ShN777's Profile

Absolute Wonder Woman has been a revelation as a series. The Absolute universe was supposed to be a "darker" take on the main DC universe. It certainly is, but that is part of what makes Diana's character in this universe so much more memorable and effective. Kelly Thompson is doing remarkable work. Issue #10 was divided into two parts -Diana's encounter with the goddess Artemis as a little girl and the present, where she is trying to save Ferdinand the Minotaur and Petra the Siren from a tyrannical Queen. The present day section of the story goes very well, as Ferdinand sacrifices himself to shelter Diana and Petra, Diana gets Petra to safety in the Hieron, then returns to rescue Ferdinand and continue her primary mission of finding the Amazon she has been told is condemned to the Maze. The part of the story I found more impactful, however, was the confrontation with Artemis. Everything about this part comes together beautifully -from little Diana (she must be no more than 8-10) armored up and handed her axe (almost as tall as she is) by her demon friend, while her mother, Circe, worries about her. The confrontation with Artemis, apparently being done as a form of training, is amazing and powerfully revealing of Diana's character. Later, when Circe is speaking to Hecate about Diana, the fact that Diana is defined by her kindness and compassion and that her spirit is unique, something that even the gods themselves did not imagine and could not have crafted, underlines what really makes this book special. It is overflowing with the kind of kindness, compassion and wisdom that is part of the very best WW stories. It emphasizes how the qualities that make WW most admirable and inspiring are innate. Whether she is raised in Hell or Paradise, Diana's soul comes out. Circe continues to be a wonderful mother figure. I hope that, someday, Absolute Diana meets the Diana of the regular DCU and the two have an opportunity to compare notes. I also wonder how Circe will adjust to her Diana's eventual reunion with her biological mother, Hippolyta -but, the last story arc, with the Lady or the Tiger, already showed that Circe was willing to lose Diana to ensure Diana's freedom, so the question may already be answered.

Yet another fantastic issue. SPOILERS Diana finally locates the Amazon she was seeking -and it is none other than Io! One of the interesting differences between AB WW and Diana in the regular DCU is that regular Diana is usaully presented as a very tall woman but not necessarily remarkably so. AB WW is almost a giantess, and this is borne out by the fact she is at least as tall as Io, an Amazon known for her size and strength in the regular universe. The two Amazons have a memorable, if muted, reunion and Diana has her hopes for the nobility of her people confirmed when she realizes that Io, who is leading a group of survivors in the Maze, could ahve escaped by herself long before but refused to abandon her friends. Diana crafts an escape plan - something reasonably easy for her to do, as she is a sorceress who has already constructed a pathway out of the maze - and forms an alliance with a mysterious being who is also trapped, in seemingly ectoplasmic form, inside the prison. Little Diana's encounter with Artemis continues to charm, show more of Diana's character, and add a fascinating counterpoint to the strategies she is employing in the present. Another great issue of this astonishly good series.

A welcome return of one of the best series presently on the stands or anywhere else. Maika and her companions awaken after being gone from their world for about a year to find that the Lord Doctor has unleashed a war of annihilation on the world using Zinn. There is a lot of catching up to do and the reader is plunged right back into the complexity of the universe that Liu has built. It is an immersive and almost overwhelming experience but foreshadows a truly epic story to come. As usual, the Doctor seems five steps ahead of everyone. Maika rediscovers an old friend she has not seen since her childhood. The cats who came back from the prison world of the old gods are discovering for themselves how primitive their world has become. Poignantly, Maika continues to talk in her head to her lost love, Tuya, even as she plans to murder her former lover and betrayer for what she has done. The art, as always, is breathtaking. A truly phenomenal opening chapter in another epic story arc.

