven dragons who are one. That’s kind of a big deal!
Continued belowWhat’s ahead isn’t just a big arc. It will be picking up threads teased for over a decade now, some going back to the very first Hellboy miniseries. How’s it feel taking on a story of this scale and working with such iconic pieces from the grander Hellboy mythology?
LC: It’s a real honour to be working with such iconic imagery. Something I’ve not taken lightly and was a real buzz to draw. There are plenty of moments in this arc where I’ve thought I can’t believe I’m getting to draw this.
We all know that one of the joys of B.P.R.D. is the overall story arc. Well, readers are getting a pay off here.
Before you go, do you have a final tease for our readers?
LC: The arc is called End of Days…
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi with art by Laurence Campbell, the first part of B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: End of Days comes out September 16. You won’t want to miss it!
