And Then I Read: HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. 1952

Image © Mike Mignola

Writers Mignola and John Arcudi continue to fill in the back story of Hellboy’s early years in this volume, which features Hellboy’s first mission with the government team. It takes place in a small Brazilian village where an ancient fortress hangs over the town. In the past it was a hellish prison, has now been identified as a source of great evil power, and is reportedly being used as a film studio. The B.P.R.D. agents on the case, all new to me, are in town investigating, and encounter villagers and a priest filled with fear of the fortress, and with good reason. Evil creatures are coming from it, and Hellboy is soon involved in fighting them. As the mysteries are investigated, the “film crew” turns out to be something much more sinister, and horrible experiments are revealed. The story unfolds like a mix of film noir and horror with the usual dose of Hellboy humor as leavening. The art by Alex Maleev is excellent, and I enjoyed it the book thoroughly.

Recommended.