HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: THE GHOST SHIPS OF LABRADOR #1 – New Comic Review

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Ghost Ships of Labrador #1, by Dark Horse Comics on 11/12/25, dares readers to follow a haunted quest through foggy despair and Basque ghost ship stories.

Credits:

• Writer: Mike Mignola, Rob Williams
• Artist: Laurence Campbell
• Colorist: Lee Loughridge
• Letterer: Clem Robins
• Cover Artist: Laurence Campbell, Lee Loughridge(cover A)
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
• Release Date: November 12, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: THE GHOST SHIPS OF LABRADOR #1:

First Impressions:

The opening pages practically scowl with mood: fog curls over Red Bay, Labrador, and ghostly threats practically muscle their way out of the mist. An immediate tension sets in, but the setup’s no-nonsense vibe puts all its plot hooks out on the table without bothering with subtlety. You get the sense this comic has the nerve to ask for patience, but not always the clarity to deserve it.

Plot Analysis:

Red Bay, Labrador, is a town of old Basque whaling legends and more shipwrecks than living residents; now, in 1990, its population is smothered by an unnatural mist and haunted by ghost ships. Locals are forced out as pirate ghosts lay claim to the town, taunting and terrifying with supernatural confidence and Basque shanties, turning “Whale Bay” into their own haunt. Into this storm rolls Agatha Blunt – a tough B.P.R.D. agent in a wheelchair, accompanied by her loyal dog, Elba. Agatha is there to solve the ghost crisis, equipped with DIY modifications to her vehicle and the dry wit to bulldoze through disbelief.

Agatha’s investigation is short-lived. She plunges into the mist, and then vanishes, leaving behind instructions to use the car phone if she doesn’t return. Enter the cavalry: Hellboy and Abe Sapien arrive with their usual resigned banter and questionable planning. They swiftly encounter ghostly sailors, each more evasive and jittery than the last, and follow a trail to Red Bay’s spectral tavern, a hotspot for supernatural squatting and cryptic warnings.

The situation deteriorates as Hellboy and Abe confront the haunted townsfolk and their ghostly overlords. An aggressive, supernatural claimant named Vaino holds Agatha captive as the spirits bicker and menace. Hellboy’s method for “detection” is as subtle as ever. He punches, argues, and ignores Abe’s warnings. The action escalates when ghostly threats surge, teeth bared, launching a melee that’s equal parts chaos and dark comedy.

As the dust settles, a major twist emerges: these ghosts aren’t here to invade; they’re fleeing something even worse – the sinister ghost ship San Juan, which hungers for souls. As Hellboy, Agatha, and company realize they’re up against something far nastier than a mere haunting, the issue barrels forward to a cliffhanger, biting off its own resolution until next time.

Story

The pacing keeps its foot on the gas, sidestepping slow-burn tension for brute narrative force. Momentum eclipses atmosphere at times. Dialogue is serviceable, sometimes treading toward the expository, but Hellboy and Agatha’s dry quips and jaded asides land well. There’s little patience for emotional nuance; if you blink, you might miss a plot turn, but you won’t mistake the comic’s single-minded drive.

Art

The art leans on heavy shadows and muted palettes, creating an oppressive, moody tone that matches the ghost story premise. Character designs are distinct, and action is easy to track during the big supernatural brawls. Color choices reinforce the bleak Labrador setting – a swirl of fog, cold water, and aged wood – though some panels threaten to dissolve into visual murk. Panel composition is crisp overall, with a few standout splash pages that anchor the story’s big moments.

Characters

Agatha steals the spotlight: determined, unflappable, and possessed of a wry self-awareness. Her unique perspective as a wheelchair-using agent isn’t a narrative gimmick but an asset sharpened by quick thinking and stubborn resolve. Hellboy and Abe provide reliable franchise comfort. Hellboy bludgeons his way through confusion, while Abe plays cautious sidekick, but new depth is sparse. The ghosts, while visually distinct, rarely move beyond archetype, more backdrop than full characters.

Originality & Concept Execution

There’s novelty in seeing a Basque ghost invasion, and setting the story in coastal Labrador lifts it above standard “small-town haunting” tropes. Still, the comic falls back on familiar Hellboy rhythms: a tough investigator, a town in peril, supernatural mayhem, rinse, repeat. The execution is committed, if not radical, and the twist – ghosts running from a bigger bad – injects just enough curveball to nudge the issue above the merely routine.

Positives

Agatha Blunt’s introduction is the comic’s ace: inventive, sharply defined, and unafraid to bulldoze both ghosts and reader expectations. The moody, fog-battered art delivers a palpable sense of dread but keeps the action legible. The plot’s pivot—ghosts as refugees—adds welcome complexity to what could’ve been standard fare, and moments of snappy dialogue warrant a reread for deadpan impact.

Negatives

For all its momentum, the story skimps on clarity. Exposition sometimes piles up, and the script leans hard on franchise familiarity, tossing new readers into the fog with little guidance. The art, committed to its murky atmosphere, can border on muddy, with details obscured in shadow. Most ghosts blend together personality-wise. It’s inventive visually, but seldom memorable in voice or motive.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 2.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: THE GHOST SHIPS OF LABRADOR #1 asks a lot: attention, patience, and a taste for spectral brawls where plot and art jostle for dominance. The result? A comic that pushes novelty where it matters. Agatha Blunt is the real draw, but the issue can’t fully escape its own atmospheric fog. If your comic budget is tight, weigh Agatha’s star turn and brisk ghost chaos against a premise that’s promising, if not always crystal-clear about where it’s headed.

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