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B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth, Vol. 6: The Return of the Master
A rogue scientist who escaped the bloody massacre in B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia assembles a paranormal cult bent on world destruction. Can an elite B.P.R.D. task force hunt down the mad Russian’s stronghold in time, or will monsters overwhelm a world already teetering on the edge of apocalypse? Collects B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Return of the Master #1–#5.
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2013
7 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Mike Mignola
1,884 books2,518 followersMike Mignola was born September 16, 1960 in Berkeley, California and grew up in nearby Oakland. His fascination with ghosts and monsters began at an early age (he doesn't remember why) and reading Dracula at age 13 introduced him to Victorian literature and folklore from which he has never recovered.
In 1982, hoping to find a way to draw monsters for a living, he moved to New York City and began working for Marvel Comics, first as a (very terrible) inker and then as an artist on comics like Rocket Raccoon, Alpha Flight and The Hulk. By the late 80s he had begun to develop his signature style (thin lines, clunky shapes and lots of black) and moved onto higher profile commercial projects like Cosmic Odyssey (1988) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989) for DC Comics, and the not-so-commercial Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser (1990) for Marvel. In 1992, he drew the comic book adaptation of the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Topps Comics.
In 1993, Mike moved to Dark Horse comics and created Hellboy, a half-demon occult detective who may or may not be the Beast of the Apocalypse. While the first story line (Seed of Destruction, 1994) was co-written by John Byrne, Mike has continued writing the series himself. There are, at this moment, 13 Hellboy graphic novel collections (with more on the way), several spin-off titles (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Abe Sapien and Witchfinder), three anthologies of prose stories, several novels, two animated films and two live-action films staring Ron Perlman. Hellboy has earned numerous comic industry awards and is published in a great many countries.
Mike also created the award-winning comic book The Amazing Screw-on Head and has co-written two novels (Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire and Joe Golem and the Drowning City) with best-selling author Christopher Golden.
Mike worked (very briefly) with Francis Ford Coppola on his film Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), was a production designer on the Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and was visual consultant to director Guillermo del Toro on Blade II (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). He lives somewhere in Southern California with his wife, daughter, a lot of books and a cat.
In 1982, hoping to find a way to draw monsters for a living, he moved to New York City and began working for Marvel Comics, first as a (very terrible) inker and then as an artist on comics like Rocket Raccoon, Alpha Flight and The Hulk. By the late 80s he had begun to develop his signature style (thin lines, clunky shapes and lots of black) and moved onto higher profile commercial projects like Cosmic Odyssey (1988) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989) for DC Comics, and the not-so-commercial Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser (1990) for Marvel. In 1992, he drew the comic book adaptation of the film Bram Stoker's Dracula for Topps Comics.
In 1993, Mike moved to Dark Horse comics and created Hellboy, a half-demon occult detective who may or may not be the Beast of the Apocalypse. While the first story line (Seed of Destruction, 1994) was co-written by John Byrne, Mike has continued writing the series himself. There are, at this moment, 13 Hellboy graphic novel collections (with more on the way), several spin-off titles (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Abe Sapien and Witchfinder), three anthologies of prose stories, several novels, two animated films and two live-action films staring Ron Perlman. Hellboy has earned numerous comic industry awards and is published in a great many countries.
Mike also created the award-winning comic book The Amazing Screw-on Head and has co-written two novels (Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire and Joe Golem and the Drowning City) with best-selling author Christopher Golden.
Mike worked (very briefly) with Francis Ford Coppola on his film Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), was a production designer on the Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and was visual consultant to director Guillermo del Toro on Blade II (2002), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). He lives somewhere in Southern California with his wife, daughter, a lot of books and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 25, 2019
This is definitely not the volume to start with unless you've kept up with the Mignolaverse up to this point. A lot of elements from previous Hellboy and BPRD stories return. Our regular cast of freaks take a back to seat to the human BPRD agents as they respond to a bunch of global threats and get pulled to their limit. Things feel really dire for humanity and I'm beginning to wonder how much of humanity will survive by the end of Hell on Earth. Tyler Crook's art is great. He can do both humans and monsters, which has been a bit of a problem with past artists in this series.
January 17, 2018
The series is more or less back on track after the disappointment of the previous volume, but The Return of the Master still wasn't great. Again there was a whole subplot that came out of nowhere and was seemingly entirely pointless. The Fenix stuff starts to drag, she's being an annoying angsty teenager, and her importance to the story is still unclear. Only one storyline out of three felt like it was advancing the plot in a meaningful way, and it was still only a tease of things to come. It wasn't a bad volume per se, but I'm certainly used to expect more from BPRD.
