Quirky Cat
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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