The major comic companies put out enough comics that sometimes it can leave your head spinning and eyes bleeding as you search the new titles each week for something worth reading. To aid in your Geeky endeavors, Speak Geeky To Me on occasion reviews new titles from the major companies to spotlight the best and worst of what’s available at your local comic shop. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a new Comic Review.

 

The Info Bit

Title: BPRD: 1948 #1

Genre/s: Horror/Supernatural

Writers: Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Batman) & John Arcudi (Hellboy, Aliens)

Artist: Max Fiumara (Amazing Spider-Man, Deadpool)

Colorist: Dave Stewart (Action Comics, Batman)

Letterer: Clem Robbins

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Number of Issues: 1 (of 5)

Page Count: 22

Price: $3.50

 

The Review Bit

This is the beginning of the end of BPRD’s Secret Origin trilogy. After their battle with the vampires in BPRD: 1947, the BPRD now find themselves located in Fairfield, Connecticut. Professor Bruttenholm (aka Broom) is called out the the Utah desert to investigate an appearance of a bird like monster that appeared and killed a few men that were involved in a highly classified project using atomic bombs as fuel to propel a rocket ship into space. While there Broom meets Dr. Anna Rieu, and incredibly smart and beautiful woman who impresses Broom greatly. Broom is convinced that this creature’s appearance is tied in with the secret projects first atomic test. Dr. Rieu was convinced that while observing the test blast she witnessed a “strange disturbance” just before the explosion. She voiced what she saw and it was quickly dismissed by the others, the issue ends with her scanning frame by frame the film that was taken of the atomic test blast determined to find what she is convinced she saw.
The story jumps around a bit in time. For a brief moment we are taken to June 1983 where a film crew is setting up in a living room. A Mr. Yessler is about to be interviewed about his late wife, famed Dr. Anna Rieu. The interviewer asks him to tell the story of how he and Anna met. Mr. Yessler agrees, but adds it leads into some strange…his comment is cut off by the lighting guy. As the light for the interview is turned on, the panel gets very bright and we are taken to Utah 1948. So it would seem much of this story is being narrated to us by this Mr. Yessler.
The story isn’t solely in Utah; we do visit back with BPRD HQ in Fairfield. Where there is a nice 2-page exchange with Agent Anders, who seems to have recovered well from the vampire possession a year earlier, and, of course, Hellboy.
This was a good solid start to the end of this trilogy. The Secret Origins books have always been very well written, and had a great feel to them. Dealing with events so long ago with a fan favorite character (Broom) that died so early on in this comic universe, it just gives it a very nostalgic and even historic feel. Its always great to see young Hellboy on the page as well. The creepy little girl demon Varvara even makes an appearance in the beginning talking with Broom. I am very interested to see where Mignola and Arcudi are taking us in the remaining 4-issues.
As expected the writing was excellent. Both Mignola and Arcudi are great story tellers, and having been at it in this universe for so long it clearly is second nature for them. It was a very smooth and easy read, simple and to the point.
I thought the art was quite good. Max Fiumara knows how to take the story and make it his own, while still holding that Hellboy/Mignola feel. The last panel on page 5 that was the transition not only to page 6, but from 1983 to 1948 was fantastic, I think it was great comic story telling. Not only did I feel like Fiumara was using characters eyes as a tool, but I think that his use of shading and shadows were also very well done. They helped to convey the idea that this is a dark universe we are reading about. Everything about the art from Fiumara’s pencils & inks to Dave Stewarts wonderful colors, worked. Nothing was ever overly stylized; it did its job to the letter, and in its capacity, conveyed what was intended.


The Rating Bit
I will admit I came in late to the BPRD/HELLBOY Universe and have read most of what I have in TPB form. I still have not read it all, and as of this writing had not read 1946 or 1947, but after reading issue #1 of 1948, I am very eager to do so, and have already ordered the TPB’s for them. I really liked this story, and am giving it an 8 out of 10 rating. While good, I wasn’t floored, but think the meat of the story is clearly yet to come, and am sure this volume will end on a 10.