[JPK]

After being gifted the guide, I blitzed though Short Story Omnibuses 1&2 and am about 1/3 of the way through B.P.R.D. Omni 1. There was some silly stuff in the Short Story Omnis (See Hellboy in Mexico) but there were also some fantastic stuff in there too. I've come to the conclusion that Mignola's takes on vampires will be 50/50 (seemingly based on what side of the ocean they're on) but any time he writes Witches it's gonna be gold. Honestly the more he leans into horror, the better the stories are.

I've also got to admit that B.P.R.D. is really drawing me in fast. Johann is a great addition to the cast, but having Abe stand front and center was a great choice. I was surprised how little he was used in Hellboy and am very happy to see the character further developed here.

[QuickTidal]

BPRD is really great once it gets going.

My fave stories of all the Mignola stuff, Hellboy included is the BPRD: 1946-1948 Omnibus. It's without a doubt the most riveted I've ever been to Hellboy-adjacent material. I think it's the mix of WWII stuff, mostly prof. Broom, and the fledgling BPRD that really makes it sing. Feels like you're reading a textbook on the supernatural.

And I agree about Abe. He's a better leader than HB proper to be honest. He's so methodical, it's like following Sherlock Holmes around, if he were a fishman.

[JPK]

You're very right about that Sherlock comparison. Abe investigates history to find the source of the paranormal BS to help put it to rest whereas HB knows it's not normal and just punches or shoots it until it stops moving. Yeah HB's method tends to work but Abe's feels more satisfying.

[T77]

QuickTidal, on 25 November 2024 - 05:57 PM, said:

BPRD is really great once it gets going.

My fave stories of all the Mignola stuff, Hellboy included is the BPRD: 1946-1948 Omnibus. It's without a doubt the most riveted I've ever been to Hellboy-adjacent material. I think it's the mix of WWII stuff, mostly prof. Broom, and the fledgling BPRD that really makes it sing. Feels like you're reading a textbook on the supernatural.

And I agree about Abe. He's a better leader than HB proper to be honest. He's so methodical, it's like following Sherlock Holmes around, if he were a fishman.

Totally agree. The whole thing is so epic. It's one of the best comics I've ever read.

[JPK]

Abyss, on 20 November 2024 - 02:41 PM, said:

All of which is to say, if you're a comics fan and even a little interested in TMNT for nostalgia or otherwise, the current Humble Bundle is an absolute steal and worth every penny.

Alright, I'll follow you down this rabbit hole but I'm going to finish up BPRD omnis 1&2 first.

[Hammerhead88]

Anyone reading absolute Batman? Bats with east of west art!!

[JPK]

I needed a bit of a break from the Mignolaverse after finishing BPRD Omnis Vol 1, so I decided to start the first TMNT collection. I'm starting issue 6 now and it's easy to see why this was so successful. When you look at it in comparison to either of the two big studios, it's just fun and ridiculous in the best way.

[QuickTidal]

JPK, on 06 December 2024 - 12:45 AM, said:

I needed a bit of a break from the Mignolaverse after finishing BPRD Omnis Vol 1, so I decided to start the first TMNT collection. I'm starting issue 6 now and it's easy to see why this was so successful. When you look at it in comparison to either of the two big studios, it's just fun and ridiculous in the best way.

IT's SO good. I've been slowly buying the digital copies of the volumes and I'm on Vol 5 now and it's still wildly compelling.

[Abyss]

Hammerhead88, on 03 December 2024 - 03:53 PM, said:

Anyone reading absolute Batman? Bats with east of west art!!

Like the art but kind of hate the Batman, if that makes sense.

[Abyss]

QuickTidal, on 06 December 2024 - 01:07 PM, said:

JPK, on 06 December 2024 - 12:45 AM, said:

I needed a bit of a break from the Mignolaverse after finishing BPRD Omnis Vol 1, so I decided to start the first TMNT collection. I'm starting issue 6 now and it's easy to see why this was so successful. When you look at it in comparison to either of the two big studios, it's just fun and ridiculous in the best way.

IT's SO good. I've been slowly buying the digital copies of the volumes and I'm on Vol 5 now and it's still wildly compelling.

You're both talking about the IDW run yes?

[JPK]

Abyss, on 06 December 2024 - 05:20 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 06 December 2024 - 01:07 PM, said:

JPK, on 06 December 2024 - 12:45 AM, said:

I needed a bit of a break from the Mignolaverse after finishing BPRD Omnis Vol 1, so I decided to start the first TMNT collection. I'm starting issue 6 now and it's easy to see why this was so successful. When you look at it in comparison to either of the two big studios, it's just fun and ridiculous in the best way.

