#killing ground

Friday, September 20: Saxon, “Deeds of Glory”

BPRD: Killing Ground - Chapter Two

Story: Mike Mignola & John Arcudi | Art: Guy Davis | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in BPRD: Killing Ground #2 | September 2007

Collected in BPRD - Volume 8: Killing Ground | BPRD: Plague of Frogs - Volume 3

Plot Summary:

Johann continues to be derelict in his duties. Daimio seems to be having the sugar shakes. Liz can’t get any sleep. Kate’s at her wits end regarding the negligent agents. And somebody gets eaten.

Reading Notes:

(Note: Pagination is in reference to the chapter itself and is not indicative of anything found in the issue or collections.)

pg. 1 - Daimio’s really not looking so hot.

pg. 3 - Johann is really embracing irresponsibility as he gives in to the pleasures of the flesh. His “resting stinkface” is priceless.

pg. 4 - Love the clutter in O’Donnell’s room. Also, Johann happy that the professor is asleep so he can potentially shirk responsibilities again.

pg. 5-6 - Interesting discussion about Daryl’s state of mind. Also some important stuff about Daimio, if only it wasn’t cut off from looking for Johann.

pg. 8/9 - Guy Davis and Dave Stewart have done a number of these two-page spreads spotlighting the coming apocalypse, but they never get tired. Stunning work.

pg. 11 - The nightmares wearing down Liz really come to a head here. Also, I doubt that what vague guy considers “making it right” would be consistent with what many of us would think is the right thing to do.

pg. 12 - Cute little kitty.

pg. 13-14 - I like the contrast of the two different methods of arrival at the Colorado headquarters. 

pg. 15 - You’ve kind of got to think that they’re setting up something nefarious when Daimio isn’t present for his Chinese acupuncturist’s arrival. Those sessions are doing something beneficial for him, and he very clearly needs it.

pg. 16 - It’s telling that there’s still a culture of fear and discrimination when it comes to the paranormal members of the Bureau. 

Also, what’s sneaky guy up to?

pg. 17 - Cute kitty. It’s also nice to again see the characters just being friendly towards one another. No seeming ulterior motives, no jockeying for leverage or anything, just the kind of camaraderie you’d expect from colleagues. Even new ones who I suppose are also kind of wards.

pg. 18 - This feels like it’s foreshadowing something. That something is not what it seems.

pg. 20 - Oh...that’s probably not good.

pg. 21 - Another one sleeping on the job. I wonder if we’re supposed to read something into that theme.

pg. 22-23 - That’s one hell of a mess. The gore from Davis and Stewart is just incredible.

pg. 24 - Bad timing to try to be a player, Johann.

Final Thoughts:

This chapter really kicks things up a notch, providing a kind of perfect storm that leads to Daryl’s escape and the seeming complete evisceration, dismemberment, and wallpapering of Daimio’s Chinese healer friend. I get the impression that there’s some kind of misdirection going on here too, given the bit in Panya’s story of her father not being her father, but I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be pointing towards directly. Maybe the guy who stole the BPRD laptop and broke in?

I also love how this turned on a dime into a kind of Alien-esque monster murder mystery. Even if the signs are pointing to our poor wendigo friend.

Our reviews of the weekend’s new releases:

Dunkirk

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Girls Trip

The Untamed

Landline

Kékszakállú

The Midwife

Kuso

Killing Ground