On the basis of the BPRD in Fairfield, Connecticut, Simon Anders has trouble getting to this sedentary life. Hellboy piqued his pack of smokes. Varvara sucks Trevor Bruttenholm their propensity to set unrealistic goals, starting with raising a demon like a man. Bruttenholm and his team (Jacob Stegner, Simon Anders, and 3 others) visit a military base of aviation to investigate monsters appearances, at the request of an army general. On site Bruttenholm meeting the team responsible for a secret project "Enkelados" based atomic bomb explosion Walt Freeman Tomas Zdenek, Etienne Boucq and Anna Rieu. In the desert near the site, monsters appear and attack the patrols. Anders behavior becomes increasingly reckless, even suicidal. In Fairfield, Margaret Wool and Archie soldier tries to Hellboy to prepare the upcoming visit of President Harry Truman.
At first, the reader discovers that it is better that he remembers what happened in the previous volume "1947" because the behavior of the character of Simon Anders is directly related to the events. Gradually, he also realizes that the main plot and the scenes in Utah for Hellboy does not converge. What happens in Fairfield remains a subplot without affecting what happens in Utah. He noted that Mignola and Arcudi develop the relationship between Bruttenholm and Varvara in 2 short sequences, like in a new subplot intended to constitute a discrete link from a volume to another. Finally, it teaches during volume behind the enkeladite, already mentioned by Fenix material The return of the Master. These elements lead the reader to consider this story differently. This is not a complete story in itself, but rather an essential piece in the already rich mythology of the BPRD. There is therefore 2nd reading levels: the main plot, and a historical form of the institution of the BPRD and individuals that comprise it.
Once considered this different approach to reading, it becomes obvious that "1948" is more precious for its enrichment of mythology and by the trials experienced by the characters, and that its main plot. The casual reader of BPRD will struggle to find satisfaction with this monster story breaking into our reality thanks to the tearing of reality caused by the force of an atomic explosion. The final fight certainly provides a basic resolution to supernatural events in this part of Utah, but no resolution for the characters.
By cons, if the reader has come for a dip in the mythology of the BPRD, it will come out fully satisfied with the feeling of having discovered a new side of this mythology fully integrated with what he already knew. He finds all the knowledge of Mignola and Arcudi on the main BPRD series with engaging characters behaving as an adult, terrifying monsters, and the complex relationships between the characters (strange Varvara).
Max Fiumara had already designed an episode of the BPRD in the collection The Pickens County horror and others. The sketches at the end of volume allow to get an idea of the preparatory work of designing monsters, performed by Fiumara. If this aspect may appear trivial, it is not anything since high school fight against monsters is the purpose of the series. From this point of view, watch Fiumara to the height and the monsters are neither stereotypical nor a simple copy of those designed by Mignola and Guy Davis. It shows both innovative and consistent with its predecessors. Fiumara draws in a fairly realistic vein, without relying on the conventions to superheroes. His drawings have an appearance less spontaneous than Guy Davis, with more marked black flat tints, without giving the impression of doing sub-Mignola. It does not try to look pretty, but to transcribe a bit harsh reality, with individuals bearing the marks of the weight of their responsibilities. He builds his stagings with care, making them visually interesting and full of fighting moves, making turn out in dialogue scenes is the person who takes the ascendancy over the others, or the characters' emotions by focusing on a trivial or revealing gesture. As such, the discussion in a bar between Anna Rieu and Yessler sergeant helps make palpable the tenuous emotional connection being born among them, and the gradual relaxation of Anna, the way she plays with her glass wine. Directing actors Fiumara perfectly complements the dialogue to make visible the evolution of complex emotions capita Anna Rieu and Trevor Bruttenholm at each new encounter. Only the marked propensity to draw characters with sloping shoulders that eventually tired, lacking real meaning.
Subject to recognize that this volume is not an independent story, but an additional brick in the BPRD history, the reader can appreciate the dexterity with which Mignola, Arcudi Fiumara and enrich the mythology and are changing and complex characters endearing. The reader emerges from this story with the wish to find Varvara, Anna Rieu and Simon Anders, which is tangible proof of the thickness of these characters. Simon Anders destiny is revealed in BPRD - Vampire Mike Mignola, and Fábio Moon Gabriel Bá.
