REVIEW: B.P.R.D: Hell on Earth #129

Writer:Â Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Artist:Â James Harren
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist:Â Laurence Campbell
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: March 18, 2015

The insanity continues in this ever popular series. The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense is another book in Mike Mignola’s shared universe, including stable partners such as Hellboy, Abe Sapien and the recently released Frankenstein Underground.

To say there is a lot going on into this issue is an understatement. We have a major battle, stands being made, discussion over horticultural skills and a closing that feels somewhat like the pulling of a new thread.

This book is written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi with art supplied by James Harren. Â I may have said it before, I prefer Mignola’s art. That said, the universe he has under his stewardship shows that he has an overall plot idea of how the various stories should flow. Â The script, handled by Arcudi I presume, is solid throughout with a couple of flourishes that made me smile, those being the conclusion to the “couldn’t you feed it cooked meat?”, and the aforementioned gardening element.

Harren’s art does enough to convey the fury of the battle field and the books lighter moments. In some places however, the lack of facial expressions, in some cases lack of eyes, is distracting.

I have reviewed a number of Mignola books recently, but I don’t think I have mentioned Dave Stewart much. Yes, he did a great job on Frankenstein Underground, but looking at the books as a whole, I realise the versatility of his colours. Â This book mixes some of the palette of Abe with the scheme of Frankenstein. But the mix is utilised throughout the book, at the right places, creating a huge difference between the action scenes and the more horror based elements on display.

I enjoyed this issue, even if it was a tad chaotic, which can happen you come late to a party and I am intrigued enough to pick a couple of future issues.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network