July 10, 2013
I’m not sure if its deliberate but it feels like Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are going around and around in circles with the BPRD – at least that’s what it feels like if you’ve been following the series since the start like I have. Hell On Earth is basically Season 2 of BPRD but in Volume 6: Return of the Master, a lot of characters from BPRD Season 1 pop up and a number of concepts from that first run also appear here. Namely, Rasputin and the Black Flame, two BPRD villains who’ve died more than once get brought back and we revisit the concept of Rag Narok, aka the End of the World.
This isn’t the best volume as the main focus is on a minor villain and a squad of BPRD human soldiers who aren’t particularly memorable. The minor villain is The Master who sets up shop in a ruined Scottish castle, bringing with him some human followers while resurrecting some giant monsters to fight the BPRD squad sent to take him out. The characters we’ve come to know and love are either absent or doing very little in this book. Hellboy is of course absent, as he’s battling his way through hell, Abe Sapien is still comatose inside a tank, and Liz Sherman is AWOL (though she does check in with a single panel). Meanwhile, Johann Krauss is putzing around BPRD HQ, arguing with new recruit (and Marvel rip-off) Fenix, a red-headed girl with powerful psychic powers.
BPRD is at its best when it does short, self-contained spooky stories in the vein of The X-Files but without the TV budgetary restraints (a special effects sequence costs the same as a conversation between two people in a room in the comics world) but this volume is instead more about the larger series storyline going on. As such, it’s not a volume anyone unfamiliar with the series should be picking up casually as a lot of it will just be confusing. The problem with this book is that The Master storyline is pretty uninvolving – BPRD squad fire guns at monsters for most of the book – and it kind of ends in a way that makes you think the entire thing was pointless anyway, and the rest of it involves resurrecting the Black Flame (again) and the end of world happens (again). So half of it feels like a waste of time while the other half feels like rehashed material.
There’s some decent art and Mignola/Arcudi does make the material interesting enough so it’s never too boring to read even if the impression they leave you with is underwhelming. The series could be better if Abe woke up (him being comatose only makes his absence more keenly felt as the other characters just aren’t as interesting), if Johann went out into the field again, and Liz came back (or else did something more than nothing!). But I do like the dead Russian guy with the little girl in the jar, I think he’s a complex character, at times seeming good, others seeming downright evil, and his plans are obscure enough to keep him on the fence between good and evil.
But the whole Rag Narok thing is played out. Giant storylines are fine but we’ve seen it so many times in BPRD that it’s become boring. The Black Flame is played out. Rasputin is played out. The best BPRD stories in this Hell On Earth series have been mini story arcs focusing on one or two characters and a new supernatural creature(s) in an interesting location – this large scale, end of the world stuff is too vague and overdone at this point to matter (at least to me). Volume 6: The Return of the Master has its moments but doesn’t contain enough fresh material or ideas to make it a standout in the series.
This isn’t the best volume as the main focus is on a minor villain and a squad of BPRD human soldiers who aren’t particularly memorable. The minor villain is The Master who sets up shop in a ruined Scottish castle, bringing with him some human followers while resurrecting some giant monsters to fight the BPRD squad sent to take him out. The characters we’ve come to know and love are either absent or doing very little in this book. Hellboy is of course absent, as he’s battling his way through hell, Abe Sapien is still comatose inside a tank, and Liz Sherman is AWOL (though she does check in with a single panel). Meanwhile, Johann Krauss is putzing around BPRD HQ, arguing with new recruit (and Marvel rip-off) Fenix, a red-headed girl with powerful psychic powers.
BPRD is at its best when it does short, self-contained spooky stories in the vein of The X-Files but without the TV budgetary restraints (a special effects sequence costs the same as a conversation between two people in a room in the comics world) but this volume is instead more about the larger series storyline going on. As such, it’s not a volume anyone unfamiliar with the series should be picking up casually as a lot of it will just be confusing. The problem with this book is that The Master storyline is pretty uninvolving – BPRD squad fire guns at monsters for most of the book – and it kind of ends in a way that makes you think the entire thing was pointless anyway, and the rest of it involves resurrecting the Black Flame (again) and the end of world happens (again). So half of it feels like a waste of time while the other half feels like rehashed material.
