#raisinghellboy

BPRD: The Devil You Know ~ Ragna Rok - Chapter Five

Story: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art: Laurence Campbell & Mike Mignola | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in BPRD: The Devil You Know #15 | April 2019

Collected in BPRD: The Devil You Know - Volume 3: Ragna Rok

Plot Summary:

Hellboy witnesses the end.

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 - I’m impressed overall in the sheer feeling of desolation that Laurence Campbell and Dave Stewart accomplish here. And it just gets better from there.

It’s also interesting that Hellboy, and Grey, aren’t quite sure what Hellboy is any more. Especially when you consider that he’s also apparently still down in hell. It’s like there are multiple permutations of Hellboy’s soul/spirit/whatever out there now.

pg. 2 - Phenomenal view of the Ogdru Hem ruling the Earth.

pg. 3 - Here’s where the desolation gets ramped up just by a change of colour. That shade of grey, the appearance of the Ogdru Jahad on Earth, this just reminds us that everything’s well and truly screwed for life as we knew it on the surface.

pg. 4 - But they’re dead. That’s a very neat twist that the big bad, the huge evil that has been looming in space since the beginning of the narrative, are reduced to nothing sometime between Hellboy’s second death and now. It’s unexpected to see one of the series’ primary antagonists, the prima facie moving force of evil throughout existence, just...gone.

pg. 6 - And to find out that it was all the machinations of the Osiris Club. 

pg. 8 - That they did it with Hellboy’s severed hand fits in with the idea that his hand would bring about the end the of world. And that it didn’t quite matter if it was attached or not, the key would still unlock the Ogdru Jahad’s prison. Just that the end of the world didn’t quite occur how we thought it would, with the Ogdru Jahad taking over everything.

pg. 10 - I love the full colour coming back into Hellboy as he reattaches his hand.

pg. 11 - The destruction of their mansion is just magnificent.

pg. 12 - This is fitting. Both the shift to Mike Mignola’s own art to close out the story and the return of Hecate. She said that she’d be waiting for the end to be by Hellboy’s side for the finale.

pg. 13 - Also an interesting shift here. Going from fight to discussion.

pg. 15 - After all of the time that has passed during the reign of the Ogdru Hem, the fall of the Ogdru Jahad, that Liz is still alive is interesting. Though we’re not given an actual span, which may be shorter depending on how the Osiris Club’s story actually played out, it further ties into the idea that the Vril energy has been keeping her alive and keeping her relatively youthful. After all, she was born in 1962.

pg. 16 - The old world dying by fire, beautifully rendered by Mignola and Stewart.

pg. 20 - The synthesis between Hecate and Hellboy to give the life’s blood to the new world is a fascinating development. A transformation to bring about what’s next to come.

pg. 22 - I like that these frog people aren’t quite the same as the frogstrocities that we’ve seen since the Plague of Frogs. That they look more like Abe, and potentially have more of Abe’s disposition.

pg. 24 - This would seem to suggest that the cycle repeats. That a new version of the story told from Hyperborea to now may occur with the new race of man. Also, I find it kind of funny that Liz, the one character that Mignola didn’t necessarily know what to do with and was going to kill early on in the series, is the only one who definitely continues on into the future.

Final Thoughts:

The subversion of expectation while delivering exactly what was foretold is an interesting consequence of this finale. The end of the world comes to pass by Hellboy’s hand, Abe becomes the progenitor of the next race of man, and Liz takes on the role of the past priestesses of the Hyperboreans after unleashing the Vril energy across the world. It’s basically what we’ve been told was going to happen since the introduction of the larger end of the world mythos into the Hellboy narrative, but it’s not quite executed in how many of us probably thought it would play out.

To me, it’s one of the series that absolutely stuck the landing with a satisfying and entertaining ending. Whether you’ve only been reading Hellboy, BPRD, or everything within the universe, this is a well-told, well-executed ending that brings together the themes of destiny, transformation, and renunciation that have been running through the narrative since Seed of Destruction and pays them off beautifully. The story can potentially continue in extremely different ways, but this serves as a capstone to 25 years of storytelling.

Koshchei the Deathless - Chapter Six

Story: Mike Mignola | Art: Ben Stenbeck | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in Koshchei the Deathless #6 | June 2018

Collected in Koshchei the Deathless

Plot Summary:

Koshchei and Hellboy recount their confrontation, then trade stories on what happened after.

Reading Notes:

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

pg. 1 - This is another excellent use of the story structure here of two guys just swapping stories in the pub, that it can shift to fill in other relevant bits of details from a different time to give a more holistic picture at the entire story.

pg. 3 - Great telling of the fight between Hellboy and Baba Yaga.

pg. 5 - And more Darkness Calls. It’s great how this seamlessly integrates and elaborates on what we’ve already read.

pg. 7 - To be repeatedly shown up by a kid who seems to radiate goodness has to rub in the craw of an evil, power-hungry witch.

pg. 9 - It’s also good to see Hellboy learn the revelation further that it was the Baba Yaga pushing Koshchei further and further. I mean, he figured it out in Darkness Calls, but it’s a decent confirmation.

pg. 10 - It’s incredible as to how far the Baba Yaga tried to push for revenge, even beyond reason.

pg. 11 - It’s also interesting how Vasilisa persists. The idea that there’s still at least a faint force for “good” out there is somewhat comforting.

pg. 13 - Though it would appear as though Koshchei himself never got a chance to really make amends for what he did later to the doll version of the kid.

pg. 15 - Beautiful reveal here from Ben Stenbeck and Dave Stewart. 

pg. 16 - Though it does feel kind of weird that even in her “apology” the Baba Yaga still seems to be speaking as though the grudge is Koshchei’s. That it’s his fault that some of this happened. And, oops, too bad his soul ran away in the goat.

pg. 18 - Hellboy’s sister is looking a little worse for wear.

pg. 19 - It’s also interesting that the seaside town seems to have become almost even more like a quaint European fishing village.

pg. 20 - Hell politics is still weird.

pg. 22 - And interesting that Hellboy seems to be leaving up Hell for Koshchei.

Final Thoughts:

I really quite like how this series is not only a further exploration of Koshchei, his myth, and how he came to be the Baba Yaga’s pawn, but essentially an epilogue to both Darkness Calls and Hellboy in Hell. It goes into detail on something that didn’t necessarily need elaboration or explanation, picking up what could be considered a loose thread if your really wanted to pick at it, but turning it into a very welcome and entertaining addition to the overall narrative.

BPRD: The Devil You Know ~ Ragna Rok - Chapter Four

Story: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art: Laurence Campbell | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in BPRD: The Devil You Know #14 | March 2019

Collected in BPRD: The Devil You Know - Volume 3: Ragna Rok

Plot Summary:

Abe, Liz, and Hellboy confront Rasputin. Howards and Fenix try to lead the few remaining survivors deep into the underground.

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 - Another check-in here with another bit of recurring characters throughout the narrative, in the members of the Osiris Club. What exactly they’ve been doing during and since Hellboy in Hell is unclear, but they seem to be arguing amongst themselves now. 

pg. 2-3 - So too with the church proclaiming the Ogdru Hem as being a fulfillment of whatever from God. These guys are still nuts. I’m somewhat surprised this particular religious cult wasn’t more prominent throughout the narrative.

pg. 4 - And our alien buddies who wanted to kill Hellboy. It is interesting that at least two of them have come to realize that trying to kill Hellboy was a mistake and that the Visitor made the right decision to let him live.

pg. 5 - I suppose just throwing yourself at the giant, mega-powered Rasputin is one game plan.

pg. 7 - Though it’s absolutely insane as to how some of the characters are kind of punked out. It’s fitting, it shows as to just how devastating and hurtful this final battle is, but it also feeds into Liz’s previous fear of a seemingly meaningless death. That such a central figure could be taken off the board pretty much immediately. It also helps underscore that this is the end. Everyone that you love, all your favourites, are likely going to die.

