Lady Mechanika Vol 7: The Monster of the Ministry of Hell

Lady Mechanika Volumes #7

by Joe Benítez (Writer / Artist), Beth Sotelo (Colorist), M.M. Chen

In a Victorian asylum full of grotesque inmates, sadistic guards, and a fanatical doctor, a young lady wakes to find her arms and legs have been replaced with mechanical limbs. But who among this gruesome menagerie is the true Monster of the Ministry of Hell? The origins of the notorious adventuress known as Lady Mechanika!

Collects LADY The Monster of the Ministry of Hell #1-4

Genres: Graphic Novels, Steampunk, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

106 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Joe 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

Reviews

[Rachels_booknook_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually hard to get through because it was so dark, the ministry was really messed up. It felt like a nightmare. The backstory was riveting though and the art was amazing as always.

[Florin Pitea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than Sangre. Nice intertextual connections with Oliver Twist and Frankenstein. Recommended.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice series that gives some more of the backstory of the interesting Steampunk character. good read. Recommended

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s here! A huge chunk of Lady Mechanika’s backstory!
Be ready, it’s tragic, frustrating, skewed at first, and full of misunderstandings. It’s also a bit grotesque (as one expects human experimentation to be). But Joe Benitez has given it to us here in all its glory. With panels dedicated just to allowing you a moment to digest what you are seeing/reading. Full page illustrations (as Lady Mechanika often has) that are gorgeous in their detail, and elegant in their prose.

As always there is a bit more reading to these stories than your average ‘superhero’ comic (one of the things I love). Lots of musing about life, consequences, what constitutes good and evil; and a focus on if it’s okay to do things in the name of science that will help or benefit living beings in the future. An impossible topic to a certain level, but beautifully tackled here by Benitez.

Again we have gorgeous gothic illustrations and our characters are richly detailed in personality, fashion, and expression. Lady Mechanika is one of my favourite comic series of all time. And almost no one knows about it!!

Do yourself a favour and spend some time in Victorian England that has steampunk twist to it, with technology beyond (yet also below) some of what we have today. And fall down the rabbit hole with Lady Mechanika into the intrigue, slyness, and corruption of science that can only result from unending funds in a time when humans knew so little about our bodies; and didn’t concern themselves with morals as much as we (sometimes) do today.

If you are going to head into this realm for the first time I suggest starting at volume 1. If you’re already a seasoned fan then I guarantee this volume will grab you and have you flipping pages like crazy. I actually read it twice in a row to make sure I absorbed all the details of the tragic origin story presented. A pinnacle point in the series, and one that is clearly driving the story into the next volume as there are still many questions to answer (even if we got a few great answers this time around).

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Mechanika Vol. 7 The Monster of the Ministry of Hell collects issues 1-4 of the Image Comics series written and drawn by Joe Benitez.

Told in a series of flashbacks, Lady Mechanika reveals her past as a patient in the Ministry of Health. Late one night, a small girl is discovered roaming the countryside, near feral, no knowledge of her past, with mechanical limbs. The girl struggles to survive while being experimented on until she finds a friend with another of the Ministry’s patients.

This one volume provided more character history than we have received in all the previous volumes combined. We still don’t know who is responsible for Lady Mechanika’s metal limbs, but we get so much character development from a young Mechanika. It seems we are at the cusp of some major changes coming to Lady Mechanika’s life where answers will soon be revealed.

This volume sees the series moving from being self-published by Joe Benitez to being released by Image Comics. I was initially worried when I first opened this volume and saw that M.M. Chen was not involved with the writing and instead had returned to Benitez whose only other sole writing credit in the series is the first volume which is by far the worst in the series. This book is exposition heavy but it fits with all the background information provided. It seems Benitez learned a great deal from Chen so hopefully the book continues to be well written in future installments.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've not read much of the earlier volumes, but I think that works for the casual reader of the series here. This volume delves in the Lady's early upbringing/background. Yes, some earlier story points are probably more important (especially at the end of chapter four), but this can be read (as digital floppies) in my opinion as a standalone piece.

