Story By
Mike Mignola & John Arcudi
Art By
Tyler Crook
Colors By
Dave Stewart
Letters By
Clem Robins
Cover By
Dave Johnson
Publisher
Dark Horse Comics
A graveyard of mutated horror is uncovered deep inside a Russian mine. With Liz still missing and Abe Sapien lying on his deathbed, the newly international B.P.R.D. sends Kate and Johann to meet the Russian equivalent of the Bureau–which readers first saw in B.P.R.D.: 1946–and face an exploding fungus monster at the Kremlin, and a spreading contagion.
Mike Mignola and John Arcudi team up with another stellar creative team to bring us the next chapter in the B.P.R.D.‘s eternal struggle against all things creepy and crawly in B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia. It’s a new game for the agents of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense as their new international status has Kate and Johann butting heads with suspicious Russian military leaders on their first attempt at international cooperation.
B.P.R.D. HOER #1 is merely an opening act to get the ball rolling, but Mignola and Arcudi manage to do more than go through the motions of setting the stage in this book. This issue sets out to make a statement to both the B.P.R.D. and fans alike. Things have changed drastically and the B.P.R.D. (or what’s left of it) are not as autonomous as they used to be. Our heroes have suffered some heavy losses, and past events are wearing on them emotionally. The writing infuses the emotional gravity of the B.P.R.D.‘s plight without feeling too oppressive or overshadowing the new mystery that awaits our agents in Russia.
Tyler Crook‘s art continues to feel wonderfully natural in concert with Mignola’s prose, since joining the B.P.R.D. team back in July with Monsters. It captures the spirit of idie-pulp flair that has been part of Mignola’s charm since Hellboy first hit the scene back in ’93 and Dave Stewart’s ability as a colorist really makes the art in this book shine.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1 sets the stage for another twisted and dramatic story by masters Mignola and Arcudi. The art is organic and full of soul and I can’t wait to see where Mignola and Co. takes us.
I Give B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1 Four Out of Five Stars.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1 hits stores on September 21st.
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