There’s some decent art and Mignola/Arcudi does make the material interesting enough so it’s never too boring to read even if the impression they leave you with is underwhelming. The series could be better if Abe woke up (him being comatose only makes his absence more keenly felt as the other characters just aren’t as interesting), if Johann went out into the field again, and Liz came back (or else did something more than nothing!). But I do like the dead Russian guy with the little girl in the jar, I think he’s a complex character, at times seeming good, others seeming downright evil, and his plans are obscure enough to keep him on the fence between good and evil.
But the whole Rag Narok thing is played out. Giant storylines are fine but we’ve seen it so many times in BPRD that it’s become boring. The Black Flame is played out. Rasputin is played out. The best BPRD stories in this Hell On Earth series have been mini story arcs focusing on one or two characters and a new supernatural creature(s) in an interesting location – this large scale, end of the world stuff is too vague and overdone at this point to matter (at least to me). Volume 6: The Return of the Master has its moments but doesn’t contain enough fresh material or ideas to make it a standout in the series.
February 25, 2014
It actually seems like the overarching plot is moving forward this time around, but I'm not convinced that this is the way it should be moving. Black Flame? Rasputin? Haven't we done this before? It doesn't help that many of the focus characters in this issue are less compelling than the old favorites, who have by and large been sidelined. I am definitely not a fan of Fenix, who is annoying for more than just being borderline copyright infringement. I miss Abe, and I miss Liz. But hey, at least something is happening on the world stage, even if I'm still not sure Mignola and Arcudi really know where they're going.
February 24, 2016
There are some really good bits in this book, bits which were genuinely creepy and horrific, and Mignola and Arcudi actually managed something that not a lot of books can do these days: they genuinely pulled the rug out from under me, as the book really didn't go where I was expecting it to go. It's nice to get a genuine surprise like that every now and again.
There are also some pretty uninspired bits. One subplot, in particular, goes absolutely nowhere and had me scratching my head wondering what the point of it was. There was also more seemingly pointless stuff involving Fenix, the red-headed, psychic, teenage girl. Re: this last character. Seriously? Are you honestly telling me the writers came up with this character and absolutely NOBODY in the Dark Horse offices said 'Er, isn't she... well... exactly like Jean Grey?' I keep expecting the rest of the X-Men to turn up and take her back to her home dimension.
Soooo... you've got your good and you've got your bad. You pays your money, you takes your choice. Personally, I haven't given up hope that things are going to go back to the fantastic standard of BPRD at its best, but I could totally understand somebody dropping the book if this 'it was OK' type stuff becomes the norm...
There are also some pretty uninspired bits. One subplot, in particular, goes absolutely nowhere and had me scratching my head wondering what the point of it was. There was also more seemingly pointless stuff involving Fenix, the red-headed, psychic, teenage girl. Re: this last character. Seriously? Are you honestly telling me the writers came up with this character and absolutely NOBODY in the Dark Horse offices said 'Er, isn't she... well... exactly like Jean Grey?' I keep expecting the rest of the X-Men to turn up and take her back to her home dimension.
Soooo... you've got your good and you've got your bad. You pays your money, you takes your choice. Personally, I haven't given up hope that things are going to go back to the fantastic standard of BPRD at its best, but I could totally understand somebody dropping the book if this 'it was OK' type stuff becomes the norm...
October 4, 2013
This is volume 6 in a series. It is a direct continuation of previous events and is not a stand alone work. Without the previous issues, or knowledge of characters in the Hellboy universe, you might expect to be a bit on the confused side.
But, if you like battles with strange monsters and you like Hellboy, then this is a great book, but you should probably read the previous volumes first. There are gruesome monsters that evolve and ooze and are nothing like I've seen in other works.
The work by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi is good and there are a huge range of characters, which are all unique and easy to identify. Sometimes in huge character books, the artistic style can blur characters together, but I had no trouble distinguishing, so that speaks to good artistic ability. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but there is also about 40 pages of sketches and character development that i found interesting.
But, if you like battles with strange monsters and you like Hellboy, then this is a great book, but you should probably read the previous volumes first. There are gruesome monsters that evolve and ooze and are nothing like I've seen in other works.
The work by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi is good and there are a huge range of characters, which are all unique and easy to identify. Sometimes in huge character books, the artistic style can blur characters together, but I had no trouble distinguishing, so that speaks to good artistic ability. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but there is also about 40 pages of sketches and character development that i found interesting.
November 24, 2022
Focusing on minor characters yet again, but with bigger implications and effect on the Hellboy and BPRD universe. A lot of things happen in this volume, and everything gets worse for our beloved characters. Readers will also get some surprises going through the story as they get reintroduced to some plot points and characters.
