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Lady Mechanika #1
Lady Mechanika #1: The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse
When the corpse of another young woman with mechanical limbs is discovered in the city where Lady Mechanika herself was originally found, Lady Mechanika drops everything to investigate. Could the mystery of the mechanical corpse help her unlock the secrets to her own past?
The tabloids dubbed her “Lady Mechanika,” the sole survivor of a mad scientist’s horrific experiments which left her with mechanical limbs. Having no memory of her captivity or her former life, Lady Mechanika eventually built a new life for herself as an adventurer and private investigator, using her unique abilities to solve cases the proper authorities couldn’t or wouldn’t handle. But she never stopped searching for the answers to her own past. Set in a fictionalized steampunk Victorian England, a time when magic and superstition clashed with new scientific discoveries and inventions, Lady Mechanika chronicles a young woman’s obsessive search for her identity as she investigates other mysteries involving science and the supernatural.
The tabloids dubbed her “Lady Mechanika,” the sole survivor of a mad scientist’s horrific experiments which left her with mechanical limbs. Having no memory of her captivity or her former life, Lady Mechanika eventually built a new life for herself as an adventurer and private investigator, using her unique abilities to solve cases the proper authorities couldn’t or wouldn’t handle. But she never stopped searching for the answers to her own past. Set in a fictionalized steampunk Victorian England, a time when magic and superstition clashed with new scientific discoveries and inventions, Lady Mechanika chronicles a young woman’s obsessive search for her identity as she investigates other mysteries involving science and the supernatural.
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Joe Benítez
294 books181 followersJoe Benítez is an American comic book artist who has worked on such titles as "JLA", "Superman/Batman", "Detective Comics", "Supergirl", and "Titans" for DC Comics and "The Darkness" for Image Comics. He also co-created and penciled the sci-fi series "Weapon Zero" and the dark fantasy mini-series "Magdalena: Blood Divine" for Image. In 2005, Joe published his first creator-owned mini-series "Wraithborn" through Wildstorm. In 2009, he stepped in to finish up Michael Turner's run on "Soulfire". Joe is currently working on his steampunk adventure series, "Lady Mechanika".
http://www.joebenitez.com
http://www.joebenitez.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 17, 2018
Way too bloodthirsty for my liking....Maybe steampunk is not my style at all.
Regardless, colorful and vibrant graphics and so easier to read in kindle.
Regardless, colorful and vibrant graphics and so easier to read in kindle.
October 1, 2015
I'm so happy to finally have the single issues (although I had to buy them digitally on Comixology as they were out f print everywhere and I couldn't get them any other way). This is a series I was fairly certain I was going to love after having read issue #0 (the prequel) as an actual issue and I was certainly not wrong about that. This series follows Lady Mechanika in her search to find out who she is, why she has mechanical body parts, and who is responsible...
I adore the artwork for this series, it's clear, clean, stunning and wonderful and it matches excellently with the time period (kind of steampunk) and the great story. This is a word-y story line and it really keeps you interested as it's got a lot going on in terms of speech and plot through pictures. I love that we get a variety of colours and tones, some beautiful landscapes and some amazing costume design and character design all rolled into one series. Considering that the artwork and story are both by Benitez (with others doing the colours and typography) it really is a stellar effort and I do so hope that a trade, physical version of all 5 comes out soon as I am loving it.
I will say that there are some very 'busty' ladies within this series and if you're not a fan of that then you may not like it, but I personally have always loved this art style and it's such a great story and concept that for me it works.
Cannot wait to read the next 9 (I bought all 10 as I knew it would be fab) and review them too :) 4.5*s - Highly recommended!!
I adore the artwork for this series, it's clear, clean, stunning and wonderful and it matches excellently with the time period (kind of steampunk) and the great story. This is a word-y story line and it really keeps you interested as it's got a lot going on in terms of speech and plot through pictures. I love that we get a variety of colours and tones, some beautiful landscapes and some amazing costume design and character design all rolled into one series. Considering that the artwork and story are both by Benitez (with others doing the colours and typography) it really is a stellar effort and I do so hope that a trade, physical version of all 5 comes out soon as I am loving it.
