What do you think?
Rate this book
Girl Genius #12
Agatha Heterodyne and the Siege of Mechanicsburg
Girl Genius #12
196 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Phil Foglio
168 books356 followersA popular science fiction fan artist in the 1970s, Phil Foglio began writing and drawing cartoons and comics professionally in the 1980s. His work includes Magic: The Gathering, Buck Godot, and the popular series of comics and novels, Girl Genius, co-written with his wife, Kaja Foglio.
Awards:
Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist (1977 and 1978)
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (2009, 2010, 2011)
Awards:
Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist (1977 and 1978)
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (2009, 2010, 2011)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 24, 2015
One of my favorite comics, and perhaps my most ever re-read comic.
It's remarkably strong through the entire series, and this book is no exception....
It's remarkably strong through the entire series, and this book is no exception....
January 7, 2022
Chaos, chaos, then...WTF? I expected an end to the storyline and all I got was this lousy cliffhanger? I mean, I still devoured the book. There were adorable wasp-fighting weasels and a charismatic dragon. But...how is this the end of the first series? NOTHING IS RESOLVED. Edited to add: I was mistaken. This is the penultimate volume of the first storyline and so it makes perfect sense that it ends on a huge cliffhanger. My apologies. Chaotic fun, plus ..weasels!
Read
September 21, 2015Agatha kicks over the traces and fully assumes the role of Heterodyne.
I like how this story manages to kick over a few of the long-held 'traditions' of SFF that turn up. The whole "wicked is woman's magic" thing is given a thump when Klaus opines that all of the (rare) female sparks he's ever met have been trouble, and have tried to kill him, and Gil sensibly asks: "Maybe it's you?" [Frankly, all sparks all the time appear ready to try to kill each other (and use the cadaver in interesting ways).]
I like how this story manages to kick over a few of the long-held 'traditions' of SFF that turn up. The whole "wicked is woman's magic" thing is given a thump when Klaus opines that all of the (rare) female sparks he's ever met have been trouble, and have tried to kill him, and Gil sensibly asks: "Maybe it's you?" [Frankly, all sparks all the time appear ready to try to kill each other (and use the cadaver in interesting ways).]
January 19, 2014
Wunnaful, wunnaful, wunnaful!
July 8, 2014
Things heat up in this latest installment of Girl Genius. Agatha Heterodyne has truly come into her own. She’s not just a brilliant spark; she’s becoming a canny military strategist as well. The character doesn’t wish to rely on anybody but the good people of Mechanicsburg and her own brains to rescue her town—a lesson one of her would-be suitors learns when he arrogantly tries to get dictatorial and “rescue” her.
The skill of the Foglios gets better and better with each installment. They are truly excellent at tying the various strands of this ongoing saga together. Now that the Castle is more or less fully repaired, we no longer see its “voice”; attention is therefore aptly turned towards the besieged city. The action is as usual dizzying and dazzling but never detracting from the interactions among the various characters. With full-scale warfare raging in the streets and during a massive heavy downpour, Agatha races through her city, building a death ray on the fly. The action during this sequence is eye catching, pulse pounding and the dialogue is right on target as people comment on the action or contribute to it.
There is a lot of action also happening on other fronts but most of the reader’s attention is kept firmly on Mechanicsburg. It’s fantastic work—just what we’ve come to expect from the Foglios. The ending is not so much a great cliffhanger as it is a total vindication of Agatha’s worth as a Heterodyne spark.
The skill of the Foglios gets better and better with each installment. They are truly excellent at tying the various strands of this ongoing saga together. Now that the Castle is more or less fully repaired, we no longer see its “voice”; attention is therefore aptly turned towards the besieged city. The action is as usual dizzying and dazzling but never detracting from the interactions among the various characters. With full-scale warfare raging in the streets and during a massive heavy downpour, Agatha races through her city, building a death ray on the fly. The action during this sequence is eye catching, pulse pounding and the dialogue is right on target as people comment on the action or contribute to it.
There is a lot of action also happening on other fronts but most of the reader’s attention is kept firmly on Mechanicsburg. It’s fantastic work—just what we’ve come to expect from the Foglios. The ending is not so much a great cliffhanger as it is a total vindication of Agatha’s worth as a Heterodyne spark.
