Comments on: B.P.R.D.: Killing Ground http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/horror/bprd-killing-ground/ reading material to get excited about Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:02:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Tanner http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/horror/bprd-killing-ground/#comment-34903 Tanner Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:58:23 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/horror/bprd-killing-ground/#comment-34903 I think the biggest fault of the book here is that the series isn't really intended to be read as stand-alone stories--which could definitely be considered a drawback, especially to a first time reader unlucky enough to pick up a late volume. But if you follow the numbers on the spines and go in order, then there is a lot of payoff in Killing Ground, and those character moments are a lot more welcome. (The Liz stuff is finally offering some big revelations on a story arc that's been going on for about five arcs now.) And that big twist in issue 4 comes as a huge but welcome surprise to dedicated readers, but I could see it confusing the hell out of a newbie. It's best to approach BPRD collections (even moreso than Hellboy ones) in order, and follow that volume numbering. But if you're determined to pick up a story in the middle and have it make sense, you'd probably be alright with Garden of Souls, which happens to be the very best arc in the series to date, and also requires relatively little knowledge of continuity that the reader can't figure out from context. I think the biggest fault of the book here is that the series isn’t really intended to be read as stand-alone stories–which could definitely be considered a drawback, especially to a first time reader unlucky enough to pick up a late volume. But if you follow the numbers on the spines and go in order, then there is a lot of payoff in Killing Ground, and those character moments are a lot more welcome. (The Liz stuff is finally offering some big revelations on a story arc that’s been going on for about five arcs now.) And that big twist in issue 4 comes as a huge but welcome surprise to dedicated readers, but I could see it confusing the hell out of a newbie.

It’s best to approach BPRD collections (even moreso than Hellboy ones) in order, and follow that volume numbering. But if you’re determined to pick up a story in the middle and have it make sense, you’d probably be alright with Garden of Souls, which happens to be the very best arc in the series to date, and also requires relatively little knowledge of continuity that the reader can’t figure out from context.

]]> By: john a. karr http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/horror/bprd-killing-ground/#comment-34336 john a. karr Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:49:47 +0000 http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/horror/bprd-killing-ground/#comment-34336 too bad, 'cause Hellboy was very cool. From the movie ... Hellboy and new guy take cover from a monster. "What the hell <i>is</i> that thing?" New Guy says. "Let me go ask." Hellboy deadpans, and goes after the beastie. too bad, ’cause Hellboy was very cool. From the movie …
Hellboy and new guy take cover from a monster.

“What the hell is that thing?” New Guy says.
“Let me go ask.” Hellboy deadpans, and goes after the beastie.

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