B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Exorcism

[Thomas Uk]

Great issue that felt longer that a normal single issue. Loved the art and the focus on such a minor character.

For me, one of the best bits of this issue was how the reveal of Ota's back story added a new level of personal depth/tragedy to the conversation he has with Bruttenholm about Simon Anders' situation at the end of 1947.

[Middenway]

Great issue that felt longer that a normal single issue.

Yeah, it has more than twice as many panels as The Devil's Engine #2.

Final reminder, BPRD Twitter chat with Cameron Stewart starts in half an hour. Hashtag your tweets with #BPRD.

[UnravThreads]

Things we learned:

- Stewart cut a lot of ideas out of Exorcism as he felt more than two issues was unnecessary
- A lot of action scenes were cut (likely from Exorcism #2).
- Exorcism #2 will have a spread page.
- High panel count is due to a lack of space.
- Ash's sexuality isn't going to be confirmed or denied this miniseries, but there are clues as to the answer and it may be revealed one day when it's natural to do so. All we know is she has a girlcrush on Liz.
- There will not be a Liz/Ash romance - whether this is due to Liz' or Ash's sexualities is unclear, or even whether it's just a choice relating to the tone of the series.
- Ash rocks.
- Cameron Stewart is most likely one of the best things to happen to B.P.R.D.
- Ash was chosen for Cameron as she was on the backbench and had potential, so it was agreed she would be used and given to Cameron for fleshing out. Ota was also chosen for this story due to being an underused character.
- Cameron suspects he'll largely be working on 'fringe' stories (e.g. Pickens County, Exorcism and similar) rather than the core series which is in the hands of Crook.
- A follow up was mentioned, but hasn't been plotted - so Ash will return, but how, when and for how long is unknown.
- Cameron has some freedom, but Mike Mignola is still calling the shots and retaining control (as we knew) although Ash is 'earmarked' for Cameron now.
- Cameron wrote it, Mike & Scott tweaked and then Cameron re-wrote.

I'm sure Middenway'll clarify and add things I missed.

[Storey74]

Took me a couple days to make it to the comic shop, but WOW what a great issue. Stewart's art is stellar and the pace of storytelling is perfect. I think we a need at least 6 issues a year of Stewart drawn BPRD... The bullpen in the Mignolaverse is bursting with talent. Hopefully with ComicCon approaching, we will get a better idea of how that talent is being put to use!

Great seeing Ota... loved it when Ash saw his photo with the Professor! Great stuff.

[Middenway]

The bullpen in the Mignolaverse is bursting with talent. Hopefully with ComicCon approaching, we will get a better idea of how that talent is being put to use!

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to SDCC '12. There's been very little real news lately. It feels like they're saving a lot for the convention.

[Middenway]

Preview for issue 2 is up.

[Middenway]

Spoilers to follow...

...Awesome. Not only was Exorcism #2 an incredible end to the miniseries, it is an amazing beginning to Ashley's journey into becoming a new kind of warrior. I loved this story. Bloody brilliant.

I want more. I want a lot more. That ending is such a tease!

[thwhtGuardian]

That ending was awesome, probably my favorite since the end of Ectoplasmic Man. And just like how that story really set the tone for Johann I really hope this does the same for Ashley.

I'll also say this I didn't have the love for her going in to this that a lot of you guys had for her but I do now. Don't get me wrong, I liked the one shot she was in, but it didn't really elevate her past random BPRD agent for me. I didn't make a real connection but I did in this story and it was fantastic.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

Can't wait to read today's issue!

[Middenway]

The folks at Mignolaversity loved it too. Their favourite BPRD story for 2012 apparently. For me, I'm not sure if it's this or The Long Death. I had a lot of fun with this one.

[thwhtGuardian]

I'll wait until we get a hold of Hellboy in Hell before saying it's the best of 2012, but as of right now it's definitely a strong contender.

[Middenway]

I'll wait until we get a hold of Hellboy in Hell before saying it's the best of 2012, but as of right now it's definitely a strong contender.

The year's not out yet. And the marketing department at Dark Horse certainly seems to think Return of the Master will blow our minds. There's a lot going on this year.

[UnravThreads]

It's the best I've read this year, but...

I mean I thought it was good, and Cameron's art and writing is good, but it wasn't particularly flawless. Ash' expression rarely seemed to change, and she looked a little... creepy in most panels, just staring with her wide, wide eyes. Constantly staring. Staring...

But yeah, Cameron's second B.P.R.D. story was very good, and I'm raising my cup of tea to many, many more.

[horror_of_sorts]

This issue was the iFanboy Pick of the Week.

[thwhtGuardian]

The year's not out yet. And the marketing department at Dark Horse certainly seems to think Return of the Master will blow our minds. There's a lot going on this year.

It may well be great but they hyped Devil's Engine too and that was a serious let down for me so my expectations on the Master are not that great.

Which is strange to say.