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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
God, the clothing depicted in these books are so beautiful, especially this volume
The first four issues of this volume are fantastic but the art takes a big step down in the last three, especially issues 16 and 17. The one main weakness of Monstress so far has been the occasional tendency for the paints to get a bit too muddy and murky, especially in fight scenes that involve dark tentacles and dark hair mixing with mutilated and bloody bodies, at the same time the storytelling gets a bit rushed, so that it becomes difficult to tell what's happening. There were only a few isolated incidents of this in the first two volumes, and overall I thought the painting was improving with a wider palette bringing in more bright colors, but then the murky mishmash completely takes over the better part of the last three issues here. I don't mind the darkness or the fighting, I just wish it was a bit clearer, maybe with some solid blacks and more contrast to make things easier on the eyes instead of shrouding everything in the same shade of murk. Hopefully the high standards set by the series' first 15 issues will return in volume 4. (Update — Yes! Volume 4 is the first volume that gets a full 10/10 five-star rating from me.)
I've made a habit of rereading these volumes before getting on to the next, and I was able to enjoy the dark issues much more on the second go-around, after I'd already deciphered the murk and more-or-less knew what was supposed to be happening. There are still a number of panels where I couldn't really tell you what's what, but I was able to appreciate the art more for what it is. If you want to do it justice though, make sure you've got not decent but extremely good light. It might even be worth getting a digital version to see it backlit.
I've made a habit of rereading these volumes before getting on to the next, and I was able to enjoy the dark issues much more on the second go-around, after I'd already deciphered the murk and more-or-less knew what was supposed to be happening. There are still a number of panels where I couldn't really tell you what's what, but I was able to appreciate the art more for what it is. If you want to do it justice though, make sure you've got not decent but extremely good light. It might even be worth getting a digital version to see it backlit.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Racism, Slavery
This is simply the best graphic novel available to read at the moment and thoroughly deserves all of the Eisner awards it's won. The story is amazing and the artwork sublime. Each volume is every bit as good as its predecessor and leaves me champing at the bit for the next.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
Gorgeous artwork, plenty of likable yet complex characters, a unique fantasy world, and a plot with high stakes. My only hinderance was my inability to quite understand all of the political factions involved. It doesn't bother me that Liu throws her readers right into the world--in fact, I really like that--but it did mean that I didn't always understand who everyone is. My confusion could also be due to the fact that (to prepare for vol 4-5) I only reread this volume for a quick recap. Maybe I should have gone back from the very beginning to help me get that fuller picture. But even when I was confused, I was fascinated. I cannot wait to jump into volumes 4&5.
Rating: 8/10. Really bordering on a 9, and might achieve that if I go back and read from the very beginning someday.
Rating: 8/10. Really bordering on a 9, and might achieve that if I go back and read from the very beginning someday.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes