Comics
Review: “Abe Sapien” #15
“Abe Sapien” #15 is a stand alone issue that long time fans of the series should adore with skillful nods to the past of the BRPD and new perspectives that speak both to Abe’s past and the present.
WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART BY: Juan Ferreyra
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2014
PRICE: $3.50
Review By: Ooknabah
In this, the latest issue of Abe’s adventures, the current storyline takes a break for an interlude back to 2005 where we revisit Abe’s days with the BRPD. What could be an unwelcome break from the current story is instead a expertly managed trip to the past that fans of the series will eat up, both a welcome respite from the present, bittersweet reminder of what used to be and a rumination on the questions that have been and are now still central to Abe’s journey.
Most notably, Roger the Homunculus features prominently, placing the events of the issue during early days of the BRDP series. After a group of hippies inadvertently summon an eldritch horror, Abe is left to examine the remains and ponder his newly found (previous) identity as Langdon Everett Caul. Contrasted with soul searching Abe has been involved in after his most recent transformation, these questions weigh heavily and cement the internal conflict that Abe has now faced for years. Contrasted with Rodger’s happy acceptance of his role within the BRPD and malleable personality, this is even more keenly felt.
Of course, things don’t go well for long, and soon a greater threat emerges as the eldritch horror begins to possess people, but that threat is really secondary to the more personal struggles taking place between Abe, Roger and Agent Vaughn, another seldom seen character from the past. That said, it provides the action that fans expect and does so satisfyingly while not overtaking the more interesting discussions at play.
Juan Ferreyra’s art is about as different from the usual art on the series as could be possible, with the usual dark rough and sketchy quality being replaced with expert design and clean lines. It’s a gorgeous take on the designs formerly handled by Guy Davis, and the brighter colours and precise art create an almost idyllic (if Mignola’s work can ever be described as idyllic) look back into the old days of Abe’s history. Seeing Rodger again may also play into this: reading his voice again makes one mourn his loss anew.
If you’re an old school BRPD fan that has lapsed, read this comic. If you’re an Abe Sapien fan, you all ready will. If you’re neither, what the hell are you waiting for?
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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