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InSEXts (single issues) #1-7
InSEXts Volume 1: Chrysalis
At the dusk of a century, a pair of vengeful Victorian vixens discover a horrifying power that transforms them into rich and strange new creatures. Armed with their dark, evolving forms, they descend into a world of the cultured and occult, with new senses and new sensuality, to forge a life for themselves and the child of their love. Collecting the first seven issues of the hit series Insexts, from writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Ariela Kristantina.
152 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2016
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773 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 7, 2018
You'd think Gothic horror with lesbians would be great, but you'd be wrong. These two lovers are turning into were-butterflies. We don't get an explanation why. It just happens, like most of the story in this book. It just happens with no explanations so that Bennett can force the story she wants to tell. I couldn't tell you what was going on in half the book. The other half were lesbian sex scenes. The art was not good either, with ill defined characters. I wanted to like this, but it was just awful.
Received a review copy from Aftershock and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Received a review copy from Aftershock and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2018
Lots of lesbian sex and bug ladies. What could go wrong?
This is a story of an abused woman who has had enough from her husband and falls in love with her servant. This starts off normal enough but soon you find out the servant is not all that human, and they begin to lay eggs inside each other, and babies come about! So then they plot a revenge scheme on the husband and...yeah story is off the walls crazy.
Good: I liked the art, and the story starts off pretty interesting.
Bad: The rest of the story after issue 2 gets confusing and, frankly, boring. I don't understand why they tried to add in this butcher, and it's over stuffed on some pages with too much going on that you can't understand it.
Overall, it's kind of a boring story for as much sex and gore is in it. It just didn't impress me much and left me not wanting to continue sadly.
This is a story of an abused woman who has had enough from her husband and falls in love with her servant. This starts off normal enough but soon you find out the servant is not all that human, and they begin to lay eggs inside each other, and babies come about! So then they plot a revenge scheme on the husband and...yeah story is off the walls crazy.
Good: I liked the art, and the story starts off pretty interesting.
Bad: The rest of the story after issue 2 gets confusing and, frankly, boring. I don't understand why they tried to add in this butcher, and it's over stuffed on some pages with too much going on that you can't understand it.
Overall, it's kind of a boring story for as much sex and gore is in it. It just didn't impress me much and left me not wanting to continue sadly.
October 11, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
You know one of those very specific summaries that you read - ex: feminist Victorian era lesbian body horror revenge fantasy - and you're just like wow did the author/artist take this idea literally straight out of my dreams because it was clearly made for me? Well that is definitely how I feel about this.
I picked this up because I saw some screencaps on tumblr/twitter of something the author had written as to 'why she felt the need to tell this story' which basically boiled down to how as a woman your entire life is basically body horror and you go through life with people telling you that your body is not your own and also treating you different as it changes. It definitely delivers all of this on the story front and as an added bonus the art is absolutely gorgeous as well. Also just want to give a warning that there is a lot fairly explicit sex in this so if that isn't your thing you might want to skip it, but if that doesn't bother you I would give it a chance, definitely not like any other title I'm reading right now.
You know one of those very specific summaries that you read - ex: feminist Victorian era lesbian body horror revenge fantasy - and you're just like wow did the author/artist take this idea literally straight out of my dreams because it was clearly made for me? Well that is definitely how I feel about this.
I picked this up because I saw some screencaps on tumblr/twitter of something the author had written as to 'why she felt the need to tell this story' which basically boiled down to how as a woman your entire life is basically body horror and you go through life with people telling you that your body is not your own and also treating you different as it changes. It definitely delivers all of this on the story front and as an added bonus the art is absolutely gorgeous as well. Also just want to give a warning that there is a lot fairly explicit sex in this so if that isn't your thing you might want to skip it, but if that doesn't bother you I would give it a chance, definitely not like any other title I'm reading right now.
November 27, 2017
Two beleaguered women in Victorian London become were-butterflies, gaining that insect's proportional strength! They fall in love and use their powers to fight evil and patriarchy in the dark of night.
