There is panic at the B.P.R.D. when a blackout hits--and Kate is possessed! But with Johann dealing with gigantic monsters from another dimension in Japan, how will Liz and the remaining agents save Kate? "Just as in the pages of Hellboy, there's a strong sense that big things are lurking right around the corner for our heroes." --ign.com
Mike 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.
I like how the first 2 stories dovetail into one another, taking place concurrently. In the first one O'Donnell accidentally resurrects a demon. It's kind of fun. Then Johann heads to Japan where we witness a kaiju battle some Ogdru Hem. It's basically a big punch em up with some extra dimensional craziness thrown in. The final story, Grind, was my favorite. It's about a small town living with a dormant giant monster in the middle of it. It focuses on a barrista at a local coffee shop. I loved this somber slice of life story.
Hell on Earth’s subtitle really does the comic justice: hell HAS come to Earth! Unfortunately we’re 10 volumes(!) deep and I’m still struggling to even see any semblance of a plot. Monsters are roaming the Earth, destroying cities and the BPRD are failing to stop them. Ok... it’s really more of a background detail than a storyline.
Like most of the series, this volume is a collection of self-contained stories with the backdrop of this chaos. The Devil’s Wings sees Kate Corrigan possessed by a demon at BPRD HQ in Colorado; The Broken Equation is your average Japanese kaijus-battling-in-cities storyline; and Grind takes a look at a barista in Santa Fe adapting to life when a giant plant monster is settled just outside town and the BPRD visit to blow it up.
Monster battles and demon possession obviously aren’t original concepts but the stories were told pretty well. I wasn’t blown away by these comics but they held my attention and had some interesting scenes here and there. A cameo from kid Hellboy always helps too!
I really liked Joe Querio’s art on the kaiju story, mostly for the way he drew the strange old man wired into another dimension. I also liked that they’re spreading the action out across the world, this time partially in Japan, rather than just focusing on America – it’s hell on Earth, guys, look beyond your borders!
It’s good that there’s a mix of perspectives too. From giant monsters toppling skyscrapers, Grind focuses on an ordinary barista’s life, effortlessly switching gears and taking the horror from city-destroying events to a more personal level. It also shows the BPRD trying out different tactics – Liz Sherman is their ace in the hole but she can’t be everywhere at once, so they’re figuring out what to do when she’s not around. What better target than a seemingly benign plant monster?
They’re not amazing stories but, considering the last few volumes I’ve read in the series have been atrocious, The Devil’s Wings was a pleasant surprise for not being terrible! In the end, they’re mildly entertaining horror comics but I’ve certainly read worse from Mike Mignola and John Arcudi. The wait for Hell on Earth to really take off continues!
Another great volume! The Devil's Wings collection feels like a classic BPRD story. At first we get two tales that happen concurrently in two different parts of the world, one with the main BPRD team in their headquarters where during a blackout Kate gets possessed by a strange spirit, and another one about Johann in Japan dealing with a man who lost his consciousness in a different reality. The final one-shot about a regular guy living in a town that was overrun by monsters was also great, and with a very sad ending. This might be the best BPRD: Hell on Earth volume so far, combining all the classic elements of a great BPRD book and bringing some new and disturbing ideas and creations into the mix. Fantastic read!
The Devil's Wings continues the Hell on Earth run for BPRD.
This volume actually has three seprate story lines. The first shows Liz Sherman fighting against a demon named Breccan. This was a very good story and had snatches of history of the BPRD from Hellboy's early days. The artwork is excellent and the story is well done.
The second story line has to do with a Professor who made a portal to another universe. He can see things in another plane of reality. The Russian version of BPRD is working with the professor to stop monsters in Japan. The artwork on this is not as good as the first story. It's not awful, just not good.
The final story is short one. It just tells the story of a person in NYC during these events. The artwork is subpar but the story, especially the ending, was rather good. A sad tale.
All in all this was a good addition to the Hell on Earth series. I certainly enjoyed it. I wish the art had stayed the same throughout. Other than that-no complaints. Good volume.
It just feels like there isn’t much going on in Hell on Earth. The BPRD is just trying to survive the Kaiju apocalypse and that’s really all there is to the plot. It’s not as well written as Plague of Frogs was, and it’s just not that exciting for the most part.
This is the tenth volume of the Hell on Earth sequence and provides a nicely paced reset of a sort to the series after the apocalyptic events of the preceding book. It contains three short stories: The Devil's Wings with art by Laurence Campbell, The Broken Equation with art by Joe Querio, and Grind with art by Tyler Crook. The first is a good Kate story (she gets possessed) with some nice Hellboy-era flashbacks, the middle one is a kaiju fight ion Japan and is closer in tone to the Hell on Earth tone, and the third, my favorite, is a quiet but creepy and strangely touching tale about drinking coffee in Santa Fe. Or not. The overall arc isn't advanced much, but it's a very enjoyable book.
I like Marines or whatev shooting their way through aliens or kaiju or whatever critters are thrown at them as much as the next guy but I also like them going somewhere.
At this point in Hell on earth I still don't know where the series is going. Here's another package of three disconnected stories neither really good nor bad and yours truly still clueless as to what for.
It's been crawling for too long now, Hell on earth should start walking. Running, even.
Wow so yes this series has been going on for a while and sometimes you want something new and something unexpected, plus the awesome Mignola world building and character building. This is what you will find here!
World: The art is great, three distinct styles that fit three different stories, the splash pages are gorgeous and Stewart's colors are absolutely bully. The world building is also great, many different levels of it, from the grand to the intimate to the character driven it's all here. This world is pretty much fleshed out but each time I read a book in the series there's more to learn and more places to visit. The Saitama setting was awesome and considering what happened there makes so much sense. Awesome!
Story: Three distinct tales that fire on all cylinders. The first one is great since we've not had an O Donnell story for a long time and this one was interesting, plus it tied Hellboy to the world which is always great. The third tale is a nice little intimate character tale that feels very twilight zone, though the ending was expected and tragic it is still a wonderfully told tale and gave us also a little insight into Liz. The middle tale is the best one and simply stunning and do different from anything from this world so far. That happens in Saitama and the fight make perfect sense, the setting was perfect. The world building was also awesomness with the the portal and the art and the equations. Just bloody amazing!
Characters: Just like other Mignolaverse book there is a lot of action but the character development is hidden there and it's quality stuff. With O'Donnell, Liz, Johann, Fenix and Kate all getting little snippets of development, this crew is well known now and established, you know how they will all react and how they will speak, it's a testament to the character building that Mignola and Arcudi have done for this series. The new characters are also great, interesting, full of character and unexpected. Good stuff!
This series should not be this good for so long, but it is. Great art, amazing world building, fantastic character development, this book has it all.
This is a falling action collection, with three smaller tales that help to recover from the previous volumes epic action. The first story, with a fairly pedestrian possession story manages to be a bit silly instead of disturbing, although there's one sequence with a helicopter that is memorable. And the third story, a one-off about people living day to day in a small town after the apocalypse is an interesting slice of life vignette that really brings the world to life in a new way. But the meat of this volume is Johann's trip to Japan, with a story that is a bit scattered, but feels like the BPRD ode to Pacific Rim. There are some great moments, both on the action and emotional spectrums, and some interesting characters are introduced, although they don't stick around long enough, to my way of thinking. Still, this is a good volume of the series that manages to decrescendo from the previous volume while still keeping me interested.
After a delayed rest I'm now have the remaining volumes to consume. Volume 10 continues the strong arc of this series and leaves us with a short storyline, that is a short story inside the larger storyline. I'm enjoying Hell on Earth and enjoy the character interaction.
Why the 4.5?
The first storyline alone showcases the ongoing evils surrounding the team. They have a larger threat, but these side quests continue to surface. It's not an entire volume devoted to the larger arc and that's probably why I enjoyed it so much. Breath of fresh air while it pushes the arc along. Another solid volume.
So after a week of holiday where (and intentionally so) I was able to isolate myself and read myself silly I am able to come to the end of the next batch of books - and yes it does seem that the lines (and armies) are slowly drawing together.
I am fascinated with these world end books - as really where do they go - with threats and promises of the end - what and how do you deliver them. IS it a cop out and a disappointment or do you come true to your word and that is the end. The world of BPRD and Hellboy is still ongoing and I do wonder what and where we will go next. One thing I will say and admire the writers for - is I have not seen any U-turns or disappointing plot twists - when they back you in to a corner they certainly do like to keep on going.
Odlične tri priče, od kojih je najbolja Grind, o običnom životu ljudi u krajevima gdje vlada Ogdru Hem pošast, a najzabavnija "Broken Equation" koja je omaž japanskom kaiju žanru.
Three stories this book. First: Devil's Wings - was not great. It was setting up a new title & even though it centered on underused Kate Corrigan it didn't do anything with her. 3 stars Second: The Broken Equation - better. Big monsters fighting in Japan, so I guess a bit of a Godzilla rif, and it works. 4 stars Third: The Grind - great. A slice of life in the crazy world but it still had time for some great character moments for Johan and Liz Sherman. 5 stars.
I wanted to like this one. Really did. But the truth is they were just average. The problem with 2 part mini series is there isn't really enough time or room for character development when the focus is on moving the plot forward. This being said, the last panel of The Grind really made me sad.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Vol. 10: The Devil’s Wings Dark Horse Collects issues 120-124 Three stories this volume.
The Devil’s Wings Professor O’Donnell is busy digitizing a ton of files and runs across the dog tags of deceased Air Force Captain August Breccan. Breccan was court martialed for conduct unbecoming an officer. Those associated with the court marital end up dead, surrounded by arcane symbols. Breccan has disappeared. Professor Bruttenholm and Hellboy investigate and track down the missing pilot. All is not what it seems. Breccan’s pact with Satan and all. Hellboy to the rescue. Meanwhile, Dr Corrigan and Panya are communicating with Johann. He tells them what’s happening in Japan (Story three) when there’s a power blackout. Liz finds Dr Corrigan outside in the snow. “Bein’ down there so long in the dark, though, I was aching to see the sun, is all.” Odd right? Panya agrees, “I sense a kind of presence around, Kate.” Thanks for confirming Panya. Power is restored. Corrigan has been possessed by the dead Air Force pilot Breccan. Professor O’Donnell to the rescue. Breccan’s dog tags included an incantation that resurrected Breccan.
The Broken Equation We learn what’s been happening in Japan. Trouble. Big monster trouble. The B.P.R.D. meet with what’s left of AKO Quantum Systems. Dr Atama tells their story. Professor Kukyo is introduced. He’s been drawing the same creature over and over. It’s not a monster anyone recognizes. Just a drawing minutes ago and a few panels of weird energy later, the monster is now real. It’s big. The new monster attacks the Ogdru Hem monsters. Agent Enos cheers the new monster, “… Now we got three of the bastards, right? And if he kills one, we’re down to two.” Johann says, “Actually, that does make some sense.” The B.P.R.D. survives. The monsters…
Grind Meet Aaron. He lives in Santa Fe and works at coffee shop. After a monster smashed through his city, Aaron is doing the best he can in the aftermath. “The things that knocked down the buildings, that killed my friends, they’re still here.“ The monster is on the move. After the aerial attack fails, time for Plan B. B for backup. B for Liz. Liz smokes the creature. Things seem to be looking up for Aaron. Then that damn final panel.
Pretty solid volume over all. Great last panel for the final story. Another winner.
This is another volume of relatively standalone stories, but they hold together really well, and offer a great portrait of what the closest thing to normal might look like in a world where the doors or hell - and whatever else - have been thrown wide open. Of special notice is a small one-shot about a regular guy trying it live his life in a town where the monsters are always within sight but not quite advancing...or are they? In the Hell on Earth, death is never far away.
Liz gets possessed by an evil brooch, the BPRD is still unraveling as the monsters continue destroying the planet. Liz and Johann are in Japan fighting giant beasts. They are led to see a secret Japanese scientist laboratory that has opened an evil portal, and one scientist seems to be able to control the beast.
A small town is covered in mushroom monsters and one man wants BPRD help. He dies trying to get it.
Collects three character-focused stories from battles at the end of the world. My favorite is the final story "Grind" for several reasons, including the change in the narrative point-of-view from our B.P.R.D. team to a local citizen and the apocalyptic Hopper-esque coffee shop panels.