Though, I do have to say, that the art from Laurence Campbell and Dave Stewart is stunning. Like the end to Hell on Earth, this is epic. The “CRACK” from Clem Robins is heartbreaking.

pg. 8 - Overall, I love the pacing of this. We’ve got the top two tiers telling the story of the battle between our heroes and Rasputin, and in the bottom the flight through to supposed sanctuary deep underground. Not just in the symbolism of above and below, but it reminds us of what Abe, Liz, and Hellboy are fighting for. And that what lies below isn’t free from danger.

pg. 9 - Also, this...speech, I suppose, from Rasputin about the various permutations of the end is interesting. It fits with what we’ve seen before in Witchfinder, Frankenstein Underground, and elsewhere through the Hellboy universe about different groups getting different ideas of the end. Yet, I also feel like some of it might be a bit meta, about possible different endings to Hellboy as a whole.

pg. 11 - Hellboy also getting his butt handed to him by Rasputin is kind of hard to see.

pg. 12 - Made more interesting when Liz just completely lights him up. Though you’d probably do well to think that this is kind of a Friday the 13th scene. Just when you think the monster is dead, it rises back up and...

Again, this artwork is just stunning.

pg. 12 - There’s also kind of a theme of sacrifice that we see, both in Abe, Hellboy, and Liz’s fight with Rasputin and in Howards’ approach to the Ogdru Hem and little winged frog demons blocking the survivors’ path. Maybe the fight is futile, but they have to fight it in order to buy the others time.

pg. 13 - This is different. It feels like Liz is actually talking to Anung Un Rama here. Hellboy’s dead and gone. Anung Un Rama is dead and reborn. To take care of finishing off the Dragon. It feels to me at least that the end of the world isn’t exactly what we thought it was.

pg. 14 - Also, the duelling colour schemes depending on who is dominant during the battle is a very nice touch from Dave Stewart.

pg. 15 - Is this the end of our incredible hero Howards?

pg. 16 - Anung Un Rama vs. the Dragon. This clash is incredible.

pg. 17 - The Kirby Krackle...

It’s also just amazing how this plays out. Hellboy...disarmed. Abe seeming to leak eggs, it’s just not at all what you’d necessarily have thought when thinking of how the final battle would play out and yet it feels exactly like how it should play out.

pg. 18 - You need to experience this page on your own in print. Just incredible.

pg. 20/21 - A nice friendly face to welcome the survivors to Hyperberum. Also, the fall just feels so desolate.

pg. 22 - After that, what comes next?

Final Thoughts:

This is just sheer, incredible comics storytelling. It’s sad to see characters that you love beaten to a pulp, beaten down, and die, but the why of their death in some cases remains to play out. To see whether or not it is a meaningless death to feed into Liz’s fears or if it stands for something. Here, we’re kind of left to make up our own minds about how we feel, whether it’s an anticlimactic letdown or if it’s a beautiful and heroic sacrifice to allow for the soul of humanity to survive. I’m personally of the latter mindset. Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, Laurence Campbell, Dave Stewart, and Clem Robins deliver a damn near perfect comic here. To me, this is exactly the kind of epic battle that I’d expect to see at the end.

Though, it is called Ragna Rok. With an end, what will be the new beginning? The Norse myth was always about Ragnarok being a cycle. How will the new age of man play out?

Abe Sapien: Lost Lives and Other Stories - “Lost Lives”

Words: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art: Juan Ferreyra | Colour Assists: Eduardo Ferreyra | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in Abe Sapien #15 | August 2014

Collected in Abe Sapien - Volume 9: Lost Lives and Other Stories | Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories

Plot Summary:

2005. Abe settles in to his new role as a “scientist” in house following the trip to Caul’s home and has a heart to heart with Roger. Also, tentacle-y monster possessions.

