A flash from the past
Creative Staff:
Story: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
Art: Juan Ferreyra
Color: Eduardo Ferreyra
Letters: Clem Robins
What They Say:
Before the Black Flame, Hell on Earth, and the death of Roger, Abe faces a creature that threatens to drain the soul from anyone it comes in contact with. The B.P.R.D. have fought for mankind for years—and it’s their own humanity that’s at stake this time.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This story takes place before the invasion of the Frogs and Abe’s mutation and subsequent running away from the B.P.R.D. In 2005 a group of cultists accidentally call upon a creature from the outer dark. The B.P.R.D. converges on the scene and takes care of the situation, bringing back the creature to their research facility for experimentation. Abe, after finally discovering his origins, is now working as a scientist and not a field agent, causing friction between him and other members of the organization, especially the homunculus, Roger.
Juan Ferreyra and Eduardo Ferreyra take over art and color duties from series’ regulars Max Fiumara and Dave Stewart and they do a gorgeous job. The art takes on a softer feel both in terms of the line work and the color palette, perhaps to represent a happier, easier time than what Abe now faces with Hell on Earth.
However, as good as the art is, I’m not sure what purpose this issue serves in terms of the greater story. This is, as I’ve mentioned in other reviews, one of the problems with reviewing single issues—there are times when a story twists and turns and heads off to unexpected places that don’t always make sense until the very end. I imagine that this is what is occurring here, but that’s just a guess. Of course, considering the talent of Mignola and Allie, it’s probably a safe one.
But that doesn’t change the fact that the comic still seems to be spinning its wheels. After fifteen issues, I still don’t have a clear idea of what the purpose of this comic is. It seems like it’s about Abe’s search for the source of his mutation and the catalyst for Hell on Earth, but very little progress has been made in that search. Right now the plot reads more like a television show from the Seventies: Abe and his companion enter a new area, get into trouble, right some wrongs, and then move on to another town. As a formula it works well enough, and in this case is bolstered by the charisma and history of the protagonist, but it’s almost like this is a rut that the comic has fallen into and not its original intended purpose.
In Summary:
Abe Sapien 15 takes a step back in time to before Abe’s mutation and the events of Hell on Earth. To help reflect the change in time, the issue is drawn by Juan Ferreyra and colored by Eduardo Ferreyra, both of whom do excellent jobs. However, it’s unclear what this story adds to the over narrative arc. It could be that at the end of the series, this issue will make perfect sense and completely work in context, but without that context, it seems like filler. Enjoyable filler starring a protagonist I have a great deal of affection for, but filler nonetheless. Here’s hoping that my hunch is right. Only recommended if you’ve been following the series.
Grade: C+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Dark Horse
Release Date: August 13th, 2014
MSRP: $3.50