June 14, 2013
The B.P.R.D. series just keeps getting bigger and more complicated. I've been reading it right along and even I'm not always sure just what is going on. Take this story, for example: just who is the "master" that is destined for reincarnation? Much of what happens has us expecting the return of Rasputin (featured in some of the earliest Hellboy stories), but could there be someone else just as bad (or worse) bent on a comeback? The action jumps around all over the globe, with a team of agents laying siege to a castle in Scotland and being attacked by mutant wildlife and the remains of dead giants from some ancient battle. Then there's stuff happening at B.P.R.D. headquarters in the Rocky Mountains as an arrangement is reached with the Zinco Corporation to use its growth-enhancing drugs on a clone that might be used to house the spirit of Johan Krauss, stuck in a containment suit after his physical body was destroyed while his spirit was outside. Then we see some of what's happening in Russia, with the S.S.S., the Russian counterpart to the B.P.R.D., as a new round of giant Ogdru Hem creatures lay siege to the globe. There's so much happening, it's sometimes hard to keep track of it all. The artwork, primarily by Tyler Crook, is very good and very much in keeping with other artists who've contributed so much to the series' look and feel. It all seems to be leading up to some big, apocalyptic event that sometimes has me wishing we were back in the days when the group was dealing with smaller threats. Still, I'm very interested in seeing where this is all going and will continue to go along for the ride. **ARC by NetGalley
March 19, 2014
This is a placeholder review until I can fill in some of the gaps in my reading. The review and the rating may change after a reread.
A lot happens in this book, most of it not good for the world, which seems to be on its last legs. Rasputin is reincarnated and starts a cult in Scotland, one which commands trolls which he throws at a B.P.R.Q. hit squad. Russian scientists are given a body that was being grown by the B.P.R.D.(as a new body for Johann, or for Roger? I'm not sure) on false pretenses, as the Russians want it for Rasputin's soul, not realising that he has already returned. They do rescue a soul, but it turns out to be who than goes on a rampage. Giant monsters are on the move all over the world, and some of them are laying eggs.
Less interesting stuff includes Fenix running away from B.P.R.D. headquarters, as she seems to know that something bad is going to happen. I have never really warmed to this character not just because she but also because she is a whiny brat.
Finally, we catch up with Liz Sherman again, who seems to be in a bad way here, possibly because of the incident from the last book but maybe something else.
So, pretty good story all in all.
A lot happens in this book, most of it not good for the world, which seems to be on its last legs. Rasputin is reincarnated and starts a cult in Scotland, one which commands trolls which he throws at a B.P.R.Q. hit squad. Russian scientists are given a body that was being grown by the B.P.R.D.(as a new body for Johann, or for Roger? I'm not sure) on false pretenses, as the Russians want it for Rasputin's soul, not realising that he has already returned. They do rescue a soul, but it turns out to be who than goes on a rampage. Giant monsters are on the move all over the world, and some of them are laying eggs.
Less interesting stuff includes Fenix running away from B.P.R.D. headquarters, as she seems to know that something bad is going to happen. I have never really warmed to this character not just because she but also because she is a whiny brat.
Finally, we catch up with Liz Sherman again, who seems to be in a bad way here, possibly because of the incident from the last book but maybe something else.
So, pretty good story all in all.
August 27, 2015
This is the book where it really starts to hit the fan. The BPRD's already overtaxed teams get stretched even more as they start going more worldwide, and the reemergence of previous enemies promise only worse events to come. Unfortunately, so many of the unique characters who made up the BPRD are no longer present in the series, and there's a lot less invested in the characters who are. The Russians from the previous volume help a bit, but it just doesn't have the impact it feels like it wants to have. There are a couple of strong action sequences, and the art is as distinctive as always, but it just doesn't work as well as previous volumes.
October 8, 2023
There is a lot of good solid storytelling here. One day I need to read these in order and not just as I randomly get my hands on a copy. It might more sense if read in order. ;-)
August 20, 2013
Really, if you're not already reading B.P.R.D. religiously at this point, my reviews probably aren't going to change your mind. This is a good volume, continuing the main story more than adding in side stories like the last volume, although it just sort of stops (I'd call it a cliffhanger, but so much is going on that it's almost not even cliffhanging, just busy). The storyline has grown increasingly hectic and complex, and I'm looking forward to being able to sit down sometime and read it all through and try to connect all the dots.
