John Arcudi

Everything starts to fall down for BPRD. First Johann leads the expedition to Chicago to figure out what happened with the team that went incommunicado while investigating strange old house (two issues back). Moment they move on, they start dying off like flies and creepy mist starts mutating everything around them.

Story is what you might call standard zombie survival story (small kids, protection instinct, dont worry everything is going to be OKkkkkkkaghhhhhh) - if we weren't suffocated with the similar stories (Walking Dead, when will you end :)) this one would be interesting. But truly in how many different ways can you tell story of people going through cities destroyed by monsters and fighting off mutations or monsters (maybe both?:))

Parallel to this, second BPRD troop is sent to Russia to assist Russian's version of BPRD to contain Varvara (little child monster). I am still not sure was the ending OK or catastrophe. Hopefully next volume will shed more light.

Of other events, Fenix must be what people imagine to be independent teenager but what I would call somebody in dire need of couple of days hard disciplining. I truly do not know how people tolerate her constant mood swings and sewer personality ... I do not know. Maybe she develops into something worthy at the end, although I ... very doubt much doubt it.

Grim volume, but keeps me hooked to see where it goes from here.… (mehr)

Again very good collection about BPRD fighting the monsters that are slowly taking over the world.

First story - Fenix and Devon traveling to BPRD HQ - was an OK story. Devon is definitely annoying me with his i-do-not-know-should-i-stay-or-go approach. On the other hand Fenix is so childish it is impossible. Girl has some serious issues and no will to control the outbursts. She is just annoying, know-it-all - your average impulsive teen but with super powers.

Second story is rather sad one - Johann finally gets an opportunity to track down the Daimio in the Northwest parts of the USA and Canada (same place where Abe came across Daimio few issues back). Johann is again resentful and angry person hoping to avenge the loss of HIS BODY (I mean the ego of this man). Fortunately events kick in, partially thanks to Daimio and partially because of the kismet I guess, so Johann's action in the end loses that selfishness-quality and feels more like coupe de grace.

Art as always is great, especially the "Long Death" story.

Highly recommended to all fans of Hellboy universe.… (mehr)

Well, if you were waiting for story progress gotta say that wait is over.

One of the seven dragons manages to get free and lands on Earth. In the meantime all of the psykers [in the lack of better word] on Earth (our obnoxious Fenix included) are receiving Black Flame's signals and ending up catatonic. It is obvious that direct presence of the dragon on Earth is making Black Flame stronger but that is rapidly coming to an end when Liz and Johann fully join their forces to attack Black Flame in New York. Fight is more akin to superhero duels but then again we are talking about the characters larger than life, in face of this level of destruction only heroes can rise up.

Twist at the end is highly depressing, but in at least story is now moving on, this is first book in a while that is not filler.

Recommended to fans of BPRD and Hellboy universe.… (mehr)