Review: B.P.R.P: The Devil You Know #5
The cost of winning the battle against the Ogdru Hem has left the team decimated, with Kate Corrigan, Panya and Johann Kraus paying the ultimate price. Still the Bureau has its ongoing mission, although there remains a larger threat simmering.
Mike Mignola and Scott Allie craft a tightrope of an issue, balancing the need for some characters to seek closure after the loss of their friends and colleagues, where as others just want to get on with the job at hand, When it comes to grief, there is no set rule for what follows. The pair are clearly writing for the long-term and as such, this makes this a difficult book to review as whilst i like to keep an eye on the Mignola-verse, I tend to miss out on quite a few issues. Personally, I am disappointed that Johann has gone; to me he was one of the more interesting characters in the Bureau. With their absence, some of the lesser cast will get a change to shine, especially as there is a mystery afoot that may have grave ramifications.
Lawrence Campbell provides the pencils for the book, with a style that wouldn’t be out-of-place on a Vertigo book. Shadows are used to help frame the characters, which goes some way to help heighten the tension. This is key as for large parts of the book, there is nothing going on but dialogue. Now, I am not against that as a style of comic book, but not having read the last issues, I did feel a little lost.  As always with a Mignola-verse book, there is a question as to how hands on he is with the art. Campbell’s work certainly does not look out-of-place within this particular universe. Dave Stewart provides his usual standard of colors, showing that he is still one of the most consistent colourists in the business.
B.P.R.D is one of the longest running books from Dark Horse, which seems to suit all those involved, especially as there seems to be a genuine effort to let the book evolve, with no easy answers or cop outs. Of course, there is a helluva of a surprise waiting at the end of the issue, which may well please this books fan base.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art- 4 Stars
Colors -5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
Art by; Lawrence Campbell
Colors by, Dave Stewart
Published by; Dark Horse Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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