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B.P.R.D.
B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: The Dead
The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense and their new team leader, a former corpse himself, moves into their new headquarters only to unearth a gigantic long-buried secret involving United States government covert experiments and Nazi scientists.
Hellboy creator Mike Mignola teams with artist Guy Davis and co-writer John Arcudi to carve out a bold new direction for the B.P.R.D., while Abe Sapien, still reeling from the revelation of his former life as a Victorian scientist, meets his long dead wife in their crumbling home by the sea. This collection includes an extended sketchbook section featuring the otherworldly designs Guy Davis for the roster of new characters introduced in The Dead. Collecting the five-issue miniseries.
Hellboy creator Mike Mignola teams with artist Guy Davis and co-writer John Arcudi to carve out a bold new direction for the B.P.R.D., while Abe Sapien, still reeling from the revelation of his former life as a Victorian scientist, meets his long dead wife in their crumbling home by the sea. This collection includes an extended sketchbook section featuring the otherworldly designs Guy Davis for the roster of new characters introduced in The Dead. Collecting the five-issue miniseries.
152 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2005
5 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Mike Mignola
1,865 books2,534 followersMike Mignola was born September 16, 1960 in Berkeley, California and grew up in nearby Oakland. His fascination with ghosts and monsters began at an early age (he doesn't remember why) and reading Dracula at age 13 introduced him to Victorian literature and folklore from which he has never recovered.
In 1982, hoping to find a way to draw monsters for a living, he moved to New York City and began working for Marvel Comics, first as a (very terrible) inker and then as an artist on comics like Rocket Raccoon, Alpha Flight and The Hulk. By the late 80s he had begun to develop his signature style (thin lines, clunky shapes and lots of black) and moved onto higher profile commercial projects like Cosmic Odyssey (1988) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989) for DC Comics, and the not-so-commercial Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser (1990) for Marvel. In 1992, he drew the comic book adaptation of the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Topps Comics.
In 1993, Mike moved to Dark Horse comics and created Hellboy, a half-demon occult detective who may or may not be the Beast of the Apocalypse. While the first story line (Seed of Destruction, 1994) was co-written by John Byrne, Mike has continued writing the series himself. There are, at this moment, 13 Hellboy graphic novel collections (with more on the way), several spin-off titles (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Abe Sapien and Witchfinder), three anthologies of prose stories, several novels, two animated films and two live-action films staring Ron Perlman. Hellboy has earned numerous comic industry awards and is published in a great many countries.
Mike also created the award-winning comic book The Amazing Screw-on Head and has co-written two novels (Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire and Joe Golem and the Drowning City) with best-selling author Christopher Golden.
Mike worked (very briefly) with Francis Ford Coppola on his film Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), was a production designer on the Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and was visual consultant to director Guillermo del Toro on Blade II (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). He lives somewhere in Southern California with his wife, daughter, a lot of books and a cat.
In 1982, hoping to find a way to draw monsters for a living, he moved to New York City and began working for Marvel Comics, first as a (very terrible) inker and then as an artist on comics like Rocket Raccoon, Alpha Flight and The Hulk. By the late 80s he had begun to develop his signature style (thin lines, clunky shapes and lots of black) and moved onto higher profile commercial projects like Cosmic Odyssey (1988) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989) for DC Comics, and the not-so-commercial Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser (1990) for Marvel. In 1992, he drew the comic book adaptation of the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Topps Comics.
In 1993, Mike moved to Dark Horse comics and created Hellboy, a half-demon occult detective who may or may not be the Beast of the Apocalypse. While the first story line (Seed of Destruction, 1994) was co-written by John Byrne, Mike has continued writing the series himself. There are, at this moment, 13 Hellboy graphic novel collections (with more on the way), several spin-off titles (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Abe Sapien and Witchfinder), three anthologies of prose stories, several novels, two animated films and two live-action films staring Ron Perlman. Hellboy has earned numerous comic industry awards and is published in a great many countries.
Mike also created the award-winning comic book The Amazing Screw-on Head and has co-written two novels (Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire and Joe Golem and the Drowning City) with best-selling author Christopher Golden.
Mike worked (very briefly) with Francis Ford Coppola on his film Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), was a production designer on the Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and was visual consultant to director Guillermo del Toro on Blade II (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). He lives somewhere in Southern California with his wife, daughter, a lot of books and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 3, 2016
Wow, it’s been so long, I’d forgotten how good BPRD used to be - and of course I had to go back to the start to remind myself (the current series is awful)!
