Written by Guest Contributor: Jordan North Mutants, Ghosts and monsters! What’s not to like? B.P.R.D. has taken on a bit of a new formula as of late and I must say I’m a fan. Upon first jumping in, for me, this book appeared to be about a group of monster hunters, well, hunting monsters. But as of the last two issues it’s shedding that skin and becoming something more. And that’s definitely a good thing.
This issue continues the trend of expanding the world that B.P.R.D inhabits—the most important factor of which is that this is a post-apocalyptic world. There are still people left to be sure, but the lives of every single individual have been profoundly warped in one way or another. Watching these characters: doctors, little girls and vagabonds, struggle with their new tattered world really is a profound thing. Its handled well enough here that despite the absurdity of the scenario that brought Earth to its knees, we still can’t help but place ourselves in the shoes of these people.
That this issue brushes against so many different little stories is what makes it so cool. Our troops prepare for war in the city. A young girl cracks under the turmoil of a strange haunting; Liz Sherman tries her best to hold it together whilst enduring a bleak situation in the hospital, a girl and her dog make an unlikely friend amidst chaos. All very different tales all told in the same universe at the same time. The whole thing manages balance and very minimal confusion and all feels natural. Like being picked up and dropped into another little vignette-- it’s just as smooth as reading any novel. The result is a cohesive and exciting world that feels as huge as the planet it’s supposed to be set on.
Frosting everything is wonderful art and color work by Tyler Crook and Dave Stewart in the tradition of Mike Mignola colors pop and are exaggerated and bold just where and when they need to be and the art itself seems perfectly in sync with the story the team is going for.
All in all this is a book that knows its stride and may be the best of its kind. Fast, fun and endlessly imaginative, B.P.R.D. isn’t one to miss.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi Artist: Tyler Crook Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 9/18/13