Monstress #37

Monstress (Single Issues)

by Marjorie M. Liu (Writer), Sana Takeda (Illustrator), Rus Wooton (Letterer)

Trapped in the labyrinth of her mind, Maika begins to unravel the horrific secrets she and Zinn have long kept buried in their memories—secrets that will change her life forever.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Dystopia, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Horror

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2022

About the author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Marjorie Liu is best known for her fiction and comic books. She teaches comic book writing at MIT, and she leads a class on Popular Fiction at the Voices of Our Nation (VONA) workshop.

Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.

Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”

Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.

Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #36-41 can be found here: Monstress, Volume 7: Devourer.

[Tim Nowotny · Rating 4 out of 5]

These „mind‘s labyrinth“ issues can be a bit tricky but I think it was handled well, if not exceptional here. We see a bit of the past and it feels meaningful

[Kai (CuriousCompass) · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY FUCK NUGGETS

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. Definitely a return to form.

[Mitticus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabemos más de la historia pasada de Zinn



y de los eventos relacionados con experimentos y la máscara. Siempre me he preguntado por el compañerito de Maika..

[Rina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit what a wild fucking ride! I absolutely love that we get to learn more about the monstra’s lore and peek into Maika’s oldest memories in this issue. The art was simply stunning as always ✨ but I did not expect that twist at the end! So happy that Monstress is back to its monthly releases. I plan on doing a full reread of the entire series once this arc ends since it can be tough to keep track of what all is happening 😵‍💫

[Colin Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue is cosmic in scope, though it takes place entirely in Maika/Zinn’s incapacitated mind. First, it’s gorgeous, gorgeous. Second, the issue subtly expands the universe and mythos of the book, adding new nuance to what’s come before and opens possibilities for what might happen next. Finally, the issue enthralls and transports in the space of a comic book.

[Vyshakh Aravindan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The consequences of power. Zinn and Maika’s relationship reaches new tension, and the magical/mythic elements intensify. Takeda’s art is on another level here—dreamlike, horrifying, and elegant all at once. War, once again, proves to be a crucible for trauma rather than glory.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah, hurl THAT on her plate as well, why don't ya

(art in this issue, tho? sana takeda, MVP)

[Aleshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I didn’t think to expect that twist but damn

[Kurage · Rating 4 out of 5]

holy shit that background story
(also finally, FINALLY some more background)

gorgeous art

[Gerald J Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

staggering

As the story evolves and is unveiled, mysteries are resolved, tragedies revealed and the power of love is an unremitting source of power, heartbreak, joy and hope.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

#37 – “Little wolf. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ..”

[Oneirosophos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best issue of the entire SERIES!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

#37 – “Little wolf. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ..”

[Cats W. Bats, Esq. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

[Helene Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one left me speechless. We finally get to see where Zinn comes from, and the world building is phenomenal. Can’t wait to find out more about the Shaman Empress.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return to form.