Tag: b.p.r.d.

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B.P.R.D.: A Plague of Frogs

This is a review of B.P.R.D. Volume Three: Plague of Frogs. This graphic novel marks a turning-point in B.P.R.D. history (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense), as the series turns from a Hellboy-inspired monster-of-the-week comic into a violent, apocalyptic slugfest. Read my reviews of the first two volumes here and here.

A fungal growth is discovered at Cavendish Hall, the site of Hellboy’s first published adventure (Seed of Destruction). The fungus is taken to a lab, where it experiences a growth spurt, blossoming into what resembles an enormous white, fleshy penis. Which is interesting, because that’s what it is – the delivery system for the bacteria, or virus, or fungus. Once infected, the victim transforms into an enormous, rampaging frog-monster. Luckily, the fungi is safe behind sturdy glass and every precaution is being taken so there’s no way the glass can break and – oopsie daisy!

Looking for clues, the B.P.R.D. visits the town of Crab Point MI, home of the New Temple of Mysteries. They get more than they bargained for, as Crab Point is overrun with rampaging frogs. Roger the golem is killed by a frog-monster, in a brutal scene that goes on for pages. Roger is a construct and thus isn’t alive to begin with, but the reader’s face is rubbed in it. Liz Sherman, the sole offensive member of the group, sort of gains control of her pyrokinetic abilities. Johan Kraus possesses a dead dog. Fishman Abe Sapien is speared in the back by a crazy prophet and has a vision quest wherein his origins are revealed, back in the days of Honest Abe Lincoln.

This is one of the best horror comic storylines I’ve ever read. It continues the Hellboy tradition of having B.P.R.D. missions go horribly wrong. The first example I can recall is Hellboy donning a jet pack, so that he can soar through the air – and watching him plummet hundreds of feet to the earth. Although Roger is revived, this volume sounds the clarion bell: NO ONE IS SAFE. Prophetic words.

Recommended for Hellboy and horror comic fans!

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B.P.R.D.: The Soul of Venice & Other Stories

This is a review of B.P.R.D.: The Soul of Venice and Other Stories. The adventures of the Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense continue. Read my review of the first volume here.

This graphic novel consists of five one-shot stories, ranging in subject from goddesses of domestic bliss to evil sentient toys. The best tale of the bunch is “Dark Waters,” drawn by artist Guy Davis, who brings a distinct visual flair to the B.P.R.D. Mr. Davis also helped design the creatures for Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim.

When a pond in the town of Shiloh, Massachusetts is drained, three women bound in chains are discovered in the ooze beneath. They were drowned as witches, hundreds of years ago, but are still preserved – and they smell like roses. It’s a miracle! Or is it? Shiloh’s crazy pastor – who looks like Charlie Manson – disagrees. The other standout tale is “Night Train,” wherein Liz Sherman and Roger the golem investigate a ghostly choo-choo train. The ghost of Lobster Johnson makes a cameo!

Short, but fun.

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B.P.R.D. Volume 1: Hollow Earth & Other Stories

This is a review of B.P.R.D. Volume 1: Hollow Earth & Other Stories. In case you were wondering, B.P.R.D. stands for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. This title is a Hellboy spinoff. Humble Bundle has a deal that gives you most of the B.P.R.D. material and some of the Hellboy material (digital files, not physical media) – price tag $30, which is great for over thirty graphic novels. The only negative is that they are large PDF files, so the reading experience isn’t as good.

The main story in this volume takes place right after Hellboy, angry because B.P.R.D. brass placed a bomb in Roger’s chest, quits. Roger is a golem, and became violent when activated. The other remaining member – Abe Sapien, Fishman – is planning to quit also. Salvation comes in the form of pyrokinetic Liz Sherman, who is once again kidnapped. This is a plotline that’s been overdone in the Hellboy universe, but it’s fine. Abe and Roger are joined by physical medium Johann Kraus, who lost his body and whose spirit now lives in a containment suit, just like in Fullmetal Alchemist.

The trio descend into the depths of the earth and find a race of subterranean mole-beings, a wrecked Nazi submarine, and the remains of ancient machines. Liz is being used as a battery to power one of the machines – I assume it’s a doomsday machine, but it doesn’t matter. The boys rescue Liz. They resurface in the Scottish highlands, of all places, so the story ends with sheep.

This volume features a few other tales – the first stars Lobster Johnson, a noir character, battling an enormous disembodied brain; and the second involves Abe Sapien exorcising a bunch of drowned spirits. This volume doesn’t break any ground, but it’s well-done and entertaining as well as being a fine starting point to a storyline that lasts years.

Recommended, especially for horror, Hellboy, and X-Files fans!