The final “B.P.R.D.” miniseries issue of all time (minus trips to the past, like the upcoming “1948”) – how will this era of “B.P.R.D.” wrap up?
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Illustrated by Tyler CrookAn elite B.P.R.D. team hunts down a mad Russian scientist in the Scottish Highlands, only to be ambushed by a horrifyingly savage ghost. Meanwhile, Zinco and the Bureau meet to plan special experimentations on Johann.
Brian – Wow – what an issue! This series is bringing in just about every character, plotline, and loose thread from the last two years into “Return of the Master,” getting ready for the transformation into an ongoing series. I read this issue twice in a row, just to try and soak up as much information as I could and really savor the 24 pages. I don’t claim to be a soothsayer, but I can guess that you were equally excited by this, David?
David: I was excited, but I wasn’t really blown away by it. Don’t get me wrong – there were some really amazing parts. Namely, Panya and Fenix training was incredible, as are the continuous machinations of the nefarious Zinco Corporation. It was a very, very good issue, and in my book, particularly highlighted by the greatness of Tyler Crook. Is it just me or did he take a step up in this issue? Some of his work here felt like it was at another level. What was it that got you going so hot and heavy on this issue, my friend?
Brian: Wait a second, friend-o. You say that the art was up a notch, there was an “incredible” training sequence, some “amazing” Zinco parts, and you weren’t blown away? What do you need to feel true happiness, pal? Do you need to borrow a feeling?
First of all, I’m an established Johann fanboy, so finding out his angle here was a major, and welcome, revelation. Throw on top of that the incredible ghost-monster in the cave, the aforementioned training sequence, the phenomenal art, the nice sequence about Hellboy and Abe, and you have a damn near perfect B.P.R.D. comic.
Let’s talk Johann for a second here. How do you feel about him, potentially, getting a “real” body again?
David: Ha! No, I mean it was a very good issue, it just didn’t have any moments where I really was like “WOW!” It was more like…methodical awesomeness. This is by far the best architecture of a mini that they have had in Hell on Earth, and it is brilliant how all of the parts are moving forward simultaneously.
But for Johann, we found that out last issue, didn’t we? We knew they had the big body coming back and that they needed Zinco’s research to get there. This was just seeing more of the plan coming together. I have to say though, I think the most exciting thing is how in control Iosif feels, when realistically, Zinco is working with The Master who is one of Varvara’s guys. It’s all about to fall apart for Iosif, I fear.
Back to Johann though, I feel great about him getting a “real” body, as he clearly does as well. I liked the visual callback to how he lost his body in the first place, and Kate’s handling of both him and the science nerd whose name escapes me was quite great. The only problem here is that Zinco clearly has something planned for the body, and in some way will use it against him and the B.P.R.D. What that is, I’m not sure.
Besides the Iosif deal, I want to ask you about Fenix’s vision and what Panya was doing with her. What did you think of that sequence?
Brian: Yeah, we had some idea of what Johann was up to last issue, but seeing the plan be laid out like this is great.
As for Panya and Fenix, that was a mesmerizing sequence. Panya is guiding her from the possible to the probable, and the probable appears to be, literally, Hell on Earth. Fire and brimstone alongside skyscrapers, demons/monsters/what have you, torturing people, Abe being put through even more. This appears to be what the B.P.R.D. is tasked to either prevent, or fight when it comes to pass. This is the moment when the objective becomes crystal clear.
Continued belowNow, David, I must ask – are you ready for my crackpot theory? You’re going to love it, by the way.
David: Bring the crackpot theories hard! I love them.
Brian: So, Johann gets this new body, and Zinco begins to mess with it, however they will. And what is needed is for Johann’s spirit to, somehow, get out of that body. Now, what do we call it when removing a spirit from a person’s body?
David: I was so excited to respond that I actually typed my name in caps too. EXORCISM!!! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE! ASHLEY STRODE!
Brian: Correctamundo! How do you like dem apples?
David: These are my favorite apples ever Brian!!! I can’t even really think of the rest of the book because I am so excited about the potential return of Ashley Strode. YEAAHHHHHH!!!!!
