Hellboy and the BPRD: The Beast of Vargu (Review): The Darkest Puppet Show You'll Ever See
HELLBOY AND THE BPRD: THE BEAST OF VARGU
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Duncan Fegredo
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clem Robbins
Publisher: Dark Horse
8.5/10
Guys I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again, any week that sees the release of a new Hellboy comic immediately means it's a good week. Not only do we get a fantastic new Hellboy story from Mignola, but we see the return of Duncan Fegredo to the Mignolaverse. In my opinion the only other artist I enjoy on Hellboy, more than Mignola, is Fegredo. The two of them together have crafted some of my favorite Hellboy stories. This is another worthy addition to their many collaborations.
Since this is the first review of a Hellboy book at The Comic Lounge, let me tell you of the deep affinity I have for this universe. I first got into the Hellboy comics when they announced the first movie. From the first volume, I fell in love. Mike Mignola created a loveable monster hunter who also happens to be a monster himself. With so many of the stories being rooted in folklore and history, I was instantly blown away. I've always been fascinated by myths, folktales and history in general. After reading the first volume I set out to get everything I could and have been a diehard Hellboy fan ever since. His first appearance is still one of my most prized possessions. So to say I get excited every time they announce a new Hellboy book, would be an understatement.
This book is set in the 1962, which is 6 years after the B.P.R.D series that concluded a couple months ago. It sees the world's greatest paranormal investigator, Hellboy, come to Romania to investigate some weird events happening at Castle Vargu. We get the 411 on all things Vargu from Prof. Bruttenholm. He explains that strange occurrences have been happening for centuries.
As Hellboy sets out to find the beast, he fids more than he bargained for. Cue the fight scene. If there's one thing I love about this book more than the mythology, it's the fight scenes. Fegredo goes all out on this one and shows our favorite demon taking quite the beating. But don't trip you know Hellboy dishes out just as much as he takes.
After he is saved by two wandering villagers, Mignola tells the reader about this particular folktale and unique and creative way, through puppets. This is truly where Mignola's scripts shine, in bring all those old myths and tales and inserting Hellboy right into the mix. 25 years later and Mignola still delights his hoard of devoted fans with epic stories.
While this book may be your typical Hellboy defeating another monster tale, that's where the charm of this series has always been. It's part of the appeal of this series and why it's lasted all this time. We have another Hellboy book coming out in August, HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: SATURN RETURNS. Although the amazing Duncan Fegredo won't be on the book, you know it's only a matter of time before his return. Either way it's a great time to be a Hellboy fan, keep those comics coming Mignola.