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Review: ‘B.P.R.D. 1948’ #1

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12 years ago

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Mike Mignola’s B.P.R.D. universe has really been pushing the “Hell on Earth” event leaving little else new to occupy the shelves. This week that changes with the first instalment of a 5-part mini series entitled B.P.R.D 1948, which takes off right where “1947” left us; this brings back some classic characters like Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, Agent Anders, Agent Stegner and the 4 year old Hellboy. This book delves into testing atomic bombs for rocket propulsion in Utah desert and its relation to the appearance of a massive monster, just a day in the life for the average B.P.R.D. employee. The series is meant to evolve the history of B.P.R.D coming away from Europe and Nazis, but unfortunately, this issue offers little in the way of action and excitement.

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART BY: Max Fiumara
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: 3.50
RELEASE: October 17th

This book starts off at slow pace and doesn’t budge from there, getting the reader re-familiarized with the different characters and the current post World War II situation. With a jump through time to 1983, we learn about the newest addition to the story; the beautiful and brilliant physicist Anne Rieu. The reason the Bureau is called has to do with the appearance of a massive monster that is potentially coinciding with low grade and high atmospherical atomic bomb testing to simulate rocket propulsion to the moon. As the story plays out, it appears there is more going on with Anne, the bomb, and the monster than what is on the surface of the story. This book sheds light onto the early B.P.R.D. world, acting as a bridge between present day and its past. While it is only issue #1 of a 5-issue arc, this book is slow burn that doesn’t live up to the current goings on in the “Hell on Earth” event.

The art of this book by Max Fiumara is what I’ve come to expect from this series, sketchy lines and pale colours give the book an eerie feeling. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This issue also features a young horned Hellboy, which since his death in later years is always a treat to come across. Well depicted and the use of vibrant colour spotting for such things as Hellboy and the eyes of the massive monster are subtle creative gestures that go a long way.

This book kick offs what may be the final in the pre-modern era B.P.R.D., taking a substantial twist from its 1946 and 1947 predecessors focusing more on North America as well as taking a science fiction style. If this is the last of the B.P.R.D. history, it lacks the punch it needs to become a classic within Mignola’s work. The story better seriously start to vamp up in coming issues.

2.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed 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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1 day 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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