Review: ABE SAPIEN: Dark and Terrible #1

ABE SAPIEN: DARK AND TERRIBLE #1 OF 3 (Series #11)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART: Sebastián Fiumara
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Sebastián Fiumara
VARIANT COVER: Max Fiumara
EDITOR: Scott Allie
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

Dark and Terrible, Part 1 (of 3)

Abraham “Abe” Sapien is a character in the Hellboy line of comic books, also known as the “Mignolaverse.” Created by Mike Mignola, Abe Sapien first appeared in Hellboy: Seed of Destruction and is a member of the B.P.R.D., the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development. Abe is sometimes referred to as a “fishman” or “merman.”

Abe has made regular appearances in Hellboy and B.P.R.D. comics, and he has starred in his own one-shot comic book (Abe Sapien: Drums of the Dead) and a miniseries (Abe Sapien: The Drowning by Mike Mignola).

Starting this week is a new-ongoing Abe Sapien comic book series, the launch of which has started a renumbering of Abe Sapien comic books. Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible #1 (of 3) is the 11th issue of the Ape Sabien series. Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible is written by Mike Mignola and Scott Allie, drawn by Sebastián Fiumara, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clem Robins.

Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Part 1 opens in Palisade, Colorado where a fierce demonic summoning is reaching fever pitch. Meanwhile, at B.P.R.D. headquarters, Agent Devon earns the ire of Director Corrigan, who is feeling the strain of the worldwide monster invasion. Meanwhile, three chatty hobos make a surprising discovery aboard the boxcar they share. Where is Abe Sapien? B.P.R.D. agents are getting closer…

Considering that Abe Sapien is mostly missing from Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible, the story manages to be interesting, if not a bit too chatty. There are four different groups of individuals taking part in the story, and their activities are more teasing than interesting.

Sebastián Fiumara and Dave Stewart are the main attractions here. Sebastián Fiumara’s art is beautifully textured, with the inking seeming to be a mix of brushwork and a scratching technique. The art also reminds me of Richard Corben. That art looks even better with Dave Stewart’s rich coloring, a mix of earth tones and darkish colors, over it. This comic book is worth having just for the art. Still, I want more Abe Sapien in my Abe Sapien.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux