B.P.R.D. The Dead # 1 released in November 2004, is the debut issue of the third miniseries in the B.P.R.D. line, following the conclusion of Plague of Frogs. It is a pivotal issue that introduces key characters and delves deeper into the origins of Abe Sapien.
With Hellboy gone, the B.P.R.D. moves its operations to a new underground headquarters in Colorado to better combat the ongoing "plague of frogs". The miniseries splits its focus between two major plot threads:
-
Abe Sapien's Past: Abe travels to the coastal town of Littleport, Rhode Island, the birthplace of the man he once was: Langdon Everett Caul, a Victorian scientist. He meets the spirit of Caul's long-dead wife, Edith, and confronts the tragic life they lived over a century ago.
-
The New Leader: The remaining B.P.R.D. field agents—Liz Sherman, Roger the Homunculus, and Johann Kraus—meet their new team leader: Captain Ben Daimio, a seemingly normal military operative with a mysterious past of his own (having returned from the dead).
-
A New Threat: The team investigates a series of mysterious altars made of dead animal parts appearing across the Midwest, which are linked to the frog cults and the return of the ancient entity Sadu-Hem.
Key Details & First Appearances
-
Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi.
-
Artist: Guy Davis.
-
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics.
-
First Appearances:
-
Captain Ben Daimio: A key character who becomes a central figure in the B.P.R.D. series.
-
Edith Caul: Abe Sapien's deceased wife from his past life.
-
Gunter Eiss: A Nazi scientist from the B.P.R.D.'s secret history.