Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1952 #4
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The good
Scheme behind mysterious occurrences in village runs deep and is intriguing. Great action
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The bad
Didn't show other members of B.P.R.D. or elaborate on the attempted murder of Hellboy
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The ugly
- Total score
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1952 #4 continues with Hellboy and Archie uncovering the truth behind the mutated monkeys and the disappearances in the village of Terroso. It opens up with them finding an entrance to a laboratory in the mansion, and they come across a few more mutated chimps fiddling around with human corpses. However, these chimps just exit the lab, and Hellboy and Archie don’t provoke them at all. But what they discover is even worse as someone has been using these chimps to construct Frankenstein monsters, and there are rows of them being preserved in tanks. This makes Archie recall what Olavo told them when they first arrived about how the mansion was once a prison but the guards and inmates were wiped out by a plague. Instead they were actually used for these experiments to turn them into the undead for some reason. It reminds him of what the Professor saw right after WWII and wonders if it’s somehow connected. But before they can investigate any further they’re attacked by one of these corpses, and nothing seems to hurt it. Who is behind this plot, and what chance do Hellboy and Archie stand against an army of the undead?
Last issue was an improvement as I felt the story progressed and there was plenty of action to boot too. There were still important questions that needed to be answered, and I was hoping this issue would answer them. And this issue wasted no time in getting to them with Archie and Hellboy immediately stumbling onto the lab housing the army of Frankensteins monsters, creating more interesting adversaries to fight than mutated chimps. It was interesting, and creepy, to see chimps being turned into pseudo doctors putting together these monstrosities. And there would be more action this issue involving Hellboy fighting these monsters, and I’m glad it didn’t disappoint because I’ve been waiting to see this. Even with the dark colors and shadows used for the artwork, the fights were easy to follow and still maintained the overall tone of the story.
And the story was solid with a familiar face emerging behind the mysterious occurrences in this small Brazilian town. If you’re familiar with Hellboy then this should be a welcome addition making this story even more grand overall. And if you’re not familiar with this villain the story will still pull you in as the stakes are raised drastically, and well beyond the borders of this small town. I don’t know how this plays into the attempted murder of Hellboy last issue but I’m excited to see how everything ties together, and the next step for the B.P.R.D..
SUMMARY
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1952 #4 ups the ante as the truth behind the mysterious occurrences in the small town is revealed, and with a surprising twist. The long-awaited answers start to roll out immediately, and has Hellboy and Archie fighting for their lives against this vast scheme. There’s no further explanation about the attempt on Hellboy’s life or if there’s any connection to this scheme but the story progresses tremendously. The action was entertaining, and the artwork wonderfully captured the tone. I can’t wait to read the next issue and see how the B.P.R.D. responds to this threat.
Release Date: 3/4/15
Writer: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Artist: Alex Maleev
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