Alright, let’s move on to Crook though. I hyped him up. Do you agree with me that there were subtle glimpses of improvement in his overall awesomeness? Or was it simply a case of this script gave him more standout moments than usual?
Brian: Two things: I think the script was top notch, and gave him a lot to work with, but it is also a case of Crook being now a more seasoned B.P.R.D. artist, and he is probably getting a better grip on how he draws, say, Kate, and so the work appears more consistent and fluid.
But to deny this as a great work by Crook would be foolish. The aforementioned Fenix/Panya double page spread is an example of just how great Crook is, not to mention Iosif’s subtle expressions and the awesome Lazar as peaceful maniac sequence. Crook knocks it out of the park.
David: Yeah. I like that you brought up something as simple as drawing Kate, because that was one of my mental notes. I think more than anything, he’s giving this book his own touches more so than before. Kate has his look now, not Guy Davis’. Everyone kind of is developing their own Crook identity, and I dig that.
Now before we get to our grades, I have one other question for you. Did you read the letters column?
Brian: I did – are you referring to the ‘Cameron Stewart on more Ashley Strode adventures’ news, or the fact that there is a B.P.R.D. superfan living in Fort Lee, NJ, a mere 40 minutes from where I live?
David: Negative. I’m referring to the first letter. The one from the long time fan who said he was dropping B.P.R.D. and said that the book has had a massive downturn in 2012 (namely in the amount of minis that could have been one-shots or not even have existed). I think it’s interesting that, while we weren’t considering dropping it, as recently as three months ago we’d both arguably agree that the book was in a bit of a slump. Now that we’ve had Exorcism, a one-shot or two, and the beginning of this mini, we’re fully on the upswing again. Would you agree with all that?
I also found Scott Allie’s response fascinating. He basically said, “we’re sorry you aren’t enjoying it, but that’s the way this book is and we like it.” I thought it was great, because if you’re going to tell a story, you have to tell it with conviction. Regardless of what we may or may not have agreed with the team on this year, in my mind, they’ve gotten us to this point, and what we have gotten is undoubtedly great.
Brian: I concur. First of all, if we don’t expect ebbs and flows from the series, we’re fooling ourselves. No series is a locomotive chugging ahead into wonderful territory with each installment. But specific to “B.P.R.D.,”it isn’t even close to that sort of book. It is a sprawling, dense, reading experience. And while, at times, we want to pull our hair our when Lobster Johnson stories don’t live up to their potential, there comes a one-shot that slays us, and we’re happy again.
Continued belowAnd I couldn’t agree more with your kudos to Allie – if the creators are fully on board, you feel better about the direction of the series. And that is one of the many benefits of this being put out by Dark Horse; the creators have their game plan, and Dark Horse, more or less, stays out of the way and lets them do their thing. Can you image a New 52’d “B.P.R.D.?”
David: Just light me on fire after you said that comment Brian. I now have my nightmares for the next few days.
Last question before we jump into the grades (I am a liar!!!). What do you expect from #100?
Brian: Part of me thinks that it will be exactly the same as if it were simply #3 of this miniseries. As we just stated, the Mignola crew has their marching orders, and don’t need to bend to anyone’s expectations or whims.
That said, the solicit mentions that the Bureau will face its “ultimate foe,” and the dude on the cover looks an awful lot like Rasputin, doesn’t it?
David: Yeah it does, but it has to be Lazar doesn’t it? Clearly at the castle (or whatever it is) and that’s clearly the Scotland crew. Unless what their big plan with all of the writing on his body is to bring Rasputin back which is totally on the table. But I agree with you – I imagine we’ll just have arcs from here on out instead of minis. I can get behind that.
Alright, I’m going to throw down an 8.5. Very, very good issue, but I think I’ll save my 9.0 card for the potential of issue #100. What about you?
Brian: I think Lazar is going to try and bring back ol’ Rassy. (Let the record show, this is the first time that Rasputin has ever been called ol’ Rassy – hopefully not the last!).
You need to live for today, man! This is a 9.0 comic all day long for me. But, I respect your restraint. To paraphrase an expression from our Jewish brothers and sisters, next month in New York!
David: L’chaim!
Final Verdict: 8.75 – An enthusiastic buy!
