Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Electrified Tesla

Minky Woodcock #2

by Cynthia von Buhler

A brand new graphic novel by acclaimed artist, author, director and playwright, Cynthia Von Buhler!

Back in the detective saddle, the fabulous, rabbit-loving Minky Woodcock straps on her gumshoes and uncovers a disturbing case involving the mysterious inventor, Nikola Tesla.

Hired by business tycoon J.P. Morgan Jr, Minky sets out to investigate the validity of the claims that eccentric inventor Tesla has created a Death Ray Machine. But things take a turn when Minky befriends the gentle recluse and uncovers a plot involving Nazis who are also interested in the fabled weapon!

With twists and turns abound, the sassy and sexy detective is once again on the hunt for the truth against the backdrop of a tense and exciting 40s America.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Crime, Fiction, Noir

112 pages, Hardcover

Published November 30, 2021

About the author

Adult Books:

Cynthia von Buhler is an American artist, performer, playwright and author. Hailed by the press as “multitalented and eccentric” (Boston Globe), a “rising star” (NY Arts), and “one of the top contemporary surrealists” (Art & Antiques), Cynthia von Buhler has made a name for herself as an award-winning and critically acclaimed fine artist, author, and illustrator. Her illustration work has won awards from the Society of Illustrators and has repeatedly appeared in American Illustration, Communication Arts and the Society of Illustrator annuals of the best illustration in America. Von Buhler's stunning, three-dimensional paintings have been displayed in galleries and museums around the world, and have been featured in books, newspapers and magazines from Rolling Stone to The New Yorker. The New York Times has written four features on her in the last five years. Von Buhler has collaborated on art projects with Steven Spielberg, Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. She has illustrated book covers for Harry Turtledove, Scott O’Dell, Jane Yolen, Elizabeth George Speare and Lawrence Block. Her sculptures have appeared on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, she and her work were profiled in Mary Magdalen: An Intimate Portrait on the Lifetime Network, and she was a recurring character on Discovery Channel’s Oddities. Von Buhler also writes, directs and produces immersive theater. In writing about her theater productions, Forbes called her “a creative genius” and the New York Post wrote, “Von Buhler has the kind of family footnote any writer would kill for.” Von Buhler was the lead singer in two seminal Boston bands, The Women of Sodom and Countess, the latter garnering her a development deal with MCA Records. Her comic work includes Evelyn Evelyn: A Terrible Tale in Two Tomes with Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley, An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning and Emily and The Strangers.

Children's Books:

Cynthia von Buhler (represented by Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency)

Cynthia von Buhler's picture books include BUT WHO WILL BELL THE CATS? (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and THE CAT WHO WOULDN'T COME INSIDE (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), which was chosen as a Book Sense "Children's Pick" and "Best of 2006" by Parent & Child Magazine. The 3-D dioramas she created for these books have been exhibited at museums throughout the country, including The Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, CT. In addition to her own titles, she has illustrated many other books. THEY CALLED HER MOLLY PITCHER (Knopf) written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Von Buhler was chosen by The New York Public Library as one of "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." LITTLE GIRL IN A RED DRESS WITH CAT AND DOG (Viking) written by Nicholas Nicholson and illustrated by Von Buhler was starred in Publisher's Weekly. She illustrated Martha Stewart's story for ONCE UPON A FAIRY TALE (Viking), a book produced by Steven Speilberg. She has also illustrated dozens of young adult book covers including QUEEN'S OWN FOOL (Puffin) by Jane Yolen,THE ROAD TO DAMIETTA (Graphia) by Scott O'Dell, and reprints of two Newbery medal winners, THE BRONZE BOW (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth George Speare and THE PERILOUS GARD (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth Marie Pope. Her award-winning illustrations have appeared in thousands of publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, and Rolling Stone.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dig how von Buhler threads her story amidst real world events. In this story, Minky is hired by J.P. Morgan to investigate Tesla and his claims of a death ray. Just like the first story was centered around the death of Houdini, this is centered around the death of Tesla. I also liked how she incorporated Donald Trump's uncle and Josephine Baker and her time as a spy into the story too. If you like your noir with a side of lurid, this is the book for you.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming entry into the “truth is stranger than fiction” pseudo-historical detective story genre. Her fling with Josephine Baker felt a little gratuitous but then again perhaps it was inadvertently jumping in the sack with a an actual historical Nazi war criminal that was truly ill-advised for our Minky?

