Quick Rating: The Dreaded Brain Toads
Title: Part 2

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Guy Davis
Color: Dave Stewart
Letters: Clem Robins
Editor: Scott Allie

What can one say about Roger the Homunculus that has not already been said? He is an artificial man created through alchemical means. This is my assumption, because I have not read all his tales and am not a Hellboy savant. I also assume that leaves him impervious to feeling. That seems to fit the character. For that matter, I have not even seen the movie. Over the past week or two, I spent my time and money on comic books, rather than their shadows. I will see the movie, but probably in the distant future. (I saw Truffaut’s Day for Night instead when I longed for film last week and it was entertaining enough. Much like Hellboy, no one will be watching it or talking about in a year, except for your weird friend—the one with the bad haircut and penchant for old movies.)

What else did I do this past week? I read comic books and I can barely remember what they were about. According to Dark Horse, the plot of this issue was: “The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense traces the disappearance of a giant fungus to a deserted town. Separated from the group when their helicopter crashes, Roger the Homunculus, enthralled by a mysterious child, winds up hanging from the neck in an abandoned building. Meanwhile, the rest of the B.P.R.D. team lies unconscious at the crash site, and Abe Sapien dreams of underwater terrors.” That sounds about right to me. There was also a helicopter crash.

The art looked nice—I remember that. I have long enjoyed Guy Davis’ work, even though I’m not sure how he prefers to have his name pronounced.

The thing is that you can really admire a work of art—even recognize the skill and talent and downright work that went into its production—and still not give much of a hoot. In a nutshell, that probably describes the reality within which architects operate. It certainly describes my feelings about B.P.R.D. and Day for Night. You’ll probably enjoy them. You might even be impressed by them, but it just feels like I’m name-dropping when I mention them. Right now, I’m holding my place and waiting for the next issue.

Ohh, and I played paintball. That I remember, but it left bruises.

April, 2004

Quick Rating: Fantastic
Title: Plague of Frogs, Part 1

Frogs, for Heaven’s Sake!

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Guy Davis
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Clem Robins
Editor: Scott Allie

If everyone who bought any X-Men comics last year used that money instead to make a movie, then they would just about cover the cost to produce X-Men 2. My math could be wrong, but I doubt I’m too far off- accurate accounting being what it is in publishing and film-making. I have little doubt that last year’s purchasers of Hellboy would not even come close to paying for the upcoming film. So, who goes to see these movies? Who is going to have a clue who Hellboy is? Batman and Superman and Spiderman and the X-Men and the Hulk all had previous incarnations on television and radio. They were well-discussed. Yet, Men in Black certainly succeeded financially without any real recognition that it came from a comic book. Ghost World and American Splendor pleased critics who have never set foot in a comic book shop (though I suspect that more of them do as a percentage than the general population). I don’t begrudge the general population their enjoyment of X-Men or Spiderman, but I do wish they’d seek the original source every now and then.

B.P.R.D. begins a new mini-series in the Hellboy universe just in time for the teeming masses to be exposed to Mike Mignola’s magnificent creation. The movie draws from early storylines, steeped in atmosphere, wonderful storytelling, and great artwork. Traditional Hellboy stories follow the X-Files formula of something weird happens and Hellboy investigates. The investiture of the stories with myth, fable, and character makes the series wonderful. Atmosphere and character can take a little time. Relationships need establishment. I hope the folks who see the movie have a couple issues of B.P.R.D. ready to acquire because one may leave them a little uncertain. On the other hand, every cinema should be passing out coupons for discounts on Hellboy graphic novels (they are brilliant).

I have long liked Guy Davis’ work. It tells the tale. Here, the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense sends in a team to investigate unusual events, but the team does not include Hellboy. If you’re uncertain what the unusual event is, read the issue title again. For regular readers, this will be a nice chance to get to know the other characters better. Get a Hellboy graphic novel and this issue for afterwards.

March, 2004

Quick Rating: Fantastic
Title: Super Mega Ultrakiko Action Figure
Writer/Artist: Mark Crilley

Akiko Rules

Because of its sporadic release schedule, Mark Crilley continues to fill Akiko’s pages with short tales and humorous sketches. The original Akiko storylines (prior to Crilley’s explosion of wild experimenting) followed the intergalactic adventures of an American girl of Japanese heritage. Crilley points out that the current tales do not automatically fall within Akiko’s continuity- they may only serve to illustrate unexplored aspects of the main characters. Anyone unfamiliar with Akiko may find the issue a difficult entry point. The bits and pieces provide innumerable delights, but that often comes from a baseline knowledge of the characters. New readers should definitely pick up the trade paperback reprints of the initial run. On the other hand, everyone should buy this issue to support one of the more original voices in the comics field- just read the trades first to get the all the jokes.

This issue contains:
Super Mega Ultrakiko vs. Beebzilla – the first part of a giant monster battle.
The Portrait – an optical illusion short.
Private Beeba and the Secret Message
Jimmy Hampton
What’s Going on in Akiko’s Head?
Good Days, Bad Days
Cap’n Spuck and his trusty first mate, beebs
24 Ways to Draw Akiko – exactly what it says.

All of these are accessible on a purely humorous level. In many ways, reading Akiko lately inspires that same sensation that I used to get when reading Mad magazine as a youth. It’s the thrill of recognition- the pleasure of not being insulted (perhaps being subtly complimented). Ultimately, I think Akiko is about not being alone in the universe and that’s a pretty good theme.

March, 2004