B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth - Gods #3 is a Dark Horse Comics release, which is written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, with artwork by Guy Davis, colours by Dave Stewart, and a cover by Ryan Sook. The 32-page comic was released on March 12^th, 2011, and costs $2.99.

In many ways, Hell on Earth has been a new start for the B.P.R.D. For the last seven years, the main focus of the series was on the threat of the frog monsters. Many aspects of that storyline were wrapped up in the King of Fear arc. Following the events of this arc, the world of the B.P.R.D. became so greatly changed that the decision was made to rename the series B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth. The team now has U.N. backing, and all new threats to deal with, such as the gigantic immobile monster that has appeared off the coast of California, which is spewing out a gas across America and Mexico that mutates people. Not only this, but smaller monsters have begun to appear across the nation, killing thousands. On top of that, major cities like Houston have begun disappearing overnight, swallowed by volcanoes that appear out of nowhere.

It truly is Hell on Earth, and if you’ve been thinking of getting into B.P.R.D., then there’s probably no better time to jump on-board than right now! It really feels like the book has lost a lot of the weight of continuity that made it feel like it might be a little inaccessible to new readers. As of right now, all you need to know is that the world is gone to Hell in a handcart, and the only thing standing between us and Armageddon is the members of the B.P.R.D.

In this arc, titled Gods, Abe and Devon have been hunting down a group of ‘bedouin’ nomads that have arisen due to the current crisis, and have been moving from town to town, seemingly one step ahead of disaster. The team discovers that the way they have been dodging these crises is due to a precognizant girl in the group called Fenix.Why are the team interested in Fenix? It’s not entirely made clear yet, but it looks like she might be being eyed up to join the bureau!

I’ve really been loving the plot that has been running though the Gods arc. As I mentioned above, it really feels like a new beginning for the book, with new threats, new monsters, and new characters. It feels like Mignola and Arcudi are building up to something big, something truly catastrophic, and I can’t wait to see how the team cope with it! It’s not all about the big threats though, as we’re treated to glimpses of the ongoing friction that has arisen between Abe and Devon, Kate’s burgeoning romance, Johann’s obsession with the new body that is growing in the lab, and just what exactly in Panya up to? It’s all these little details that make B.P.R.D. the book that fans love, the soap opera stuff that fleshes the characters out and makes them seem almost like really people! It’s a rare talent, but it’s something that Mignola and Arcudi really excel at.

I said earlier that Hell on Earth has in many ways been a new beginning for the book. Well, conversely, this issue is also an ending for the book. It was announced at Emerald City Comic Con last weekend that Gods #3 will actually be the last issue of the series that Guy Davis will draw. It’s a pretty monumental occasion, because he’s been drawing the comic non-stop since A Plague of Frogs, back in 2004. In those seven years, I can’t remember even one panel of artwork by him that I didn’t love! It’s really hard to think of B.P.R.D. without seeing Guy’s versions of the characters, but all good things must come to an end, as they say. While I’ll miss Guy’s art on the title, I honestly wish him good luck in his future projects, and I am really looking forward to seeing more of The Marquis - an absolutely amazing series (go buy it now).

As his last issue, this one couldn’t play more to his strengths. That is to say that the issue is jam-packed full of monsters, and if there’s something that Guy truly excels at, it’s monster design! He’s got some amazing monsters in this issue, they’re bandy limbed monstrosities, with wide horned faces, gnashing teeth, and little hands growing off the sides of their heads. These are seriously the things of nightmares, and make you wonder where the hell he comes up with these ideas! Looking at the things he dreams up, you’d think he was some sort of deranged psychopath, but he’s really not. He’s actually a really nice guy! Oh man, I’m sure going to miss him on the book, *sigh*.

In conclusion, B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth - Gods #3 was an amazing read, with a gripping plot, fantastic dialogue, stunning artwork, and gorgeous colours. A brilliant issue of a great arc of one of the best comic books ever made, and I mean no hyperbole when I say that! If you love comics, you should be buying B.P.R.D., there’s no two ways about it!

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