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mim72's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Child death
kieranhealy's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this, as I find alt-world fantasy comics tend to be off-putting and sometimes cosplay creepy. Steam-punk 1900s Asia sounds like something that would make my eyes roll all the way backwards. BUT- this is fantastic. Dropping the reader right into a different and terrifying world with not explanation, the sense of discovery and realization draws you in. It helps that the art and panel layouts are wonderful and gorgeous. The main heroine (?), Maika, instantly has depth and personality, and is not just an avatar for weird monster stuff. In a sort of strange, lovecraftian twist on Jekyll/Hyde, she is possessed by a terrifying demon that hungers for blood. She tries, and occasionally fails, at controlling this as yet unknown entity the emerges from her severed arm. Yes, her severed arm.
This is shaping up to be a massive, epic fantasy world, and I can't wait to read on. What a great start.
Merged review:
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this, as I find alt-world fantasy comics tend to be off-putting and sometimes cosplay creepy. Steam-punk 1900s Asia sounds like something that would make my eyes roll all the way backwards. BUT- this is fantastic. Dropping the reader right into a different and terrifying world with not explanation, the sense of discovery and realization draws you in. It helps that the art and panel layouts are wonderful and gorgeous. The main heroine (?), Maika, instantly has depth and personality, and is not just an avatar for weird monster stuff. In a sort of strange, lovecraftian twist on Jekyll/Hyde, she is possessed by a terrifying demon that hungers for blood. She tries, and occasionally fails, at controlling this as yet unknown entity the emerges from her severed arm. Yes, her severed arm.
This is shaping up to be a massive, epic fantasy world, and I can't wait to read on. What a great start.
This is shaping up to be a massive, epic fantasy world, and I can't wait to read on. What a great start.
Merged review:
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this, as I find alt-world fantasy comics tend to be off-putting and sometimes cosplay creepy. Steam-punk 1900s Asia sounds like something that would make my eyes roll all the way backwards. BUT- this is fantastic. Dropping the reader right into a different and terrifying world with not explanation, the sense of discovery and realization draws you in. It helps that the art and panel layouts are wonderful and gorgeous. The main heroine (?), Maika, instantly has depth and personality, and is not just an avatar for weird monster stuff. In a sort of strange, lovecraftian twist on Jekyll/Hyde, she is possessed by a terrifying demon that hungers for blood. She tries, and occasionally fails, at controlling this as yet unknown entity the emerges from her severed arm. Yes, her severed arm.
This is shaping up to be a massive, epic fantasy world, and I can't wait to read on. What a great start.
kaminskiic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Gritty and fast-paced, you are launched into a world filled with lore and conflict, and discover darkness alongside the main character. The art is beautiful and pulls you into really being there and feeling the dread this comic is so effective at making the reader feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Death of parent
thepyts2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ceciliatan's review against another edition
5.0
What an outstanding work this is! Not only is the art the most lush, gorgeous thing I've ever seen--and I've been reading comics since the 1970s--but the story is a brilliant and satisfying "post-superhero" work of great intensity and intelligence. I've enjoyed Marjorie Liu's work on some previous comics (including a Black Widow graphic novel/miniseries for Marvel) but when she is set free to do her own worldbuilding and her own character creation, the results are positively stunning. I don't want to say too much in this review mostly because the delight of discovering the story and characters and world is so great I don't want to diminish it. I will say it's got all the visceral punch of the best Alan Moore or Warren Ellis but with a decidedly distaff touch. "Strong female characters"? Try "nearly ALL female characters." I didn't even realize it was an almost completely female cast until a hunky male shows up partway through because there's so much depth and diversity. Read it.
Merged review:
What an outstanding work this is! Not only is the art the most lush, gorgeous thing I've ever seen--and I've been reading comics since the 1970s--but the story is a brilliant and satisfying "post-superhero" work of great intensity and intelligence. I've enjoyed Marjorie Liu's work on some previous comics (including a Black Widow graphic novel/miniseries for Marvel) but when she is set free to do her own worldbuilding and her own character creation, the results are positively stunning. I don't want to say too much in this review mostly because the delight of discovering the story and characters and world is so great I don't want to diminish it. I will say it's got all the visceral punch of the best Alan Moore or Warren Ellis but with a decidedly distaff touch. "Strong female characters"? Try "nearly ALL female characters." I didn't even realize it was an almost completely female cast until a hunky male shows up partway through because there's so much depth and diversity. Read it.