November 14, 2017
I love this series, but these later volumes are a bit too action-packed. Sometimes we need a pause to let the readers and characters breathe, like the fourth act of a play where we get some funny banter or the characters have a cup of tea and regroup before the shit hits the fan in the climax. Volumes 9-13 are all climax, and it's exhausting. Still love the series, though.
January 23, 2018
The doom bell has rung. Agatha has been acknowledge as the official Heterodyne. The people of Mechanicsburg rejoice, the Jaggers return, and the town is under siege.
Trying to keep the empire together and off Agatha’s back, Gilgamesh Wulfenbach races to return to loyalist imperialists in what’s left of his father’s empire, only to find Prince Tarvek of Sturmhalten running it for him. Kidnapped, err, rescued by Othar Tryggvassen and Wilhelm (who thought he was Gil), he’s been a very useful prisoner. Only he may not remain one for long.
The good news for Gil is his father is alive. The bad news is that Tarvek may be right. Baron Klaus Wulfenbach may be under the control of the Other.
Using the madcap skills of Othar Tryggvassen, Gil manages to get Tarvek and Vole (his bloodthirsty, reluctant Jager minion) off the imperial airship.
Now if only he can keep from getting captured himself. Especially when his father seems certain Gil is the one under the control of the Other.
Once Tarvek endures a hair raising trip to the ground in Gil’s experimental aircraft (having Othar and Vole punching it out in the same small craft do nothing to ease his fear of flying), he finds himself uncovering deadly schemes all over the empire and doing what he can to help those who can counter said schemes.
Nothing like having the woman you love come to rescue you after you’ve rescued everyone else (or tried). Especially when she’s in a truly impressive battle clank. Natually, there’s a romantic reunion. Now everyone in Mechanicsburg is betting on whether Agatha will hook up with Tarvek, Gil, or both of them.
There’s little time for levity, though. Not for anyone in town when everyone starts attacking Mechanicsburg or trying to find asylum there after a failed plot against the Baron. Gil finds he can do little to help once he’s put under lock and key by his father. Plus Castle Heterodyne is running low on power.
At least Agatha still has Tarvek, several other sparks, minions (including Moloch Von Zinzer, Minion Extraordinaire, although he’s still reluctant to admit it), monsters, and her own sparky brilliance.
There was so much going on in this volume, it was almost impossible to keep track of. I cannot exaggerate how much I adored the first part of the story where Gil and Tarvek are thrown together, only to find themselves running around, facing peril after peril. It was quite exciting when Gil continued to dodge and try to escape from his own people before his father finally caught him. The Baron continues to be a good, well-rounded antagonist who truly cares about his son, even if he’s Agatha and Tarvek’s enemy.
Tarvek is absolutely brilliant in this book. The way he figures out what’s going on, rescues the wasp eaters (cute little furry creatures who look like weasels), only to earn a spectacular romantic rescue himself.
All of the rescues were amazing; Gil rescuing Tarvek by throwing him into an experimental aircraft, Tarvek rescuing the wasp eaters from a murderous imperial squad (earning the love of the wasp eaters when he does), and Agatha rescuing Tarvek were among my favorite scenes in not only the book, but the entire series.
Agatha’s moments of being acknowledged as the Heterodyne is one of the most larger than life moments in a comic which is larger than life. Plus the Jagers showing up in Mechanicsburg is the one of the most colorful and lively panels I’ve seen in this series.
For upping the level of excellence and going beyond it, this book gets five stars.
Trying to keep the empire together and off Agatha’s back, Gilgamesh Wulfenbach races to return to loyalist imperialists in what’s left of his father’s empire, only to find Prince Tarvek of Sturmhalten running it for him. Kidnapped, err, rescued by Othar Tryggvassen and Wilhelm (who thought he was Gil), he’s been a very useful prisoner. Only he may not remain one for long.
The good news for Gil is his father is alive. The bad news is that Tarvek may be right. Baron Klaus Wulfenbach may be under the control of the Other.
Using the madcap skills of Othar Tryggvassen, Gil manages to get Tarvek and Vole (his bloodthirsty, reluctant Jager minion) off the imperial airship.
Now if only he can keep from getting captured himself. Especially when his father seems certain Gil is the one under the control of the Other.
Once Tarvek endures a hair raising trip to the ground in Gil’s experimental aircraft (having Othar and Vole punching it out in the same small craft do nothing to ease his fear of flying), he finds himself uncovering deadly schemes all over the empire and doing what he can to help those who can counter said schemes.
