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Graphic Novel Review: Monstress Volume 3: The Haven by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda

Monstress Volume 3: The Haven by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda

Image Comics, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781534306912

Available: Paperback, Kindle, comiXology

In Volume 3, Maika Halfwolf discovers more about her mother’s plan, herself, and her past, just as Zinn (the Monstrum living within her), is putting together their own plan. War between the Arcanics and humans is imminent. Maika may have no choice but to work with Zinn just to survive the entities close at her heels. Ren and Kippa still follow Maika in her quest as they make it to Tear Shed in the Pontus Waters, a place of refugees and neutral ground. There Maika reluctantly makes a deal with the Royal Engineer to help repair the region’s shield wall, which resembles a Monstrum itself. The Engineer, and others, are convinced that because of Maika’s bloodline, she will be able to make the repairs to the shield. In exchange, Maika and her allies will receive sanctuary in Tear Shed. While all of this is going on, the Cumea are plotting, the Blood Queens are closing in, and enemies and allies alike are on their way. Maika’s bloodline also opens the laboratory and archives of the Shaman-Empress, a place that has been locked for centuries. What greets Maika and Zinn is not only unexpected, but leads to major revelations for the Monstrum. Ren also commits the ultimate betrayal that results in Kippa’s abduction. I have no shame admitting that I cried when that discovery came to light. As with the two previous collected volumes, Professor Tam-Tam helps provide further context and history of the world of Monstress.

There is so much going on in this volume. I actually had to go back and reread sections of the previous two volumes to make sure that I was following everything that was going on. Most people would probably count this against Monstress, but I don’t see it that way. The world and storylines are so intricate that it is easy to miss something, unless you are paying close attention. As someone who likes to read and reread comic series, I appreciate this, and I am wondering when I do revisit the series what else I am going to pick up on that I missed before. I’m sure that there will be things on my next reading that will also fall into place based on a full reading. Liu is a great storyteller who has created such an immense world and tale that I don’t think it can all possibly be taken in with only one reading of Monstress.

I am so in love with Takeda’s artwork, so much so that I even requested from my favourite comic shop to pull her alternate covers for The Power of the Dark Crystal series for my box. That’s another series I recommend, but that is a story for another world…another time… Highly recommended.

Volume 3 collects issues 13-18.

Contains: blood, gore, nudity, PTSD, sexual situations

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Editor’s note: Monstress Volume 3: The Haven is a nominee on the final ballot for the 2018 Stoker Awards in the category of Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel. 

Posted on May 5, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Abbott by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivela

Abbott by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivelä

BOOM! Studios, 2018

ISBN-13: 978-1684152452

Available:  Paperback, Kindle, comiXology

Hugo Award-nominated novelist Saladin Ahmed gives us the story of journalist Elena Abbott, who is investigating police brutality and corruption in 1972 Detroit. There are crimes being committed by the very people sworn to protect and serve. Elena doesn’t shy away from controversy, and isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers. One of her recent reports, however, has received the attention of some racist white men who own the paper, and she’s been ordered to work on other, less interesting, cases. Instead, she discovers supernatural forces controlled by a secret society made up of the city’s elite. However, these forces are not unknown to her. After all, her husband was taken by the shadowy Umbra. When she’s chased down by masked men and creatures that are stitched together from remains of animals and Black citizens, things get messier for our intrepid reporter.

Abbott doesn’t just face the Umbra (the raised and stitched creatures), and the dark society that cultivates them, but also racism, sexism, and, to some degree, homophobia, in this dark tale. Looking at other reviewers’ words to describe Abbott, one rings out clear: badass. She really is. She is the only Black reporter on staff at her paper, she loves her brandy, and smokes incessantly. While she exhibits a healthy fear of the shadows closing in on her, she never backs down in moments of stress, especially when it comes to her convictions. The social and historical commentary is important for us to read today. For the other strong readers out there, do yourself a favour and pick up Abbott. Ahmed pens an excellent story, and artist Sami Kivelä provides incredible illustrations. They make an excellent team for this book. I need to search out other work both of them have created. Highly recommended.

Contains: blood, gore, misogyny, police brutality, racism

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Editor’s note: Abbott is a nominee on the final ballot for the 2018 Bram Stoker Awards in the category of Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel. 

Posted on May 2, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Jenny Finn by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey, art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple

Jenny Finn by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey, art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 9781427606754

Available: hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

A mysterious girl, Jenny Finn, arrives in Victorian England and leaves death, destruction, and a strange curse in her wake. There is a plague causing gruesome lesions in the crooked streets of London. Joe, a slaughterhouse worker, aims to find out what’s going on in his city. When the pursuit of his investigation leads him to Jenny, Joe is attacked by a religious zealot named Hornsbee who attempts to kill her, and has a number of strange and disturbing encounters: a serial murderer bent on wiping out the “ladies of the night” is loose, the ghosts of the murdered women roam the streets, and mutated half-human, half-fish people devote themselves to Jenny Finn. Pippa Platt, who clearly loves the oblivious Joe, takes him to a séance to see if a group of spiritualists can help him track down Jenny and what is happening in the town.

I liked this story for several reasons. The Lovecraftian tone and the Victorian setting were essential elements for this kind of tale. The griminess of old London and themes of punishment, forgiveness, and doom are exactly what I like in my horror. The art for this volume fits with the story well. Sequential art that includes body horror has always been a draw for me. The hybrid humans in particular are interesting in these pages.

While Jenny Finn does not compare to the Hellboy mythos, it is an interesting tale with great artwork. If you enjoy Lovecraftian tones, Victorian settings, and body horror, this would make a nice addition to your collection.

Recommended

Contains: body horror, nudity, implied rape, sex

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 10, 2019 by , Reply
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