I will say that there are some very 'busty' ladies within this series and if you're not a fan of that then you may not like it, but I personally have always loved this art style and it's such a great story and concept that for me it works.
Cannot wait to read the next 9 (I bought all 10 as I knew it would be fab) and review them too :) 4.5*s - Highly recommended!!
March 12, 2012
On my quest for steampunk (or steampunk inspired) comics, I came across Lady Mechanika, courtesy of one of our local comic books shop here in Porto. I quickly discovered this is a notoriously difficult series to find – sadly, only the #1 and #2 issues were available. I’ve yet to find a #0, or the collected first issues, at an affordable price. This bodes well for the series, but not at all for my wallet.
Anyway, on the story. Since I didn’t get a chance to read issue #0, I may be missing something already, but reading issue #1 definitely peaked my curiosity. The setting is an alternative Victorian Era. Mechanika, the most advanced city in the Commonwealth, lends its name to the heroin, Lady Mechanika, a girl part human, part machine, who was found locked up in a laboratory surrounded by corpses, with no memory of her past life. With her unique mechanical abilities, she spends her time solving mysteries and doing detective work, while searching constantly for clues to her past life and who might be responsible for her transformation.
In this issue, a young girl with mechanical claws is being chased through the woods. She manages to dodge her attackers and lands on a train going to Mechanika. Who are the people chasing her? Is this girl related to Lady Mechanika, and in what way?
The first thing you notice about this series is the quality of the covers. There are many different ones for each issue, each absolutely gorgeous. Inside, the artwork continues to amaze – the colors, the drawing, panels, all come together to produce an atmosphere that blends industrial, vintage, Victorian and sci-fi elements. The wealth of details is amazing, and steampunk fans will not be disappointed.
Podem ler esta opinião em português no Clockwork Portugal.
Anyway, on the story. Since I didn’t get a chance to read issue #0, I may be missing something already, but reading issue #1 definitely peaked my curiosity. The setting is an alternative Victorian Era. Mechanika, the most advanced city in the Commonwealth, lends its name to the heroin, Lady Mechanika, a girl part human, part machine, who was found locked up in a laboratory surrounded by corpses, with no memory of her past life. With her unique mechanical abilities, she spends her time solving mysteries and doing detective work, while searching constantly for clues to her past life and who might be responsible for her transformation.
In this issue, a young girl with mechanical claws is being chased through the woods. She manages to dodge her attackers and lands on a train going to Mechanika. Who are the people chasing her? Is this girl related to Lady Mechanika, and in what way?
The first thing you notice about this series is the quality of the covers. There are many different ones for each issue, each absolutely gorgeous. Inside, the artwork continues to amaze – the colors, the drawing, panels, all come together to produce an atmosphere that blends industrial, vintage, Victorian and sci-fi elements. The wealth of details is amazing, and steampunk fans will not be disappointed.
Podem ler esta opinião em português no Clockwork Portugal.
August 20, 2017
Really loved this steampunk graphic novel set in Victiorian England.
The story was good but the artwork blew me away - this is a style that I love!
It's sexy, imaginative, classic and sensational.
The story was good but the artwork blew me away - this is a style that I love!
It's sexy, imaginative, classic and sensational.
June 15, 2020
A young half mechanical woman is chased through the woods, ends up in a train station where she dies. Whois she, who was chasing her, and for what reason? We're heading to the city of Mechanika, and Lady Mechanika is there to investigate if the body can reveal anything about her past.
Just like issue #0, the colors are vibrant, the details in every panel are a delight!
Just like issue #0, the colors are vibrant, the details in every panel are a delight!
January 12, 2021
Except the uncomfortable busty females, its art is cool. I think I should reread it someday and see if my opinion changed through the years.
February 24, 2017
I need to pick up the volume
September 2, 2017
Some really lovely art. I don't know that I want to take up a steampunk mysterious origin story, but that I am considering it surprises me, and speaks well for this issue.
