REVIEW: ‘Monstress,’ Issue #43

When Kippa, Ren, Zinn, the manifestation of young Maika, and what remains of Maika’s consensuses lept through an unknown portal in the astral plane at the end of the last issue, they had no way of knowing where they would end up. As Zinn begins to put the pieces together in Monstress #43, published by Image Comics, written by Majorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda, and letters by Rus Wooton, it may not be an exaggeration to say things couldn’t possibly get worse.

I love it when a story can blindside me with a completely unexpected twist, yet when looked back on in hindsight, of course, the story had to come here. Liu has picked the perfect locale in which to drop our beleaguered group. What it means for them, and most importantly, how they will survive the experience, is a question I cannot begin to fathom, but I cannot wait to see it play out. It is a stroke of writing genius.

Making the situation even more perilous in Monstress #43 is the fact that our group has been split up in their journey through the portal. Opening this issue, we catch up with Maika and Zinn as they struggle to determine where they are. Their pursuit of this pertinent knowledge is not helped by the immense rage Zinn holds for Maika currently. Zinn blames Maika for their predicament, stating that her desire to die has allowed them to be forced here.

This exchange is a hard one. Zinn’s displeasure is understandable, but his blaming Maika, given all that she has recently been through at the hands of the Dusk Court and Tuya, for slipping into a space rooted in despair feels harsh at best. Liu captures both characters’ voices splendidly throughout this scene. Zinn’s fury and Maika’s pain are delivered in equal measure thanks to the excellent writing and Takeda’s artistic presentation.

While talking about the art of Monstress #43, let me just say that this issue once again leans perfectly into Takeda’s wheelhouse. The artist always seems to be shining brightest when there is no limit to what they can craft for the moment. This strange new world allows just that. The environments and creatures we are introduced to are beautiful, bizarre, and deadly in equal measure. Giving some uniqueness to the voice of the denizens of this new world is skillful letter work by Wooton. Unique colors and dialogue bubble designs help give the various characters their unique voices.

With the bulk of its time centered on Maika and Zinn, this issue only touches base with the rest of the group as they struggle to get their bearings in this new world. Also, we are treated to another journey into Zinn’s past, as we see him taking part in some form of selection process. While I have guesses as to what exactly is going on, nothing is stated clearly in this issue.

Monstress #43 delivers another outstanding chapter to this saga. It brings all the elements of a comic book, story, art, and solid lettering, to deliver an engaging tale that leaves the reader anxiously awaiting what next month’s story will bring. It just can’t come soon enough.

Monstress #43 is available wherever comics are sold.