The best part of INSEXTS is the Introduction, in which the author pens an angry manifesto about the injustices standard to having a female body. "I wrote INSEXTS because I am a woman, and to be a woman is to live a life of body horror." It tends toward melodrama but she speaks a lot of grim truths. The intro sets the stage for the coming blend of horror and feminism. If only the rest of the book lived up to the promise.
I liked the artistic efforts to convey the otherness of the characters and conflict: odd-shaped panels, slanted double page spreads, full-page art that revels in the coolness of this or that monster. And panel by panel, the art is very cool. Great colors. But this is some of the worst artistic storytelling I've seen. When did Lady Bertram get tied up with magic vines?? Where did the giant talking eagle come from?? If they don't know how they became were-butterflies, why aren't Mariah and Lady Bertram freaking out? I kept flipping back to try to figure things out, and what's worse, flipping back usually didn't clear things up.
Then there were editing mistakes. A character's name changes from Harry to Henry and back, two word balloons pointing at the wrong characters, that sort of thing. Unnecessary distractions.
And I know it comes from a place of good intentions, but a noble fucking the hired help doesn't get less creepy just because they're both women. Ick.
The big boss fight
So after all that criticism, why 3 stars? I have a lot of complaints, but I WANT to like INSEXTS. The mood is just right, the colors are gorgeous, and the message speaks to me in spite of its clumsiness. So I'm streeetching my rating upwards, because I can.
The best part of INSEXTS is the Introduction, in which the author pens an angry manifesto about the injustices standard to having a female body. "I wrote INSEXTS because I am a woman, and to be a woman is to live a life of body horror." It tends toward melodrama but she speaks a lot of grim truths. The intro sets the stage for the coming blend of horror and feminism. If only the rest of the book lived up to the promise.
I liked the artistic efforts to convey the otherness of the characters and conflict: odd-shaped panels, slanted double page spreads, full-page art that revels in the coolness of this or that monster. And panel by panel, the art is very cool. Great colors. But this is some of the worst artistic storytelling I've seen. When did Lady Bertram get tied up with magic vines?? Where did the giant talking eagle come from?? If they don't know how they became were-butterflies, why aren't Mariah and Lady Bertram freaking out? I kept flipping back to try to figure things out, and what's worse, flipping back usually didn't clear things up.
Then there were editing mistakes. A character's name changes from Harry to Henry and back, two word balloons pointing at the wrong characters, that sort of thing. Unnecessary distractions.
And I know it comes from a place of good intentions, but a noble fucking the hired help doesn't get less creepy just because they're both women. Ick.
The big boss fight
So after all that criticism, why 3 stars? I have a lot of complaints, but I WANT to like INSEXTS. The mood is just right, the colors are gorgeous, and the message speaks to me in spite of its clumsiness. So I'm streeetching my rating upwards, because I can.
August 29, 2021
Воу.
Якщо ви шукали твір, де вікторіанська Англія, пери і леді, еротика, гігантські комахи, Господні пси, кров'яка, і все це про фемінізм здорової людини - то ось він.
Я не те щоб шукала, але ця штука виявилася доволі продуманою та ідейною, не зважаючи на увесь треш, що тут відбувається.
Салютую!
Якщо ви шукали твір, де вікторіанська Англія, пери і леді, еротика, гігантські комахи, Господні пси, кров'яка, і все це про фемінізм здорової людини - то ось він.
Я не те щоб шукала, але ця штука виявилася доволі продуманою та ідейною, не зважаючи на увесь треш, що тут відбувається.
Салютую!
December 8, 2018
Definitely quite the interesting fantasy/romance/body horror book. Can't wait to see how the story wraps up in the next volume. Would definitely recommend if ya don't mind some erotic content here and there (it's not the main focus of the book, it has a plot and characters but still)
October 3, 2016
Gothic horror with lesbian erotica and a feminist message should've been right up my alley, but it was okay. The pacing threw the story off, and there were a ton of characters to get to know. The loose style of art helped with the mood and the monsters, but overall wasn't my favorite. I imagine the next arc will be better, but unfortunately, this title ended up on my cut list.
December 3, 2017
It had SO MUCH potential.
October 20, 2018
Victoria queer erotic insectoid horror graphic novel. There's lots of misogyny, and lots of people who are killed for their misogyny. I'm definitely intrigued to read the next volume!
September 15, 2018
QUEER HORROR, FOLKS. It's amazing. I love queer horror. We are blessed to have Marguerite Bennett alive today to give us such queered up comics.
August 31, 2018
The artwork is pretty shaky, but there's nudity and lesbian scenes in here, so it's not all bad. Still, the story could bear with a more balanced flow like the 19th-century-style dialogue which sounds convincing as far as I'm concerned. All the monsters in the story, while intimidating, just seem to be thrown together in a hotchpotch that makes little sense. That's horror for you. The ending is such a rushed mess that no lesbian scene can fix it. I expected the lesbian relationship to be relevant to the story, but it's just there for the wow effect. It could have easily been replaced with an affair between the lady and a male butler which would have been just as scandalous in that day and age.
Mariah, the maid, was assaulted by lady Bertram's husband Harry in his anger that his wife hasn't provided him with an heir. The lady has found solace in the maid's loving arms. The latter is apparently from another world which is revealed when she impregnates lady Bertram via an egg she vomits out. The lady passes the egg to her husband during a night of passion. In true Alens style, the fully-grown egg soon sprouts from Harry's belly, killing its host. The egg has a baby inside that the two lovers name William. They prepare to take revenge on all of London.
Mariah, the maid, was assaulted by lady Bertram's husband Harry in his anger that his wife hasn't provided him with an heir. The lady has found solace in the maid's loving arms. The latter is apparently from another world which is revealed when she impregnates lady Bertram via an egg she vomits out. The lady passes the egg to her husband during a night of passion. In true Alens style, the fully-grown egg soon sprouts from Harry's belly, killing its host. The egg has a baby inside that the two lovers name William. They prepare to take revenge on all of London.
November 9, 2024
The initial issues of this were more intriguing, before it went off in two different directions and seemed to switch gears mid-storyline. I wanted to like this more, but my struggle to summarize succinctly what happens is part of my dissatisfaction.
INSEXTS is a body horror/dark fantasy/erotic Victorian-era tale of revenge by two women against abusive men - - - before it morphs into a crusade to protect indentured and mesmerized women from an abusive woman proprietor of a brothel. But the fact that the "hag" is later revealed as something even more monstrous makes gender identification more difficult - - so maybe it's just a crusade against monsters.
Lady is married to an abusive husband who mainly wants access to her dowry. She falls in love with her personal attendant Mariah, and they have sex as often as they can be alone together. Mariah gives Lady a plant like bulb to consume that develops her into a were-butterfly (with no explanation of how or why). When Lady is forced to have sex with her husband, she forces one of these bulbs down his throat -- he sickens and it eventually kills him in a graphic manner.
The next chapters detail how Lady and Mariah raise a newborn son who emerged from the blood- burst body of her husband in a large egg-like sac. (No explanation offered for any of this either). HIs brother and ultra-suspicious wife visit the mansion and attempt to expose the two ladies so they can assume control of the estate. It gets more complicated and ends up tying into the final section.
The latter part of the first story arc details several trips by Lady and Mariah into London in their were-butterfly forms to foil attempts to murder/abuse/or exploit children, a run-in with the London Butcher (meaning Jack The Ripper?) and the final confrontation with The Hag.
The art is expressive. The sex scenes are interesting. The monsters are horrific. But I'm just not connecting with this. An admirable attempt that seems to have lost its way.
INSEXTS is a body horror/dark fantasy/erotic Victorian-era tale of revenge by two women against abusive men - - - before it morphs into a crusade to protect indentured and mesmerized women from an abusive woman proprietor of a brothel. But the fact that the "hag" is later revealed as something even more monstrous makes gender identification more difficult - - so maybe it's just a crusade against monsters.
Lady is married to an abusive husband who mainly wants access to her dowry. She falls in love with her personal attendant Mariah, and they have sex as often as they can be alone together. Mariah gives Lady a plant like bulb to consume that develops her into a were-butterfly (with no explanation of how or why). When Lady is forced to have sex with her husband, she forces one of these bulbs down his throat -- he sickens and it eventually kills him in a graphic manner.
