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Review: ‘BPRD Hell On Earth: The Transformation of JH O’Donnell’ One Shot

Published

12 years ago

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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

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

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15 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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