Monday, June 15, 2020

Book Review: B.P.R.D. The Devil You Know Vol. 2 by M. Mignola et al.

B.P.R.D. The Devil You Know Volume 2: Pandemonium story by Mike Mignola and Scott Allie, art by Sebastian Fiumara and Laurence Campbell, and Colors by Dave Stewart


Hellboy is literally back from the grave as the B.P.R.D. heads to New York City. That's where the little Russian girl/demon Varvara is gathering remnants of humanity in the hopes of recreating Pandemonium. Pandemonium was the capital in Hell, though Hell has been mostly emptied out after Hellboy killed Satan back in his Hellboy in Hell days. Hellboy has a slow boot-up as the heroes gather to take down Varvara. She has brought along Hellboy's old enemies Kroenen and Von Klempt, hinting at the arrival of another long dead and forgotten character.

This book starts with a couple of pages of Mignola's art as Hellboy is summoned back out of Hell (where he seemed to be taking it easy). Hellboy's unease as he leaves the afterlife is only hinted at. He's reluctant to get back into field work though he's in full swing by the end of this five-issue story arc. While it is fun to see Hellboy back, it's also a little disappointing, like a movie franchise that keeps going after they have a great ending to their story. Bringing back the old enemy only reinforces my impression that they've run out of ideas. Maybe they can pull it together for the finale.

Mildly recommended.


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