Here we are at last at the grand finally of one of Mignola’s best series. BPRD: The Dead, written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, chronicles the story of the BPRD’s (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) new headquarters and what they found beneath it. For, it once housed a secret research program headed by Nazi scientists who were given their freedom by the US in return for their continued work in the field of paranormal science.

At first it seemed that Gunter Eis, one of the aforementioned scientists, was the victim of a terrible accident that killed the other scientists and trapped him beneath the surface for 40 years. But as it turns out, he actually caused the terrible "accident" with a trap that the other scientists set off when they attempted to end his insane project. That project was to open a gateway to “heaven,” or at least heaven as Eis saw it - a twisted dimension full of disgusting, corrupted bug-monsters. Meanwhile, Abe discovers that the phantom that traps him is trapped as well. (Check out my reviews of BPRD The Dead #3).

The writing is, as always, spectacular. This comic book is gripping from the first moment to the last; the last being one of the best endings one could hope to read. Guy Davis (art) picks up Mignola’s style in spectacular fashion while keeping it unique and original. His work is pretty sketchy, but works perfectly with the story and characters. And, I will once again repeat that his character’s facial expressions are truly great.

This series is a must-have for anyone even remotely interested in Mignola’s work, but for the big fans, it is essential to the future of your mental health. Wel,l maybe not, but it is essential to your financial future as all of Mignola’s vastly popular comics about the BPRD are rapidly becoming collectors items, as well as, very pricey. With the origins of Abe Sapien, a new character, and a new BPRD headquarters, The Dead is making you an offer you can’t refuse. So don’t run the risk of waking up with a frog-monster head in your bed.

-Fumanchu