Mainly, this time out, I want to talk about the sketchbook material in the back of this volume. This is one of the best sketchbooks in a long time. Not only is it extensive and varied, with a lot of work by Mignola and Tyler Crook and also some by James Harren, but it's got pages and pages of Ogdru Hem monsters drawn by both Mignola and Crook, which are worth the cover price all by themselves!
Mainly, this time out, I want to talk about the sketchbook material in the back of this volume. This is one of the best sketchbooks in a long time. Not only is it extensive and varied, with a lot of work by Mignola and Tyler Crook and also some by James Harren, but it's got pages and pages of Ogdru Hem monsters drawn by both Mignola and Crook, which are worth the cover price all by themselves!
July 22, 2024
So the bigger story resumes after an all too short rest - and yes you get the feeling that along with yes well the world going to hell in a hand basket you are also seeing the final plays of the various factions some being opportunistic - while others actively waiting for what is going on.
Here you get to see the various strings being presented (at least though we currently know about) what their plans are and more importantly how they plan on going about them is yes to be discovered
This is a great series and I have to say it is often a struggle not to finish one title and instantly go looking for the next in the series - sadly chores have to be done otherwise I could well have hidden away till the whole series had been completed
Here you get to see the various strings being presented (at least though we currently know about) what their plans are and more importantly how they plan on going about them is yes to be discovered
This is a great series and I have to say it is often a struggle not to finish one title and instantly go looking for the next in the series - sadly chores have to be done otherwise I could well have hidden away till the whole series had been completed
March 3, 2016
And we thought things were getting better...
Wow, okay, I can say that I expected this but not the way it played out that's for sure, wow!
World: Crook's art is good, it's not Davis good but it does have it's flair. Much like Mr. Davis he is great at drawing monsters and man are they every gorgeous. The world building this time around by Arcudi and Mignola is just as strong, we get more pieces put in place that have been around since 'Seed of Destruction' and it boggles my mind that we've gone full circle. I won't ruin it but man it is every cool!
Story: First the minor irk, the pacing and the storytelling this time around felt a little choppy with the story jumping and juggling multiple storylines. Normally, this is fine and the creative team has done this well, not so much this time, it's a bit fractured and sometimes confusing. There is a lot of cloak and dagger going on and It's gotten to the point of being a bit convoluted, so yes this is the only issue. The rest of the story is insane, there is so much going on wow. The consequences are the biggest thing this arc, the pieces that are moved. Though the ending once again leaves us so many questions as to character motives and pieces the parting feeling is a sense of dread and that is awesome.
Characters: This has always been one of the strengths of the series, the character matter and to some extent that is the case here. All the regulars are here along with new characters like Fenix. They are great and their arcs are deep and wonderful. However I did find that Giarocco to be a bit underdeveloped here. I think this is because I've only seen her in action and I've not had enough time with her in quiet scenes for character building. I hope this changes in the future. The villains this time are awesome but leaves a lot of questions as to what really happened, which I also hope to be answered in the following arcs.
A great read that delivers on what is sets out to do, minor irks make this a 4 star read instead of a 5.
Onward to the next book!
Wow, okay, I can say that I expected this but not the way it played out that's for sure, wow!
World: Crook's art is good, it's not Davis good but it does have it's flair. Much like Mr. Davis he is great at drawing monsters and man are they every gorgeous. The world building this time around by Arcudi and Mignola is just as strong, we get more pieces put in place that have been around since 'Seed of Destruction' and it boggles my mind that we've gone full circle. I won't ruin it but man it is every cool!
Story: First the minor irk, the pacing and the storytelling this time around felt a little choppy with the story jumping and juggling multiple storylines. Normally, this is fine and the creative team has done this well, not so much this time, it's a bit fractured and sometimes confusing. There is a lot of cloak and dagger going on and It's gotten to the point of being a bit convoluted, so yes this is the only issue. The rest of the story is insane, there is so much going on wow. The consequences are the biggest thing this arc, the pieces that are moved. Though the ending once again leaves us so many questions as to character motives and pieces the parting feeling is a sense of dread and that is awesome.
Characters: This has always been one of the strengths of the series, the character matter and to some extent that is the case here. All the regulars are here along with new characters like Fenix. They are great and their arcs are deep and wonderful. However I did find that Giarocco to be a bit underdeveloped here. I think this is because I've only seen her in action and I've not had enough time with her in quiet scenes for character building. I hope this changes in the future. The villains this time are awesome but leaves a lot of questions as to what really happened, which I also hope to be answered in the following arcs.
