Lady Mechanika: The Monster of the Ministry of Hell #3 (Lady Mechanika #3) is published by Image Comics, written by Joe Benitez and M. M. Chen, art by Joe Benitez, colors by Beth Sotelo, and letters by Michael Heisler. With Lady Mechanika taking in the sights at the fair with Doctor Littleton, Allie, and Fred, things are going well. Till the treatment of some individuals at a nearby freakshow sends her memories back again to far less happy times.
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From the first issue of this series, one of the story’s biggest focuses has been on how Mechanika and others like her were treated at the Ministry of Health. How cruel and manipulative these people were towards the individuals in their care simply because of how they looked. With Lady Mechanika #3, the series expands this theme to outside the isolated environment of the Ministry and to the daily life of Mechanika City.
This expansion of this central theme is executed with precise timing that I cannot help but appreciate. Having captured the horrific behavior with the Ministry, writer Benitez now throws back the curtain to remind us that the tendency to look down on others for superficial reasons is not something isolated to the monsters that go bump in the night. While seeing the mistreatment of the individuals at the show is bad enough, Benitez takes the moment a step further when he shows how several of the members of the show react to Lady Mechanika standing up for them against some of the more verbally abusive patrons. How cruel and indifferent the world as a whole can be, as well as what it can do to those who fail to meet its standards, is a poignant message to absorb.
Beyond the upsetting moment at the show, Lady Mechanika #3‘s dive into its protagonist’s past focuses on her growing attachment to the young girl Kat. From the god’s eye view that the story gives the reader, it is easy to see how bad Kat is. She is manipulating Mechanika, but given everything that the young orphan is currently going through, one cannot blame her for not seeing what Kat is up to. This makes the obvious tragedy heading for the young woman all the more painful to watch unfold.
The art throughout this story captures the ugliness of humanity with exceptional skill. The pain and discomfort present within both sides of the story is handled well. Combine this with the gorgeous colors that fill the panels and you have another top-notch artistic work in this issue.
Finishing up our look at Lady Mechanika #3 we have the lettering. The letters deliver the story clearly, while always managing to steer clear of the book’s art.
When all is said and done, Lady Mechanika #3 delivers another emotional look into Mechanika’s world. Both past and present sides of the narrative have their powerful moments and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Lady Mechanika #3 is available now wherever comics are sold.
Lady Mechanika: The Monster at the Ministry of Hell #3
TL;DR
When all is said and done, Lady Mechanika #3 delivers another emotional look into Mechanika’s world. Both past and present sides of the narrative have their powerful moments and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
