Review – British Paranormal Society: Time Out of Mind #1 (Dark Horse)

Posted on April 27, 2022 in Dark Horse Reviews

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Chris Roberson
Artist: Andrea Mutti
Colours: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Clem Robins
Release Date: 27th April 2022

Simon Bruthenholm and Honora Grant of the British Paranormal Society travel to the village of Noxton, Bruthenholm to locate a missing colleague and Grant to investigate the unusual and ancient “Festival of the Grey Man”.

It will be no surprise to any of my regular readers that Gothic, Lovecraftian, folk horror, paranormal, and occult horror stories are amongst my favourite things to read. I have half a dozen shelves filled with comics just based on these genres. I was measuring my bookshelves the other day because, unsurprisingly, I need to buy more and I discovered that Mike Mignola/Mignolaverse titles take up over three metres of shelving on their own.

I am, therefore, absolutely loving these stories from the B.P.S. The Silver Lantern Club was a great introduction to a new cast of characters in the Mignolaverse, and setting stories in the time of Sir Edward Grey et al. is something I’ve been hoping would happen for a long time. There’s just something about the Victorian Era and early 20th Century with its leaps and bounds in scientific experimentation that really lends itself to paranormal investigation. It’s a period with a sceptical scientific doctrine but one where you can still easily imagine monsters stalking the shadowed and foggy night time streets of London.

This story has a very Hammer House of Horror feel to it. There’s an obvious Wicker Man analogy, but also titles like The Witches and The Blood on Satan’s Claw immediately spring to mind. I love a good folk horror, and this has the makings of a really good folk horror tale with the trademark Mignolaverse “Lovecraftian” twist. I also like that, as with the previous story in this series, this is not a slick operation and despite very obvious experiences to the contrary, each member is still slightly sceptical of the others’ talents and research.

There is a lot to like in the artwork, too. Andrea Mutti is a great fit for the story that’s being told, and Lee Loughridge’s colours are always a welcome addition, blending the styles of new Mignolaverse artist with the depth and heavy shadow that tells you you are definitely in the Mignolaverse,

If you are a fan of the Witchfinder series or the original Hellboy stories, then I think you’ll really enjoy Time Out Of Mind. The Mignolaverse is something I am heavily invested in. I buy the floppies, I buy the trades, and I buy the HC editions when they come out and this will be another welcome addition to my collection.

Rating: 4/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]