Another excellent edition in one of the most consistently excellent series available. This issue is deep in lore, advancing numerous plotlines and character development. It is too rich in these developments for everything to be processed in a single reading. SPOILERS/RECAP - It starts with Zinn, trapped in the Doctor's prison, somehow hearing Kippa's proclamation of love from the last issue. Hearing the voice of the little fox gives Zinn more will to live and to try to hold out for when he might be rescued. We see the Doctor speaking to Seizi, underlining that he knows that Maika will come for him to reclaim the power/gain the freedom of Zinn, but also to free Seizi out of love.It goes to Maika meeting with the mysterious Wave Court, which has been ordered to offer refuge to those fleeing the devastation on the mainland by the even more mysterious Wave Empress. We see Ren meeting with the had of a cat temple where we finally learn what has been happening in the time that our heroes were away/asleep in the prison of the Elder Gods. The Blood Court of the Doctor apparently formed an alliance with the Dusk and Dawn Courts to push back the Cumaea. Then Zinn appeared, controlled by the Doctor, and the Dusk and Dawn Courts went into hiding, apparently benefiting from a treaty with the Doctor. Now, the Doctor and the Monster have been slaughtering Arcanics and humans. Ren is given a clue as to what happened to the World Walkers and goes off to find them working in a shop chopping fish. We see Kippa in a dream, where she speaks to (probably) the Wave Empress, who encourages her and says that "small fish become titans who remake worlds". Kippa has a vision of Maika wearing the mask and wielding Zinn, but little Maika appears to tell her that she (Maika) and the mask are not what they appear. Finally, we enter Maika's dream, where she finds Zinn chained by the Doctor. Zinn warns her it is a trap and that he can only hide her from the Doctor briefly. He also tells her to tell Kippa that he heard her as the prison grows dark with the coming of the Doctor. Again, this issue is rife will enormous character development and advancement of the plot. The cats have learned that the Doctor can only control Zinn for short times and that it exhausts him. We learned the Maika rampaged through the Dusk Court - more on that will be in the next issue, where the Wolf Queen and the Beast, Maika's possible sister, are on the cover. The mystery of Kippa deepens. What powers does she have, what role does she have to play, and who are the "sisters" of the Wave Empress that are speaking of her? Zinn even reveals to Maika that he thinks the Doctor's feelings about Maika are more complex than she realizes. The art, as always, is fantastic. The almost full page depiction of Maika and Zinn in Kippa's dream is particularly good. In recapping this, the depth of the story becomes more apparent. The next issue, with the return of the Wolf Queen and the Beast, should be great!

Another fantastic issue of a fantastic series. The last arc, as good as it was, felt a bit rushed and difficult to follow at times. This arc is off to a riveting start. Every issue delivers enormous amounts of content, adds to the overall mystery and questions, and even resolves or at least complicates existing relationships and animating themes. This particular issue is even richer than most. It has so much going on that it is hard to keep track of everything but never in a bad way. We find out what happened to Tuya's child clone, Yuta. We learn about a relationship that Maika has that she did not even know about, but which discerning readers realized some time ago. We learn a bit more about the complexity of the politics in the Spice Islands, especially now that the Federation survivors have sought refuge there. We discover how Maika, Ren and Kippa ended up in the Spice Islands and who got them there. And Kippa, getting ever more mysterious, has a fateful encounter with a somewhat familiar being and an encounter with someone else whose existence has been an animating force behind the story of the series from the get-go. We even almost find out who the mysterious being who blessed Kippa may have been - but not quite! The story also provides interesting details. For example, in one scene, Maika and Sauri share a drink, but the reader has to pay attention to see that Maika pricks her finger and puts her blood into the drink and that Sauri does the same. Neither character comments on this. Is this just a strange local custom or does it have greater significance? As usual, the art is brilliant.

