Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: Professor Harvey is Gone: Another Day in the Office

While it has been a few years since there’s been an ongoing Hellboy series, there has been a steady stream of one-offs and mini-series set within the Hellboy Universe. Due to the nature of the character, being the world’s greatest paranormal investigator, Hellboy often thrives in this format. Whether by Hellboy’s creator, Mike Mignola, or a long list of excellent collaborators, there is a wealth of excellent stories to tell, combining a unique blend of horror, humor, and folklore. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: Professor Harvey is Gone is written by Mike Mignola, with art by Giuseppe Manunta, and lettered by Clem Robins. The story follows Hellboy investigating the disappearance of Professor Harvey, who went missing after receiving a mysterious package in the mail. Like most Hellboy stories, this issue wastes no time, and things get weird quickly. 

Folklore is such a prominent part of this universe, and the variety of artists chosen for these issues highlights just that. Much like storytelling through oral tradition, artists bring in their own interpretations, but the iconic visual language is still present. Giuseppe Manunta balances simplicity with incredible detail. The colors, also done by Manunta, are gorgeous watercolors, whether digital or physical, and add an elegant softness to the issue. This issue jumps right into the strangeness, but at no point does it lose its beauty. The issue could still be appreciated and understood without any lettering, though Clem Robins does an incredible job. Much like Mignola’s signature tone and voice coming through, longtime collaborator Robins grounds the issue with the lettering. Hellboy is transported to a strange land, but the lettering successfully tethers the reader to reality, allowing the reader to get the best of both worlds. Manunta adds fantastic touches, like a panel depicting the reflection of the strange artifact in Hellboy’s yellow eyes.