Comic Review: Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957–Family Ties

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957–Family Ties

Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Mike Mignola & Chris Roberson

Artists: Laurence Campbell & Dave Stewart

Letterer: Clem Robins

Hellboy’s time in the 1950’s is coming to an end, and it all starts with a series of one shots. The first one, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957–Family Ties, is unsurprisingly set in 1957 and focuses on some troubles for a family of three. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957–Family Ties is written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson, with art by Laurence Campbell and colors by Dave Stewart. Clem Robins handles this issue’s letters.

Hellboy and Agent Susan Xiang are out on the hunt for the last copy of Gustav Strobl’s Witchcraft and Demonology. Their search leads them to a suburban home where a grumpy grandmother is a little grumpier than usual. The matriarch of the house is clearly terrified, so Hellboy and Xiang go inside to investigate.

Mignola and Roberson have created a short and focused story that perfectly serves as an eerie monster of the week tale. Even though the issue isn’t oversized, the build up to the big reveal feels slow and well-paced. As Hellboy slowly lumbers around the house to investigate, Xiang kindly interrogates the distraught mother for information. The tension throughout the issue is fantastic, with a genuinely spooky vibe as the horrific cause of the family’s haunting is revealed.

Laurence Campbell and Dave Stewart do fantastic at using their art and the space between the panels to keep the tension moving at the right pace. Every panel serves a purpose, with some capturing genuine faces full of horror while others providing much needed beats for horror or comedy. Campbell always manages to find the perfect angle for each horrific sight in this issue. Dave Stewarts colors and shading are ominous, making the issue even spookier. Clem Robins’ letters are also solid, with each scream and howl having a voice of their own thanks to some great font choices.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957–Family Ties is a solid start to the end of an era. The one-shot includes some nods to older series in Hellboy’s universe, while also staying accessible to new readers. Anyone who enjoys tension and horror will likely enjoy this contained story.