[Amy Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've missed this series so much and was so pleased to see it come back in a BIG way. The story dives deep into Lady Mechanika's troubled and traumatic past and tells a deeper story of what it's like to be different. It was a surprisingly emotional read with lots of twists and morally grey characters. It's brutal and bloody, but a great addition for any fan of the series.

[Mariana B · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most deliciously gruesome volumes yet! Fantastic characters and plot lines. This volume really gave a whole new outlook on lady mechanika as a character and set up much more story for us to read. I also want to note that I appreciate that the art style is a bit closer to the original than the last volume and more detailed than ever!

[Christy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mechanika’s early days in the Ministry of Hell are revealed. We see how she was tortured/saved. We see the cast of characters who made up her history and helped shape her into the formidable woman she is in the earlier volumes. She learns much about evil, friends, foes, trust, and loyalty. Her first days of being reborn as a mechanical young woman are filled with terror and confusion, but also fleeting moments of true friendship that help her become a survivor.

The artwork is back to looking like volumes 1-5. While Goodreads lists the artist as Beth Sotelo, I didn’t really notice while reading the graphic novel. It definitely looked like Benitez’s work. Gorgeous as always! Interesting movement and development of plot and characters in the panels. Everything works so well together.

I was hoping that we would get more info about Mechanika’s early life - before her tragedy. Sadly, no. We do get to see her relive her earliest memories and get more backstory that has only been hinted at before now. Lots going on and I still have so many questions but I did really enjoy it.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centering on a flashback to Lady Mechanika’s horrific adolescence, this volume in the series still stuns with its elaborate Victorian steam-punk illustrations … gripping …

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woo! The adventures of Lady Mechanika continue in Lady Mechanika: The Monster of the Ministry of Hell. This is the seventh graphic novel in the series (and I would highly suggest you read everything in order!), and it is quite possibly the heaviest-hitting one of the set, which is saying something.

The great and mysterious Lady Mechanika has always desperately wanted to know about her origins. In the past, we've seen hints and pieces, but it's not really enough to put together a full picture. This latest installment of the series will take us back to when Lady Mechanika was a young girl and began to fill in some of the blanks.

Mind you; it isn't what most people would call a happy story. But it is the story of Lady Mechanika, and that makes it the perfect read for her fans.

Writing

So I think we can all agree that Lady Mechanika almost always packs one hell of a punch (pun not intended, but appreciated). The Monster of the Ministry of Hell is even more intense than the usual read – which is saying something.

With the help of M.M. Chen, Joe Benitez has crafted one of the most emotionally compelling volumes the series has seen thus far. I want to press this issue. Remember how much Lady Mechanika has gone through over the years, and now consider that statement again. You're not going to get a light and fluffy read here (and if you were expecting that, I have questions).

What you will get are some long-awaited answers regarding her past. Mind you; you won't get all of the answers. But it's a start! If you've read and enjoyed the rest of this series, you cannot skip The Monster of the Ministry of Hell. As I said in an earlier review on Monkeys Fighting Robots, it is the epitome of the series thus far. Having completed its journey, I still feel this way.

Artwork

As always, the artwork inside The Monster of the Ministry of Hell is phenomenal. Anything revolving around Lady Mechanika is certain to be stunning; that much is a given. However, this volume seems to lean a little heavier into the macabre, so consider yourself warned.

Working alongside Joe Benitez (author and lead artist), we have Beth Sotelo for colors and Michael Heisler for letters. This team is capable of moving mountains, I swear. Their artwork is captivating and dark in all the right measures and will haunt you long into the night. As such, it's the perfect complement for this darker plot.


Conclusion

The Monster of the Ministry of Hell ups the ante, providing fans with some long-awaited answers while throwing us all onto an emotional roller coaster. In other words, it was totally worth the wait.

