FEATURE REVIEW - Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1952 #1, 2

PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
WRITER: John Arcudi & Mike Mignola
ARTIST: Alex Maleev

I have two admissions to make about Hellboy. First admission, I didn’t start reading Hellboy until after I watched the two live-action movies. Second admission, I am not a huge Hellboy fan, I actually prefer the B.P.R.D. stories and Abe Sapien. I still read Hellboy though.

Okay, confession time over.

I didn’t review issue one of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1952, so quick thoughts right now. The time is 1952, eight years after Hellboy was summoned by Rasputin. The Professor gathers his team for a mission in Brazil, and tells them Hellboy is going along.

One team member is particular seems very against it, but the Professor is adamant, even going against his own rules. Archie, Hellboy’s friend and leader of the team, informs Hellboy he is going.

This is a good first issue, well-paced and takes the time to introduce all the characters, plot, and subplots, in play without rushing the story.

Thus begins Hellboy’s first mission!

Issue #2

What a mission Hellboy is on, to solve a series of grizzle supernatural murders. After a priest is killed trying to act by himself, Hellboy is put in charge of taking care of a small boy. Take care of the boy, Hellboy does and this thrusts him into action when a demon comes looking for the child.

Hellboy jumps into action like a pro, handling the situation as good as one could for never being in the thick of action before. The timely arrival of his teammates saves Hellboy and drives the demon off.

We end with Hellboy giving chase and finding himself in a potentially explosive situation caused by one of his teammates.

How good is Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1952? Two words: DAMN GOOD. The first issue sets the stage and characters and the second issue dives right in expanding the plot, setting up possible multiple mysteries and dangers and roars into the action.

1952 hits every point head on. John Arcudi and Mike Mignola’s writing is very good with the strong point being the characters. The characters are natural and real, from personalities to speech they create actual people, not caricatures.

I am a fan of Alex Maleev, and his art style is a perfect fit for Hellboy. He knows how to tell a story with his art and help enhance it.

FINAL THOUGHTS: If you’re a Hellboy fan, this is a must read. If you’re a casual fan, pick it up and see Hellboy’s first mission.

For anyone else, just read it and see how good it is.

RATING: 7