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Mignolaversity: B.P.R.D. Vampire #5 [Review]

By and | July 31st, 2013
Posted in Reviews | 3 Comments
Logo by Tim Daniel

The finale of this incredible miniseries is chilling, head scratching, and awe inspiring.

Written by Mike Mignola, Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon
Illustrated by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá

After the bloody encounter in the woods, only Professor Bruttenholm himself can put an end to this vampire hunt and get to the bottom of the mystery of the undead of eský Krumlov.

Brian: Well, David, here we are, yet again, at the close of a B.P.R.D. mini. And yet, this feels unlike the ending of any mini of recent memory. This is somehow sadder, more tragic perhaps, than we’ve seen in quite some time. It was also unbearably awesome, beautifully illustrated and a ton of fun. Miniseries of the year?

David: I’d say more than likely, yeah, it’s the mini of the year. But I have to say, this issue was extra crazy with a side of crazy. To the point I was like “What is going on?” multiple times. To the point I asked Mark Tweedale about this and he shrugged. What was the deal with the Hecate spirit creatures and what was going on with the door and WHAT?!

I loved it, but I want to suss out what just happened.

Brian: At a certain point, I just leaned back in my chair and enjoyed the ride. I don’t know exactly what happened, but the overall point was clear – Anders is no longer the man he was. He now has a quenchless thirst for vampire blood, and that makes him a bizarre, dangerous guy.

What, exactly, were the parts that really perplexed you?

David: Well, as I said, I wasn’t certain what was going on with the animals. As appealing as Anders riding a demon bear is, I still don’t know how or why that was happening. It was amazing! But it was also confusing.

Brian: I think the animals represented Anders being able to be in tune with the world differently and, specifically, be able to tap into something primal, perhaps a natural hatred for vampires? I mean, for most living things, vampires are sort of a bummer. Or, perhaps, he is controlling the animals in such a way that it appears they are speaking to him, where he is really just hearing what he wants to from the world around him.

Regardless, it was pretty great.

David: It easily could be those things, but I agree: it was great.

I really loved this issue though. It was exciting to see Anders fully turn, and I love that he’s not really him anymore but also still completely him. I love the new direction and the look of him. I’m really excited for the future of the character, but it’s a huge a bummer that we likely won’t see anything about him for quite some time as they hinted in the back of the issue.

Speaking of the back of the issue, how about that end? I loved the three panels showing how Bruttenholm and Anders have changed since they first met. It was really stunning storytelling, and it was a fitting end to this tragic mini.

Brian: The epilogue at HQ was touching and sad for that exact reason. You see the men completely change, and not for the better.

We’ve heaped so much praise onto Bá and Moon for their work on this book, but let’s do that a little more right now. This book somehow manages to be totally theirs and yet the most Mignola/Hellboy feeling B.P.R.D. book in years. They have so seamlessly integrated their style into these characters that it is hard to imagine anyone else working with Anders.

Because of that, as you said, it’ll be awhile before we see him again, but it’ll be worth the wait.

David: I do have to say, it’s the little things – like the “More” throughout – that underline how well they understand Mignola’s storytelling and how well they have integrated their own style into it.

And man, what an artistic tour de force this was. Some of the most haunting visuals and phenomenal storytelling you will see out of any creators were in this mini. It was astounding how well they created an absolutely palpable sense of despair in this issue. Plus, how adorable were their Lil’ Hellboy and Varvara?

Continued below

Brian: They are so adorable, it almost seems like Lil’ Hellboy would be ripe for a series of his own, don’t ya think?

David: But who could do something like that?!

Brian: The only team I could think of would be, say, Art and Franco? But surely they are too busy writing “The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires” for DC, right?

David: Thankfully not! Awww yeah! Itty Bitty Hellboy!

Brian: I cannot wait for that series.

So, anything else to add to this love fest before we grade it up?

David: Not really. I’m not sure how many more ways I can say Bá and Moon are absolutely incredible.

Brian: My final note is this: the Mignolaverse has expanded in the past few years to include some more co-writers – Cameron Stewart, Scott Allie, Bá/Moon – and yet the line has never been more unified or stronger. For any company that wants to create an interconnected comics universe, this is the model to follow. What a glorious time to be a comics reader.

This is a 9 all the way for me.

David: I’ll give it a 9 as well, and simply state this: there are few finer storytellers in comics than Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon, and to see them tell a story in a world they clearly love deeply is truly a magical thing.

Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy, before Anders turns the animal kingdom against you


//TAGS | Mignolaversity

Brian Salvatore

Brian Salvatore is an editor, podcaster, reviewer, writer at large, and general task master at Multiversity. When not writing, he can be found playing music, hanging out with his kids, or playing music with his kids. He also has a dog named Lola, a rowboat, and once met Jimmy Carter. Feel free to email him about good beer, the New York Mets, or the best way to make Chicken Parmagiana (add a thin slice of prosciutto under the cheese).

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David Harper

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