Dark Horse - B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #1

The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense is now under the control of the United Nations. Abe Sapien is one of the best the bureau has. The U.N. has stricter guidelines for the B.P.R.D. (don’t you love all the acronyms), and that means investigating bogus leads and dead ends, just to make sure. Abe Sapien does not like wasting his time and wants to be focusing on more serious investigations - and that's exactly what he's about to face.

In this issue, Director Corrigan is running things at the B.P.R.D. Headquarters in Colorado. She has Abe Sapien and a team of agents looking into a possible death cult and some rituals that have been rumored to be happening in Washington State. Once, the dead end is confirmed as a fraternity hazing, Abe Sapien heads north to Canada where a small town in British Columbia has had some mysterious disappearances recently. Alone, Abe follows the trail to a forest at night and realizes too late that it was a bad idea.

Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis bring us a great story and artwork for this new period in the B.P.R.D. world. I really like the use of dreary colors and lack of sharp cornersto illustrate the mood of the agents of the B.P.R.D. and how they are continuing on after the takeover by the U.N. and the fallout from the War of Frogs. Hell on Earth #2 hits comic shops on September 4, 2010.

Dark Horse - Hellboy: The Storm #2

The Queen of Blood has sent a great warrior to kill Hellboy. While the beast tracks down our big red hero, the Queen’s army continues to grow. Alice and Hellboy are continuing to drive around England investigating the strange empty graves and tombs around the country when the Queen’s warrior knocks them off the road. Fortunately, Alice and Hellboy survive the crash, unfortunately, they still have a large beast after them. The warrior wants the leadership role in his Queen’s Army that “King Hellboy” currently holds. A strong foe, the monster doesn’t last long against Hellboy. He uses the new sword (that makes him the King) to slay his enemy in one fatal swing. Hellboy and Alice then head to a tavern to seek out a phone and help. Shortly thereafter the place is surrounded by the undead army and our issue ends.

Is the army there to destroy Hellboy or to follow his orders toward wiping out mankind? Find out next month in the series finale Hellboy: The Storm #3.

Dark Horse - Hellboy: The Storm #1

Hellboy is King of England! This story follows the previous series: Hellboy: Darkness Calls and Hellboy: The Wild Hunt, and is the final part of the story arc from Dark Horse comics. Hellboy has left the B.P.R.D (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense) and is in England with his new companion Alice, investigating the rising of the dead. Dead Knights are rising, to be more precise. The Queen of Blood is raising an army to wipe out mankind and Hellboy seems to be the only one that can save the world and this time, he’s doing sober!

Mike Mignola and Duncan Fregedo bring great images and storytelling to fans again with this great Hellboy arc. The monthly series will have Hellboy doing what he does best - taking on dark forces with his attitude, big fist, and clever banter.