Reading Notes:

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

pg. 1 - The cults popping up around Ogdru Hem worship are still creepy. People are dumb.

pg. 2 - I mean, this looks awesome, great design for the monster from Juan Ferreyra, but who would want to be used by a tentacled monster like this? Even if you’re in to being worn as a meatsuit, this looks like it hurts. A lot.

pg. 3 - Interesting to see an early appearance of Ashley Strode here, working her into the past long before the Exorcist story-arc.

pg. 5 - Roger definitely to be channelling the jerk energy and attitude that he picked up when modelling himself after Daimio. It’s interesting to see his conflict with Abe, who chose a more subdued, non-violent approach at this time.

pg. 6 - Definite issues. It’s an interesting way to spotlight almost the flipped attitudes during this period of Abe and Roger.

pg. 7 - And it raises questions about how Abe saw himself. Choosing more or less to supersede who he’s been as Abe Sapien to instead become a kind of reflection of Langdon Everett Caul. In a way, he’s kind of started running away here. Though internally, rather than the physical departure that came at the start of this series.

pg. 8 - Like with the appearance of Strode, it’s nice to see Vaughn here in how he fit in in the past.

pg. 9 - Vaughn acting as a kind of sounding board for Abe here is interesting. 

pg. 11 - I love this red wash for the flashback. It makes it feel more dangerous, especially fitting the transformation.

pg. 12 - Also interesting to see Vaughn essentially cut to the chase when it comes to Roger’s patterning himself after different people. 

pg. 13 - Same with how he seems to immediately see Strode’s infatuation with Liz.

pg. 14/15 - Gorgeous double-page spread. Abe being turned into a vessel for just this tiny remaining portion of the Ogdru Hem is terrifying.

pg. 18 - Also horrifying as to how quickly it will jump person to person and easily take them over. Gorgeous action all throughout here. The tentacles coming through Vaughn’s face are terrifying.

pg. 21 - Abe will still bring it.

pg. 22 - This feels like it almost anticipates what’s going to happen to Vaughn at the hands of Strobl.

Final Thoughts:

This is the kind of introspective story that you kind of expected at the time during the BPRD: Plague of Frogs cycle that never really appeared. Abe changed his behaviour away from being a field agent and at the time it kind of just stood until everything blew up with Daimio. It nicely reminds us of what some of the BPRD characters were doing in the early days of the Colorado HQ, before what would happen later in Abe Sapien and BPRD: Hell on Earth. And it’s always nice to see Roger. Even during the period where he was an asshole knock-off of Daimio.

Abe Sapien: Lost Lives and Other Stories - “Witchcraft & Demonology”

Words: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art: Santiago Caruso | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in Abe Sapien #30 | January 2016

Collected in Abe Sapien - Volume 9: Lost Lives and Other Stories | Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories

Plot Summary:

Also set in 1983, Abe gets a lesson on Gustav Strobl and his book Witchcraft & Demonology from a stranger.

Reading Notes:

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

pg. 1 - I think this is interesting in how it continues on after Abe debriefing regarding his mission in Mexico, but changes tack to an entirely different conversation, relevant to what was going on in the present day narrative. It’s a nice way to nest disparate tales within a sequence that you wouldn’t necessarily have put together since they were released a couple of years apart originally.

pg. 2 - Bruttenholm being dismissive of Strobl’s provenance is funny. Also, I love the overall design of the book. 

pg. 4 - Sure...Mallory from “research”. Convenient that he walks in to tell Abe more about Strobl just after Bruttenholm leaves.

pg. 5 - The artwork from Santiago Caruso and Dave Stewart is just gorgeous. I absolutely love the linework and the shift in colours for the flashback really emphasizes the change in time period.

pg. 6 - I’d love it if books just magically appeared if I wondered about them.

pg. 8 - This is just gorgeous. It’s also interesting to see how this dovetails in with Strobl’s return to the Black School.

pg. 10 - This gathering of witches is incredible. Reminiscent of Duncan Fegredo’s in the main Hellboy series.

pg. 12 - Love this depiction of Orobas. He’s one of the traditional Princes of Hell in the Goetia. He’s often used as one of the first evocations for people starting Goetic workings, since he’s one of the demons that typically doesn’t deceive or harm the magician who has conjured him. Leaving Strobl to believe that he’s Satan is a little out of character.