The next chapters detail how Lady and Mariah raise a newborn son who emerged from the blood- burst body of her husband in a large egg-like sac. (No explanation offered for any of this either). HIs brother and ultra-suspicious wife visit the mansion and attempt to expose the two ladies so they can assume control of the estate. It gets more complicated and ends up tying into the final section.
The latter part of the first story arc details several trips by Lady and Mariah into London in their were-butterfly forms to foil attempts to murder/abuse/or exploit children, a run-in with the London Butcher (meaning Jack The Ripper?) and the final confrontation with The Hag.
The art is expressive. The sex scenes are interesting. The monsters are horrific. But I'm just not connecting with this. An admirable attempt that seems to have lost its way.
October 26, 2017
Well, that was weird. I mostly liked it though...
October 31, 2021
The message got a little heavy-handed for my taste, but it’s still very sexy and SUPREMELY fucked up so I would read more. Seriously, the body horror and gore is severe, by far the best part.
November 1, 2017
This was one of those books where I was torn between "ew!" and "whew!" every couple of pages.
If you've been looking for an erotic Victorian lesbian gothic feminist aspiring butterfly gore-fest - I mean, isn't everyone? - you can stop your search, 'cos here it is. In all its NSFW glory. (Seriously, within the first five pages you won't want anyone glancing over your shoulder at what you're reading.)
The full page image of this is very 18+. There's a lot of that. Yay!
I liked the art a lot, and Marguerite Bennett had already stolen my heart with another book I read over the summer (hello, ANIMOSITY! And I liked BOMBSHELLS well enough, too), plus it hit all of those crazy beats I mentioned above, so obviously I was going to like it.
I can't say I more-than-liked it, unfortunately. I found myself a bit at a loss where the finer details were concerned; very few of the character relationships' backstories were so much as touched upon, let alone fully explained, so it felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of a world and not given a map. The breakneck pace made my head spin more than once, too, and I found it hard to keep track of who was behind what, why certain characters were doing certain things, and how we got to those points. That's too bad, because the setting and backdrop are so gorgeous - and some of the panels are downright terrifying, which I love - it'd be a fun place to lose oneself with a bit more guidance.
Not sure I'd go back for volume 2, but my charitable feelings towards Bennett make me think, "Never say never."
See also:
...and different writer/artist but similarly hot...
If you've been looking for an erotic Victorian lesbian gothic feminist aspiring butterfly gore-fest - I mean, isn't everyone? - you can stop your search, 'cos here it is. In all its NSFW glory. (Seriously, within the first five pages you won't want anyone glancing over your shoulder at what you're reading.)
The full page image of this is very 18+. There's a lot of that. Yay!
I liked the art a lot, and Marguerite Bennett had already stolen my heart with another book I read over the summer (hello, ANIMOSITY! And I liked BOMBSHELLS well enough, too), plus it hit all of those crazy beats I mentioned above, so obviously I was going to like it.
I can't say I more-than-liked it, unfortunately. I found myself a bit at a loss where the finer details were concerned; very few of the character relationships' backstories were so much as touched upon, let alone fully explained, so it felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of a world and not given a map. The breakneck pace made my head spin more than once, too, and I found it hard to keep track of who was behind what, why certain characters were doing certain things, and how we got to those points. That's too bad, because the setting and backdrop are so gorgeous - and some of the panels are downright terrifying, which I love - it'd be a fun place to lose oneself with a bit more guidance.
Not sure I'd go back for volume 2, but my charitable feelings towards Bennett make me think, "Never say never."
See also:
...and different writer/artist but similarly hot...
November 19, 2016
Saw this in my local comic shop and I was hesitant to pick it up just flipping through it. Definitely NSFW art, but mostly because I was concerned it was geared more for a male audience. A quick flip to the forward by the female writer convinced be to pick it up from the first line:
"I wrote InSEXts because I am a woman, and to be a woman is to live a life of body horror."
SOLD.