The Dead is the book where the BPRD relocates to the now-familiar Colorado base - but it’s haunted! Liz, Johann and Roger meet Daimio for the first time and figure out how to exorcise the demons of their new home. Meanwhile Abe uncovers his mysterious past and visits his old house - which is also haunted (it's a horror comic, everything's haunted)! Abe’s gotta make peace with his ghost wife.
The tedious frog storyline is mentioned but gets pushed to the side for this volume - thank goodness! The book still has the usual Mignolaverse archetypes as, yes, the Nazis are again the bad guys and, yes, once the Nazi bad guy is revealed he has to give many pages of exposition. Guy Davis’ figures are as sketchy and rough as they usually are but I really enjoyed his landscape work. And Dave Stewart - is it even worth mentioning that his colours are insanely perfect? They always are! The man is an art monster, no wonder he keeps getting awards shoved his way!
Minor criticisms aside, this is definitely one of the better BPRD books. Daimio’s well-written right from the start as this gruff but competent military man with a bone to pick with guileless Roger the Golem - Roger doesn’t wear clothes and Daimio’s determined to put pants on the guy! Their relationship develops nicely over the course of the book to the point that when the bad guy starts insulting Roger, Daimio finds himself sticking up for him.
That’s what’s missing from BPRD these days: heart. You like these characters and these characters like each other. You could argue that Abe’s storyline is static and predictable here but it’s also a slow burn that builds to a powerful emotional payoff as he’s presented with a blue/red pill kind of choice. I actually felt something on that last page which I can’t say I’ve felt from any Mignolaverse comic in some time.
The Dead is one of the early BPRD books from “Season One” (the current Hell on Earth series is “Season Two” - I’m using TV terms to differentiate between the two titles but they’re not officially labelled in that way) and, like so many of those early books, is really good. It’s a solid spooky comic with great characters and substantial storylines with real depth to them. The Dead is well worth checking out if you missed it the first time (like me) or feel disenchanted with the way BPRD is these days and want to remind yourself why you liked this series to begin with (also like me)!
The Dead is the book where the BPRD relocates to the now-familiar Colorado base - but it’s haunted! Liz, Johann and Roger meet Daimio for the first time and figure out how to exorcise the demons of their new home. Meanwhile Abe uncovers his mysterious past and visits his old house - which is also haunted (it's a horror comic, everything's haunted)! Abe’s gotta make peace with his ghost wife.
The tedious frog storyline is mentioned but gets pushed to the side for this volume - thank goodness! The book still has the usual Mignolaverse archetypes as, yes, the Nazis are again the bad guys and, yes, once the Nazi bad guy is revealed he has to give many pages of exposition. Guy Davis’ figures are as sketchy and rough as they usually are but I really enjoyed his landscape work. And Dave Stewart - is it even worth mentioning that his colours are insanely perfect? They always are! The man is an art monster, no wonder he keeps getting awards shoved his way!
Minor criticisms aside, this is definitely one of the better BPRD books. Daimio’s well-written right from the start as this gruff but competent military man with a bone to pick with guileless Roger the Golem - Roger doesn’t wear clothes and Daimio’s determined to put pants on the guy! Their relationship develops nicely over the course of the book to the point that when the bad guy starts insulting Roger, Daimio finds himself sticking up for him.
That’s what’s missing from BPRD these days: heart. You like these characters and these characters like each other. You could argue that Abe’s storyline is static and predictable here but it’s also a slow burn that builds to a powerful emotional payoff as he’s presented with a blue/red pill kind of choice. I actually felt something on that last page which I can’t say I’ve felt from any Mignolaverse comic in some time.
The Dead is one of the early BPRD books from “Season One” (the current Hell on Earth series is “Season Two” - I’m using TV terms to differentiate between the two titles but they’re not officially labelled in that way) and, like so many of those early books, is really good. It’s a solid spooky comic with great characters and substantial storylines with real depth to them. The Dead is well worth checking out if you missed it the first time (like me) or feel disenchanted with the way BPRD is these days and want to remind yourself why you liked this series to begin with (also like me)!
April 3, 2019
The BPRD picks up and moves to an abandoned military base in Colorado, so of course they have to deal with Nazis! John Arcudi is a nice addition to the writing team. He injects some humor to the book and sets up some stand alone stories and new team members while maintaining the overall plague of frogs narrative. Ben Daimo joins the cast, giving the team a gruff, seasoned leader and adding some friction to the book. His obsession with Roger's pants is hilarious. Guy Davis makes everyone look bloated and lumpy but I don't notice much while staring at his creepy monsters and 50's sci-fi backgrounds.
