In 2001, Hellboy quit the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D). If that was not bad enough, Liz Sherman is currently in hiding, Abe Sapien is in a coma, and Johann Kraus is left with Kate Corrigan to go with to Russia as backup this time around. The Russians have an assault team assembled for Johann and Kate to lead into the fire.

If only it were that easy. As if these men could make up for the loss of Hellboy, they charge heroically to their deaths, combating evil. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi have teamed up once again to continue the Hell on Earth: Russia issues for #4, bringing the storyline into sharper focus with each successive single issue release.

Art was done by Tyler Crook while colors were by Dave Stewart.  Lettering was done by Clem Robins, and the cover was by Dave Johnson. This senior team has created the perfect setting for huge monsters and grand explosions.

It becomes obvious that this mission into the mines could only have succeeded with Johann Kraus’ help. Kraus, with his deep conceptual thinking, is certainly poised in this issue to shake things up for Kate Corrigan as they continue through Russia’s hellish atmosphere. Different from Hellboy in that way, Kraus is a deep thinker, which contrasts very much with Hellboy’s simpler thought process.

By no means lacking in courage or skills, Johann Kraus does maintain his image as the thinking man’s character. Kate Corrigan, on the other hand, is frustrated, brash, and hard to deal with when in Russia. The missing key members of their team take its toll on her psyche, leading to bursts of impatience and rage.

Fans of Hellboy will remember her friendship with Hellboy from previous B.P.R.D issues as well as her concern for Abe Sapien from Issue #1 of Hell on Earth: Russia.  She will come face to face with the concept that some people just accept the fact that they will die.

Exposure to the contagion found in the mines of Russia changes the structural chemistry of every living human it touches, turning them into mindless killers. Unluckily for him, Johann Kraus is on the hunt for this contagion with a set of monsters, each of which is more grotesque than the next.

On the one hand, you have a blue Jabba-the-Hutt-type creature, and on the other, you have what looks like the giant brain bug from the end of the first Starship Troopers movie. It is a lose-lose situation, no matter which ugly monster Kraus will find first. The concept of Kraus’ mortality will also come into play, since Kraus is technically dead and without a body, but is a sentient free-feeling personality.

The feel of this story is a different kind of desperation. In comparison to Hellboy’s policy of casual violence, B.P.R.D always seems to have a more serious edge. This is definitely true with B.P.R.D Hell on Earth: Russia, since the first issue has already set the stage for the almost rapid deceleration of Russian society due to this spreading contagion.

The ending of the story is quite explosive. While some fans will clamor in fury, true fans will wait impatiently for the triumphant return of one of the series best loved characters. Entertaining as always, the conclusion is sure to be jam-packed with excellent plot twists as well as a rescue operation. B.P.R.D Hell on Earth: Russia is on sale here through Dark Horse!

The article Comic Review: B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #4 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

This February, prepare for the Punisher story you never thought you would read as Jason Aaron & Steve Dillon bring their epic run on PunisherMAX to an end with PunisherMAX #22. Frank Castle has been through it all and just when you think you know what’s coming in the series finale, think again.

“It’s been a big sick bloody thrill working on this series and a right honor following in the footsteps of Garth Ennis,” explained Aaron. “I must say, I’m as proud of this series as anything I’ve ever done at Marvel, in large part because of the amazing art team of Dave Johnson, Matt Hollingsworth and of course Steve Dillon. This was always intended to be one big story, with a very specific beginning, middle and a slam-bang mother of an end. I’m afraid I can’t say any more about the ending than than.. other than that it gave me chills, just getting to write it.”

“I’ve drawn a lot of Frank Castle over the last dozen or so years and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some really good writers while doing so,” said Dillon. “Jason has really delivered on this one, so much so that I wait for the script to arrive in my inbox like a fan waiting for the book to hit the shelves in the store. He’s taken some great characters, like the Kingpin and Bullseye, and given them his own MAX twist. He’s also taken Frank on a tortuous, personal journey and it’s all been great fun to draw.”

To ensure retailers have enough copies to meet demand, Marvel will be going back to press on PunisherMAX #17 and PunisherMAX #18. The chapters kicking off “Homeless,” the name of Aaron and Dillon’s final arc, are only a taste of what’s in store for Frank Castle and Marvel wants to make sure no fan misses the beginning of the end.

“The day has come. You always knew the Punisher’s one-man war against organized crime would end bad, but you never knew how bad,” added Marvel Editor In Chief, Axel Alonso. “With PunisherMAX #22 Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon bring the tragedy of Frank Castle’s life to a boil and their epic run to a bloody climax that will haunt readers for years to come.”

Retailers should check the Marvel Mailer and Diamond Retailer Site for information on ordering PunisherMAX #17 Second Printing Variant & PunisherMAX #18 Second Printing Variant. Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on all remaining issues of PunisherMAX (including a new on-sale date for PunisherMAX #20) as this series continues to garner acclaim and buzz.

The article PunisherMAX Draws to a Bloody End  appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.