This another tremendous issue of Monstress though, like many issues, it adds more layers to an already intensely complex but engaging story. Maika is back in Thyria, which is now occupied by the Blood Court, and finds that the Doctor's occupation is more appealing to many citizens than the previous regime. Ren has an interesting and very revealing and intriguing encounter with the Poet he previously met in the city. Kippa and Yuta have some interesting interactions. And, finally, Maika meets the Beast and plays the card that Tuya gave to her in the last issue - i.e., that the Beast is her twin sister. Everything about this series shines. The art is fantastic, as always, thought the colors and the detail in this issue seem a bit washed out- perhaps as a reflection of life in occupied Thyria. Tuya letting Maika know that the Beast was her twin sister last issue was interesting. I was surprised that Maika had not figured that out herself, but she may never have heard the Beast call the Doctor "father." The Beast is a very interesting character and Maika's apparent attempt to appeal to a sisterly bond seems like a bit of a longshot. From what we have seen, her sister could just as much resent and hate her as have any sibling fealty. Maika, after all, is clearly the favoured daughter by both their mother and father. The greater exploration of Yuta, on the margins, is fascinating. As Maika noted, Yuta is very smart and her wiles may come in handy. Maika may also want a Tuya surrogate at her side. One thing that is easy to forget about "Monstress" is that, even with all the political intrigue and complex world building, it is still a rumination on the many forms of love that guide its characters. Maika loves Kippa; Kippa loves Maika and they will do anything for each other. Ren and Kippa love each other (the triangular relationship between Maika, Kippa and Ren may be very important, as this issue implies). Corvin loves Kippa too and respects Maika. Maika's quest for the secret of her mother's death was driven by her complex feelings for her distant, demanding mother. Maika is in love with Tuya, and vice versa. Tuya's numerous betrayals are unbelievably painful but she is a very sympathetic character nonetheless, desperately trying to save herself from possession and erasure from the Baronness. In a prophetic dream in a previous issue, Maika told Tuya that the two of them would save each other. I hope that this proves true, in the end. Finally, Maika seems to be playing on her father's love for her as a tactic in her battle against him and her effort to reclaim Zinn. Her willingness to make an emotional appeal to her sister underlines, again, how love can be a weapon as well as a balm. Great issue!

Another spectacular issue in a spectacular series. Monstress is a hard series to evaluate precisely because the complexity and detail of the story means that it is often hard to keep track of all the characters and the resulting nuances of what may be going on. For example, in the previous issue, little Kippa had a dream encounter with a being who may be the Wave Empress - a being who has been hinted at, mostly in the lectures of Professor Tam Tam at the back of the book. What Kippa's encounter may mean is not yet clear, as are most things about the little Fox, but it's one of the many ways in which the story weaves complex threads that are hard to keep in order. Even so, this issue stands out in that it advances the overall story significantly. SPOILERS AHEAD. Maika and her father, the Doctor, have an interesting discussion, wherein he suggests that she might want to join him and she replies that he will never be able to trust her. But the most relevant part of the conversation, that takes place in a dream, is that Zinn is able to leave Maika a message: the Doctor is "unwell." The end part of the story may be most relevant as we see Zinn and the Doctor battling for control. Zinn gave his power to Maika willingly, as part of their cooperative relationship. He fights the Doctor for control, meaning that the Doctor is struggling to maintain that control and his power. The Doctor asks Zinn what Maika did that made him cooperate and the Monstrum says that she shared her entire mind with him completely, something that the Doctor refuses to do. He needs his secrets. Zinn is also spying on the Doctor, who is undergoing blood transfusions with the assistance of the snake Ancient Krom. Zinn manages to send a tentacle off through the Doctor's complex to spy. He discovers that the blood the Doctor is getting is coming from clones of Maika, all of whom are deteriorating. The Doctor is only maintaining his control of Zinn by using Maika's blood, which is in short supply. We also learn a bit more about what Ren learned after he killed then interrogated the Poet. Ren's relationship with the Cats from the Ancient's prison is endlessly amusing. Again, in that situation, more balls come into play as the Cats suggest that ancient weaponry that predates the Shaman Empress may be available in some of the cities. Takeda and Liu do their usual masterful job of advancing the story and laying the groundwork for much more to come.

