Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957 – Fearful Symmetry

Set in India in 1957, the Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957 – Fearful Symmetry one-shot has Hellboy investigating a number of unusual animal attacks at a small village not far from the University of Sagar which leads to a reunion with Ginny Payne (shown in the 2019 film) who, as a doctoral student at the university, will act as his guide for his stay. Fearful Symmetry is a fine tale, but isn’t a must-read for any but the biggest Hellboy fans.

There are two parts of note to the story. First we get Hellboy and Ginny catching up as she explains her journey to India and studying the local customs and cultures. The second is the series of tiger attacks. First the pair believe they might be dealing with someone turning themselves into a tiger but after killing one of the beasts and seeing it not transform lead them to believe someone is controlling them, eventually leading them to an old widower whose arrests stop the attacks. Was it really him, unconsciously controlling the animals or was their a tie to his deceased wife? I guess Hellboy will never know for sure.

[Dark Horse, $3.99]