Today folks, we have a very special review of a new comic released this past week. It's a single comic but is so huge and loaded with talented creators' work that we felt deserved a reviewing all its own. This edition of Dark Horse Presents is brought to you by various writers and
artists including John Arcudi, Brian Wood, Howard Chaykin, Neal Adams, Andi Watson, Al Gordon, MJ Butler, Beau Smith, Duncan Fegredo, Geof Darrow, Kristian Donaldson, Thomas Yeates, Mark Wheatley, Eduardo Barreto and has been reviewed by one of our newest additions to the Comic Addicts family, Mr. Anubhav DasGupta:
I’ve been following DHP somewhat sporadically,
and checked out this issue mainly because it carried a few Hellboy/BPRD and Beasts of Burden features, and although they were amazing (and probably the best
of the bunch), I found myself staying back for a few more of the stories.
The Neal Adams and Howard Chaykin features
just went over my head, but I guess that’s because I haven’t checked
out the previous parts. But the post-apocalyptic Tarzan story (that celebrates
the franchise’s 100th anniversary), the
Time-travel story, the aforementioned Hellboy epilogue and Beasts of Burden
short are nothing shy of amazing. Writing and art on all of these are
absolutely amazing, nothing short of brilliant. |
| Mignola is as wickedly cool as ever |
Hellboy fans, this little epilogue is amazing.
I know you guys will check it out anyways, as it’s an epilogue to not only The Fury but also the recently ended Hell on Earth: Russia. Brilliant art from Duncan Fedrego, as always, and Mignola’s
written it. So, yeah, it’s good.
 |
| Animal Awesomeness! |
Even if you aren’t a follower of the Hellboy
and BPRD series, you should pick it up, because there are so many brilliant
stories in this, like Beasts of Burden, a series that, I feel, DESERVES to be read.
I bet it’s the best comicbook with talking animals in it. And the talking
animals, the “Beasts of Burden”, what they do is investigate the paranormal
around their neighborhood, be it witches, canine-ghosts, or other monsters.
Every story packs an emotional punch, and Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson spin
yet another amazing, heartwarming yarn in this issue, and it’s a dark tale that every one of
all ages can enjoy. It’s just so brilliant. And it’s by far, the best of this
collection. Dorkin’s writing is absolutely brilliant, and there’s no one who
does watercolors better than Jill Thompson. It’s just two or three steps
shy of perfection.
 |
| Kreegah!!! Tarzan Bun-dolo!! |
The Once
and Future Tarzan seems very interesting to me. It’s Tarzan, but in a post-apocalyptic
scenario. As a Tarzan fan, I didn’t find it very similar to the books or the
movies, but it was good nonetheless. I can’t quite judge the story yet as we’re
only one chapter in, but the art is beautiful. It’s really refreshing to see a
post-apocalyptic world that is so colorful. I bet you’re fucking tired of the
browns and greys and blacks that artists usually use to define a world after
ours, so this one comes as a nice respite.
And then there’s part one of The Massive by Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson. Wow. The
art is just amazing on this. This is one book where the art totally makes up
for the mediocre writing. It’s like a Hollywood blockbuster in that aspect.
It’s a triumph of style over substance. But unlike in films, that convention
totally works here. Donaldson’s art is Jock, Ramos and Jeff Lemire all
cobbled into one, he’s that good. And the clean colors (by Dave Stewart) just
elevates it to a level of godliness. I can’t wait to see what Kristian Donaldson
comes up with in the future. He’s such a brilliant artist.
The two stories Time to Live and Miss Cranbourne give off that amazing 1960’s Warren comics
feeling that we all know Dark Horse loves. Both of them boast of some great
art, and magnificent writing and I definitely want to see more from these guys.
Miss Cranborne has this weird sort of
coloring that is very reminiscent of those vintage comic books. Very Warren
comics-y feeling. Time to Live gives
off a similar feeling thanks to its really well written story which sets in the
mood just right.
Even the ones which aren’t up to the mark
boast some really good art. It’s just such a great book to look at, to stare
at. The art is beautiful and unique on each and every story.
There are two awful stories (albeit with some
really good art), but the rest of them are nothing short of amazing. Definitely
check this out even if you know nothing about Hellboy or Beasts of Burden or Tarzan. You will be wowed. I
haven’t read all the DHP issues, but I doubt they can outmatch the
magnificence of this one.
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