October 23, 2017
BPRD is moving headquarters and Ben Daimio, the new team captain shows up. Meanwhile, Abe is tripping balls in a haunted house and remembers his past. It's a solid action-packed volume, not the best of the bunch, but definitely not the worst. Daimio is a cool character, and we'll see much more of him in the future, but for now he comes off as a bit of an asshole. The whole subplot with him against Roger's lack of pants was hilarious!
First read: November 10, 2015
Rating: ★★★★・
Second read: October 23, 2017
Rating: ★★★★・
First read: November 10, 2015
Rating: ★★★★・
Second read: October 23, 2017
Rating: ★★★★・
November 1, 2013
This was even better than the previous volume. There are two parallel stories going on here. The one given the most pages involves Liz, Roger, and Johann adding a new member to the team, the mysterious (and once dead) Captain Damio. The team has been moved to a new base in Colorado, a huge Cold War relic with its own secrets. Naturally. It's a fun story, plenty of action. Meanwhile, Abe is looking into his past life, and finds himself in his former self's old home, haunted by his former self's wife. Despite having far less time devoted to it, this was really the star of the collection. It's achingly beautiful, a perfect contrast to the main story, and ends on just the right note.
October 29, 2020
Genius! My favorite volume of the series so far, it has everything I love about horror/darkfantasy, a gripping story, legit creepy moments, a freaking scary monster, heart, action, humor, the right amount of lovecraftian flavor and really cool characters. Daimio was a nice addition to the group and Johan and Roger are finally growing on me. JAWOHL!
December 24, 2025
Big changes for BPRD in this volume, both on and off the page. John Arcudi joins the team as the book’s additional writer, working out plots alongside Mike Mignola and Guy Davis, and then fleshing out the stories and handling scripting. He brings heart and humor to this book, and does wonders for adding depth to many of the characters. The quickest way to see just how vital Arcudi is to the success of this series (and really to the entire extended Hellboy/BPRD project, because he was around forever and wrote a ton of the other spinoffs as well) is to go and read the issues written by the guy who takes over the job immediately after him and then compare accordingly.
This trio of Mignola, Arcudi and Davis is basically the dream team for this title. To my mind they’re one of the great writer/artist teams of modern comics (or maybe not so modern since this is like a twenty year old comic or something), but they should really be grouped up there with people from this era like Morrison/Quitely, Waid/Samnee and Fraction/Aja (and Fraction/Bá/Moon for that matter). Creative teams made up of individuals who all perfectly understood and suited each other’s sensibilities, and who often brought out career best work in each other. Comics are a collaborative art form and coming across these runs where those collaborators are so perfectly in lockstep together is one of the great joys of the hobby.
Anyway this book is really good! Abe Sapien in a haunted house? It’s sadly beautiful, and quite moving! That weird little guy? What a creep! That monster? Holy shit! Ben Daimio? Hot damn! How many stars am I giving this book? Five!
This trio of Mignola, Arcudi and Davis is basically the dream team for this title. To my mind they’re one of the great writer/artist teams of modern comics (or maybe not so modern since this is like a twenty year old comic or something), but they should really be grouped up there with people from this era like Morrison/Quitely, Waid/Samnee and Fraction/Aja (and Fraction/Bá/Moon for that matter). Creative teams made up of individuals who all perfectly understood and suited each other’s sensibilities, and who often brought out career best work in each other. Comics are a collaborative art form and coming across these runs where those collaborators are so perfectly in lockstep together is one of the great joys of the hobby.
Anyway this book is really good! Abe Sapien in a haunted house? It’s sadly beautiful, and quite moving! That weird little guy? What a creep! That monster? Holy shit! Ben Daimio? Hot damn! How many stars am I giving this book? Five!
March 7, 2014
The are two parallel tales in this story. Added to that is the ongoing issue with the frog creatures that is rumbling along in the background.
In the first (and less interesting) story Abe goes to his former home in Rhode Island and there meets the ghost of his wife. This is the direct follow on to the last volumes story, where he discovers that he used to be a human being before he meddled with the wrong artifact. The story is a bit slow and doesn't really go anywhere, but there will no doubt be more to this in future issues.
In the second story, the B.P.R.D. get a new field commander, a new home in a base in Colorado that just reeks of super villain lair, and a whole host of problems as a result of going in to the situation blind. Johann gets possessed by the ghosts of former German scientists that were killed by a madman they find sealed in a sub basement, who then tries to open a portal into another dimension using the Spear of Longinus. The team have to work together to defeat him and the creature that escapes into our dimension.
