‘Tis the End of the B.P.R.D. Vampire arc. Let’s see what’s at stake (get it?!), and if it’s good.
B.P.R.D. Vampire #5 (Dark Horse Comics)
In this, the last issue written by Mignola, Ba, and Moon, we see Professor Trevor Bruttenholm in a new light. The way words are used in this issue is superb. A recurring repeated mantra of the word, “more,” interspersed in different cut away panels was an inspired and highly effective choice.
But more important than that, as stated, we get to see what happens when Professor Bruttenholm has to deal with an agent gone rogue. How he takes it upon himself to go and find Agent Simon Anders, who is now a full-fledged vampire. And we see the aftermath of such an ordeal on this man, who started the B.P.R.D.
Though I’ve had gripes with the art style (and have never neglected to be a douche about how I don’t like the pointy noses) the art in this issue goes beautifully with the prose. Once again, Ba and Moon steep this comic in atmosphere, and the effortlessly fluid nature of the flow from panel to panel makes this comic rush by. Gothic castles, cold wilderness, and a general sense of inevitable damnation is conveyed through the depictions of Agent Anders, and of the other characters and beasts around him.
9.5
- Great flow to the comic, between the art and the writing.
- Memorable use of Professor Bruttenholm.
- When analyzed as a whole series, it isn’t as good.
Is It Good?
Yes, ladies and gentleman, it’s good. This was a necessary comic (if only to keep me from giving up on the B.P.R.D. series entirely). If you’ve been following my reviews of the B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth series, you’ll note my growing disdain for what seems to be a lack of anything memorable. Well, Vampire bucks that trend. Despite the fact the series as a whole is inconsistent in quality, (the reason it isn’t getting a perfect 10), this issue had me at Professor Bruttenholm with a wooden stake. Tackling the feelings a person like Trevor Bruttenholm must feel using monsters to fight monsters, and his guilt when one of his agents turns, is what makes this comic a must read for Hellboy fans. The theme of choice has always been at the forefront of the Hellboy and B.P.R.D. series. And so, when we get to see what happens when an agent makes the wrong choice, or when Bruttenholm makes the wrong choice, said comic becomes all the more poignant.
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