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story has a certain energy to it, but is just too loopy and loosey-goosey for my taste. I was a bit thrown that this does not seem to be in strict continuity with the first story, picking up here in 1943 as if that 1926 adventure occurred just yesterday for the main characters.

The art is fun in its fan service manner, but a making-of feature in the back about the intense photo referencing involved in creating it helps explain its stiff quality.

If a third series is made and I review it, no matter how I try to justify it at the time, know in your heart that I just showed up to look at the sexy pictures.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really nails the tone it's going for - scandalous cover, twisty hard crime plot, and a sultry leading lady (although I appreciate the much more modern approach - making her the protagonist and giving her agency throughout the book), and it makes for a fun read. The interweaving of real life characters makes for some interesting moments; I came to this with a fair background in the people it uses, and all of them played pretty true to life (there's even a Trump family member who has a little depth to him). There's some good action moments, a little pathos, a little sex, and a little humor. The art keeps the tone as well; a little grungy, leaning into cheesecake, especially in the more risque moments, but managing to clearly tell the story throughout. In general, I'd put this in the enjoyable but forgettable category.

[Craig Childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minky Woodcock returns in another sexy, violent mystery that blends outrageous fictional drama with real life historical characters and conspiracies.

Aging Nikola Tesla has invented a design for a death ray device in 1943. He wants to sell it to millionaire tycoon JP Morgan Jr. He hopes to use his new weapon of mass destruction to fund his dream of building a massive tower that will harness solar power to create free electricity and free wireless global communication.

But the world is in the grip of war, and everybody wants this new weapon -- The US government wants it. A Nazi spy living in Manhattan wants it. So does the mysterious Dr. John Trump (uncle of future President Donald J. Trump), who is designing new radiation technology to fight cancer.

Famed African-American singer and entertainer Josephine Baker comes to Minky's aid during the case. She is (as we now know from historical documents) a secret spy for the French resistance. The story also works in her alleged bisexuality, which only came to light after her death in 1975.

What can I say? The story is fascinating. The real life stuff is more bizarre than the made up stuff. The art deco style is dazzling on almost every page. This is as good as graphic novel crime fiction gets, on par with John K. Snyder III's Eight Million Ways to Die.

There is a rumored sequel coming Minky Woodcock: They Die Fast on Broadway. Sign me up!

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Girl Who Electrified Tesla is the 2nd Minky Woodcock mystery in the Hard Case Crime books by Cynthia von Buhler. It's probably my least favorite in this book / graphic novel series published in Titan Comics but it's still a fast paced, entertaining thriller.

Minky Woodcock has basically taken over her father's detective agency as he is being treated for lung cancer. (Interesting tidbit here - one of her doctors is a John Trump, an uncle of the ex-president, who had invented an X-ray to defeat cancer)

Momky is hired by businessman J.P. Morgan to investigate Nikola Tesla, to find his plans for a secret weapon, a beam of some sort. The federal government wants it, the Nazis want it. Minky befriends Tesla and also meets Josephine Baker, a performer who also works for the French Resistance. (Many of these facts are true; the story elaborates and fleshes out this.

Minky rushes from place to place, fighting and escaping Nazis and aggressive Morgan sons. With the help of Baker, they try to find Tesla's documentation. It's action - packed, fun-filled, sometimes sexy and also provides a back story on Minky's father and mother. I don't know if there will be anymore of Minky's adventures, but the two have been interesting to say the least. (3.0 stars)

[Ben A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was even better as private eye Minky Woodcock returns to investigate Nikola Tesla, his possible death ray, battle Nazi spies and rub elbows with Josephine Baker and even Donald Trump’s uncle.

[Jess Bragg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minky takes crap from no one as she is hired as a PI to investigate Nikola Tesla and his alleged Death Ray. Set in the 1940’s, Nazis, Thomas Edison and Josephine Baker all join in the mystery in some shape or another. More nuanced than the first book, I think this is more of a 4.5 stars for me.

[Snakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the artwork. Love Hard Case Crime. Love the pulp aspect of these releases. Love the historical facts associated with the story. My one complaint is with format of the graphic novel, which in this instance, seems too abbreviated to make the story really gripping and fully fleshed out.

[Tom Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this racy little graphic novel that features foxy P.I. Minky Woodcock and a cast of historic characters including Nicola Tesla and our former (thank goodness) president's uncle Dr. John Trump, who apparently actually worked for J. Edgar Hoover during WW2.

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favorite thing about these Minky Woodcock books is that Cynthia von Buhler incorporates real historical events into the actual mystery. The crafting of the mystery itself leaves a lot to be desired, but overall the use of historical events and figures gives a positive impression to me. In this adventure, Minky Woodcock takes on a case involving Nikola Tesla and a band of Nazis trying to steal one of his inventions. It's a fun enough tale, but the actual detective elements of the story leave much to be desired. The story moves at a frenetic pace, allowing for little to no tension to build while also being a bit too confusing. I found myself more attached to von Buhler's unique art style, which renders some fairly stilted figures based on photo referencing. The color choices are vivid and perhaps bordering on garish, but it works incredibly well for the story. These Minky Woodcock stories don't blow me away or anything, but I'd happily read another entry if von Buhler were to be inclined to make another.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Girl Who Electrified Telsa collects issues 1-4 of the Titans Comics series written and illustrated by Cynthia Von Buhler.

In this volume, Minky Woodcock is hired by J.P. Morgan Jr. To investigate Nikola Tesla and his death Ray. Similar to The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini, the book incorporates real life events and people surrounding the mysterious death of Tesla.

While I like the mystery involving Telsa more than Houdini, I feel it was not as well constructed. And again, I believe it's because the book is only four issues so it feel incredibly rushed. There is no time for any suspense build. Six issues would allow for more story telling opportunities. I continue to enjoy Von Buhler's art, writing style, and knack for storytelling.

[Dávid Novotný · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noir crime story inspired by work and death of Nikola Tesla. Story is using historic facts and made up femme fatale as main protagonist thrown into chase after Tesla's deadly invention between US government and nazi spies. Although book has good concept and keeps swift pace, it felt hasty in some moments and art wasn't really my thing...

[Michael J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel caught my attention at just the right time. I was looking for some good historical fiction, and this juicy tale in 1940's New York City drips with atmosphere and oozes noir vibes. The fictional private investigator Minky Woodcock mixes with historical figures Nikola Tesla, Josephine Baker, and scientist and electrical engineer John Trump (an ancestor of science skeptic Donald Trump).
Writer/artist Cynthia von Buhler used actual models for her illustrations and based this story around some bizarre facts and questions surrounding the mysterious death of Nikola Tesla on January 7, 1943, mixing facts and inserting her original character Minky Woodcock into the proceedings. Winky is an interesting character, the daughter of a private investigator famed for his Sherlock Holmesian deduction skills (when it is actually Winky who was his assistant with the smarts). She's clever, sassy, and fools around a lot, providing plenty of steamy sex scenes throughout the story.
I loved everything about this graphic novel, including the back content providing background on the story and creative efforts. Definitely an award contender.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot more than the first Minky book. We see her family and she strikes up a really sweet relationship with Tesla. The character really came into her own and the story is fascinating, with a wonderful historical cast of characters. Highly recommend.

