Review - B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: The Devil's Engine #1

When the day comes that hell is, in fact, on Earth, here's hoping that humanity has a group like the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development to get our backs. If not, there could be a lot that we're not able to deal with, such as The Devil's Engine.

B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: The Devil's Engine #1 is written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, with art by Tyler Crook, colors by Dave Stewart, letters by Clem Robins and cover art by Duncan Fegredo and Dave Stewart.

Fenix has a unique ability to predict the future. And a great big Rotweiler named Bruiser. They're about to get on a train in New Mexico (flying's not all that safe these days) with an agent named Devon, but Fenix has a nagging sense that the train they're about to get on isn't a great train.

Meanwhile, Herr Marston of Zinco Industries is on the verge of reviving The Master. There's some nefarious science at play, involving acetylcholine and anandamine code sequencing.

And that's about it.

This is the first of three-issue shaping the B.P.R.D. world after the fallout from the Frog War. Having said that, it really didn't accomplish much. Mignola and Arcudi give the reader insights into the ability Fenix has to "feel" bad events before they happen. And Herr Marston is set up as the presumed antagonist, with his plan to resurrect a seemingly vague entity known as The Master.

The issue does end with a rather large event that directly affects Fenix and Devon, but it's unclear what the significance of the event is. There will surely be some reason for it in the next two issues, but right now it just doesn't really seem to be that important.

Crook's art is in line with the B.P.R.D. universe. Devon's face seems to be in a constant state of shock the entire issue. The colors by Stewart do provide an almost pulpy feel to the art though. Sort roughness when viewing the pages that is accented by a muted color palette.

Fans of the B.P.R.D. universe will no doubt want to pick this issue up, as it expands upon it and gets things set up within it for future storylines. A casual reader might not find a lot to like in this issue. It feels a little slow and uneventful.

B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: The Devil's Engine #1 hits stores May 9.

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