The new commander is a former Marine Commando who had his own paranormal experience (he died for 3 days then came back to life), but his handling of his team is a bit iffy. One of the underlying themes of the Hellboy universe is looking at what makes us human and how do we define what humanity is. Most of the B.P.R.D. team should be regarded as non-human in form but definitely human in personality, and much of this comes down to how they are treated. In most of their cases, they have been treated as monsters until somebody (often Hellboy) said "stop" - otherwise they would have continued to be prodded and experimented on until there was nothing left of them. The other major theme is that of the conflict between good and evil - Hellboy epitomises this, as a demon prince he should be evil, but Trevor Bruttenholm's decision to treat him as a human child has affected how he sees the world, even if the world still sees him as a monster. These themes are always there but only if you look for them, as the author never beats you over the head with it.
Daimo, the new commander, fails to understand where the team is coming from and this is already causing tension with Liz Sherman, the only member of the team who looks human. His failure to understand them and tendency to not treat them as people nearly causes a disaster here, but it remains to be seen whether the new team can weather this crisis or will it lead to real disaster. With the frog menace becoming worse, they cannot afford to be pulling in different directions.
One final thing in this series is the use and abuse of science in these stories. The author is not anti-science per se, but there is a trend to have scientists do disturbing things without regarding the consequences, which is what happened here. When combined with the paranormal, this often becomes very nasty indeed. There have been previous instances where this has occurred, such as the nuclear test monsters, and last volumes mushroom man (where the frog plague came into being because a scientist decided to let a fungus grow just to see what happens). This misuse of science in these stories is a slightly disturbing trend.
All in all, still only 3 stars - good but not great
In the first (and less interesting) story Abe goes to his former home in Rhode Island and there meets the ghost of his wife. This is the direct follow on to the last volumes story, where he discovers that he used to be a human being before he meddled with the wrong artifact. The story is a bit slow and doesn't really go anywhere, but there will no doubt be more to this in future issues.
In the second story, the B.P.R.D. get a new field commander, a new home in a base in Colorado that just reeks of super villain lair, and a whole host of problems as a result of going in to the situation blind. Johann gets possessed by the ghosts of former German scientists that were killed by a madman they find sealed in a sub basement, who then tries to open a portal into another dimension using the Spear of Longinus. The team have to work together to defeat him and the creature that escapes into our dimension.
The new commander is a former Marine Commando who had his own paranormal experience (he died for 3 days then came back to life), but his handling of his team is a bit iffy. One of the underlying themes of the Hellboy universe is looking at what makes us human and how do we define what humanity is. Most of the B.P.R.D. team should be regarded as non-human in form but definitely human in personality, and much of this comes down to how they are treated. In most of their cases, they have been treated as monsters until somebody (often Hellboy) said "stop" - otherwise they would have continued to be prodded and experimented on until there was nothing left of them. The other major theme is that of the conflict between good and evil - Hellboy epitomises this, as a demon prince he should be evil, but Trevor Bruttenholm's decision to treat him as a human child has affected how he sees the world, even if the world still sees him as a monster. These themes are always there but only if you look for them, as the author never beats you over the head with it.
Daimo, the new commander, fails to understand where the team is coming from and this is already causing tension with Liz Sherman, the only member of the team who looks human. His failure to understand them and tendency to not treat them as people nearly causes a disaster here, but it remains to be seen whether the new team can weather this crisis or will it lead to real disaster. With the frog menace becoming worse, they cannot afford to be pulling in different directions.
One final thing in this series is the use and abuse of science in these stories. The author is not anti-science per se, but there is a trend to have scientists do disturbing things without regarding the consequences, which is what happened here. When combined with the paranormal, this often becomes very nasty indeed. There have been previous instances where this has occurred, such as the nuclear test monsters, and last volumes mushroom man (where the frog plague came into being because a scientist decided to let a fungus grow just to see what happens). This misuse of science in these stories is a slightly disturbing trend.
All in all, still only 3 stars - good but not great
July 3, 2021
It's not easy to mix horror, humor and heart in a story, but BPRD had achieved that beautifully. A new character, Ben Daimio, is introduced, and it feels like he has much bigger role to play in upcoming volumes. Abe Sapien's backstory is explored further and is given a heartfelt closure.