March 7, 2020
Wished it were longer!
Great artwork though.:)
Great artwork though.:)
March 10, 2014
I read issue 0 of Lady Mechanika a few months back, but was caught up in a few other reads at the time. I was excited to pick back up with issue 1 but by the end, was severely disappointed. The artwork alone makes this series worth picking up as it is beautifully crafted. The story and the titular character are very intriguing and what really pulls me in the most is this world that is established within the text. We have these Lady Mechanika - a mechanically enhanced woman with a knack for bounty hunting, in a Victorian Steampunk world filled with werewolves, demons, and mechanically created beings.
Where I feel it falls short is the direction of the story. From the get go it seems that Lady Mechanika is in the midst of changing focus from hunting down creatures to delving into her past and what created her. While I find her origins interesting, I would rather see her taking off into this surreal world and confronting what lurks there.
The other issue I find is that the comic is extremely text-heavy. While there is great dialogue at times, there seems to be more of it than the artwork itself. In my humble non-professional at anything opinion. I think the story would make a better book than comic.
Great premise, could have better direction.
Where I feel it falls short is the direction of the story. From the get go it seems that Lady Mechanika is in the midst of changing focus from hunting down creatures to delving into her past and what created her. While I find her origins interesting, I would rather see her taking off into this surreal world and confronting what lurks there.
The other issue I find is that the comic is extremely text-heavy. While there is great dialogue at times, there seems to be more of it than the artwork itself. In my humble non-professional at anything opinion. I think the story would make a better book than comic.
Great premise, could have better direction.
November 26, 2013
My only complaint about the series so far is that each issue is too short. I'm really enjoying the story so far, and the artwork continues to blow my mind. The detail and coloring of each panel is breathtaking! This issue takes us to the mysterious city of Mechanika, the city were Lady Mechanika was discovered. A young lady with mechanical limbs staggers into a train station and dies. Lady Mechanika goes to investigate to see if the body holds any clues as to were she may have come from and what connection she may have to her own creation. I would love to see this series in a bound graphic novel. Fans of steampunk will enjoy this very much!
November 10, 2020
Two stars for the artwork and visuals, I would go so far as to say the imagery in this graphic novel is some of the best I have seen in a while. Unfortunately the story and dialogue is for kids.
Seriously, why waste such good dark art on a story and characters that will only appeal to children. It reads like it is an episode from a kids TV show.
Seriously, why waste such good dark art on a story and characters that will only appeal to children. It reads like it is an episode from a kids TV show.
February 13, 2017
Superb graphics with carefully rendered details, interesting story.
July 14, 2017
Steampunk aesthetics influenced me greatly growing up because of my love of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Sherlock Holmes and Gaslight Novels. It is no surprise, one of my favorite Cons to attend is Dragon*Con given its elaborate grouping of steampunk enthusiasts and their top-notch, quality workmanship. Which is why, to some degree, I consider myself a bit of an expert in noticing niche, stand-out steampunk art.
In Joe Benitez's artwork, steampunk gets a gritty make-over... not enough for it to be classified cyber or industrial punk, but it is a fine-edged, Victorian combination that works great and makes for a highly attractive, kick-butt lady heroine. Each frame filled with a lot of white space not diminished by extras bogging down the central, focal piece. It really allows the images to pop and show off the intricate steampunk details of the costumes on this charismatic character.
All images are comic book in nature, provocative, but not overtly sexualized that a teen fan or younger would be embarrassed to have out.
In Joe Benitez's artwork, steampunk gets a gritty make-over... not enough for it to be classified cyber or industrial punk, but it is a fine-edged, Victorian combination that works great and makes for a highly attractive, kick-butt lady heroine. Each frame filled with a lot of white space not diminished by extras bogging down the central, focal piece. It really allows the images to pop and show off the intricate steampunk details of the costumes on this charismatic character.
All images are comic book in nature, provocative, but not overtly sexualized that a teen fan or younger would be embarrassed to have out.
