Get ready for some wall-to-wall exposition. Though, to its credit, the book seems to understand it needs to quickly shove you through the pages of expository dialog. But to its detriment, the book feels a bit too hurried. You're yanked from location to location, squirted with a thick stream of exposition before you're shoved ahead to the next bit of explanation. While I appreciate the dive into how and why the premise has taken place, I feel this issue would be better served by exploring its characters. Granted, the Hellboy mythos thrives on obscurity. But issue two here feels like filler without much in the way of personality. At times the script can feel like a series of moments that have to happen, but cannot be neatly and organically fit together. One conversation needs to lead to this action, which in turn needs to lead to this revelation. You get my meaning? It's like looking at the bones, but not the skeleton.

The issue's greatest strength is that, in spite of the brisk pace, all the pieces come together to form a coherent and engaging whole. I never feel the issue is missing anything. The tale of how theses rampaging robots came to be is an interesting one. It's just a tale presenting itself in such a coldly efficient manner that I don't especially care about the people. And without that connection, what am I reading for? To be fair, this seems consistent with early Twentieth Century weird fiction. However, Hellboy and the like have typically risen above the influence of their predecessors to modernize their methods of story-telling. It's a shame this mini-series is so laser-focused on plot, but your enjoyment may not be hurt by that at all, depending on your preferences.

It remains to be seen how the mini will wrap itself up, but I'm unconvinced the destination will suddenly become worth the journey. I can't help but feel the issues could work much better as a single, judiciously edited-down, double-sized issue. As it is, Metal Monsters of Midtown is entertaining, but frustratingly paced.

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