Comics
Review: ‘Abe Sapien’ #1
Throughout the past few months Abe Sapien has made several cameos in the “B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth” event, spending his time in a Star Wars-esque healing tank repairing a life threatening gunshot wound. Abe Sapien #1: Dark and Terrible sees the full return of this bad ass character. A lot of time has passed since his injury and his awakening isn’t the joy fest it should be. The “Hell on Earth” event continues to storm on as “Hellboy in Hell” plays out alongside it, and Abe has been left in the dark. It’s clear that he will play an epic role in the future, but will it be for the good or the evil? Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, Sebastián Fiumara, and Dave Stewart have done an outstanding job on this issue, which bodes very well for the future of this new ongoing series.
WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART BY: Sebastián Fiumara
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE DATE: April 3rd
PRICE: 3.50
Abe Sapien awoke in a daze in the previous issue of BPRD and he quickly made a run for it; this book centers on the heroic amphibian and begins to elaborate on the state of his mind. We learn that the Abe who entered the tank is not the same upon his escape and this will have some serious implications for the future. But that’s not how this issue starts, instead we witness a failed demonic summoning, how this will come back into play is unknown, but there is little doubt that this is linked to something inherently evil. This issue contains lots of monster action to help refresh everyone’s memory of just how screwed Earth is at the moment. By the last third of the issue we get our first look at the new and improved Abe Sabien as he stows away in a train trying to escape.
“Abe Sapien” #1 definitely fits the criteria for a first issue of a new story arc as characters are re-introduced, the situation is outlined, and the story begins its slow building process to the inevitable climax. Though Mignola is the master mind behind this universe, Scott Allie is at the helm for this book. For those unfamiliar with Abe, it is not the best book to jump into, but Allie does a great job of keeping it simple and sweet.
The art of this issue is outstanding, an incredibly realistic look with just a hint of sketchiness that Mignola’s world is famous for. Sebastián Fiumara gives all the characters and environements of the book a life-like appearance; this rings true even for the monstrous creatures that are showcased throughout the book. Dave Stewart, who is now the goto colourist for most of the BPRD books, does his thing giving that extra oomf the book needs through the use of his colour pallet and shading.
Welcome back, Abe.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBastard
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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