Merged review:
What an outstanding work this is! Not only is the art the most lush, gorgeous thing I've ever seen--and I've been reading comics since the 1970s--but the story is a brilliant and satisfying "post-superhero" work of great intensity and intelligence. I've enjoyed Marjorie Liu's work on some previous comics (including a Black Widow graphic novel/miniseries for Marvel) but when she is set free to do her own worldbuilding and her own character creation, the results are positively stunning. I don't want to say too much in this review mostly because the delight of discovering the story and characters and world is so great I don't want to diminish it. I will say it's got all the visceral punch of the best Alan Moore or Warren Ellis but with a decidedly distaff touch. "Strong female characters"? Try "nearly ALL female characters." I didn't even realize it was an almost completely female cast until a hunky male shows up partway through because there's so much depth and diversity. Read it.
audiobebop's review against another edition
4.0
Monstress is a great graphic novel. The story is interesting and the artwork is beautiful, both help to create an immersive reading experience. I love the variety of female characters and the complex emotions and varying personalities that are uncharacteristic for females in this genre.
In an awesome interview found in Vulture Magazine, the author explains “We’re not accustomed to giving women the space to express the full range of emotions and flaws that men are permitted. Anger and aggressiveness aren’t part of the scale of what is acceptable behavior in women, whereas men — in reality and in fiction — are allowed a much fuller range of emotion.”
As a reader, you can definitely see that. I loved this read and am looking forward to the second installment.
Merged review:
Monstress is a great graphic novel. The story is interesting and the artwork is beautiful, both help to create an immersive reading experience. I love the variety of female characters and the complex emotions and varying personalities that are uncharacteristic for females in this genre.
In an awesome interview found in Vulture Magazine, the author explains “We’re not accustomed to giving women the space to express the full range of emotions and flaws that men are permitted. Anger and aggressiveness aren’t part of the scale of what is acceptable behavior in women, whereas men — in reality and in fiction — are allowed a much fuller range of emotion.”
As a reader, you can definitely see that. I loved this read and am looking forward to the second installment.
In an awesome interview found in Vulture Magazine, the author explains “We’re not accustomed to giving women the space to express the full range of emotions and flaws that men are permitted. Anger and aggressiveness aren’t part of the scale of what is acceptable behavior in women, whereas men — in reality and in fiction — are allowed a much fuller range of emotion.”
As a reader, you can definitely see that. I loved this read and am looking forward to the second installment.
Merged review:
Monstress is a great graphic novel. The story is interesting and the artwork is beautiful, both help to create an immersive reading experience. I love the variety of female characters and the complex emotions and varying personalities that are uncharacteristic for females in this genre.
In an awesome interview found in Vulture Magazine, the author explains “We’re not accustomed to giving women the space to express the full range of emotions and flaws that men are permitted. Anger and aggressiveness aren’t part of the scale of what is acceptable behavior in women, whereas men — in reality and in fiction — are allowed a much fuller range of emotion.”
As a reader, you can definitely see that. I loved this read and am looking forward to the second installment.
brancrisp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
peppa_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
re_saxy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vascogdm's review against another edition
5.0
Katana wielding cats and nekomancers, emphatic "monsters", satisfying action and developed characters.
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL art.
The story has an air of mystery and- I'm just going to go read the next volume straight away... That good.
Merged review:
Katana wielding cats and nekomancers, emphatic "monsters", satisfying action and developed characters.
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL art.
The story has an air of mystery and- I'm just going to go read the next volume straight away... That good.
Merged review:
Katana wielding cats and nekomancers, emphatic "monsters", satisfying action and developed characters.
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL art.
The story has an air of mystery and- I'm just going to go read the next volume straight away... That good.
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL art.
The story has an air of mystery and- I'm just going to go read the next volume straight away... That good.
Merged review:
Katana wielding cats and nekomancers, emphatic "monsters", satisfying action and developed characters.
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL art.
The story has an air of mystery and- I'm just going to go read the next volume straight away... That good.
Merged review:
Katana wielding cats and nekomancers, emphatic "monsters", satisfying action and developed characters.
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL art.
The story has an air of mystery and- I'm just going to go read the next volume straight away... That good.