Another story arc wraps up with a cliffhanger in this very eventful and tragic issue. The strengths as well as the weaknesses of the series are on display. The art is beautiful and the story advances in an ominous new direction through a series of interlocking events. However, the sheer complexity of the story and the large number of characters to keep track of means the book is inaccessible to those not already rooted in the story. For those of us who are, every issue is an amazing payoff and another master class in world-building and how to construct a complicated, multi-layered story featuring memorable characters we care about. SPOILERS AHEAD The story continues with Maika trying to use her mask fragment to learn what the "razor light" is. She manages to see memories of Zinn and the Shaman Empress that tells her something, but her insight is interrupted by her smaller self warning her that "someone" is coming. The rest of the story reveals, through various characters, that the "Defiled Ones" who are imprisoned with the Old Gods are using the mask fragments to open doors and accesses to the world, coming in through the people who have used the mask. The issue ends with one of these beings seemingly taking possession of Maika. A great deal more happens in the issue. Zinn manages to leave a message for Corvin and Zortia (more on her in a moment) without the Doctor realizing it. The Doctor's body is breaking down and he is more influenced by Zinn than he fully realizes - and Zinn is fighting back against his control. We see the Wolf Queen, Yvette Lo Lim (who is apparently also possessed by a demonic being - whether a Defiled One or Old God remains to be seen) and learn that the Monkey King Ancient is a spy and servitor of the being possessing Yvette. We see Seizi being tortured by the Doctor. The mystery of the mask fragments has been a central part of the series, though it is easy to lose track of this in all the other balls in motion at any given time. What the mask is, where it came from, who or what made it, are all open questions. The sheer complexity of the story means that keeping up means reading, re-reading and thinking about the different clues being dropped at any given time. Even for me, someone who loves this series, this is difficult at times. For example, I completely forgot about Zortia. Doing a brief internet search for her led to some reddit threads that told me a lot more about the character than I think I ever realized -and she is a fairly minor character! Gull makes another appearance and Maika reminds her of a moment of intimacy they shared that I had completely forgotten. It was only one panel, so that's fine, but it speaks to how even minor events can have a callback. Overall, another great issue. The sense that the series is building towards a more decisive situation where some of the mysteries will be answered in time for the next step - presumably, some kind of confrontation with the horrific beings that drove the Ancients and the Old Gods out of their homes - to be taken.

Another stellar issue of Monstress, though the story's overall complexity is becoming greater and greater. As we have discovered over the past few issues, all of the individuals who wore fragments of the mask at one time have become possessed by Monstrum called "the Defiled." These are beings who are the enemies of Zinn and his people (or perhaps other versions of the same beings) and they are now acting to take possession of their various hosts -including Maika and Kippa. But Kippa has turned out to have some innate power that allowed her to repulse her intruder- at least for now - and Maika has proven her will to be too much for the being occupying her, forcing it to reach a bargain with her. So, once again, Maika is wielding the power of an "old god." At the same time, we find out that a powerful creature is possessing the Doctor, beyond simply his forced bond with Zinn. There are already signs that being is subtly controlling the Doctor without him knowing what is going on. What Zinn knows is still not clear. One of the more intriguing and amusing developments is between Maika's sister, the Beast, and one of the Doctor's warmasters, a panther woman named Agata. Agata conveys concerns that the Doctor may not be thinking correctly and might not be able to handle the burden of Zinn. The Beast immediately calls that out as treason - until the parrot she is carrying on her shoulder blurts out some of the things the Beast has been saying in private, that mirror what the warmasters are saying. Later, it turns out that the Beast is now in contact with her grandmother, something that we have to assume happened after they met in the Dusk Court. The Beast is rapidly becoming one of my favourite characters. Like Maika, she is driven by rage and tragedy, but she is also enticingly intelligent and capable. She doesn't miss much and it makes her all the more admirable. In one of her earliest appearances, she saved Corvin's sister from being harvested by Arcanics who were kidnapping more human looking Arcanics to use their bodies for the rejuvenation of the Ancients. She did this just by questioning the woman, putting herself between the vulnerable woman and the prospective kidnappers. She knew exactly what she was doing and it spoke to how astute she is.

