Laurence Campbell wraps up his two-issue arc on this story set back at Buruea HQ, and features a (sort of) backdoor pilot to “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.”
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Illustrated by Laurence CampbellAfter a massive blackout shuts down B.P.R.D. headquarters, our heroes are faced with having to exorcise Kate Corrigan and the dead vet who’s with her.
David: The two part story that welcomed Laurence Campbell to it concludes here, and what a doozy of an issue it is. Brought to us by Campbell, Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Dave Stewart, what did you think of this concluding chapter, Brian?
Brian: Well, first of all, I want to reiterate (from last time) how great it is to see so much of the “old gang” back together. I could have read a 10-part series of just the character interactions. So, long story short, I really enjoyed the story. It certainly isn’t the deepest, most important, or even most satisfying arc in the book’s history, but I enjoyed it.
What did you think?
David: It was great, man. It definitely wasn’t a game changer by any means, but it had a little bit of everything that makes the series special. The great cast of characters and Arcudi crushing with them, phenomenal art, Dave Stewart doing his thing, supernatural hijinks, and on top of that, we got extra tasty bits like J.H. O’Donnell getting proactive and li’l Hellboy kicking some ass. I don’t subscribe to the idea that comics have to be “important.” I’d prefer them to just be good. This is certainly a good comic, and it had excellent payoff from the last issue.
It also nicely set up the next arc with Johann in Japan, so it did its thing and built up the future of the comic. Tremendous stuff.
What stood out to you about this one in particular?
Brian: Well, the first thought after putting the issue down is “Oh, so the flashback is what “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.” will be like, which is an exciting proposition, however you slice it. Beyond that, there wasn’t a moment that really jumped out at me – I like seeing Fenix as a trusted part of the group, who is less and less written off by the others, and I am always up for an O’Donnell sighting.
After the past few arcs of non-stop insanity and destruction, it was a nice relief to just hang out at HQ for a bit. And yes, Johann in Japan has me very, very excited.
Let’s talk a little bit about Campbell’s art. His work is usually quite dark, and has a real menacing quality it, which worked so well with the possession story line. This issue also cemented the idea that Campbell should be the one to illustrate a Panya-focused arc. Due in part to his heavily inked style, all of the characters appear a little more distrustful and unsure of their surroundings, which totally works in this instance. The sense of dread that hangs over this issue is really fantastic.
David: Yeah, he does a phenomenal job here, and the showdown with the spirit of Breccan after the chopper blows up is my highlight reel for the issue and for Campbell’s work. It’s hard to make something that mostly lacks in substance seem so creepy, but Campbell delivers a moment that haunts us as readers as much as it likely would the B.P.R.D. team on the ground. I think he was such a good fit for an arc like this or Wasteland because he can take elements we recognize, add the fantastical, and still make them feel grounded. He has a gift in that regard, and it makes an issue like this work all the better.
Although I have to wonder why this issue convinced you on the Panya thing. She wasn’t in this issue a whole lot, really. Sadly, whenever I think Panya, I think Guy Davis. He’s my Panya artist.
Brian: For some reason, the way Campbell draws Panya just speaks to me. Her really brings out the lines on her face, and gives her a gravitas I don’t think Davis necessarily did.
Continued belowPlus, Davis isn’t working in the Mignolaverse anymore, so he’s probably off the list. I win!
David: I’d still go Tyler Crook over Campbell on Panya, but to each their own! And how dare you say Davis didn’t bring out Panya’s gravitas! The man is a saint!
Here’s one thing that threw me off a bit about this one: where is everyone else? Normally the B.P.R.D. headquarters are pretty full of people, but it was basically the core group and O’Donnell. Did they explain where everyone was? That threw me off a bit while reading it.
Brian: I presume that the ranks are quite thin right now. You’d figure that most of the agents are out there trying to un-break the world, and that the only ones left at HQ are ones between missions, O’Donnell, and Panya. I mean, if there was ever an “all hands on deck” moment for the Bureau, it has to be now.
I also wonder if some agents are currently in Russia, working with their new partners.
David: I doubt it on the Russia part, but I imagine some members went out to Japan with Johann, and others are off fighting disasters. It just seems a little unreal that this huge government agency wouldn’t have any paper pushers left behind, really. A few showed up randomly at the end, but it just struck me as odd.
Any thoughts on the Hellboy flashback? I agree on your sentiment that it’s almost a backdoor pilot for the Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. series, but Hellboy shooting Breccan was a huge moment, and an emotional one. It made me really excited for that series.
Brian: The flashback was a very emotional one, and as I just recently started my great Hellboy re-read, it really felt like a missing chapter from those early Hellboy stories. As always, the execution of the story is done perfectly, and Arcudi has really taken to the early Hellboy stuff better than I ever thought he would have (to me, only Mignola can really write Hellboy). The series has me very excited, and I can’t wait to dig into it.
David: For sure, it should be a lot of fun. So what would you give this issue on the ol’ 1 to 10 scale Mr. Salvatore?
Brian: This is a 7.5 for me – I dug it, it has me excited for what is to come, but it was down just slightly from the high of the past few arcs. What about you, Mr. Harper?
David: I am shocked by your grade, as I thought you loved it. I’ll give it an 8.0. It’s a very, very good comic that ultimately felt a little slight overall, and any time we can get some Laurence Campbell art, I’m happy.
Final Verdict: 7.75 – Another quality Mignolaverse title