July 15, 2024
Unravelling the Enigma
Story runs deep and setting spans out within this issue, focusing more on Lady Mechanika's quest for answers after a shocking incident involving someone who is possibly kin in composition.
Artistic design is off the charts, but way more than eye-catching. With tremendous detail, shading, colouring, directing, and thoughtful composition, this is as easily individual art plates as it is a comic. Although I find Lady K to be quite unique, I can see fans of these other heroes enjoying the comic as well: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series), Batman, Sherlock, and / or Catwoman.
Story runs deep and setting spans out within this issue, focusing more on Lady Mechanika's quest for answers after a shocking incident involving someone who is possibly kin in composition.
Artistic design is off the charts, but way more than eye-catching. With tremendous detail, shading, colouring, directing, and thoughtful composition, this is as easily individual art plates as it is a comic. Although I find Lady K to be quite unique, I can see fans of these other heroes enjoying the comic as well: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series), Batman, Sherlock, and / or Catwoman.
January 26, 2020
Une découverte de Lady Mechanika, une véritable claque.
Premier roman graphique steampunk pour moi et je suis tombée amoureuse du graphisme, de l'histoire, du personnage, du style, de tout.
Lady Mechanika est une jeune femme physiquement modifiée avec de la mécanique. Elle ne se souvient pas de son passé mais est bien déterminée à le découvrir.
J'attends avec impatience d'avoir le tome 3 pour découvrir la suite.
Merci @eljoebenitez
Premier roman graphique steampunk pour moi et je suis tombée amoureuse du graphisme, de l'histoire, du personnage, du style, de tout.
Lady Mechanika est une jeune femme physiquement modifiée avec de la mécanique. Elle ne se souvient pas de son passé mais est bien déterminée à le découvrir.
J'attends avec impatience d'avoir le tome 3 pour découvrir la suite.
Merci @eljoebenitez
January 19, 2023
Beautiful artwork! I’m not against steampunk, just not very familiar with it so this was a great introduction to the world and art of steampunk.
The comic is very very short, yet the story throughout (not in the speech bubbles but at the top left corner of the panels) the comic is definitely setting the reader up for something bigger which I hope will be further developed in the upcoming volumes.
The comic is very very short, yet the story throughout (not in the speech bubbles but at the top left corner of the panels) the comic is definitely setting the reader up for something bigger which I hope will be further developed in the upcoming volumes.
July 8, 2017
The art is really great; I love it. But sometimes it's bit hard to understand exactly what's happening on the page in the fight scenes.
The story is okay. I guess I'll read the next one if my library ever gets it
The story is okay. I guess I'll read the next one if my library ever gets it
December 15, 2019
Clever and entertaining, a well executed steam punk mixture of Sherlock Holmes and The Wild Wild West, with beautiful art of Joe Benitez, it reads itself :) A very good start, hopefully the next ones won't disappoint.
September 12, 2017
I had a little bit of trouble following the introductions of so many characters, especially during the funeral scene, but this hooked me. Gonna pick up the whole first volume.
June 26, 2018
Loved this! It was so much better than I expected it to be! A mystery and an adventure set in a fantastical steampunk world. Excellent artwork and an engaging story, I can’t wait to read more!
July 14, 2019
Excellent steampunk series.
November 22, 2019
Amazing Steampunk series with a half cyborg demon. Solving mysteries and kicking butt.
November 23, 2019
Non m reso faccia per me ... storia troppo sopra le righe!
February 7, 2020
This is such a cool series. The steampunk art mixed with supernatural elements has got me hooked.
March 15, 2020
Vizuální žranice, příběhem poplatná žánru a všem fungujícím zápletkám. Bylo by to dobrý RPG.
April 14, 2020
Amazing ! A very strong half woman, half machine that is searching for revenge !
June 12, 2020
Love this dark steam punk heroine.
July 22, 2020
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February 28, 2021
The first book is difficult to follow you start in the middle of the story. The drawings are beautiful but you don't really get what is going on. Who are the players?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews