Today, we wrap up our year of Mignolaverse reviews by covering three of the four Mignola-related books that came out today (only “Itty Bitty Hellboy” isn’t getting a write up, because there are only so many times we can go “awwwwwww”).
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Illustrated by Tyler CrookLiz Sherman brings a fiery assault to the mad doctor’s hospital and his army of mutant monsters, while the B.P.R.D. plans a sneak attack on Manhattan—now under the Black Flame’s control.
Brian: Well, David, here we are – another year of Mignola titles wrapping up with a triple shot this week – shall we tackle them alphabetically? That would start us off with “B.P.R.D.” #114, the conclusion to the “Lake of Fire” arc. This issue is really something of a homecoming for Liz, as well as a call to action for the rest of the Bureau. What did you think of it?
David: I know this is shocking to admit, but this comic kicked ass. I mean, it has all arc, as Mignola and Arcudi have crafted a great story that brings the return of two different but similar characters to the B.P.R.D. while putting in motion the pieces they need for “Reign of the Black Flame”, but on top of that, Tyler Crook just crushes. It doesn’t matter what moments you’re talking about here: Liz’s triumphant return, Fenix sneaking in the backdoor, Clyburn’s final fate, whatever. He nailed it, and the personality he brings to his characters and this world, in many ways, makes it feel a bit less horrible sometimes.
This was the happiest B.P.R.D. issue in a long time. Which means the next arc is probably going to be a bloodbath.
Brian: I was going to comment on how sunny this issue was – relative, of course – and how it was the first time in awhile that there was any semblance of hope. The scene with Liz finding the picture of her, Hellboy, Abe and Kate was a stark reminder of how much has changed, but beyond that and her reunion with Johann, this issue was all about setting up the “Reign of the Black Flame” arc, not looking back. The gang feels revitalized and ready to tackle New York, whatever that means.
And yes, Crook was fantastic, as usual. In fact, this might be my favorite arc he’s done since joining the book.
David: I think all of this was very deliberate. They know that things are going to get really ugly in “Reign of the Black Flame”, and I think this is the calm before the storm.
As you said though, I really agree that this might be Crook’s best arc yet. It’s a shame that he’s leaving – temporarily, at least – B.P.R.D. after this, but at least he went out with guns blazing. I think he’s a great fit for arcs like this.
I have to say, when the first issue of this arc came out, I was a little uncertain as to what I would think of it. I thought it had a good start, but I was a little wary of its slow burn (so to speak) nature. They really pulled through here, and ended the year in B.P.R.D. on yet another high note.
Besides the surprisingly jovial (for B.P.R.D.) nature of this issue, what stood out to you my fellow Mignolaversologist?
Brian: I was surprised by the refinement of Liz’s power – she went from doubting her control to being able to execute it with pinpoint precision pretty quickly. It shows just how skilled she is, and how she is capable of so much more than even she thinks. Even though she is newly back to the book, the power structure has shifted considerably, allowing for her to slot in pretty close to the top of the power rankings of the Bureau, at least from a “kick ass and take names” category.
I, too, am bummed that Crook is taking a break from the series, but I have to admit, with all the rotating artists, he was gone almost a year and the book’s quality didn’t suffer one iota. I’m sure the other guys will fill in admirably.
Continued belowAnything else you’d like to discuss?
David: I really dug the stuff with Liz and Agent Howards being the top draft picks at the mission briefing. That was undoubtedly my favorite part, and it was really hilarious seeing Giarocco rage over what was going on.
Last bit I want to discuss: how about Johann watching that weird news discussion show to try and pick up on the latest events. He mentions casually how they have been the first to news stories in this new age, and as per usual, little bells go off in my head warning me that this could be more important. It seems weird that they’d throw in two pages of Johann watching TV for no reason. Do you think there is more there?
Brian: I think it was Arcudi/Mignola’s way to just give us an idea of what the world is like outside of the war zones – there are still TV stations, broadcasts and still getting out, and people are searching for answers amid the end of the world. In a way, this is the bookend to what we’ve been seeing in “Abe Sapien,” which is the sort of ground-level cults versus these televised, “famous” leaders of these new religions.
David: That makes sense. I just thought it was interesting how Johann emphasized how on it this random show was.
To close this guy, I’ll give it an 8.5. Another exceptional issue from one of the best series of 2013. What would you give it?
Brian: That sounds fair to me, and acts a nice capper to a pretty batshit year of B.P.R.D. comics.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy
Written by Mike Mignola
Illustrated by Mick McMahonIn a direct follow-up to the uberpopular Hellboy in Mexico, Mike Mignola and Mick McMahon tell another tale set south of the border, in which . . . Hellboy gets married! First of two parts!
Brian: Moving on to our second release of the day, we have a short Hellboy story in this week’s “Dark Horse Presents.”
We’ve established that you’re more of a B.P.R.D. guy than a Hellboy guy, so what did you think of this short piece?
David Well, the order for me probably goes more like this: Hellboy in Mexico > B.P.R.D. > Hellboy.
I really enjoyed this little number though, as Mike Mignola really soars in these little Mexican adventures, and Mick McMahon was a fantastic addition to the art team. It’s a slight story, but man, any time Hellboy starts hanging out with luchadors, I’m all in. What about you?
Brian: I agree about the Mexico stuff being tops – something about Hellboy in that scenario just works so well. Inserting him into the Mexican wrestling world is almost too perfect, especially for my personal tastes, story-wise.
That said, as this is part 1 of a larger story, this was fun but really incomplete. I loved every panel, but couldn’t help but be disappointed with how short it was. I knew that going in, but still.
David: Well, I was going to downgrade it for that, but that was when I didn’t know it was a two-part story. As a short story that is two parts, it’s kind of hard to demerit it for being incomplete. It was designed to be so. So I’m not going to hold it against it, but I would say that its incomplete nature does kind of make it a little incomprehensible. I mean, I’m not totally certain what’s going on with Hellboy’s wife and her undead mariachi band.
BUT I LIKE IT!
Brian: Can we also agree that her undead mariachi band would get at least a 6.9 on Pitchfork?
David: “The guitar recalls a young Cash mixed with Ronnie James Dio, but the darkness in their souls feels eternal, yet inviting, which is only fitting because of their nature as an undead mariachi band recruiting me outside a Cantina while drinking dos cervezas con mi hermano.” ~ Hellboy’s review for Dio de Muerto’s debut album, “Mariachi el Hellboy.”
Brian: Do we want to slap a rating on this one? Or is it too incomplete to judge?
Continued belowDavid: Well, I do want to say Mick McMahon was a great fit on this story, and I really like what he added to it. It’s hard to imagine anyone but Richard Corben working on Hellboy in Mexico, but if it isn’t Corben, make mine McMahon.
Let’s not give it a grade though. I think that’d be unfair to do so. Let’s just say it’s a promising start, and that we’re looking forward to its conclusion. Hellboy needs a divorce!
Brian: He’ll probably want an annulment – dude’s Catholic.
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Illustrated by Laurence CampbellThe iron soldier known as Sledgehammer is the only one who can lead a rescue mission of a kidnapped American about to spill top-secret information on the Flying Wing warplane to the Nazis and their own supersoldier—the Black Flame!
Brian: So, that brings us to “Sledgehammer ’44: The Lightning War” #2, from Migola/Arcudi and the great Laurence Campbell. We didn’t cover #1 (our pal Mark Tweedale did), so this is our first chat about this new mini. We both really dug the first installment of the series, drawn by Jason Latour – how did the new team/story work for you?
David: I thought they kicked a lot of ass here. Laurence Campbell drawing the Black Flame vs. The Hammer? What’s not to love there? So far, I think you could make a pretty decent argument that this has been better than the first Sledgehammer mini, and I’m really enjoying this on two levels: the little moments that connect this story to the greater whole (of course, the Black Flame being involved is huge), and that it is just a kick ass story. Sledgehammer in many ways is different than the rest of the Mignolaverse, but so far one of the things that sets it apart has a lot of kickassery throughout. This is not a book that pulls punches. In fact, it throws them a lot, and I’m really digging what we’ve seen so far.
What’s your take?
Brian: I agree, this has been a pretty great arc thus far. While I enjoyed the first “Sledgehammer” quite a bit, to me this one feels a little more in line with the general Mignolaverse than the first one did. To be fair, the first one was very much a tribute to John Severin, and was done in a style not dissimilar to his, whereas here, Campbell really goes all out, and creates a mood and tone that is all his own.
This issue in particular was a nice bit of storytelling, where the time period matters quite a bit, but the tropes and expectations of that time period are tested and pushed in interesting directions. For instance, the thugs bore a strong resemblance to characters from Raiders of the Lost Ark, but were presented as far crueler and harder edged than they would have if this was a story written/drawn in the early 40s. It doesn’t feel disingenuous, instead, it feels like a modern telling of a classic story, which is exactly what I’d hope for here.
Similarly, the Flame v. Hammer battle in the sky is maybe the most “superhero” thing in a Mignolaverse comic ever, and again, fits the early ’40s, a time of massive superhero popularity, quite well. Everything about this issue was respectful to the past, without being beholden to it.
David: Agreed entirely. It was just a superb read, and man, Laurence Campbell. I know we go on and on about him, but there really is something special about his work, and this story arguably elevates from something that would be a solid if not unspectacular tale to something much more because of his work. There is so much mood and power to his art, and when you’re dealing with such dynamic characters like Sledge and the Black Flame, especially when they’re squaring off, you’re in for a visual tour de force.
Even little moments, like Elroy’s attempts at escaping, are given so much weight. One of my favorite panels in the entire issue was the one where he depicts Elroy dropping out of the Flying Wing.
Continued belowSpeaking of the Flying Wing, what do you think the fate of that is in the next issue? It seems like there are some pretty substantial beats to check off in the next issue.
Brian: I can’t tell if the Flying Wing is simply the MacGuffin that brought the story along, or if there is actual importance to the plane. Regardless, I am very much looking forward to seeing how this arc wraps up.
What would you grade this bad boy?
David: I’ll give it an 8.5. If it were literally anyone but Campbell, this would be more like a 7.5 or 8. With Campbell? It gets an 8.5. What about you?
Brian: I was actually thinking the exact same thing. I love me some James Harren, but if Harren did this, it wouldn’t rank nearly as high. 8.5 sounds fine to me.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy
Brian: Well, David, that wraps up another year of Mignolaversity. Or does it?
David: Nope! It does not! Mark Tweedale, Brian and myself will be back with Mignolaversity’s 2013 in Review segment. Don’t you dare miss it, Mignolaversians!
Brian: I think technically they are Mignolavesians (sounds like Parisians).