A great read that delivers on what is sets out to do, minor irks make this a 4 star read instead of a 5.
Onward to the next book!
December 1, 2016
I can't decide if I'd like to work at the BPRD office or not.
On the one hand, you'd meet some interesting characters. You'd have the occasional VERY exciting day when an ancient evil or demon or whatever got loose. You know, a wendigo or something. You can only go so long before there's a wendigo on the loose.
On the other hand, seems like horrific death is a possibility. I don't know what percent of BPRD agents make it to retirement, but it seems like maybe 65%? Taking a shot in the dark?
But then again, you'd get access to the mysteries of the universe. That's fun!
Maybe torn in half by frog creatures. Not fun :(
Shoot a machine gun at a giant demon troll thingie? As part of your desk job? Fun!
Likely get consumed by flame as fire tears through the spot where you're standing in front of a vending machine? :(
And that's the thing of it. I think I've always watched movies and seen some dude who gets wiped out with almost no fanfare and thought, "Damn, that'd probably be me."
I'd probably be trapped in the building when a giant squid creature attacked, and killed by the ceiling collapsing while I was taking a crap or something. Or a huge fireball would come roaring through when I was putting in a to-go order at Noodles & Co. and hoping that they put in two sets of silverware because that meant they assumed this amount of food was for two people.
It's a hard life, fantasizing about working for a fictional government agency that deals with the paranormal. You gotta take it one day at a time.
On the one hand, you'd meet some interesting characters. You'd have the occasional VERY exciting day when an ancient evil or demon or whatever got loose. You know, a wendigo or something. You can only go so long before there's a wendigo on the loose.
On the other hand, seems like horrific death is a possibility. I don't know what percent of BPRD agents make it to retirement, but it seems like maybe 65%? Taking a shot in the dark?
But then again, you'd get access to the mysteries of the universe. That's fun!
Maybe torn in half by frog creatures. Not fun :(
Shoot a machine gun at a giant demon troll thingie? As part of your desk job? Fun!
Likely get consumed by flame as fire tears through the spot where you're standing in front of a vending machine? :(
And that's the thing of it. I think I've always watched movies and seen some dude who gets wiped out with almost no fanfare and thought, "Damn, that'd probably be me."
I'd probably be trapped in the building when a giant squid creature attacked, and killed by the ceiling collapsing while I was taking a crap or something. Or a huge fireball would come roaring through when I was putting in a to-go order at Noodles & Co. and hoping that they put in two sets of silverware because that meant they assumed this amount of food was for two people.
It's a hard life, fantasizing about working for a fictional government agency that deals with the paranormal. You gotta take it one day at a time.
July 14, 2020
Викликали вони явно не свого майстра, лінію Хвеникса відкотили до початку, а російський монстр франкенштейна досі неясно, на чиєму боці. Не філлер, але та й таке - адок ось вже він, але знову буксуємо, нехай том і не філлерний.
September 10, 2025
Rasputin is reincarnated in Scotland, the black flame is once again in physical form and ready to destroy the world, worldwide monster sightings and destruction. Things are looking as bad as they’ve ever been for the BPRD as the director cries out “things just get worse and worse and worse”…
January 16, 2016
Just quan semblava que la història havia perdut el focus i no hi havia un protagonista clar que portés l'acció endavant, el retorn d'alguns personatges i monstres la redreça.
April 6, 2019
5
This was an unexpected storyline and one where the ending leaves you hanging for the next volume. The layers of storytelling come together and resurrect a character I had long forgotten. The plotting is open ending and paves the way for the upcoming arc.
Why the 5?
Mignola pays off the storyline with some big reveals. BPRD has been working with a few pieces and the main players have taken a back seat, but now the storyline is opening up. This is a dedicated storyline that leads to the bigger arc and it was worth the wait. I hope the library can get the next 3 volumes quickly as I'm eager to see where this goes.
This was an unexpected storyline and one where the ending leaves you hanging for the next volume. The layers of storytelling come together and resurrect a character I had long forgotten. The plotting is open ending and paves the way for the upcoming arc.
Why the 5?
Mignola pays off the storyline with some big reveals. BPRD has been working with a few pieces and the main players have taken a back seat, but now the storyline is opening up. This is a dedicated storyline that leads to the bigger arc and it was worth the wait. I hope the library can get the next 3 volumes quickly as I'm eager to see where this goes.
December 28, 2018
Qué barbaridad. Qué tremenda barbaridad.
Read
March 24, 2023The earth is not doing well and the original heroes are gone. Very grime and hopeless.