[Wayne Kercher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought an improvement from the previous story. Curious what the next mystery will be about.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed and entertaining look into the life and work of Nikola Tesla, most of which was new to me. Looking forward to the third in the Minky Woodcock series!

[Robert Bussie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this story better than the first book, Minky Woodcock: the Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini. The characters are more likable and the story is more interesting. It especially paints Tesla in a positive light. The story is not as deep as the first book, but the brevity and pace keeps it from getting old.

The story moves along quickly and shows some humanity in the Minky character that was missing from the first book. The highlights of this book are the historical fiction aspects and artist/writer Cynthia von Buhler's research, style, and dedication to her art discussed in the back of the book.

Just like the first book the art is a mix of thin lines with thick shadow lines and blocks. The pops of colors are flat, but looks very good with the line styles.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3. The true history and fictional story was interesting and might make a fascinating novella. As for the art... I think Buhler relies too heavily on her photo reference and struggles to know when to diverge from the reference, that seems to followed line for line, to create more coherent character poses or more dynamic compositions. Most of the poses are stiff, clunky, and feel out of sync with the text. Also play with line weights, I know it was probably a stylistic choice to use thick black lines EVERYWHERE but learning how to utilize different line weights can help give an illustration more dimension and feel less clumsy.

[Magnus Frederiksen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historien är ok. Men utförandet känns lite.. jag vet inte… som att nån har tagit fram en stor sax och klippt bort en massa ”onödigt”. Det känns gluggigt och lite osammanhängande. Lite som att vara nykter i ett gäng som är inne på tredje glaset vin. Roligt experiment hur den är illustrerad. Det ger verkligen en känsla av gammal b-film vilket passar pulpen. Men luckorna i historien gör att det ibland känns som en dålig uppkoppling.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is another in the Hard Case Crime series of graphic novels. Lavishly done, the art work is done very well, though the story itself is predictable. We follow Minky Woodcock as she investigates Nikola Tesla and his Death Ray Machine. It's dark times in the 1940's and she has her work cut out for her. There is even an appearance by Geraldine Baker! Much of this book is based on facts as explained in an article at the end of the book.

Good, not great.

[INFAMOUS REVIEWER GIO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous but too inflated

This looks gorgeous and the period style is captured excellently. Where this fails the reader is in the extreme virtual signaling and feminist agenda. Women are beautiful and capable, we get. No need to exalt women at every turn at the expenses of all men, it gets tiresome and distracting from the main plot.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is, quite frankly, pretty terrible. The art's not great and the panel-by-panel storytelling is often hard to follow. It's clear this author has no idea how to write a comic story. As for the inclusion of real people in the story, well a lot of other writers have done that and done it much more effectively (Max Allan Collins, for one).

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historia mas entretenida que la anterior, gracias a que ahora la autora debe desarrollar mas trama para hilar los momentos históricos que muestra.

Aunque algunas coincidencia son algo forzadas, la serie se mantiene entretenida y mantiene la atención del lector.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review is for the first two volumes in the series, read consecutively

The art is blocky and dull, the dialogue is flat, and the stories trite reskins of actual events ala Flashman with none of Flashman's charm.

[Nate Deprey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who hasn't woken up the next morning with deep regret for having slept with a Nazi? Josh Hawley's wife probably does every day! Also, a first for me to see a character and her father both depicted nude in the same collection. Cynthia Von Buhler is a trip!

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommend as a graphic novel. I'm new to the genre and outside the target audience, and I liked it.

[Sara Habein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the pulp-style art was fun, and I was semi-interested in the story, but overall, it was just an ok read.

[Books Over People · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, this cover of the collection is not the cover upon which you should judge this book.

[s.j.hannaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality

Great artwork, colour & story, it’s of the mystery thriller genre & it delivers so nuff said & onto the next one vol. 3