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[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comic is always so gorgeous! And congrats to Joe Benitez for getting the comic picked up by Image Comics, to better be able to spread the wonderful Lady Mechanika to a wider audience!
Highlights:
- While at a fair with her friend Dr. Littleton, she tells the story of her time in a medical testing hospital right after receiving her robotic arms and legs...
- Captured and brought to the hospital, she is put under the care of Deacon Grin, a twisted looking man who wears a mask to hide his hideous face. She makes friends with a red haired girl named Kat who gives her hope and helps her calm down to join the rest of the girls in the ward.
- Kat gives our heroine the name Evie and shows her ways to get around the guards. Evie really likes Kat, despite the other girls telling her to watch out.
- Unable to bear the horrors anymore, Evie is escaping with Kat, when confronted by Deacon Grin. She loses herself and kills him. It is at this point the story comes back to the present. When expressing remorse over her first kill, Littleton tells her that she must be mistaken because he knows of Deacon Grin and where he is located.
-Lady Mechanika tracks down Grin and is about to kill him when he unmasks and reveals that "he" is actually Augusta, one of the girls from the ward, now a doctor working under his name to make it easier.
- Augusta reveals that Grin was amazing to her and the other girls, including Evie, and that it was Kat doing all the murdering and framing of others. Trauma prevented Lady Mechanika from seeing the truth of it.
- In a final scene, Dr Littleton gives a vial of Evie's blood to Commander Katherine "Kat" Winter, the red haired girl from the ward, all grown up and working for Lord Blackpool...

Can't wait for Volume 8. Nice to get a glimpse into the past, but the future threat is still out there.
Strong recommend on the whole series.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the seventh volume in Lady Mechanika series and collects episodes 1-4 of The Monster of the Ministry of Hell story arc. I bought a copy of this graphic novel.

Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Lady Mechanika series. This volume pops between the past and the present but is mostly Lady Mechanika's origin story in the past. I loved seeing her background and what she went through to become the fierce mechanical woman she is.

There are some very well done twists in the story and I enjoyed it a lot. The overall plot set in "current day" Victorian England also continues and I am very curious to see what will happen.

The illustration in here remains top-notch. I absolutely love the dark tones and detailed drawing. It's very well done, beautiful to look at, and easy to follow. I remain a huge fan of this series!

My Summary (5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this installment in the Lady Mechanika graphic novel series. I loved learning Lady Mechanika's back-story and am eager to see where the story goes. This is a very well done graphic novel series and I would recommend it to those who are interested in the steampunk genre or just enjoy historical fantasy graphic novels in general.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Mechanika returns and this installment gives us more of her origin story. We learn how she was discovered as a young child and brought into a place that is a combination of hospice and asylum.

She is subjected to excruciating biopsies in which she’s barely allowed anesthetic. She’s made the victim of experiments that seem to serve no purpose. Most of this comes at the hands of a terrifying masked figure who pries at her insides while Christian religious hokum spills from his lips. It’s amazing she grew up as tolerant and rational as she did.

There are questions that I have. Some people are apparently paying to have their deformed children shut away from sight. Others are paying to have them turned over to place on display (or perhaps for other unstated purposes). Just when are the children turned over to The Ministry of Health? It’s unlikely this is a facility designed to house and care for babies or very young children so the children must be turned over when they’re old enough to know who their parents are. Do the sold children mention their former parents to their new captors? That would be embarrassing, wouldn’t it?

Lady Mechanika (dubbed Evie in the Ministry) already has her mechanical limbs and they are suited to her size and age as a child. She still has them as an adult and now they are sized for her grown-up body. Did the limbs somehow grow as she grew? How is that even possible? We still don’t know how she got them, who gave them to her or why. She’s brought to the Ministry with them already attached and even the officials there are baffled.

Kat isn’t deformed like the other inmates. In fact, she’s a very beautiful redhead. What, exactly, has she done to be sent to the Ministry? What horrific crime did she commit to be incarcerated with the deformed and misshapen? We get vague hints that she’s psychologically twisted (she smiles waaaaaay too much for someone stuck in a house of horrors). But there isn’t anything solid told about her. She gives no background about herself save the story of a doll and a comically silly story about a wicked stepmother.

