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There’s something about horror taking place in the safest of places that makes it even more unnerving. Case in point, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: Saturn Returns, which takes place in New Hampshire in 1975. The story has Hellboy investigating a pile of bodies that have turned up in a sleepy town that has never had an incident quite like this. Is it demons, werewolves…zombies? We’ll soon find out.
So what’s it about?
Read our exclusive preview.
Why does this matter?
The first issue proved to be a good procedural detective story dropping clues and hints at what is really going on. If you enjoy shows like CSI this might be your cup of tea.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Green mist is never a good sign.
Credit: Dark Horse
This issue opens up the monster angle quite well. While the last issue kept a tight lid on the paranormal, this issue immediately dives in with some hints at what happened in 1924 thanks to a flashback. It allows you to piece together what could be happening in a satisfyingly detailed way with a monster fight involving Hellboy later in the issue. Christopher Mitten’s art excels when monsters, or Hellboy, enter the fray and the fall-themed location adds an extra chill to the pages.
I was a bit hard on the Liz B-plot of the last issue, and it is becoming clear she’s more important to the narrative this go around. We get to see her on the run and befriend two semi-criminal types who take her in. The story turns in a negative way for her and it’s quite clear folks with her sort of powers can’t be locked up or let out. While Hellboy serves as the monster in plain sight, it’s clear Liz is showing us the monster hidden away and how both can make life harder for those around them in different ways.
Once again, I’m loving Brennan Wagner’s colors. The orange eyes of Liz make her subtle powers pop. The autumn season is in full effect too, which will get you in the Halloween mood.
Damn, I think he has internal bleeding.
Credit: Dark Horse
It can’t be perfect, can it?
The cliffhanger didn’t do much for me and that might be due to Hellboy serving more like an onlooker than a major player in the narrative. The mystery at hand is slowly becoming more interesting and Hellboy serves more as a bystander who comments here and there, but does very little talking. This is only a three-issue miniseries so the cliffhanger seems to take our attention away from the mystery unnecessarily.
Is it good?
I liked this second issue more than the first thanks to the heavier use of monsters and the revealing clues. This is a story that reminds us the darkest of horrors are everywhere, even where you feel safest.
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