Written by Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
Illustrated by Jason LatourAs the world goes to hell, a backwoods vampire clan shelters themselves in their Gothic southern home, covered in fog and fungal horror, ready to create havoc for a trespassing B.P.R.D. crew.
Just a few days after our chat with James Harren, David and I are back to discuss the latest miniseries from Mike Mignola and crew, “B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Pickens County Horror,” already in the running for longest series title of 2012. This book focuses on a small corner of the B.P.R.D., introduces us to some new characters, and gives a peek into some of the prejudices and skepticism found at the Bureau.
Hit the cut for our thoughts, and be warned, minor spoilers are discussed.
Brian: After two installments of artist interviews, we are back with a Mignolaversity review! This week, “B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Pickens County Horror” #1 was released. This is a short, two issue mini, taking us to South Carolina where a mysterious fog has been creeping across the county, and the B.P.R.D. has been called in to investigate. David, what did you think of this little detour off of the main Mignolaverse?
David: I have to admit, I really enjoy these little jaunts that take us in a different direction. For the most part, these micro mini’s are tied to one primary B.P.R.D. character or another, but this one stars two completely new characters: Agents Vaughn and Peters. And I dig them. I like that they talk about how most of their missions are pretty boring, and they start getting into campfire style stories about the good ones they’ve done, even if it basically amounts to going camping with Hellboy. There’s a lot of great color here in the dialogue and characters, and while it isn’t a monumental book, it’s a fun little aside from Mike Mignola and Scott Allie with great, great, great art from Jason Latour. What about you, what were your thoughts?
Brian: Latour, although theoretically a newcomer to the Mignolaverse, fits this book like a glove. I particularly enjoyed his work with the kids early on in the book. That scene in the woods had a palpable sense of dread, mixed in with childhood innocence. It did what it was supposed to do: elevate the work of the writer. I hope Latour does some more “B.P.R.D.” work in the future.
Reading this issue, I had a few grand, cinematic thoughts about the Mignolaverse. When taken as a whole, the Hellboy/B.P.R.D. saga is like a Robert Altman film – sometimes, in the middle of the action, there is a detour with a minor character that serves little purpose other than to add a little color. And, while that may frustrate some, I really like that approach. Especially since the B.P.R.D. is, to a certain degree, a bureaucracy, and so there are file clerks, accountants, and plumbers all on the B.P.R.D. dime – it’s nice to see that side of the agency now and then. It reminds me of the conversation about the Death Star from Clerks.
So yeah, I’m happy to take the local instead of the express and enjoy some of the scenery along the way.
David: Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying in relation to that scene from Clerks. It’s great seeing a little different side to the equation, and another thing I really dug is the idea that even B.P.R.D. agents sort of hold their noses up at the concept of vampires. How that one dude in the woods can still come across as a kook even to these people who regularly deal with monsters of all kinds of shapes and sizes. It’s basically because vampires did everything they could to make it seem like they were just a story people told about. I love it.
The open was great from Latour for sure though, but it was pretty superb altogether. I enjoyed the idea of the creepy family up in the woods in South Carolina secretly being a coven of vampires. It’s one of those ideas that is so crazy it’s completely believable as well. This is just a really solid issue, and I’m glad they’re taking us in this slightly different direction.
Continued belowBrian: Like any profession, B.P.R.D. agents must get cynical and prickly, too. So yeah, the vampire doubting is a nice touch.
B.P.R.D. editor Scott Allie gets a co-writing credit here, which I find almost too perfect. First of all, editorial’s job is, somewhat, to streamline a series, and so this seems like the anti-editorial mini. But on the other hand, an editor also needs to keep track of the world in which the series takes place, to spot inaccuracies and help build the world, and that is exactly what this series is: a little bit of world building.
David: Yeah. I just think it’s a quick aside to add some depth and adventure to the series on the side. The events in the other minis, whether you’re talking Johann’s dealing with his distinctly not human state, Abe and his coma, Devon’s turn against his B.P.R.D. mate, and everything going on with Liz, are just crazy dramatic. To have a nice turn like this? A fun little joint with vampires and everything else? It’s sort of like throwing in some adventures in Mexico for Hellboy amidst ‘The Storm and The Fury.’
It helps remind you that not everything is bad for this crew, and that sometimes there can be some enjoyable adventures. That said, Peters isn’t doing so hot by the end of this issue. I’m glad it’s a two issue mini though – there’s nothing worse than a mini-series that drags, which Mignola, Allie and the rest have always been great at avoiding when it comes to these minis.
Brian: Agreed – this two-issue mini, though an aside as you put it, is all killer, no filler. I’d give this a solid 8 – what about you?
David: I’m going to give it an 8.5. Great art. Great writing. Great time. Not much I can say bad about this book, and plenty of fun stuff within it.
Final Verdict: 8.25 – Buy