We’re not allowed to dwell on this. This installment shows us that good and evil aren’t so easily discerned. Lady Mechanika’s urge for vengeance is derailed when she learns that she’s been deceived, led astray by her own violent treatment and the whisperings of a deranged inmate. It’s a startling thing to happen to her and to us, the readers, who have been carefully led to believe the worst of one of the side characters.

In an abrupt shift from midnight delivery to bright, sunny day, the graphic also brings back Dr. Littleton and his obnoxious, sneering daughter. As usual, the wretched sprat brings nothing to the story except as a source of anxiety for her worrying father. He wants to find a cure for the muscular atrophy that’s slowly crippling his wife and has begun to attack Alexandra.

That brought back to mind a moment in an earlier installment when he asked for some blood from Lady Mechanika, a request she roundly refused. That request made me suspicious of him. It’s difficult to maintain that suspicion given his milquetoast, mild-mannered mien. But this graphic novel reminds us that such behaviors can deceive, that pulchritudinous aspects can mask evil natures. My suspicions are unfortunately borne out…

Lady Mechanika has just received a terrible blow to her conscience. She’s soon to receive another one, I think.

As always, the images are masterfully done, inked and colored to achieve maximum effect. There is gore aplenty, something that should please fans of Clive Barker or David Cronenberg. If you’ve got a strong stomach and a taste for great storytelling mixed with Grand Guignol theatrics, this series once again brings the dread.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the shit Lana? We get more info on Lady M than we have in 8 prior books! It's dark as hell and gory and really messed up but wow. Love having Joe back on the art and storytelling and also love the interview at the back because the creative process is so interesting. It's different from person to person but there are so many similarities that are relatable only to other creatives - like the characters having their own opinions about where the story should go and driving it off the rails. Just try telling somebody that you hear voices that aren't real and see where you wind up. 😆 Anyway, I really enjoyed this one. I've been finding them more and more enjoyable as the series has grown and evolved. I would like to learn more about her forgotten origin but this has satiated me for the moment.

[Paul Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely-looking steampunk fantasy comic series.

Lady Mechanika tells her story about how she was found by the Ministry of Health and what happened to her there. It's an interesting tale which will lead to whatever will happen next. It's beautifully illustrated with colourful, detailed steampunk artwork. The whole series is well worth visiting and I thoroughly recommend it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot is intriguing, but I don't generally like medical horror. I also disagree with the conclusion and think both Katherine and Grindlethorn were monsters. G. might have helped Augusta and Nora, but he still tortured others, including Mechanika. Intentions never trump the effects. Even if G. might have tried to help Mechanika, the fear, pain and distress he caused were real and gave her real trauma.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

We flash back to when Lady Mechanika was first found as a child. She is pretty much feral and is put on some kind of asylum like they used to do in England in the 1800s. My one question I'd have is if she received artificial limbs as a child, how did they grow along with her body. I'm guessing you aren't supposed to think about that. Otherwise this was interesting and we see more of her backstory than we've ever seen before.

[Jessica's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dark Steampunk alternative Regency style graphic novel.

Pieces to the mysterious Lady Mechanika’s tragic backstory are revealed. The Illustrations ensnared my eyes as each scene squeezed my heartstrings. She endured torture, fear, betrayal and violence.

I wish her sweet revenge and retribution.

[Silverbullet · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate that we learnt a lot about Lady Mechanica's past, I think this volume relied a bit too much on graphic portrayal of brutal acts of violence and horror. It was lacking the emotional depth for me that the other volumes depicted beautifully and what has been revealed at the end didn't fully make sense to me.

[The Inked Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume kicked ass and I LOVED IT.
Finally, we get answers about Lady Mechanika past and I felt like they have elevated this series quite a lot.


I have a YouTube channel where I review (coherently) comics & books. Check it out if you fancy! https://youtube.com/@theinkedreader77...

[Harmony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I love this volume out of the series. It was by far the scariest for me. Love love love it.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh, so much darker than the rest of the series.

[John Stinebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid origin story thats full of the best kinds of surprises.

[Bell (wicked era 💚🫧) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My jaw dropped! I was not expecting that twist. I’m so glad Lady Mechanika is back!