BPRD: Killing Ground #2

When I reviewed BPRD’s last issue, I prophesied that Johann Kraus was headed in a bad direction. Sho’ nuff, he gets chewed out this month, then ditches his duties to hit up a bar. Meanwhile, the Pillsbury Doughboy’s pissed-off cousin, Daryl, is causing trouble at BPRD headquarters.

In BPRD Killing Ground #2, Daryl the Wendigo gets out of his cage and eats someone. The 5’3 victim appears to have more blood and innards than those overweight twins who ride double tricycles, but hey, it’s a horror comic. Par for the course. Meanwhile, Daimio appears to be dabbling in the dark arts, and a mystery man has infiltrated the BPRD…with a screwdriver. That’s all.

How does a guy with a flathead screwdriver break into a high-security compound? Is this how our government guards the deadly paranormal stuff? Could I get into Area 51 with a bobby pin and some string? Or retrieve the Ark of the Covenant from that warehouse it’s in with a monkey wrench and a slinky? If so, MacGyver could make serious bank as a thief.

Killing Ground is certainly an improvement over BPRD’s last arc, Garden of Souls. Where Garden of Souls never fully engaged the reader’s interest, Killing Ground’s claustrophobic tone and collision of events demands attention. The heavy emphasis on Daimio’s past in issues 1 and 2 implies revelations may (finally) be on the horizon regarding the good Captain. Liz’s spooky visions are even more disturbing, and the mummy, Panya, appears to know something. Hopefully there’ll be some answers by the end of the arc, but don’t hold your breath…

Killing Ground #2 is the kind of story Guy Davis must salivate over. His forte being the dark and occult, issue 2’s mix of god-monsters, Wendigos, and traveling shamans is perfect for him. It’s like telling Michael Turner to draw angular women, or Eric Powell to use heavy shading.

Worth the money? Definitely for fans. Skim it and see if you’re a casual reader.