Per Aleister Crowley’s Illustrated Goetia his office is “to discover all things past, present, and to come; also to give Dignities, and Prelacies, and the favour of friends and of foes. He gives true answers of divinity, and of the creation of the world.” (Crowley, DuQuette, Hyatt, Wilson. Pg. 185)

pg. 13 - Love seeing Asmodeus. The Bride of Hell is one of those great Hellboy stories and it’s nice to see this depiction of the demon again.

pg. 14/15 - Gorgeous double-page spread. Also I find it kind of funny that Memnan Saa is more or less a footnote in Strobl’s tale. That he built himself up to be a huge and major player in BPRD: Hell on Earth but is basically a bit part in Strobl’s story.

pg. 16/17 - This is just stunning artwork. I love the depiction of Hell, complete with those vaguely European houses off in the distance that we saw in Hellboy in Hell.

pg. 18 - I would think that anyone who saw much of Europe in World War I would think they’d arrived back in Hell.

pg. 20 - It’s kind of funny what people will convince themselves of. Not even considering that maybe the object of their obsession will have other plans.

pg. 22 - I like Abe’s suspicion, and how “Mallory” just ups and disappears.

Final Thoughts:

Santiago Caruso is an Argentinian artist primarily known for his fine art illustrations for book and album covers. I believe that this is his first and only foray into North American comics, but it’s one hell of a damn good entrance. His detailed, classical illustration style with beautiful pen and ink shadows and composition are damn near perfect for this story. His Hell and demons rival that of Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Beautiful work.

It’s also interesting how this one further fleshes out Gustav Strobl’s character. It’s definitely something that better informs his history and purpose, especially as it was originally released leading into the final story-arc.

Abe Sapien: Lost Lives and Other Stories - “The Ogopogo”

Words: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art, Colours & Letters: Kevin Nowlan

Originally published by Dark Horse in Abe Sapien #23 | May 2015

Collected in Abe Sapien - Volume 9: Lost Lives and Other Stories | Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories

Plot Summary:

1992, Abe and Hellboy investigate an attack on Lake Okanagan.

Reading Notes:

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

pg. 1 - I’m not certain whether or not this song is wholly in Salish or not, but it does include the Salish name for Ogopogo, “N’ha-a-itk”.

pg. 2 - Fitting this into existing Hellboy chronology is nice, with references to The Ghoul and to previously visiting the lake. 

pg. 3 - Hellboy and Abe trading relatively harmless barbs is hilarious. I love seeing the two of them in a more playful mood. It counterbalances all of the grim seriousness that sets in later. Also, it would appear like someone became a snack.

pg. 4 - These folks aren’t exactly your friendly Canadian welcome committee. Even in small town BC. Clearly everyone here that isn’t Abe or Hellboy has something sinister with them. They don’t even say “sorry”. No doubt about it.

pg. 6 - Also, you should probably suspect the abandoned shack. And the people likely living there. I love the classic horror movie structure that this story is taking.

pg. 7 - If the local constabulary were going to pin it on a bear, why’d they call in the Bureau? (Also, for those wondering why the RCMP wouldn’t be in a red uniform, regular blues and whites are normal).

pg. 8 - This also seems to hint there was something nefarious going on. The idea that maybe the murder was a lot more pedestrian adds a different wrinkle into the story.

pg. 9 - I wonder if Abe’s going to find an Ogdru Hem...

pg. 11 - Also, the abandoned shack apparently isn’t so abandoned. Hellboy and Abe actually doing some interviews and physical detective work is an interesting element to the story.

pg. 12 - Golden statue. Hmm...

pg. 14 - Again, you’ve got to wonder why the police contacted the Bureau in the first place. Though, it definitely feels like they’re covering something up too.

pg. 16 - This statue definitely looks similar to the Lovecraftian ones we’ve seen before across the Hellboy universe. A little bit smaller, but probably related to some Ogdru Hem lurking about.

pg. 17 - I like this observation here about the changing size and appearance of Ogopogo. It’s consistent with the discrepancies between the legends and the more modern myths.

pg. 19 - Some people just seem really, really dumb.

pg. 20 - Love the design of the Ogopogo. 

pg. 21 - I wouldn’t be surprised if this song is a mix of Salish and Mignola’s Hyperborean.

pg. 22 - All’s well that ends well?

