Review – Abe Sapien #16 (Dark Horse Comics)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie
Artist: Sebastian Fiumara
Release Date: 10th September 2014

With this month’s issue, the story takes a more local approach as Abe returns to the town where he was shot. There are a few very interesting scenes which I won’t spoil here, but suffice to say that they certainly throw into question Abe’s motives in the series of late.

The team of Mignola and Allie continue to teach us all a lesson in storytelling on what seems like a weekly basis. With a slower paced issue this time round – including an action scene straight out of any post apocalyptic horror story – we see more fleshing out of Abe and Grace, their relationship, and a lead-up that could make for a very interesting next issue.

Speaking of stellar teams, the Dave Stewart on colourist duties (whose praises I’ve sang about on numerous occasions, I mean someone give this man an award! ;)) is joined by Sebastian Fiumara once more. Fiumara’s style is perfectly suited to the series, with his portrayal of Abe being akin to something out of a Pulp Monster story but still managing to keep him human enough and relatable enough that he’s still… Abe. His work on the wolf fight is also incredible, with a flair to it which keeps things so incredibly high paced and terrifying! It may also feature my favourite use of BAM in a while, if a later panel is anything to go by!

The series is on track with returning to BPRD soonish, with agents appearing more frequently and nods to characters of the main series. I’m not quite ready to let go yet, but goddamn, its been a fantastic ride so far. If previous issues have been a shot of whiskey in how much punch they’re packing, this is the coffee that cures the hangover. Pleasant and necessary, but in a very different way.

Rating: 4/5

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

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