Comics
Review: ‘B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: The Devil’s Engine’ #3
This week has been long anticipated for BPRD fans as “The Devil’s Engine” comes to a gut busting conclusion. It’s a nice wrap up to the arc, and it will only leave readers wanting more “Hell on Earth”. As always the art is fantastic and the story escalates the “Hell on Earth” story line further as the forces of darkness continue to strive for mayhem and destruction. With “The Devil’s Engine” ending its three-part arc this week and “Exorcism” closing out its two-part arc next week, all I can do is salivate in anticipation of the next BPRD installment.
WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART BY: Tyler Crook
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
RELEASE: July 18th
Never did I doubt Mike Mignola and John Arcudi with their “The Devil’s Engine” story arc, after the first issue I was on the fence a bit. As the story developed, however, any doubts I previously held were thrown out the window as a trifecta of monsters decide Andrew and Fenix are going to be their newest snack. On the flip side of the story Mr. Marsten is continuing his pursuit of creating life with Kroenen’s necromantic powers. Well, the shit has definitely hit the fan for Andrew and Fenix and it would be hard to be more pleased with the result; a gun, quick thinking and balls of steel make for an epic end to this arc. This book also opens up doors for future issues as we find out why Fenix shot Abe and also more of what is going on at Zinc, both of which undoubtedly will come into player in later story arcs. The thing I enjoyed most about this issue was how Mignola and Arcudi kept me guessing; many times the images have you believe Andrew and or Fenix are going to get mercilessly slaughtered but a subtle twist and its all gravy.
The art is one of my favorite components of this piece, it is more on the cartoony side but it has a realistic look to it that isn’t common in books outside the BPRD universe. This is especially true with the detail put in with guts and organs; you can tell this comic is not meant for the squeamish because the detail of the gore is intense. I mean, really intense.
There we have it, another story arc in the BPRD world comes to a close but don’t let that get you down! With “Exorcism” next week ending that means a brand spanking new arc is right around the corner and I doubt this is the last we’ve seen of any of the characters involved.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by –GreenBasterd
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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