September 26, 2017
This series continues to be good. We get more of Abe Sapien's origin and the BPRD gets relocated as the new commander Ben Daimio takes control of the team
July 14, 2015
More awesomeness and an introduction to a new team member!
One of those great things about the BPRD series is it's focus on the characters. Sure, there is the huge grand arc of the War on Frogs, but Mignola and Arcudi are very aware that the reader must connect with the team if they are to be emotionally invested in this story:
World: I can't say enough things about Guy Davis' art, it's amazing and strange and used to full effect in this arc. The underground bunker is creepy and at the same time mesmerizing, it's a sight to behold. I really appreciate Mignola and Arcudi spending to out the War on Frogs story in the background to introduce the new world and situation we find the team on. The world is fully fleshed out and makes for a much more immersive read.
Story: Nazi stories are always super fun. The time spent this time around in introducing Colorado and also Daimo was great. Not only did we get some sizable world building but team building also. The story was paced well and the final payoff was fun. I also found that with Arcudi's input there is a lot more humour, which I very much enjoy. The other storyline involving Abe is also very entertaining. It's a lot more straightforward and offers little in terms of answers, but offers a softer and more tragic side that we've not seen for Abe. Those two stories weaving together made for a very wonderful read.
Characters: This arc is all about the characters. Daimo is a wonderful new addition. He's offers a dynamic to the group that allows for some great storytelling. Abe of course continues on with his journey of discovery, though not a lot of answers are given, it does have a strong emotional impact.
All in all another wonderful arc that builds on the rest of the series. I can sense where the grand arc is going, but the character stories at this moment are very much the thing I look forward to the most.
One of those great things about the BPRD series is it's focus on the characters. Sure, there is the huge grand arc of the War on Frogs, but Mignola and Arcudi are very aware that the reader must connect with the team if they are to be emotionally invested in this story:
World: I can't say enough things about Guy Davis' art, it's amazing and strange and used to full effect in this arc. The underground bunker is creepy and at the same time mesmerizing, it's a sight to behold. I really appreciate Mignola and Arcudi spending to out the War on Frogs story in the background to introduce the new world and situation we find the team on. The world is fully fleshed out and makes for a much more immersive read.
Story: Nazi stories are always super fun. The time spent this time around in introducing Colorado and also Daimo was great. Not only did we get some sizable world building but team building also. The story was paced well and the final payoff was fun. I also found that with Arcudi's input there is a lot more humour, which I very much enjoy. The other storyline involving Abe is also very entertaining. It's a lot more straightforward and offers little in terms of answers, but offers a softer and more tragic side that we've not seen for Abe. Those two stories weaving together made for a very wonderful read.
Characters: This arc is all about the characters. Daimo is a wonderful new addition. He's offers a dynamic to the group that allows for some great storytelling. Abe of course continues on with his journey of discovery, though not a lot of answers are given, it does have a strong emotional impact.
All in all another wonderful arc that builds on the rest of the series. I can sense where the grand arc is going, but the character stories at this moment are very much the thing I look forward to the most.
October 16, 2009
I am so glad I chanced upon this graphic novel at Half Price Books, even though it's out of order. It didn't affect my understanding or enjoyment in the slightest. I have enjoyed the Hellboy movies, which inspired me to read the Hellboy comics and graphic novels, which in turn gave me the encouragement to read the BPRD spinoff. I am now hooked on this series.
I enjoyed the artwork and the writing. I was laughing out loud like a crazy girl, and I was gasping with unease on some parts. This was a fun ride. Sign me up for more. If you like anything with an occult detective feel, have a yen for folklore (such as homunculi--Roger is a BRPD team member who doesn't like to wear pants and happens to be one), have an interest in history with an arcane leaning (such as Nazi occult dabblings to win the war), you will love Hellboy and the BRPD.
Now go out and pick up this graphic novel series. I know I definitely need to get the others to read.
I enjoyed the artwork and the writing. I was laughing out loud like a crazy girl, and I was gasping with unease on some parts. This was a fun ride. Sign me up for more. If you like anything with an occult detective feel, have a yen for folklore (such as homunculi--Roger is a BRPD team member who doesn't like to wear pants and happens to be one), have an interest in history with an arcane leaning (such as Nazi occult dabblings to win the war), you will love Hellboy and the BRPD.
Now go out and pick up this graphic novel series. I know I definitely need to get the others to read.
