B.P.R.D.: The Ectoplastic Man (One Shot) – Review

By Mike Mignola & John Arcadi (Writers), Ben Stenbeck (Artist), and Clem Robins (Letters)

B.P.R.D.: The Ectoplastic Man is the one-shot origin of the BPRD’s best bodiless agent: Johann Kraus, The Ectoplasmic Man.  Kraus was an experienced medium before becoming permanently departed from his body during a séance that obviously went very wrong.  When a massive ethereal disaster in Chengdou, China, reverberates through the astral plane all the way to Germany, the séance party is seemingly killed save for Kraus who remains connected to the living world as a ghost.  Although he doesn’t initially accept the offer to join the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, he eventually realizes that the BPRD can offer him not only the ability to remain in the world without dissipating forever, but the opportunity to stop future paranormal catastrophes.

Mignola and Arcudi’s story of this high-minded medium is satisfactory and at moments thrilling, but rushed. The entire comic feels as if it had been edited out of another HellBoy title, stretched to fit 24 pages and sold at 3 bucks a pop.  After being discovered by the BPRD in the astral disaster aftermath, the idealistic Kraus heads to the cemetery to answer the cries of another wayward ghost. They are met by a nefarious demon that seeks to deceive the wayward ghost into his home and eat him. The scene works thematically to give Kraus purpose in joining the BPRD and helping fellow physically challenged phantasms being lured by other traps. Yet, Kraus’s transformation into the Ectoplasmic Man seems to told be out of necessity rather than feeling. We see the building of the suit that will hold in this world, him using the suit once, and then “The End.” The endeavor, which could have stronger and more meaningful, took less than three pages.

As for Stenbeck’s art, he is a natural fit for the HellBoy universe, though more on the whimsical side than realistic. Nonetheless, he tells the story with vivid and moody atmosphere, in particular, the descent of Kraus from the sky to the German village. Stenbeck draws Kraus as a wisp of gray cloud fighting against the hard winds similar to billowing smoke of chimneys. This provides a nice visualization of Kraus’s struggle as a ghost.

If you like Hellboy or simply like paranormal adventures, pick this accessible book, but don’t expect too much depth. (Grade: B-)

-Steven M. Bari

A Second Opinion

This is a good example of a book that can be picked up and enjoyed easily. Sure, it helps to be familiar with the world, but Mignola and Arcadi do a good job of simplifying things. As far as origin stories go, this is one that’s both tragic and engaging.

I’m glad it’s not the standard “my (insert loved one here) is dead and now I’m going after the criminal element” story. It’s refreshing to read about a hero without the standard origin. We learn about Johann Kraus and how he became The Ectoplasmic Man. When a routine seance goes wrong, Kraus is the only one left tied to our world. Having trouble coming to grips with his fate, he’s drawn to a nearby cemetery at the call of a recently deceased man. This ultimately leads him to The Bureau where he can continue to fight the good fight against demons and monsters. One of the things I like so much about this book is the script. Mignola and Arcadi do such an excellent job of differentiating the characters. A lot of characters these days sound the same so, it’s nice to have such a clear line drawn between them.

At first glance the art looks simple. If you look closer, you’ll find an amazing amount of detail, especially in the backgrounds. Wieland Lorst is an excellent villain for a number of reasons. The first being how he’s drawn by Stenbeck. Sure, he’s ugly but for me he wasn’t someone who wouldn’t appear to be a villain. Lorst looks creepy, but not necessarily evil. His showdown with Kraus is my favorite part of the book. Seeing Lorst’s demon form, how he taunts Kraus, and his limitations as a ghost make for a really great climax.

I really enjoyed this book. The fact that Johann’s origin isn’t the norm is a definite plus. Admittedly, I have a love-hate reaction to the last panel of the book. It’s an awesome ending on one hand because you don’t see that fight, but its disappointing at the same time since I wanted to see it. (Grade: B)

-Ben Berger