Chris Roberson | Musings of the Monster Librarian

Graphic Novel Review: Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol.4: 1955 by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson, illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough (Secret Nature), Brian Churilla (Occult Intelligence), and Paolo Rivera and Joe Rivera (Burning Season)

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: 1955 by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson; art by Shawn Martinbrough (Secret Nature), Brian Churilla (Occult Intelligence), and Paolo Rivera and Joe Rivera (Burning Season)

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 9781506705965

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

In Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: 1955, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D hunt down unseen predators and demons, investigate cases of spontaneous combustion, and confront an espionage plot regarding a strange new weapon at an Air Force base where Russian agents want to steal it and the military brass are moving in. The volume collects Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1955 Secret Nature, Occult Intelligence #1-#3, Burning Season, and the 1955 story from the Hellboy Winter Special. Included in this volume is a sketchbook with storyboards, annotations, and more.

Secret Nature addresses some significant themes in this Hellboy volume. Hellboy and Woodrow Farrier, PhD., head to Oregon to investigate sightings of a deadly beast that has been killing livestock and terrorizing farmers in the area. They make a gruesome discovery in a dark cabin: some of the farm boys got ahold of a book of spells and, in making an error in the summoning ritual, let loose the creature that gutted them and has been wreaking havoc on the area farms. Throughout this chapter, Hellboy and Woody talk about the fact that more people are accepting of Hellboy than they are a Black man. Professor Bruttenholm approached him and was willing to take him in and give him a chance. Despite the professor’s trust and respect, and Hellboy’s support and defense, the Bureau is far from perfect. Can Woody and Hellboy banish the creature? Will Hellboy’s disgust of the racist farmers finally get the better of him?

Occult Intelligence has some great moments. Hellboy faces off against a giant oceanic beast that resembles a turtle while Archie Mudaro calls him “kid” the entire time he and the troops are trying to help him fight. Admittedly it was hard for me to remember that technically, the big red lug was still a kid in 1955! I also appreciated the mention of Dimension X. It helps illustrate the time period as it was a popular radio show that ran from 1950-1951. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend it. This story also involves a B.P.R.D agent, Susan Xiang, who finds herself experiencing disturbing visions that may give Hellboy some idea what will happen next.

Burning Season begins with a couple stopping out in the woods to make a pit stop, which results in the wife burning to ashes in front of her husband. As the B.P.R.D. investigates, it is discovered this isn’t the first mysterious fiery death in Port Orange, Florida. The land holds centuries of pain and anguish, and Hellboy may be the only one who can quench its wrath. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Book Review: B.P.R.D Hell on Earth volume 14: The Exorcist

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Volume 14: The Exorcist by Mike Mignola, Cameron Stewart, Chris Roberson, and Mike Norton

Dark Horse, 2016

ISBN: 9781506700113

Available: Trade paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology ebook

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Volume 14: The Exorcist collects B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Exorcism #1–#2 and B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #140–#142.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Exorcism was a 2 issue mini-series published from June to July 2012. The plot focuses on field agent Ashley Strode as she investigates a series of exorcisms in a rural Indiana town. After a failed exorcism, and angering the priest in control of the ritual, Agent Strode is deployed to a Mexican village after a demon commands her to release one of its brethren, or lose the soul of a child. Strode attempts to purge a demon from an aged, retired, exorcist, using a deadly rite that sends both of them into a spiritual hell.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Exorcist continues Agent Strode’s career. Strode is searching for missing children in a town called Yamsay, a small mining town that has fallen on hard times. She discovers the reason for the missing children in the abandoned, dilapidated house of the town’s founder, Eustice Coupland. His daughter, long deceased, tells Strode the story of her father’s secrets, and what happened to the missing children of Yamsay. What she doesn’t reveal is more sinister and dangerous than Agent Strode could ever imagine.

I was really impressed with the storytelling in this volume, especially when it comes to Agent Strode’s character development: she begins as a freshly minted rookie in the first story arc, and becomes a confident and capable field agent in the second. In The Exorcism storyline, she puts herself, and others, in danger: she can’t even bring herself to hand the priest the holy water, and then directly addresses the demon, who may or may not be lying to her. Her following interaction with the retired exorcist is what helps form her into the agent she becomes later. He warns her that she needs to be alert and trust in her abilities, especially when they enter the spiritual realm. In the second storyline, she’s working independently in Yamsay, and holds her own very well. I’m finding that I want to read more about her.

The book is also visually appealing. The demons, in particular, are unique and well-rendered. At the end of this volume is an artist’s sketchbook with notes about the creation of Ashely Strode, the demons, and more. This is a nice addition that allows you to see the creative energy that went into these storylines. Recommended.

Contains: some blood

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker