Comics
Review: ‘BPRD Hell On Earth: The Transformation of JH O’Donnell’ One Shot
The first thing that popped into my head when reading Dark Horse Comics newest installment in the B.P.R.D. “Hell on Earth” event was, “finally”! A flash back to a time when crazy old Professor O’Donnell wasn’t crazy or old, allows for a refreshing story that finally brings back one of my favorite demonic heroes, Hellboy. Allie writes this book in a way that adds new meaning to the word creepy. If you thought “Pickens County Horror” was incredibly eerie, let’s just say a new champion has been crowned. This one shot issue is one of the best of “Hell on Earth” so far, with an eye opening reveal of O’Donnell’s past.
WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART BY: Max Fiumara
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE: May 30
This story is particularly creepy simply because of the way it is told. Allie always done a stand up job with his BPRD tales, and this issue is no exception. O’Donnell’s past is told from a third person perspective, using language that cranks up the fear of the unknown. The text plays with your head due to the uncertainty in which it is narrated; “this was said to happen, or no one knows if its true, but this is what he said”. The writing sinks into your skin allowing your mind to absorb the pages.
The illustrations depict a pretty mind boggling tale with only bits and pieces of the information confirmed by Hellboys’ account of the events. By presenting the story in this fashion, it allows the reader to make some decisions for themselves; are the illustrations just the recounting of the events? Or are they a true depiction as to what took place that night? This is a chilling way to observe the events, especially with what transpires in the B.P.R.D. world. The storytelling method can get a bit much here as there is a lot going on, but if you let it pull you in, you’ll be thankful for it. The second reason I think this book is top on the list of creepydom is the actual events depicted, sure the telling of the story is a really cool, inventive storytelling, but what’s even more mind blowing is the plot itself.
From an art and color stand point, as always with anything BPRD related, is superb. The way this book is drawn and colored just contributes to the stories creepiness, sketchy lines and dark colors create the perfect atmosphere. This is coupled with the essentially color spotting of Hellboys’ complexion adds a contrast to the dark and dreary setting.
I say anyone who loves, likes, or is interesting in the BPRD world has got to pick up this bone chilling book. “The Transformation of JH O’Donnell” is a tragic tale that represents what BPRD is all about.
Side note: As soon as I finished reading the book, I immediately hopped onto my phone and messaged BD’s own Lonmonster (I know I’m pretty special), and told him how blown away I was and that he must read this one.
4.5/5 Skulls
Review by – GreenBasterd
Comics
‘You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive’ – IDW Dark’s Next Horror Comic Will Make You Question Reality
Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life. Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively announce You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, a brand new horror comic from IDW Dark.
From Eisner-Nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is described as a “paranoia-laced, socially-conscious, horror mystery that will leave you questioning reality, and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream they were expecting.”
Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets. Until the night of their graduation.
When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life—and what she finds is something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
Because this place isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a cage. And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.
Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface, Star Trek: The Last Starship) co-write the upcoming IDW Dark horror comic, featuring art by Heather Vaughan.
Jackson Lanzing said in a statement to Bloody Disgusting, “You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is in many ways a spiritual successor to our last creator-owned horror, The Principles of Necromancy – a dive into the promise and consequence of playing god with the blood of innocents. But the Hivemind book this reminds me of most is Clayface: One Bad Day. This is a deeply human story with intensely raw emotions – five best friends and their five mysterious parents, tearing one another apart for the promise of some impossible glory that’s waiting just beyond their darkest actions. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to life with our long-time partner in crime, editor Heather Antos, at IDW Dark – and we’re particularly excited to give our Clayface fans a new, brutal and emotional horror made just for them.”
Adds Collin Kelly, “We’re deconstructing a feeling that seems universal these days; our elders have a death grip on their power, without any intention of giving it up to the generations that come next. YNLTPA is about growing up with the limitless potential of the future… and realizing how much it’s a lie we’ve been fed to keep us under the yoke of the past. Bringing this brutal experience to life is our artist and co-creator, Heather Vaughan, who brings an incredible amount of humanity to our cast. But it’s in our youthful leads that Heather’s art really shines – you are going to fall in love with these young people, even as they go through the worst experience of their lives. What we’ve all crafted together is going to be tragic, painful, but above all else, sincere – with a future so uncertain, there’s only one thing we can trust: you’ll never leave this place alive.”
“Some horror stories are about monsters in the dark. YNLTPA is about realizing the monsters raised you,” previews Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “Working with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on this series has been a dream in the darkest possible way. They’ve built a story that’s layered, brutal, and deeply emotional, and every issue gives artist Heather Vaughan opportunities to push the art into places that feel both haunting and deeply personal. Some horror comics will keep you up at night…this is one that will stick with you for years to come.”
The first issue of You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive goes on sale October 14, 2026! Make sure to pre-order at your local comic shop by September to guarantee a copy.
Exclusively check out the various covers for Issue #1 down below.
IDW Publishing’s horror imprint IDW DARK features comics like A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, Smile: For the Camera, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Twilight Zone, Event Horizon: Dark Descent & Event Horizon: Inferno, and more.
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