IT's SO good. I've been slowly buying the digital copies of the volumes and I'm on Vol 5 now and it's still wildly compelling.

You're both talking about the IDW run yes?

I grabbed that crazy bundle you posted last month so I'm starting back with the originals. Which are clearly bonkers in the best way.

This post has been edited by JPK: 06 December 2024 - 05:28 PM

[T77]

Couple of recent Hellboy's I haven't gotten to. Just finished Bones of Giants, and it was excellent. Now I am reading The Silver Lantern Club. It's good so far.

[Abyss]

JPK, on 06 December 2024 - 05:25 PM, said:

Abyss, on 06 December 2024 - 05:20 PM, said:

...

You're both talking about the IDW run yes?

I grabbed that crazy bundle you posted last month so I'm starting back with the originals. Which are clearly bonkers in the best way.

glad you're enjoying, always nice when a reco pays off.


I'm about halfway into the ARMAGEDDON GAMES storyline that follows #100. Eastman stepped back and the art team changes but the story is still strong - maybe not quite 1-100 level, but close enough with some genuinely great twists. The new setting works, the new dynamics within the TMNT clan are fun.


SPOILERS for whenever someone gets to these...

Spoiler

Jannika as the 5th turtle has settled in nicely but the story still separates her from the boys sometimes so we get the classic four together about half the time.


MutantTown remains a fun change and brings in a tonne of great supporting characters. The new students group is fun.


They sidelined the ferrets and I, for one, miss them horribly and do not for a second buy Hob as a good daddy.


Shredder training the Turtles works so much better than it should. I wish he was being harder on them so there was still some edge, but it works.


This writer gets the Turtles. She gives them levels beyond the basics... Leo's a leader but that separates him from his bros. Raphael is an aggressive fighter because he's a mess who doesn't want to fight any more. Don has an amazing brain but holds himself back, hence the bo staff instead of laser cannons. Mikey wants peace so badly he'll fight anyone for it.


She's sidelined some of the main supporting cast but there are so many characters it's not a problem... April, Casey, NoBody, Alopex... they all got a LOT of panel time in 1-100. Letting others in is a good move.


...tho i admit breaking up Raph and Alopex and sidelining her in particular bothers me because she had such a good dynamic w him and in general, but she occupies a lot of the same space as Jennika, so fine.


Krang in a parasitic relationship w Leatherhead... who happened to EAT him at his own genocide trial... genius. Love it.

[JPK]

I suspect it's gonna be a nice long time before I get to that spoiler, lol. I mean, I just finished the Donatello one shot (aka the love letter to Jack Kirby). It's interesting seeing what parts from the original run got used in other media like the April on the couch scene and what got left behind like all the stabbing and guns. So much stabbing and guns.

[ArchieVist]

JPK said:

Oh wow. I'm going to have to pace myself so I don't kill my budget. There's a lot more here than I thought and I thought there was a lot already.

The good news is that I've already got the first two BPRD omnis, so I can hold jump over now and hope there's a holiday sale to pick up some more later in the month.

Check to see if your local library supports the Hoopla app (especially if you have an iPad or Kindle tablet). They have about 98% of everything Mignola-verse related and I've been able to read it all for free over the last 5 years. Hellboy, BPRD, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, etc.

[Abyss]

JPK, on 10 December 2024 - 05:37 PM, said:

I suspect it's gonna be a nice long time before I get to that spoiler, lol. I mean, I just finished the Donatello one shot (aka the love letter to Jack Kirby). It's interesting seeing what parts from the original run got used in other media like the April on the couch scene and what got left behind like all the stabbing and guns. So much stabbing and guns.

Yeah, they do a nice job of nodding backwards but moving forwards. The retro-refs are few and far between, most of the characters similar enough but not the same.
It's an interesting challenge to take an IP like the TMNT, which by the time IDW got it had already been rebooted multiple times, kick off yet another reboot, and just nail it with strong storytelling. The move forward into THE LAST RONIN was also clever, giving them a clean slate to play with without sacrificing the present/parallel story so far.

[Abyss]

T77, on 26 November 2024 - 01:42 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 25 November 2024 - 05:57 PM, said:

BPRD is really great once it gets going.

My fave stories of all the Mignola stuff, Hellboy included is the BPRD: 1946-1948 Omnibus. It's without a doubt the most riveted I've ever been to Hellboy-adjacent material. I think it's the mix of WWII stuff, mostly prof. Broom, and the fledgling BPRD that really makes it sing. Feels like you're reading a textbook on the supernatural.

And I agree about Abe. He's a better leader than HB proper to be honest. He's so methodical, it's like following Sherlock Holmes around, if he were a fishman.