August 16, 2013
It's been a couple of years since I've read either a Hellboy or a BPRD book. I tend to read those title in a binge reading marathon once a few TPB collections are printed.
Are for the newer BPRD: HELL ON EARTH series I very much enjoyed the first two volumes. And here I am reading them out of order. Following Vol. 2 with Vol. 6. The Hell On Earth series is one long continuing story. So I'd strongly recommend reading them in order.
Even without reading Vol.s 3,4,5, I found much to enjoy in this collection. BPRD is perhaps the most consistently terrific title in comic books, pretty much since the inception of Hellboy back in 1993. That's 20 years of top-notch material. Impressive to say the least. The writing is superb, Arcudi's artwork looks like Mignola's style crossed with Herge, color by comicdom's reigning color Master which all adds up to a Premium title in the field. It's the Jaguar of comics.
I've got the bug again. I've got to catch up with my BPRD and Hellboy reading.
My thanks to NetGalley for an electronic copy for review.
Are for the newer BPRD: HELL ON EARTH series I very much enjoyed the first two volumes. And here I am reading them out of order. Following Vol. 2 with Vol. 6. The Hell On Earth series is one long continuing story. So I'd strongly recommend reading them in order.
Even without reading Vol.s 3,4,5, I found much to enjoy in this collection. BPRD is perhaps the most consistently terrific title in comic books, pretty much since the inception of Hellboy back in 1993. That's 20 years of top-notch material. Impressive to say the least. The writing is superb, Arcudi's artwork looks like Mignola's style crossed with Herge, color by comicdom's reigning color Master which all adds up to a Premium title in the field. It's the Jaguar of comics.
I've got the bug again. I've got to catch up with my BPRD and Hellboy reading.
My thanks to NetGalley for an electronic copy for review.
July 29, 2016
Over the last week or so I think I have read three volumes of B.P.R.D. and this is easily the best one in a while. Stuff happens (including several surprises so I can't say too much in this review) and the plot moves forward in a way that was desperately needed. I wouldn't say the overall story arc was amazing but there was just enough action and suspense to help make it all work. By the end, things seem about as dire as can be which is more or less what we expect in an H.P. Lovecraft inspired book like this. I hope the next few volumes are this strong because there are small moments where B.P.R.D. seems in danger of losing its way or the story becoming too drawn out with the end result being that it might start to bore us. This book has been consistently good for so long that it would be a real shame if it became stale or not good.
July 8, 2019
A short review because really I think these Hellboy collections should have been longer. Nice setup for a villain who has been missing for awhile. The story is moving forward, but the forward progress ends because...
The TPB ends. Still enjoying, but feeling like there's not much to review.
The TPB ends. Still enjoying, but feeling like there's not much to review.
March 19, 2020
The main story continues with a lengthy volume of The master returns. Overall this was a great volume with heaps of action, character development, new artist and great plot twists. The main arc of the story of this volumes acttually revolves around the return of an old foe, Rasputin, who was killed in the first Hellboy comic by Abe. The scientists (kroenen and some other short Nazi) are in the labs trying to recreate him and the BPRD are fighting off a cult leader who seems to be the reincarnation of Rasputin himself. The BPRD team fight off ghosts and also plenty of undead giants and ogres from Hellboy's last battle, which Rasputin brought back to a undead life. It's a brutal and loosing battle.
This is the first volume of Fenix part of the BPRD team which isn't going very well as she proves to be incredibly immature and also antisocial. Her dog even attacks one of Panya's pets.
The big body that Kraus wants to put his soul into isn't ready yet so the BPRD makes osme agreement with the ZINCO corporation to make those finishes but little do they know that the acting CEO of Zinco is working for the bad guys and they use that big body to give Rasputin's soul a vessel. Little do they know though that the soul wasn't Rasputin's but rather that of the true master, The black flame. With his return, several ogdru hem return in force and the war takes a major turn for the worse. The real Rasputin dies in an instant and the world has to come together to regroup and fight this war.
This is the first volume of Fenix part of the BPRD team which isn't going very well as she proves to be incredibly immature and also antisocial. Her dog even attacks one of Panya's pets.
The big body that Kraus wants to put his soul into isn't ready yet so the BPRD makes osme agreement with the ZINCO corporation to make those finishes but little do they know that the acting CEO of Zinco is working for the bad guys and they use that big body to give Rasputin's soul a vessel. Little do they know though that the soul wasn't Rasputin's but rather that of the true master, The black flame. With his return, several ogdru hem return in force and the war takes a major turn for the worse. The real Rasputin dies in an instant and the world has to come together to regroup and fight this war.