October 21, 2016
Another great volume that adds a new member to the cast while creating a new base for the team. We also find more back story for Abe and the threat of the frogs is placed to side. Roger has some hilarious moments here while the team grows closer, Liz really seems to be the core member in the group with Hellboys departure. I enjoy plots when they can get side swipped away from the core threat, helps establish the writers strength to develop different storylines. The next book has high recommendations so I'm eager to read and see what all the fuss is about. I've started purchasing the Rise of the black flame series so I'll be able to read this and start on that right after the other.
November 5, 2015
Αγαπώ απεριόριστα τον Έιμπ. Τώρα ξέρω και γιατί.
July 22, 2025
An amazing horror story that furthers the BPRD inter-office relationship and literal location, continues with Abe meeting a ghostly visage who seems to be his former-self’s wife and introduces Captain Ben.
Some amazing artwork (the contraption Johann makes is just the perfect comic book “device” design- so visually fun). This is one of the best BPRD stories you can read. It is important to the overall storyline but can be enjoyed as its own little story. Highly recommend this one!
Some amazing artwork (the contraption Johann makes is just the perfect comic book “device” design- so visually fun). This is one of the best BPRD stories you can read. It is important to the overall storyline but can be enjoyed as its own little story. Highly recommend this one!
January 18, 2018
the biggest, scariest monster in the Hellboy/BPRD universe is the Mike Mignola/Guy Davis teamup
August 30, 2025
88 / 100
August 10, 2016
The best B.P.R.D. book up to this point. In parts funny, heartbreaking, and engrossing, the only negative IMO was the first issue which doesn't fit the rest of the book, but is presumably setting up future plots.
The art is fantastic, although as ever it's very stylised and so won't be to everyone's tastes.
The book is kept moving along at a good pace by an action packed story of ghosts and Nazi scientists, and introducing a new leader in Ben Daimio, who is probably my new favourite character. He's funny and genre savvy, and I hope he sticks around for awhile.
The other storyline, involving Abe and his long dead wife, were slower and more sinister, and added more tragedy to an already maudlin character. I can see why some people would be put off by this part of the comic, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt it worked well as a counter balance to the rest of the book.
The two main stories in this aren't really connected, but the beats when moving from one to another really worked, and the smaller Abe storyline never felt out of place.
The art is fantastic, although as ever it's very stylised and so won't be to everyone's tastes.
The book is kept moving along at a good pace by an action packed story of ghosts and Nazi scientists, and introducing a new leader in Ben Daimio, who is probably my new favourite character. He's funny and genre savvy, and I hope he sticks around for awhile.
The other storyline, involving Abe and his long dead wife, were slower and more sinister, and added more tragedy to an already maudlin character. I can see why some people would be put off by this part of the comic, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt it worked well as a counter balance to the rest of the book.
The two main stories in this aren't really connected, but the beats when moving from one to another really worked, and the smaller Abe storyline never felt out of place.
January 31, 2017
This volume finds the team moving the HQ to a mountain base in Colorado. But since this is a Mignola book, it's haunted! The crew gets to the bottom of the strange goings on. I guess. Who really knows when things are this Out There, right? Anyway, the best part of this volume is Abe connecting with his past. It's poignant and sad, and I want him to be happy. I'll read on in the series to see if that ever happens.
January 17, 2009
The Plague of Frogs introduced the BPRD as an on-going series, and the The Dead put on the finishing touches. Mighty good stuff. This book is full of signature Mike Mignola arcane/technology fusion-type stuff (that's pretty scientific speech, right?), and the characters speak in good, John Arcudi dialog. Guy Davis - best underrated artist working today.
August 31, 2016
The lovecraftian/weird fiction vibes are still strong in this series, and with this well written story arc and brilliantly executed art, volume 4 of B.P.R.D. is another must read for fans of the hellboy universe.
The story juggles excitement, comedy, creepiness and character development effectively to create a highly enjoyable read.
The story juggles excitement, comedy, creepiness and character development effectively to create a highly enjoyable read.
June 23, 2020
The writing in this entire volume is just sublime. There are no weak spots at all. I take my hat off to the author(s), and give a lot of credit to John Arcudi for turning out a masterpiece set in the Hellboy universe.
It begins with the addition of Ben Daimyo to the team, an addition that is not looked kindly upon by Liz. I got a huge laugh when Ben Daimyo asked Roger "What the hell is that?" and then pointed in the direction of his groin. I would have loved to know what it was too!? And it is not explained anywhere much to my chagrin. Ben doesn't want to change anything but decides Roger needs pants. Then after Roger does get pants on, the outline of it (in Chapter 2) is so ridiculous, Ben gives up on pants.
