B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1 of 5
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Art by Tyler Crook
Letters by Clem Robins
Covers by Dave Johnson
Dark Horse Comics
Release date: September 21, 2011
Price: $3.50

I’ve read plenty of Hellboy stories before, but no actual B.P.R.D. comics before, so I was excited to dive into the B.P.R.D. part of the Hellboy universe, which is exactly what I have done with B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1 (of 5). I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to follow the story or would get lost within it. The main reason I haven’t read any B.P.R.D. before is that even though I knew where to start, I was intimidated by the amount of stories that are out there. As it turns out, I didn’t have worry.

The most impressive thing about this issue was the accessibility of it. I was aware of a lot of the cast, whether from the Hellboy comics I have read, or from the movies or from just hearing about the characters from other comics fans. The recap page did a great job of catching me up to speed, and the story just took off from there and explained anything else I needed to know.

If you were worried that you’d never get to see any more Hellboy stories following the events of Hellboy: The Fury #3, well, you probably didn’t read the last page promising his return in 2012.

Okay, you probably know that the Hellboy series hasn’t ended, but we’re still not sure what’s going to happen to the character himself after the shocking ending. Perhaps not surprisingly, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is going to mine the character’s rich (fictional) history by telling stories set in his past. The first of these stories will see publication in Dark Horse Presents #7, and will be titled Hellboy vs. The Aztec Mummy. The issue hits shelves in January 2012.

Hellboy vs. The Aztec Mummy will be an 8-page story and is the follow-up to the 2010 one-shot Hellboy in Mexico, written by Mignola with art by comics legend and frequent Hellboy collaborator Richard Corben. Hellboy vs. The Aztec Mummy features Hellboy fighting a Mexican bat-god, a luchadore, and as the title explains, an Aztec Mummy.

Hellboy: The Fury #2
Written by Mike Mignola
Art by Duncan Fegredo
Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price $2.99
Release date: July 13, 2011

Part 2 of a 3-part storyline, Hellboy: The Fury #2 starts immediately into the war with the Queen of Blood. Knights fight on both sides and we even get a glimpse of The Four Horsemen, though truthfully it’s the Three Horsemen and One Pedestrian (a pseudo Terry Pratchett reference for those in the know). Blood abounds, bodies lay scattered, and Hellboy seems to be on the losing end of this battle. Could this be the fabled Ragnarok the Norse always spoke of?

Hellboy stands as the bastion of good in this battle, but is severely outnumbered and most certainly the underdog. Even the mighty Hellboy cannot bring down this mighty dragon queen.The ravens that appear throughout the comic lend themselves to the Norse theme of death and destruction, of course the battle taking place at Vigrid also pretty well seals the deal, too.

Each week, MK2Fac3 and Henchman21 read a lot of comics. Seriously, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. They look forward to some more than others, I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of their pull list, grab some issues, and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of June 15, 2011. Single issues and trades, they’re all here. This week, expect to see some X-Men, a Batgirl, Alex Ross art, Vikings, Capes, and Fables! So hit the jump and see what’s our most anticipated books of the week are!

MK2FAC3

ISSUES

Batgirl #22 (DC Comics – $2.99): Until writer Bryan Q. Miller’s run on Batgirl winds up in August, I guarantee you will see this comic picked by myself or Mr. Hench below me, so be prepared. This week’s issue of Batgirl includes Stephanie Brown’s first official Batman Incorporated mission in the city of Londinium London, England, where she meets up with England’s Squire! And if you’re not familiar with Squire, first I feel bad for you, and second she’s the sidekick to the British Batman, Knight! Squire is one of my favorite characters, and her costume is phenomenal, and Pere Perez’s art is beautiful, so seeing Pere Perez draw a Bryan Q. Miller-written Squire is a dream come true! Seriously, when I took a nap yesterday, I literally dreamed about Pere Perez drawing Squire. And that cover from Dustin Nguyen?? OHH CHILD! Color me excited!

The nominations for the 2011 Eisner Awards, which celebrates the best in comic books and graphic novels, were announced yesterday. The awards winners will be announced at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International on July 22 and the nominees represent a wide selection of this year’s standout books. This will be the 23rd year for the Eisner awards, which are largely described as the Oscar’s of the comic industry, and while there are a few other awards for comics, these are the big ones of the year.

Leading the nominees is Jim McCann and Janet Lee‘s Return of the Dapper Men, which nabbed five nominations. The unique story and art earned the book nominations in Best Publication for Teens, Best Graphic Novel-New, Best Writer, Best Artist, and Best Publication Design. Just behind Dapper Men with four nominations were two Comics of Doom favorites, Morning Glories (by Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma) and Locke & Key (by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez). Also receiving multiple nominations was Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys (a personal favorite), Chew from Image Comics, Mike Mignola‘s Hellboy, and Daniel Clowes‘ Wilson.