5 out of 5

…One of those reads where I’m grabbed and shaken by the lapels (I am always be-suited with lapels) and reminded of how good Mignolaverse stuff can be when all is working in sync.  When the story stands amidst its sprawling and surrounding mythology but is not overwhelmed by it – inhabiting its own unique place in the lore – when horror and drama and humor are appropriately balanced, and when the non-Mignola art takes notes from Mike’s pacing and design but the artist is confident / trusted enough to branch out on their own; that’s being in sync, and it makes 1947 a rare multi-parter able to pull it off throughout all five of its issues.

Following on the B.P.R.D. formative events of 1946, Bruttenholm is still somewhat cautiously trying to prove his financial worth, and sends a loose gaggle of war vets to follow up on some vampire related research.  While three members of the group get distracted by drinkin’, one member’s diligence – Anders – is rewarded by getting thrust right into the middle of supernatural happenings, requiring a desperate rescue mission by his comrades and, eventually, more direct intervention from the Professor.

While it could be said that 1947 has the same split narrative approach of 1946, it’s much, much more consistent in tone than the previous book, and much more logical in its use of that split: leading up to what happened to Anders; after what happened to Anders.  In both parts, Mike and Joshua Dysart (and artists Gabriel Bá & Fábio Moon) stick to a meditative mood, even when witches and evil goats are dancing together and flying through the air.  Partially, this is doable because Bá & Moon have such a fantastically stylized look that when things start getting weird, it’s not such a visual stretch from their limber and loose character and architecture work; however, that’s not selling short their carefulness with expressions and pacing, relegating some of the lighter beats to moments when a kid Hellboy shows up and otherwise making sure to match the dialogue and actions to the relative urgency or tension shown in-panel.

Regarding the latter, this is also ace restraint shown in the script, as HB is used not just as a way to toss in some yuks, but as a counterpoint and parallel to the looming sense of fate that overtakes Bruttenholm – and his conversations with a reappearing 1946 character – as well as the threads the four-member B.P.R.D. team ends up following.  By keeping all of that emotionality and depth compacted around these seemingly simple off beats, 1947 can afford to amp up the actual horror; there are some truly frightening scenes, if you give yourself over to them.

An excellent read that can flesh out your Mignolaverse experience while standing alone, with enough sprinkled lore to get you hooked on finding out what happened next…