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Released by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: December 18, 2013
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This next installment picks right up where the previous issue left off, with Sledgehammer finally returning to action to rescue a pilot captured by the Nazis. However, he's apprehended by their superhero, The Black Flame.
The U.S. pilot, Elroy, has been captured with the experimental Flying Wing, the Allies' latest secret weapon. So the Nazis are torturing the pilot, to spill all the machine's secrets. Meanwhile, the Black Flame discovers that Sledgehammer is not as easy to take out as he initially thought. He tries attacking the man inside the armor but that's where the series shines in that Sledgehammer is regaining his humanity, becoming even stronger inside the armor and out.
While their superhero battle rages Elroy manages to send an S.O.S. out, giving away his location but unknown to his captors. Soon, then, a mock-up fleet of Allied planes are on their way, relying more on the element of surprise. Fortunately, that coincides with Sledgehammer's arrival and they're able to rescue Elroy and their secret weapon. They're able to escape but the hero remains behind, promising a final showdown with The Black Flame.
Veteran writers Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are at their peak here, breathlessly intercutting big action pieces with Elroy's struggles and the rescue mission. Laurence Campbell's artwork is magnificent here, too, wonderfully awash in shadow and details and those big action scenes. This series is turning out to be an excellent addition to the B.P.R.D. line and I'm looking forward to the next concluding entry in this series.
