Storyline: One-Shot
Date: June 25, 2008
Price: $2.99 US
Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Artist: Ben Stenbeck

Synopsis: This one-shot comic tells the origin of Johann Kraus, corresponding with Johann’s appearance in the 2008 feature film Hellboy 2. The Ectoplasmic Man is the ideal introduction to one of the most peculiar members of the remarkable Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense.

Opinion: We are introduced to Johann Kraus, a prominent medium in his own right. Through unfortunate events his body is fried and he is left in a living ectoplasmic state. Lost without a reason to keep existing he resigns his spirit to dissipation. Until he meets a member of the B.P.R.D. Interested? Read the rest of my review after the jump.

I, for one, enjoy origin stories. They let you know why a character acts the way they do and why they make the choices that they do. As far as an origin story goes The Ectoplasmic Man falls short. I love stories of the paranormal but this one-shot seemed very rushed and only to serve the purpose of fueling the hype for Hellboy 2. Now don’t get me wrong, I will be there to see Hellboy 2 ’cause it looks awesome, but there could have been so much more done with the origin of this character. The way he ends up in his ectoplasmic state is vague at best and generally uninteresting. The reason he ends up with the B.P.R.D. is much better and kind of cool but is explained on a whim and is not very in-depth. The art is the saving grace of this issue as it fits the paranormal very well. It is dark and ominous and is visually pleasing. If you enjoy Hellboy a lot and want to be caught up when the movie comes out, then pick up this one-shot. Other than that stay away.

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