Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie M. LiuMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This third volume of Monstress expands both the world and the story. It's evident that this is the graphic novel equivalent of an epic fantasy, and while those kinds of doorstoppers are something I usually steer clear of, I am enraptured by this. This is due in no small part to Sana Takeda's gorgeous and ground-breaking (and award-winning, deservedly so) art. But Marjorie Liu's story is equally intricate and fascinating. In this volume we find out more about Zinn, the Lovecraftian-like Old One our protagonist Maika Halfwolf carries inside her, and get glimpses of the history of a conflict that extends thousands of years into this world's past.
However, this volume does end in a cliffhanger, a rather distressing one. Maika and Zinn defeat one of Zinn's "sister-brothers" (fellow Old Gods) who is trying to destroy the city of Pontus, where Maika and her friends have fled. After the battle, it is discovered that the fox-child Kippa, the most sympathetic character of the lot (I'm beginning to wonder if Kippa isn't the real protagonist of this story, instead of the anti-hero Maika) has been taken by beings unknown. The final panel is a heartbreaking image of Kippa's cloak, lying abandoned in the dirt.
This is a fantastic and absorbing story that is maintaining its high quality. In fact, I think Image is publishing the best comics around now, outshining Marvel and DC. Please do yourself a favor and pick it up.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment