Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Artist: Laurence Campbell
Release Date: 18th June 2014

After the high octane arc that has fuelled the book recently, a change of pace is definitely welcome as this title enters it’s 12th year. The tone of the book has changed ever so slightly here as it takes on more of a contained, pulp-esque detective story.

While the pacing of the book is much slower than previous first chapters, it builds nicely throughout the book to suck the reader in with a level of suspense not normally associated with this title. As the book opens, we’re back at B.P.R.D. headquarters just as the power goes out – oh, and there’s something lurking in the dark. We also get a hint at what’s happening in Japan just before the powercut, and Liz Shermans team returns.

The colour palette of the book is bleak and muted which does seem to suit the powercutty-ness (that’s a word, right?) of the story, but Dave Stewart manages to do what he does best as the unsung hero of B.P.R.D., with warm tones being used to brighten up the darkness.

With a few cameos that will make the fans happy, a plot point at the end that will make for an interesting arc, and a nice jumping on issue for new readers, this issue hits all the marks even if it is a little slow at getting going.

Rating: 4/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Chris Bennett
Article: And Now For Something Completely Different
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