This ... THIS is what makes the BPRD series work. The subtle humor in everyday obvious things. The reader identifies them as real people because of things like this - it is hard to get right in books, harder in comics and yet the BPRD series does this effortlessly. Kudos. In the afterward, when Mike Mignola said he wanted to work with writer John Arcudi who is a master at working the fine line between humor and horror, he is 100% correct.
It begins with the addition of Ben Daimyo to the team, an addition that is not looked kindly upon by Liz. I got a huge laugh when Ben Daimyo asked Roger "What the hell is that?" and then pointed in the direction of his groin. I would have loved to know what it was too!? And it is not explained anywhere much to my chagrin. Ben doesn't want to change anything but decides Roger needs pants. Then after Roger does get pants on, the outline of it (in Chapter 2) is so ridiculous, Ben gives up on pants.
This ... THIS is what makes the BPRD series work. The subtle humor in everyday obvious things. The reader identifies them as real people because of things like this - it is hard to get right in books, harder in comics and yet the BPRD series does this effortlessly. Kudos. In the afterward, when Mike Mignola said he wanted to work with writer John Arcudi who is a master at working the fine line between humor and horror, he is 100% correct.
March 23, 2023
2023:
Té knize skoro není co vytknout a 5 hvězdiček si zaslouží. Přesto z ní nejsem tak nadšený, jako poprvé. Kniha rozvíjí děj “Žabího moru” a to hned ve dvou linkách, mezi kterými kniha skáče. Abe Sapien s Kate Corriganovou pátrá po své minulosti, zatímco zbytek Ú.P.V.O. se stěhuje na nové místo, kde bude muset vymést nějaké kostlivce ze skříní. Zatímco jedna linka je romanticky smutná, druhá je akční a místy i vtipná. Dohromady to funguje jenom tak napůl. Je jasné, že to jsou dva děje, které se odehrávají současně, ale na druhou stranu ty děje spolu nemají žádnou souvislost a nepotřebují být synchronizované. Mám pocit, že to neustálé skákání neprospělo atmosféře ani jedné linky. Ale to je jenom drobnost. Knihu táhne úžasná kresba Guye Davise.
2020:
To co Žabímu moru k dokonalosti chybělo, to tady je. Kniha obsahuje dvě paralelní linie - v jedné se Ú.P.V.O. zabydluje na novém místě a ve druhé pátrá Abe Sapien po svém původu - a obě jsou perfektní. Líbí se mi i kresba, která pomáhá být sérii Ú.P.V.O. úplně jiná, než je Hellboy, a přesto mít tu správnou atmosféru. Maximální spokojenost!
Té knize skoro není co vytknout a 5 hvězdiček si zaslouží. Přesto z ní nejsem tak nadšený, jako poprvé. Kniha rozvíjí děj “Žabího moru” a to hned ve dvou linkách, mezi kterými kniha skáče. Abe Sapien s Kate Corriganovou pátrá po své minulosti, zatímco zbytek Ú.P.V.O. se stěhuje na nové místo, kde bude muset vymést nějaké kostlivce ze skříní. Zatímco jedna linka je romanticky smutná, druhá je akční a místy i vtipná. Dohromady to funguje jenom tak napůl. Je jasné, že to jsou dva děje, které se odehrávají současně, ale na druhou stranu ty děje spolu nemají žádnou souvislost a nepotřebují být synchronizované. Mám pocit, že to neustálé skákání neprospělo atmosféře ani jedné linky. Ale to je jenom drobnost. Knihu táhne úžasná kresba Guye Davise.
2020:
To co Žabímu moru k dokonalosti chybělo, to tady je. Kniha obsahuje dvě paralelní linie - v jedné se Ú.P.V.O. zabydluje na novém místě a ve druhé pátrá Abe Sapien po svém původu - a obě jsou perfektní. Líbí se mi i kresba, která pomáhá být sérii Ú.P.V.O. úplně jiná, než je Hellboy, a přesto mít tu správnou atmosféru. Maximální spokojenost!
May 9, 2022
I'm a long time Hellboy fan, but I'm not really feeling B.P.R.D yet. After an amazing start with Hollow Earth and the other stories on the first volume, the series has yet to recover its footing for me, with three volumes that were full of mediocre to boring stories.
Also, I really dislike the way they are going with Roger in the Plague of Frogs arc, turning him into a pathetic comic relief. Mignola presented Roger as a stoic, conflicted character that had plenty of room for development and was one of my favourite characters, but I couldn't even recognise that Roger in the last couple volumes, especially the way they subjected him to ridicule to (presently) such a generic commando character as Daimio.