However, as great as the concept was, ehhh... the art was okay enough that it made the execution just alright. I kinda lost track of who was who and why they were doing what. I probably wouldn't keep eyes on the second volume because the storyline tied up pretty nicely in this volume. Was an interesting enough feminist read, but I kinda wish I'd rented it from a library instead of purchased it.
"I wrote InSEXts because I am a woman, and to be a woman is to live a life of body horror."
SOLD.
However, as great as the concept was, ehhh... the art was okay enough that it made the execution just alright. I kinda lost track of who was who and why they were doing what. I probably wouldn't keep eyes on the second volume because the storyline tied up pretty nicely in this volume. Was an interesting enough feminist read, but I kinda wish I'd rented it from a library instead of purchased it.
June 14, 2017
YES! This is finally out in trade so I can recommend it to everyone who doesn't go to comic book shops.
I said with the first issue, you know right from the pitch if this is for you or not. It's a queer Victorian gothic erotic body horror revenge fantasy.
The art's gorgeous and Marguerite Bennett is one of my favorite writers in comics at the moment and I'm glad she's got a place to write this stuff as a counter to the lighter (but still terrific) work she's putting out on Josie, DC Bombshells, etc.
I said with the first issue, you know right from the pitch if this is for you or not. It's a queer Victorian gothic erotic body horror revenge fantasy.
The art's gorgeous and Marguerite Bennett is one of my favorite writers in comics at the moment and I'm glad she's got a place to write this stuff as a counter to the lighter (but still terrific) work she's putting out on Josie, DC Bombshells, etc.
January 11, 2022
This was one of my most anticipated reads, I mean erotic insect body horror what wasn't there to be excited about?. Sadly I feel very conflicted as to wether I enjoyed it or not. I loved the art work, the gore, the sex, the story and the characters but about halfway through I was completely confused as to what was going on. I thought this might just be me but I have since read other reviews saying the exact same thing. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed it and continued reading the rest but it was a struggle at times. A little disappointing.
September 19, 2018
Good story. Some disturbing images though, and im no saint! The art just doesnt make much sense, especially in the battle scenes. Plus, why is it that Mariah and Lady are freakin’ insect/horror/dead things in the first place? And how did they shack up? Lots of questions unanswered. But especialy, what kind of drugs did the artist take? And can she please stop??
December 4, 2019
This seemed like something that I would love but the story and worldbuilding fell super flat. The story moved super fast and the horror/fantasy element was never explained, it felt rushed. I feel like this story arc could and would benefit from being stretched out over multiple volumes. I enjoyed the art style and colouring, it definitely brought the rating up.
June 10, 2019
Mira que me parecía súper interesante y con una pinta buenísima, pero la historia a medida que avanza me parece que no tiene demasiado sentido.
May 16, 2023
Art is stunning, and I love that it's essentially a Penny Dreadful in graphic form.
Plus, it's got some fantastic words of wisdom for all women.
Plus, it's got some fantastic words of wisdom for all women.
August 31, 2019
InSEXts had a a lot of great things going for it: A great setting, nasty but appeasing body horror, sexiness, a great central lesbian couple (I was never sure if Lalita was lesbian or bi but still her romance with Mariah is great), and various themes that it tackled. This first volume holds these elements together but sadly slips up in the last issue.
The romance between Lalita and Mariah is one of the best things about InSEXts. They love each other so much and see each other as saviors to one another. I found it nice that both of them acknowledged and were okay with William's love toward Lalita and saw no need to get rid of him. William in general was a great character. I love how Marguerite Bennett tackled all the stereotypes of women and race in this series. Such as the "wandering womb" scene in the clinic, Lalita's half-Indian Brahmin heritage, and the colonialist and Orientlist views of women's sexuality during the time period. These were done with care and yet pulled no punches when showing how harmful they could be and how women such as Lalita and Mariah could (literally) fight back against them. Overall, the story of InSEXts is how a woman's body can be viewed as horrifying by men, other women, and the woman herself yet how that woman could weaponize her own body under her control.
Where InSEXts slips however is with some of its art, storytelling, and the final issue of this volume. For the most part, the art is okay. However, at times the facial expressions are not fully emoting the way they should be during scenes of shock. The clinic scene where Lalita's vagina eats the twisted doctor. The doctor himself looked rather calm despite being dismembered. Other times there was some same face-ness happening between Lalita and Mariah. The final battle in the second to last and last issues is where the artwork plummets. Why does Mariah have dirty blonde hair instead of red hair for such a time. The fight scenes with the Hag wrapping the cynos in her vines and battling Lalita in her "ultimate form" are sloppy. I couldn't tell what was going on or how certain characters got to certain positions. At one point William is just looking at the Hag then suddenly he's in her mouth; scenes like these could've benefited from some more fluid transition shots/scenes. Also, where did Elsie come from after they killed the Hag? She just appeared out of nowhere.
Also, why do they transform into bug creatures? Did Mariah already have this ability and then gave it to Lalita with the egg in the beginning?
Overall, a 3.0 out of 5.0 stars. A good and still thoughtful comic. But the art, pacing, and aspects of the story could use some cleaning up.
The romance between Lalita and Mariah is one of the best things about InSEXts. They love each other so much and see each other as saviors to one another. I found it nice that both of them acknowledged and were okay with William's love toward Lalita and saw no need to get rid of him. William in general was a great character. I love how Marguerite Bennett tackled all the stereotypes of women and race in this series. Such as the "wandering womb" scene in the clinic, Lalita's half-Indian Brahmin heritage, and the colonialist and Orientlist views of women's sexuality during the time period. These were done with care and yet pulled no punches when showing how harmful they could be and how women such as Lalita and Mariah could (literally) fight back against them. Overall, the story of InSEXts is how a woman's body can be viewed as horrifying by men, other women, and the woman herself yet how that woman could weaponize her own body under her control.
Where InSEXts slips however is with some of its art, storytelling, and the final issue of this volume. For the most part, the art is okay. However, at times the facial expressions are not fully emoting the way they should be during scenes of shock. The clinic scene where Lalita's vagina eats the twisted doctor. The doctor himself looked rather calm despite being dismembered. Other times there was some same face-ness happening between Lalita and Mariah. The final battle in the second to last and last issues is where the artwork plummets. Why does Mariah have dirty blonde hair instead of red hair for such a time. The fight scenes with the Hag wrapping the cynos in her vines and battling Lalita in her "ultimate form" are sloppy. I couldn't tell what was going on or how certain characters got to certain positions. At one point William is just looking at the Hag then suddenly he's in her mouth; scenes like these could've benefited from some more fluid transition shots/scenes. Also, where did Elsie come from after they killed the Hag? She just appeared out of nowhere.
Also, why do they transform into bug creatures? Did Mariah already have this ability and then gave it to Lalita with the egg in the beginning?
Overall, a 3.0 out of 5.0 stars. A good and still thoughtful comic. But the art, pacing, and aspects of the story could use some cleaning up.
December 7, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
When I saw InSexts on display at my local comic book store, I was immediately struck by the art noveau inspired cover. As I flipped through the pages and read the book’s description, I knew that I needed it in my life.
InSexts is feminist Victorian body horror. You know how in Kafka’s Metamorphosis the main character wakes up to discover that he is a giant bug? Sorta like that. Except in Insexts, Lady Bertram and her maid turned lover Mariah begin their metamorphosis as a way to fight the patriarchy. Lady Bertram is trapped in an abusive and deeply unhappy marriage, and her turning into a bug is symbolic of her discovering and embracing her own power as she takes revenge on all those who have wronged her.
I’ve noted in previous reviews (e.g. Pretty Deadly) that I love when books embrace musicality. InSexts does this, and the story itself opens with a song about a butterfly. This thread is woven throughout the entire story, as is the notion that once a butterfly leaves its chrysalis that it will not return. As such, Lady Bertram and Mariah will not return to their previous lives of subservience, and instead will grow and bask in their newfound powers. And seeing that message is especially powerful right now in light of recent political events. There’s a very blatant message that once people taste what it’s like to be themselves and to be free, there’s no going back in hiding, and there’s no standing down. The entire book can be read as a metaphor for LGBT rights.
