Writer: Mike Mignola
Artists: Guy Davis, Dave Stewart(c)
Publisher: Dark Horse
A satisfying conclusion to last issue's cliffhanger pits BPRD operatives Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien against the fungal monstrosity in an impressive set-piece. Mignola's direction while relying on previous horror and dark fantasy conventions of occult gatherings stamps his own eerie style to the scene.
The focus of Liz's control over her pyrokinetic powers creates character-based drama that holds more impetus if you have been a faithful Mignola reader than a mere novice, but newcomers to the wonderful, weird world of Hellboy and company will still appreciate the staging of the scenes.
Mignola's terse dialogue for his stars furthermore incorporates Plague of Frogs firmly into the author's body of work. Guy Davis' mimicry of Mignola's choreography within the framework of his own style creates a fascinating fusion. For example, the depiction of our downed elemental heroes in conjunction with the wit and every day speech within the dialogue of "monsters" exhibits brings to mind classic Mignola technique. There's a stripped down quality where everything has been reduced to its essence, but Guy Davis does not alter his extremely detailed style.
While Kate Corrigan's part in the story adds some humor, the threat she faces is more of a shoulder shrug compared to the grotesque frog men and the borderline nauseating fungus-thing. She does not drag the story down, but when you've seen wyrms, Jenny Greenteeth and space fungi gods, the rising dead almost seem by comparison pedestrian.
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