Final Thoughts:

This is a tale that’s been referenced before. It’s nice to see it actually play out, while also giving more early hints at the Ogdru Hem. It’s interesting to see these little story elements woven into tales, without it necessarily being explicit.

Great to see more artwork from Kevin Nowlan. Whenever or whatever Nowlan works on, it’s bound to be special, and his sea creature here is the best.

BPRD: The Devil You Know ~ Pandemonium - Chapter Two

Story: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art: Sebastián Fiumara | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in BPRD: The Devil You Know #7 | June 2018

Collected in BPRD: The Devil You Know - Volume 2: Pandemonium

Plot Summary:

Varvara goes around summoning a new demon army of those who are left. Meanwhile, the Bureau continues to chase their tails on the various fires still erupting across the United States.

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 - Varvara summoning her own demon army is probably a bad thing. Probably. It is interesting to see some of the “big names”, or at least big in regards to the little tiny demons, remain after the fairly thorough cleansing of Hell.

pg. 2 - Sebastián Fiumara’s demons are really freaking cool looking. Also the flame and smoke effect from Fiumara and Dave Stewart is rather neat.

pg. 4 - A field of dead cultists, with one remaining alive, seemingly possessed, is fairly disturbing. It makes you wonder what else Varvara has been doing during her pilgrimage across the United States.

pg. 5 - This is an interesting appearance. Caspar Morrow is an agent from the prose short story “The Promised Smile” by Rio Youers from the Hellboy: An Assortment of Horrors anthology. While it’s been stated that the Christopher Golden novels are canon, I think this is the first time that one of the short stories have been referenced.

Also, I would be remiss not to mention that the prose fiction, both the novels and the short story collections, are well worth your time if you can track them down. Tom Piccirilli’s Emerald Hell may be my favourite, but they’re all pretty damn good. I think they’re up to something like 11 novels and 4 anthologies at this point. That’s including a Lobster Johnson novel from Thomas E. Sniegowski The Satan Factory. I’ll need to put together a supplementary reading material list following the end of the main narrative. There’s a lot more Hellboy out there beyond the comics.

pg. 6 - It also would seem that Hellboy’s a little...out of it.

pg. 7 - Fiumara changing styles to show Carla’s son’s artwork is very nice. I love it when artists do this in comics.

pg. 8 - Again, more demons for Varvara and the reinforcement that Hellboy’s a little spacey is disconcerting. It makes you wonder if Hellboy is really “back”.

pg. 10 - You wonder why Howards is lying about what the kid said. About who or how the kid would see them again.

pg. 11 - It is great to see Liz, Abe, and Hellboy back together. Even if just for a little while and if discussing some of the things that the Professor kept from them. It’s a tiny happy moment in the darkness.

Even with a sad, guilty Fenix still in the background. You wonder how that confrontation is finally going to play out.

pg. 12 - This might explain why Hellboy seems out of it. As if he’s partially being channelled through Roger as a conduit, but his “soul” remains trapped in Hell.

pg. 14/15 - Gorgeous double-page spread here as we see Varvara’s current demonic council. 

pg. 16 - Though the demons seem much more wary of Hellboy than they do Strode.

pg. 17 - I suppose that’s one way to perform an exorcism... It is much more extreme than what we’d probably like, but O’Donnell might be right, that the world’s changed and their methods should too. Granted, that might also be one of the things that tips the scales for the end end and the fight for the soul of humanity.

pg. 18 - Great action here.

pg. 20 - O’Donnell’s also much more lucid and coherent here than he has been for ages. Him asking Kurtz about their plans and the failed resurrection of Rasputin further raises questions about what the next endgame might be.

pg. 21 - It’s also concerning when the Nazis are questions whether they’re on the right side.

pg. 22 - I suppose it’s always a good sign when your big brother approves of your boyfriend.