I don't have a problem with jokes - the pants one was very good - but they could've gone that route without butchering Roger's personality that was already stablished in previous stories.
I'm not really feeling the colours as well. Dave Stewart gave a very unique feel to them, and the colours now feel like just any other comic instead of a comic from the Hellboy universe.
Also, I really dislike the way they are going with Roger in the Plague of Frogs arc, turning him into a pathetic comic relief. Mignola presented Roger as a stoic, conflicted character that had plenty of room for development and was one of my favourite characters, but I couldn't even recognise that Roger in the last couple volumes, especially the way they subjected him to ridicule to (presently) such a generic commando character as Daimio.
I don't have a problem with jokes - the pants one was very good - but they could've gone that route without butchering Roger's personality that was already stablished in previous stories.
I'm not really feeling the colours as well. Dave Stewart gave a very unique feel to them, and the colours now feel like just any other comic instead of a comic from the Hellboy universe.
May 8, 2024
I’m currently following multiversity’s reading order for the mignolaverse. I was nervous to switch over from Hellboy to BPRD, especially because it isn’t helmed by Mignola to the extent that Hellboy was, and I didn’t really vibe with the first two volumes. But this was so ridiculously good. I love Abe as a character and I hope they develop him more. Volume 3 really shocked me with the little origin they gave him, and the depth they gave to him here— not only in his backstory but the type of character Abe is— was done so well. I loved Roger, Johann and Liz here too. John Arcuci really knows how to write these characters. So pumped for what comes next.
April 25, 2019
This volume is less a collection of episodic stories and more a continuation of the frog monster plague from B.P.R.D., Vol. 3: Plague of Frogs. While I miss some of the classic Hellboy illustration style, I like the dynamic with the main characters of Liz, Abe, and Roger. Liz's concern for Roger having good role models is especially sweet. In this one, Roger gets to take up the mantle as the most badass member of BPRD.
October 16, 2019
For me, serialized comics are at their best when they feel like a TV show in its prime. All the character interactions are fleshed out, so it’s only a matter of putting the characters in a new situation. So basically an action sitcom or whatever, but better than description actually sounds. Point being, the character dynamics are great here. I love Johann and Roger. Great guys. The adventure pulp by way of Lovecraft thing the Hellboy comics do will never fail to be simultaneously charming and creepy. A good time overall.
March 5, 2019
Абсолютно прохідна історія, тонни натяків на глобальний сюжет та відходження від надважливої жаб’ячої чуми просто заради відходження.
Окей, маємо нового персонажа. Поки що шаблонного морпіхотинця.
Окей, маємо підтвердження передісторії Ейба (ага, нам розжовують, бо з першого разу ми не вкуримо).
Окей, в нас стабілізувався малюнок. Навіть хтонічна тварь виглядає добре, бо я можу її розгледіти.
Але ж де екшон, де атмосфера, що за "супернейчурал" після пятого сезона?
Окей, маємо нового персонажа. Поки що шаблонного морпіхотинця.
Окей, маємо підтвердження передісторії Ейба (ага, нам розжовують, бо з першого разу ми не вкуримо).
Окей, в нас стабілізувався малюнок. Навіть хтонічна тварь виглядає добре, бо я можу її розгледіти.
Але ж де екшон, де атмосфера, що за "супернейчурал" після пятого сезона?
May 24, 2019
Mignola and Arcudi continue the tale of the B.P.R.D. without Hellboy and its still good. The team continues to transform and I don't know if its for the better. Here, we get one complete arc and Abe's subplot. I honestly wanted more from the Abe story. I think there is a lot more there. The main story was good but didn't seem like a new idea. Guy Davis' art was still fantastic. Overall, a good read but the main story didn't pull me in.
February 26, 2023
This series has really hit its stride. John Arcudi joins as co-writer, and, though I was as skeptical of him as the BPRD team are of their new zombie military man field leader, he is a welcome addition. I’m not sure I would have noticed a change in voice had I not been aware. It’s perhaps a little funnier, but it all still feels very in line with everything else so far. The art team of Guy Davis and Dave Stewart continue to make this book stand the test of time.
February 28, 2018
Mignola & Arcudi team up to write a full-on blockbuster-style adventure for the B.P.R.D although quieter moments are delivered with Abe Sapien's investigation into his former life. With Daimo we get another cool adition to the B.P.R.D.-team. Guy Davis excels as usual providing images to the horror, the action and a bit of humor.
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