4 out of 5

If this is Chris Roberson on Hellboy, I’m on board.

The kids seemed happy with the Winter Special, but I was dreadfully underwhelmed.  Still, acknowledged that a few-paged short isn’t necessarily the best place to make introductions.  ‘Fences’ is a much better showing – in line with the bouncy pacing of Chris’ Edison Rex – and an equally good kickstart for the whole 19XX line, which up until now has felt somewhat middling in search of what it wants to be.  Perhaps with Hell on Earth and HB in Hell both rattling down, Mignola can get back to delivering the fun, mostly isolated tales that were told in previous Hellboy and B.P.R.D. series.

‘Fences’ delivers on what its title (to me) portends: the darkness beyond the safety of a white picket fence.  HB and crew go to investigate some animal disappearances in California and discover there are bigger and badder things at play.  The story has all of the elements that made classic HB such a joy: our snarky hero, good banter with his teammates, hitting things and going Boom, good creepos, and bit-by-bit world-building (that would and will eventually bubble up to something bigger, but never used to get in the way of enjoying these mini-series).  Paolo / Joe River’s art has a hard time capturing the scale of the HB world, but the cleanliness and openness to their style – perfectly highlighted by Dave Sterwart’s bright colors – is a welcome change from the weighty feel of Hell On Earth, and presumably a purposeful one.

Best of all, it ends with a joke and a smile.  It’s been a goddamned while since Hellboy felt like Hellboy.  Welcome back.