Totally agree. The whole thing is so epic. It's one of the best comics I've ever read.

QuickTidal, on 06 December 2024 - 01:07 PM, said:

JPK, on 06 December 2024 - 12:45 AM, said:

I needed a bit of a break from the Mignolaverse after finishing BPRD Omnis Vol 1, so I decided to start the first TMNT collection. I'm starting issue 6 now and it's easy to see why this was so successful. When you look at it in comparison to either of the two big studios, it's just fun and ridiculous in the best way.

IT's SO good. I've been slowly buying the digital copies of the volumes and I'm on Vol 5 now and it's still wildly compelling.

T77, on 10 December 2024 - 02:41 PM, said:

Couple of recent Hellboy's I haven't gotten to. Just finished Bones of Giants, and it was excellent. Now I am reading The Silver Lantern Club. It's good so far.

ArchieVist, on 10 December 2024 - 09:17 PM, said:

JPK said:

Oh wow. I'm going to have to pace myself so I don't kill my budget. There's a lot more here than I thought and I thought there was a lot already.

The good news is that I've already got the first two BPRD omnis, so I can hold jump over now and hope there's a holiday sale to pick up some more later in the month.

Check to see if your local library supports the Hoopla app (especially if you have an iPad or Kindle tablet). They have about 98% of everything Mignola-verse related and I've been able to read it all for free over the last 5 years. Hellboy, BPRD, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, etc.

I've got some bad news for you courtesy of Humble Bundle...


This time, they have the entire HellBoy bundle + the entire BPRD bundle + a MASSIVE PILE of additional Mignolaverse stuff that wasn't in the prior two bundles... and you can have it ALL, or just the individual bundlechunks... it's nuts...

[JPK]

Abyss, on 12 December 2024 - 10:08 PM, said:

T77, on 26 November 2024 - 01:42 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 25 November 2024 - 05:57 PM, said:

BPRD is really great once it gets going.

My fave stories of all the Mignola stuff, Hellboy included is the BPRD: 1946-1948 Omnibus. It's without a doubt the most riveted I've ever been to Hellboy-adjacent material. I think it's the mix of WWII stuff, mostly prof. Broom, and the fledgling BPRD that really makes it sing. Feels like you're reading a textbook on the supernatural.

And I agree about Abe. He's a better leader than HB proper to be honest. He's so methodical, it's like following Sherlock Holmes around, if he were a fishman.

Totally agree. The whole thing is so epic. It's one of the best comics I've ever read.

QuickTidal, on 06 December 2024 - 01:07 PM, said:

JPK, on 06 December 2024 - 12:45 AM, said:

I needed a bit of a break from the Mignolaverse after finishing BPRD Omnis Vol 1, so I decided to start the first TMNT collection. I'm starting issue 6 now and it's easy to see why this was so successful. When you look at it in comparison to either of the two big studios, it's just fun and ridiculous in the best way.

IT's SO good. I've been slowly buying the digital copies of the volumes and I'm on Vol 5 now and it's still wildly compelling.

T77, on 10 December 2024 - 02:41 PM, said:

Couple of recent Hellboy's I haven't gotten to. Just finished Bones of Giants, and it was excellent. Now I am reading The Silver Lantern Club. It's good so far.

ArchieVist, on 10 December 2024 - 09:17 PM, said:

JPK said:

Oh wow. I'm going to have to pace myself so I don't kill my budget. There's a lot more here than I thought and I thought there was a lot already.

The good news is that I've already got the first two BPRD omnis, so I can hold jump over now and hope there's a holiday sale to pick up some more later in the month.

Check to see if your local library supports the Hoopla app (especially if you have an iPad or Kindle tablet). They have about 98% of everything Mignola-verse related and I've been able to read it all for free over the last 5 years. Hellboy, BPRD, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, etc.

I've got some bad news for you courtesy of Humble Bundle...


This time, they have the entire HellBoy bundle + the entire BPRD bundle + a MASSIVE PILE of additional Mignolaverse stuff that wasn't in the prior two bundles... and you can have it ALL, or just the individual bundlechunks... it's nuts...

You call this bad news!? I have absolutely no problems buying this and then picking up physical editions later.

[Abyss]

It was rhetorical bad news. I for one, am thrilled. My last Hellboy/BPRD read paused at the end of the Hell on Earth arc, so i'm looking fwd to resuming that and then fwd through all the other good stuff.
Ffs... THE LOBSTER!!!

[JPK]

This timing couldn't be better. Was just given a $50 gift card. Looks like I'll be alternating between Turtles and Mignolaverse for the foreseeable future.