Another excellent issue, yet one too complex to fully summarize here.The story is getting increasingly complex, as the Defiled are now a major new part of the narrative - beings who are like Zinn and who are also possessing numerous other beings (like Kippa) but who also have theri own agenda and are divided among themselves. This issue also introduces the possibility (or, maybe more accurately, adds further confirmation to the many hints) that the Shaman Empress remains an active presence in the story and maybe even Maika's mother, Moriko. One problem I did have with the issue is that the art, as wonderful as it always is, was also very confusing in parts. This was particularly when Maika and her new passenger, Lore, fight against the Defiled occupying Kippa, Jaar. The story is still advancing but the complex new dimensions mean it is moving forward fairly slowly. Even so, the present issue puts a lot of places into position for an explosive climax - the revelation that the Doctor is not really in control, the plans of his other daughter, The Beast, and Maika's plan to get close enough to the Doctor to, maybe, take back Zinn. Some random points: I've really liked The Beast ever since she was introduced and she continues to be a low-key MVP in this series. She is presented as smart, capable and very shrewd. She is also powerful and, very slowly, seems to be moving towards becoming an ally for Maika. Corvin is back and I'd like to know more about his relationship with Zortia, his aide. Also, it occurs to me that we have not seen Vinh in some time - I wonder what happened to her and what her machinations are? Overall, another great issue.

Another excellent issue of this remarkable series. However, the complexity of the storyline and the proliferation of characters, alliances and agendas is now making it hard to keep track of some of what is going on. Maika's allinace with the Captain of the Defiled firms up and she learns from him that beings like him can survive by feeding on plants - an interesting revelation that may or may not apply to Zinn. The Dr. continues to be compromised and controlled by the Defiled within him, the one who has rebelled against the Captain. Kippa is occupied by another betrayer and the real Kippa is blinded and trapped within limnal space by the being now controlling her body. However, hope comes in the unlikely form of Yvette Lo Lim -illustrating how alliances can shift in this complex story -who has allied herself with the other Defiled. Together, with Kippa, they consider how to drive the being out of Kippa and help their captain. Corvin finally acts, and gets soundly beaten for his trouble, but apparently that was part of a plan that has enabled Zortia, his Cueman assistant, to gain control of the mask fragments. We learn a lot more about the Beast. Apparently, when she was a tiny child, possibly an infant, Maika manifested Zinn and attacked her. The Beast's body is emaciated and sucked dry, like all of Zinn's victimes, but her father begins replacing her damaged body parts with mechanical limbs and protections, assuring her that Maika will never be able to harm her again. The Beast has entered an alliance with her grandmother Seizi, apparently plotting to seize control of the Dr's army before the creature inside of him can do more damage. Finally, the Captain inside of Maika insists that she consult with the Shaman Empress - someone who is, supposedly long dead but whom the Captain insists is not as dead as she seems and who, he also insists, Maika and has met before. The story becomes more and more complex but, hopefully, the many different threads will pull together soon. All of these different strands seem to be heading in a grand direction - a confrontation with the horrifying beings who drove Zinn and his people from their planet and whose presence caused the cats and other starfaring races to destroy the gateways. The Dr. was planning to confront these monstrosiites and it seems like Maika is, however reluctantly, heading in the same direction.

A very good start to an interesting book and a fantastic character. However, my only hesitation with this series is how it is possible to write a continuing series about a being who is nothing short of a god, and a real god at that, not the often self-important beings who call themselves "gods" in the Marvel universe. The Phoenix Force is one of the cornerstones of the Marvel Universe. At its full power, it is far greater than any individual Celestial. The last time an embodiment of the Phoenix was allowed to wield its power to its full extent in a book was Rachel Summers in Excalibur. On her watch, the Phoenix twice fought and soundly defeated Galactus, threw his heralds about like they were baseballs, and engaged in a battle with another cosmic claimant to the Phoenix power that had them throwing planets around like dodgeballs. This newest version f Jean Grey's Phoenix seems to be in the same class of power- in this issue, she absorbs the excess energy of a star and tames a black hole. I fear that the tendency to keep the character "relatable" and give her actual threats to make stories interesting may lead to the Phoenix Power being reduced or retconned into something less than it is. Nonetheless, there is a way around this by having stories that consider how Jean limits her own power or deals with issues that are not amenable to the ability to reshape reality. Looking forward to seeing what more comes of this series.

This has been a really great series and I'm sad to hear that it is ending with the next issue. Of course, maybe it will be back soon, like the previous series led immediately into this one. If so, I hope that Rainbow Rowell continues as writer and Genolet continues as the artist -they both do extraordinary work on this book and they should be recognized and rewarded for it. Rowell has turned all of Jen's supporting cast into truly interesting, fun and engaging characters. Even the bit players, like Ransack and Karkas, come alive. Her decision to make Titania into Jen's best frenemy was inspired and worked with that characters' recent efforts at reform. Jack of Hearts has more appeal than he has ever had. The main focus of the story in this issue was Jen's uncertainty and insecurity over whether or not to accept an offer from Captain Marvel to rejoin the Avengers. Her uncertainty over how that will affect her relationship with Jack and her own doubts about her suitability and even her past accomplishments as an Avenger come across as real and understandable concerns. In the end, the fact that all of the characters are so real and likeable - especially Jen - is what makes the book so good.

It's really sad that this run of SH is coming to an end. Rainbow Rowell and Andres Genolet have done a fantastic job with the character, focusing most of the stories around Jen's everyday life, her struggles with trying to build a career as a lawyer while also being a responsible superhero, while also trying to build a meaningful relationship with Jack of Hearts. She-Hulk is a character who is often difficult to get right. For some writers, she was the embodiment of female empowerment by being unabashedly sexual - even promiscuous- in her relationships with men. For others, she was a raging powerhouse who could barely contain her power. Rowell hits the just the right note with the character, showing her as an ordinary person with ordinary concerns with extraordinary factors affecting her life. The character does not renounce her past in any way but the sense that she is maturing and wants to have more meaningful and lasting relationships is an important part of the overall storyline. It's great to have a superhero book that does such a good job of making its main characters so human and enjoyable. Rowell has a great sense of humor. Ransak is a great source of humor. Rowell also did a great job reforming/revising the supporting cast. Making Titania and SH best frenemies is a great idea, though a bit incongruous with how savage their rivalry has been in the past -though, I suppose, a development in keeping with Titania's reform in other titles. The sexual subtext under their battles - i.e, that these are two big, powerful superwomen who just really like beating each other up - is not developed but definitely present. The entire idea of "Punch Club" is fun and I hope it continues. Jack of Hearts has never been done better. Mallory Book and Andy the Android continue to occupy their own place in the SH universe. It's a real shame to think that we won't get more development of these characters' relationships with each other. I hope that if/when we get another SH book in the future, the new writer (if it's not Rowell) will respect and build on what Rowell did so well here.

Overall excellent comic. The art is fantastic and the story is powerfully advanced in a brutal confrontation between Diana and some of her most powerful enemies. The use of the different villains and of Diana's powers is excellent - Giganta, who has been souped up to even greater power by Circe; Dr. Psycho, who manages to, momentarily, seize Diana's mind when her guard is down - a feat that ends up leaving his brain fried! The final villain that Diana faces is Grail - a powerhouse whose abilities and physical skills easily rival Diana's abilities and who attacks when Diana seems to be on her last legs. Their brutal battle is incredible and it leaves me hoping that Grail is, in the future, recognized as one of Diana's greatest rivals and adversaries. In a sense, she was originally designed to be this and it's about time that she was used in that role in a truly memorable way. I hope that this battle really puts her on the radar for future major roles against Diana and other DC heroes. The backup story, with Lizzie, Jon and Damian is effortlessly charming, as all the stories involving these three have been. But I'm still very curious to see exactly what Lizzie's relationship with Diana ends up being. I assume that Diana is her adoptive mother and that Lizzie is the child of the pregnant Amazon whose rampage set off the entire story arc, but that would not explain why she seems to be unusually powerful, even for an Amazon.