Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: 1955 by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson; art by Shawn Martinbrough (Secret Nature), Brian Churilla (Occult Intelligence), and Paolo Rivera and Joe Rivera (Burning Season)
Dark Horse, 2018
ISBN: 9781506705965
Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology edition
In Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: 1955, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D hunt down unseen predators and demons, investigate cases of spontaneous combustion, and confront an espionage plot regarding a strange new weapon at an Air Force base where Russian agents want to steal it and the military brass are moving in. The volume collects Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1955 Secret Nature, Occult Intelligence#1-#3, Burning Season, and the 1955 story from the Hellboy Winter Special. Included in this volume is a sketchbook with storyboards, annotations, and more.
Secret Nature addresses some significant themes in this Hellboy volume. Hellboy and Woodrow Farrier, PhD., head to Oregon to investigate sightings of a deadly beast that has been killing livestock and terrorizing farmers in the area. They make a gruesome discovery in a dark cabin: some of the farm boys got ahold of a book of spells and, in making an error in the summoning ritual, let loose the creature that gutted them and has been wreaking havoc on the area farms. Throughout this chapter, Hellboy and Woody talk about the fact that more people are accepting of Hellboy than they are a Black man. Professor Bruttenholm approached him and was willing to take him in and give him a chance. Despite the professor’s trust and respect, and Hellboy’s support and defense, the Bureau is far from perfect. Can Woody and Hellboy banish the creature? Will Hellboy’s disgust of the racist farmers finally get the better of him?
Occult Intelligence has some great moments. Hellboy faces off against a giant oceanic beast that resembles a turtle while Archie Mudaro calls him “kid” the entire time he and the troops are trying to help him fight. Admittedly it was hard for me to remember that technically, the big red lug was still a kid in 1955! I also appreciated the mention of Dimension X. It helps illustrate the time period as it was a popular radio show that ran from 1950-1951. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend it. This story also involves a B.P.R.D agent, Susan Xiang, who finds herself experiencing disturbing visions that may give Hellboy some idea what will happen next.
Burning Season begins with a couple stopping out in the woods to make a pit stop, which results in the wife burning to ashes in front of her husband. As the B.P.R.D. investigates, it is discovered this isn’t the first mysterious fiery death in Port Orange, Florida. The land holds centuries of pain and anguish, and Hellboy may be the only one who can quench its wrath. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Lizzy Walker