#Comic #Review! "Beasts of Burden/Hellboy" One-Shot!
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @ashleighmayes @kryptodies
The issue opens with Hellboy defeating an evil...thing. After his work is done and the children are safe, he turns to notice a dog tugging on the back of his jacket. He follows the fleeing dog into the forrest where he encounters the pack we've all come to know and love- the dogs (and cats!) of Burden Hill! The animals are troubled by three feline bodies that seem to have been sacrificed. Snooping around, of course they find trouble. They wander into what seems to be a train segment. After worming their way into the depth of it, the gang encounters skull golems that steal Whitey away. Not to fear, dear readers! It's not the end of adorable little Whitey. Like true dogs/friends, the gang is loyal and doesn't give up until they find the stolen pup. Unfortunately, a witch plans to use Whitey's blood as part of a sacrifice/ritual to bring back the "stupid zombie-warlock guy" that they'd killed twice already. Before murder can be committed (she does get some of Whitey's blood though...), Hellboy murders the witch. As a result, billions and billions of rats flood the group. Luckily, Hellboy is freaking bad@$$ and blasts them all to smithereens. They escape, but it's not the end of their problems. "stupid zombie-warlock guy" is back and HUGE. Hellboy, once again, takes care of the problem. Why was the reanimated villain so weak? Because Pugs peed on the skull that the witch was using as part of the sacrifice! What's a dog to do when a stationary skull is mouthing off?? Yup! Show 'im who's boss!
Let me get on to the ratings before I write away all I've got planned!
Creativity of Writing: 5/5 This One-Shot really hit a home-run! As far as comedy, it had TONS of it! From Pugs peeing on the ritual skull to Whitey showing Hellboy the hair that he burned off of his butt...it's HILARIOUS! As always, the writing didn't come close to disappointing! There was TONS of action, a plethora of paranormal activity, and a few heart-tugging/suspenseful moments. Extremely well written in that the dialogue is easy to follow and the action is, too. I LOVE the development of Pugs, especially. He's gone from being a whiney, shy little guy to a beast that steals spell books from evil witches/warlocks/demonic forces and pees on ritual/possessed items...that talk! Crazy! I'm so happy to see that the characters aren't static. That really is a selling point for me. If the characters don't seem to grow and mature, then what's the point? They're BORING! The animals DEFINITELY aren't boring! I was happy to see that, for the most part, Hellboy was exactly the same as I remember. Evan Dorkin, you are amazing!
Creativity of Art: 5/5 Anyone who reads this website or knows me even a little knows that I LOVE Madam Jill Thompson. She's not only one of my two favorite comic artists (the other being Skottie Young!) ever, she's one of my favorite artists ever. Period. Her watercolor style is extremely tight and her details are impressive. When I see most watercolor, it's done in blotches. Not Ms. Jill's! Her backgrounds are stunning, too. Whether it's a landscape or a dreary underground dungeon, she's got it covered EXCELLENTLY. My favorite panel is when Pugs is explaining how the ritual blood became tainted. The animals are in COMPLETE disbelief and the expressions on their faces are PRICELESS!
Overall Casual Read Rating: 5/5 You've done it once again, guys! An awesome comic that never disappoints! This one-shot was so full of action that you've never got time to be bored and you're always on the edge of your seat!
Note to the Creator(s): Jill Thompson, Evan Dorkin, and Mike Mignola...you are an amazing team. I would LOVE to see more Hellboy/Beasts of Burden. In fact, get started on a nice, hardcover volume. :)
Read more awesome comic reviews at: www.kryptodies.com
Until next time, Nerdlings!
XOXO Ashleigh