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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

Posted on April 4, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer by Victor Lavalle, illustrated by Dietrich Smith

Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer by Victor LaValle, illustrated by Dietrich Smith

BOOM! Studios, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781684150557

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology

Victor LaValle’s Destroyer is set in a world where Victor Frankenstein is real, and so is his Creature. Having survived by living under the frigid environment of Antarctica, he becomes angered when a whaling vessel invades the waters and sheds blood of the ocean creatures he is seen swimming with in the first pages. Here begins the journey of the Destroyer, his only goal to eliminate humanity from the planet.

But Destroyer isn’t simply the story of Frankenstein’s Creature and his revenge. At the center is Dr. Josephine Baker, who herself is a descendant of the Frankenstein family, and her resurrected son, Akai. He had been gunned down by the Chicago police after a paranoid woman called them insisting a Black man was brandishing a firearm in her neighborhood. Dr. Baker brought him back using nanotechnology, plus a little of her ancestor’s methods. Two scientists, Percy and Byron, believe they’re searching for Dr. Baker to protect her from the Destroyer, but they discover their mission may be greater than they thought. Add to the mix Akai’s estranged father, the Bride, and a ruthless agent who will stop at nothing to get her hands on Dr. Baker’s creation, and you have yourself one amazing story.

LaValle does not shy away from sociopolitical commentary in Destroyer. Strong themes in this graphic novel include misogyny, racism, and police brutality, all of which are timely and necessary topics. LaValle expertly weaves a tale of modern-day United States fear and hatred with the original Frankenstein story using elements and names familiar to readers of Shelley’s original work. The artwork supplied by Smith creates the perfect accompaniment to a gripping story.

I watched a keynote given by LaValle during the Library Journal Library Con Live! 2018 where he discussed the graphic novel. I highly recommend seeing him speak if you have the chance.

Contains: blood, gore, misogyny, police brutality, racism, violence

Highly recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Editor’s note: Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer is on the final ballot for the 2018 Bram Stoker Award in the Graphic Novel category. 

Posted on February 25, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Brooklyn Blood by Paul Levitz, art by Tim Hamilton

Brooklyn Blood by Paul Levitz, art by Tim Hamilton

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781506706306

Available:  Paperback, Kindle edition, and comiXology edition

 

Afghanistan vet Billy O’Connor returns to his hometown of Brooklyn to work as a detective. He tries returning to his routine, but his PTSD  haunts him. His hallucinations worsen over time and concern his partner, Hasan. When they begin investigating a strange homicide case, O’Connor experiences what he chalks up to as PTSD, but it turns out to be something more. The case turns into the hunt for a serial killer, one who is making human sacrifices to raise a demon from the depths.

Readers who enjoy a good Lovecraftian noir should pick this up. Brooklyn is gritty, and the cops and detectives fit perfectly in this environment. O’Connor tries to come to grips with his inner demons and disturbing hallucinations throughout the investigation, when he discovers there may be more to his experiences than he or his partner think. O’Connor also must confront his own racism. Seeing the horrors of war in Afghanistan, he has a skewed view of anyone “other”. Hasan thankfully doesn’t pull her punches when she confronts him about his words or actions. While there is nothing overtly gross or terrifying, young readers might find this disturbing. Teen readers may find this a great read.

This volume collects all sixteen chapters which were originally serialized in Dark Horse Presents Volume 3 #17-#22 and #24-#33!”

Contains: racism, some blood

Recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on January 19, 2019 by , Reply
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