InSexts is very blatant in its message. There’s no subtlety there. That’s something that sometimes bothers me in fiction (see Sherri S. Tepper, for example), but it didn’t bother me so much here. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect as much subtlety in comics, or maybe it’s because right now it’s a message that resonated with me so much.
Overall, I highly recommend InSexts. If you’re a fan of Victoriana, Kafkaesque horror, feminism, and totally kickass LGBT characters, then this is right up your alley.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
When I saw InSexts on display at my local comic book store, I was immediately struck by the art noveau inspired cover. As I flipped through the pages and read the book’s description, I knew that I needed it in my life.
InSexts is feminist Victorian body horror. You know how in Kafka’s Metamorphosis the main character wakes up to discover that he is a giant bug? Sorta like that. Except in Insexts, Lady Bertram and her maid turned lover Mariah begin their metamorphosis as a way to fight the patriarchy. Lady Bertram is trapped in an abusive and deeply unhappy marriage, and her turning into a bug is symbolic of her discovering and embracing her own power as she takes revenge on all those who have wronged her.
I’ve noted in previous reviews (e.g. Pretty Deadly) that I love when books embrace musicality. InSexts does this, and the story itself opens with a song about a butterfly. This thread is woven throughout the entire story, as is the notion that once a butterfly leaves its chrysalis that it will not return. As such, Lady Bertram and Mariah will not return to their previous lives of subservience, and instead will grow and bask in their newfound powers. And seeing that message is especially powerful right now in light of recent political events. There’s a very blatant message that once people taste what it’s like to be themselves and to be free, there’s no going back in hiding, and there’s no standing down. The entire book can be read as a metaphor for LGBT rights.
InSexts is very blatant in its message. There’s no subtlety there. That’s something that sometimes bothers me in fiction (see Sherri S. Tepper, for example), but it didn’t bother me so much here. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect as much subtlety in comics, or maybe it’s because right now it’s a message that resonated with me so much.
Overall, I highly recommend InSexts. If you’re a fan of Victoriana, Kafkaesque horror, feminism, and totally kickass LGBT characters, then this is right up your alley.
May 5, 2017
InSEXts is an erotic and twisted Victorian fantasy. Certainly, it's different from any other comic I've ever read. Ariela Kristantina's artwork perfectly captures to gothic mood of Marguerite Bennett's tale of forbidden love between Lady Bertram and her servant Mariah. The story escalates with each issue, and I enjoyed how the mythology for the world in InSEXts expands. This trade collects the first seven issues of the series, and for all it reveals, the story leaves a lot of questions unanswered, among them how Mariah gained the powers to change Lady Bertram and produce a child between them.
Marguerite includes an introductory letter in the trade, describing InSEXts as "erotic body horror." The term describes it well. The comic is less about sex and more about providing a metaphor for how men and women, society, and religion oppress women and shame them.
If I had any complaint, it's that the story sometimes feels rushed, needing more pages than the space of an issue allows.
Marguerite includes an introductory letter in the trade, describing InSEXts as "erotic body horror." The term describes it well. The comic is less about sex and more about providing a metaphor for how men and women, society, and religion oppress women and shame them.
If I had any complaint, it's that the story sometimes feels rushed, needing more pages than the space of an issue allows.
September 2, 2016
This is without a doubt one of my all time favorite comic books!
And I personally think that this is Marguerite Bennett's finest work!
You have no idea how happy it made me when I saw the "end of arc one"!!
Can't wait for more of this awesome story!!
And I personally think that this is Marguerite Bennett's finest work!
You have no idea how happy it made me when I saw the "end of arc one"!!
Can't wait for more of this awesome story!!
February 7, 2017
In theory, this should have been everything that I love. Horrifying, gothic, fantastical, feminist, intersectional ... but it was a bit heavy-handed for my tastes, and the pace lagged more than once. The artwork was alright, although not one of my favourite styles.
February 13, 2020
Loved it. There are some pacing issues and snippets of overdone dialogue that could have been more subtle. But it's grotesque and beautiful, and about women who are both these things on their own terms.
September 2, 2016
Horror gore-goth style set in the Victorian era. What's not to like?
August 31, 2016
Gory, graphic, gothic erotic horror done by one of the best comic writers in the business.
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