Final Thoughts:

That feeling of omnipresent dread continues this chapter, even during the moments when there’s ostensibly “fun” to be had, like the reunion of Liz, Abe, and Hellboy and the Bureau agents letting off steam taking down a pack of run-of-the-mill hammerheads. It’s like there’s a doom that they’re not seeing, something bigger than just what we know of Varvara and her followers, hanging over everyone’s head. It’s like what we’re seeing is just a distraction from whatever worse thing is waiting.

Abe Sapien: Lost Lives and Other Stories - “Icthyo Sapien”

Words: Mike Mignola & Scott Allie | Art: Alise Gluškova | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in Abe Sapien #27 | October 2015

Collected in Abe Sapien - Volume 9: Lost Lives and Other Stories | Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories

Plot Summary:

Abe remembers one of his first outings for the Oannes Society.

Reading Notes:

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

pg. 1 - The lyrics are from the old song, “The Lone Pilgrim”. There’s a famous version by Bob Dylan, but it predates him by about a hundred years.

pg. 2 - The fishy getup of the Oannes society is unintentionally hilarious. I always find it funny when secret societies in fiction tend towards ridiculous and pretentious costumes.

Latin: “Knowledge of science.”

pg. 3 - Their leader’s regalia is even funnier when it amounts to basically a giant fish on his head.

Latin: “Wise man.” Just in case you wanted to know what it meant.

“To search for.” 

“I want to know.”

pg. 4 - I like the introduction of Caul here. Also, it’s interesting to see others at the Oannes Society with a cigar case similar to what we’ll eventually see Caul with.

pg. 6 - The touch about oysters is interesting. That something can be commonplace in one location and a delicacy in another. That he’s still wearing the silly fish hat remains hilarious.

pg. 7 - The ties to Cavendish are interesting. Furthering that link that ultimately set in motion the events of Seed of Destruction and Bruttenholm’s death.

pg. 8 - There’s something quaint about the idea of traditional mermaids and Atlantis.

pg. 9 - Caul’s elevation is indeed interesting. It seems almost by coincidence and luck that he’s been tasked to find their aquatic origins.

pg. 10 - This is more of “The Lone Pilgrim”.

pg. 11 - Searching for the Hyperboreans is neat.

pg. 12 - Google translate says: “Your door is open...”

“Hell.”

pg. 13 - Definitely not good when the people you’re supposed to meet are dead. And in the company of a rival.

Google translate again: “They attacked us... Two... English ... My husband?”

“One of them took... water?”

“What...? This...this in the main laboratory...”

pg. 16 - He’s an interesting looking mer-person. You wonder how this fits in with the transition from races of man and the descent of the Hyperboreans.

Also, who the heck is Leitch?

pg. 18 - They seem to be have mer-visions...

pg. 20 - Google: “Bastard--you killed Simon!” (I guess Simon is her husband).

pg. 21 - Google: “Where is the killer?”

Also, it seems as though they’ve really messed up trying to acquire the fishman specimen and capture the guy who caused all the complications.

pg. 23 - More of “The Lone Pilgrim”.

Final Thoughts:

The story behind Alise Gluškova’s work on Abe Sapien is interesting. She started with a fan fic story “The Calm Before the Storm” that was later made canon, released digital to tie into the “Dayana” chapter of A Darkness So Great, and then reprinted in whole in the Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories omnibus. It’s always satisfying when you see people who put love and devotion into a property get an opportunity to work in that universe and excel. She has a wonderful style, somewhat similar to Jamie McKelvie, and it works very well for the period.