June 26, 2020
This was an exciting story line, with 3 sub plots.
Sub Plot 1: Fenix is not trying to assimilate into the BPRD. Johann gives her the stern talking to entitled teenagers need to be slapped with. As a result, instead of doing the natural thing and trying harder to "man up" Can't say I have any use for her or her killer dog. I hate Fenix. IDK if she gets better or not but she reminds me of a lot of entitled millennial - just there for the fun, unreliable in crisis and will not do anything to help the greater good. Hopefully she improves in later series.
Sub Plot 2: Mission to Scotland to confront "Lazar" a supposed prophet to the new gods. Who is he really? More bloody action packed scenes coming!
Sub Plot 3: Johann, Johann, Johann ... do you want a new body that badly? A New Body for "the Master". Who exactly is this master??
Sub Plot 1: Fenix is not trying to assimilate into the BPRD. Johann gives her the stern talking to entitled teenagers need to be slapped with. As a result, instead of doing the natural thing and trying harder to "man up" Can't say I have any use for her or her killer dog. I hate Fenix. IDK if she gets better or not but she reminds me of a lot of entitled millennial - just there for the fun, unreliable in crisis and will not do anything to help the greater good. Hopefully she improves in later series.
Sub Plot 2: Mission to Scotland to confront "Lazar" a supposed prophet to the new gods. Who is he really? More bloody action packed scenes coming!
Sub Plot 3: Johann, Johann, Johann ... do you want a new body that badly? A New Body for "the Master". Who exactly is this master??
August 11, 2021
It’s been awhile since I returned to the B.P.R.D. Universe. I’ve missed you guys and gals, and cosmic gods, zombie giants, and those crazy Russians.
Volume 6 has members of the B.P.R.D. team visiting Scotland. Unpleasant vacation.
My favorite Russian/pickle jar, Nichayko sings, sips vodka, and converses with his bottled snowflake, Varvara.
The hunt for the escaped Dr. Lazlar continues to Scotland. He carves his flesh, amasses a cult following that includes zombie giants. Bad news for the vacationing B.P.R.D.
At home, Fenix and Panya do not get along. Fenix exits.
Still recovering from being shot, Abe remains silent in his aquarium.
A Nazi group manages to resurrect not the intended Rasputin but… What the Hell… the Black Flame returns. The time off did him justice. He’s looking great and meaning to take care of unfinished business.
All over the world, giant monsters emerge and lay waste.
But in the debris of a fallen Utah, emergency workers find a surviving Liz Sherman.
The world has hope. And more volumes to read.
Volume 6 has members of the B.P.R.D. team visiting Scotland. Unpleasant vacation.
My favorite Russian/pickle jar, Nichayko sings, sips vodka, and converses with his bottled snowflake, Varvara.
The hunt for the escaped Dr. Lazlar continues to Scotland. He carves his flesh, amasses a cult following that includes zombie giants. Bad news for the vacationing B.P.R.D.
At home, Fenix and Panya do not get along. Fenix exits.
Still recovering from being shot, Abe remains silent in his aquarium.
A Nazi group manages to resurrect not the intended Rasputin but… What the Hell… the Black Flame returns. The time off did him justice. He’s looking great and meaning to take care of unfinished business.
All over the world, giant monsters emerge and lay waste.
But in the debris of a fallen Utah, emergency workers find a surviving Liz Sherman.
The world has hope. And more volumes to read.
July 18, 2017
This is the lowest rating I've giving to the series thus far and not because of any real drop of quality but because only now am I feeling the drag of this arc.
February 9, 2023
Zinco finally managed to achieve the goal of bringing back the master. After masterfully deceiving the BPRD to get required equipment (oh, Johann, Johann) Zinco will finally bring back the master - but not the one you would expect, no. That one pops up in the middle of the complete crazy events with monsters rising up and destroying everything (again), horrid mutations twisting and turning everyone and anything into snapping jaws.
Very interesting book, it seems like darksiders are gaining the upper hand.
Recommended.
Very interesting book, it seems like darksiders are gaining the upper hand.
Recommended.
September 12, 2020
What begins as another BPRD side-mission in a monster-wracked world with mad scientists, Zinco shenanigans, mutated monsters and more delivers enough requisite thrills and blood spills. But what really makes this volume pop is its dramatic and surprising end, which suddenly ratchets the whole series up by more than a few notches. Hoo boy.
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