REVIEW: ‘Monstress,’ Issue #37

Monstress #37 is published by Image Comics, written by Marjorie Liu, with art by Sana Takeda and letters by Rus Wooton. With Maika’s mind locked away due to the poison given to her by Tuya, she now finds herself a prisoner in her brain. But it’s not a lonely prison at least. And perhaps with Zinn’s help, the duo may find a way to free themselves from their chemically induced captivity.

They say we are the sum of our experiences. But what if we don’t remember some of the most key moments of our lives? Do they still inform our behavior? Or are they as if they simply never happened for the one who has forgotten? Memory can be a fragile thing. And there it is often dangerous when one goes looking for things the mind has deemed best left forgotten.

The entirety of this month’s story takes place exclusively within the confines of Maika’s mind. While Maika hopes to find some manner of escape, she and Zinn play witness to a series of memories from their pasts. Glimpses into Zinn’s origins deliver some unexpected tidbits about the Monstrum and how he came to reside in this world. Not surprisingly though, the biggest moments of Monstress #37 come from the glimpses into Maika’s forgotten past.

No spoilers from me, but the moments we see from Maika are an excellent blend of surprising, informative, and heartbreaking. What our protagonist has forgotten about herself sheds light on where she is now, as well as gives us a stronger glimpse into her mother’s personality. Liu writes the path the reader takes through the past with the perfect pacing and tempo of emotional development. Warm moments with familiar faces begin the trek down memory lane, but things quickly slip out of control.

While the art throughout this story has always been a visual treat, series artist Takeda is presented the opportunity to craft something special as Maika and Zinn wander the paths of the mind. The artist doesn’t waste the chance. Gorgeous starfields meld into wilderness settings that explode into the endless arches of a cathedral. The surreal voyage works perfectly into Takeda’s talents.

Rounding out this book’s presentation is another strong lettering performance on the part of Wooton. The letters flow through both the ethereal panels and more grounded scenes with equal skill. The words balance out the art, allowing the two visual elements to exist harmoniously.

When all is said and done, Monstress #37 brings strong reveals that will change Maika’s journey. I’m curious to see how next month’s story will follow where this issue leaves off.

Monstress #37 is available now wherever comics are sold.