Nothing like having the woman you love come to rescue you after you’ve rescued everyone else (or tried). Especially when she’s in a truly impressive battle clank. Natually, there’s a romantic reunion. Now everyone in Mechanicsburg is betting on whether Agatha will hook up with Tarvek, Gil, or both of them.
There’s little time for levity, though. Not for anyone in town when everyone starts attacking Mechanicsburg or trying to find asylum there after a failed plot against the Baron. Gil finds he can do little to help once he’s put under lock and key by his father. Plus Castle Heterodyne is running low on power.
At least Agatha still has Tarvek, several other sparks, minions (including Moloch Von Zinzer, Minion Extraordinaire, although he’s still reluctant to admit it), monsters, and her own sparky brilliance.
There was so much going on in this volume, it was almost impossible to keep track of. I cannot exaggerate how much I adored the first part of the story where Gil and Tarvek are thrown together, only to find themselves running around, facing peril after peril. It was quite exciting when Gil continued to dodge and try to escape from his own people before his father finally caught him. The Baron continues to be a good, well-rounded antagonist who truly cares about his son, even if he’s Agatha and Tarvek’s enemy.
Tarvek is absolutely brilliant in this book. The way he figures out what’s going on, rescues the wasp eaters (cute little furry creatures who look like weasels), only to earn a spectacular romantic rescue himself.
All of the rescues were amazing; Gil rescuing Tarvek by throwing him into an experimental aircraft, Tarvek rescuing the wasp eaters from a murderous imperial squad (earning the love of the wasp eaters when he does), and Agatha rescuing Tarvek were among my favorite scenes in not only the book, but the entire series.
Agatha’s moments of being acknowledged as the Heterodyne is one of the most larger than life moments in a comic which is larger than life. Plus the Jagers showing up in Mechanicsburg is the one of the most colorful and lively panels I’ve seen in this series.
For upping the level of excellence and going beyond it, this book gets five stars.
June 12, 2019
Girl Genius is probably the best and funniest steampunk fantasy horror sf graphic series in existence. After this much of the story, I was surprised to find myself surprised by things in this volume. For example, the random evil geniuses popping up out of the woodwork to join in the battle at Mechanicsburg, apparently just in the hopes of gaining something from the chaos...I mean, that was madness even for mad geniuses. Also, the various new factions of supposedly already existent groups added to the confusion, as Agatha tries to find a way to restore power to the Castle, and bring its systems "back to life" in a situation where one can only hope that this is just a turn of phrase.
The cliffhanger ending was a really great one, though.
The cliffhanger ending was a really great one, though.
June 30, 2017
Stuff happens. The conflict between Agatha, et al and the castle ramps down as the conflict between Agatha and the Baron ramps up. Lots of pokers in the fire, which makes it both super great and super frustrating (for reasons mentioned in earlier reviews).
June 12, 2017
This book had me spinning. A bit hard to figure out who was where and doing what. Enjoyed the Jagers, but now am thoroughly concerned about Agatha's love life.
May 5, 2018
trying to get the castle up to snuff
August 19, 2018
This is the first one that had me laughing out loud! And when I got to the final page, I wanted to keep going. I love this series but this is the best one to date!
September 14, 2020
a little too chaotic, too many stories happening at once, a little too 'all-over-the-place'. but still fun.
November 1, 2020
Sort of the climax of the First Journey.
April 10, 2021
Confession: I ship Agatha and Gil really hard, and I'm getting mad that people (THE WRITERS) are being mean to them and keeping them apart.
Still a delightful book.
Still a delightful book.
October 28, 2014
The serial nature of the story has advanced still farther, with more and more story flowing between the tales -- so spoilers ahead for the earlier ones.
Indeed, you can still hear the Doom Bell from the end of Girl Genius, vol 11: Agatha Heterodyne and the Hammerless Bell at the opening, and it determines much of the opening sequences. It's in this book that Mama Gkika notices, for instance, that Gil is unaffected by the bell's ringing in the midst of their polite conversation about how the Baron protected the jaegers and the jaegers served him loyally, which they will not forget now that the
Despite its heavy impact on the invading forces, there's a lot of clean-up to be done. Both of the invaders and of the town itself. The arrival of the jaegers in force. When Moloch and his band are recognized as the prisoners, he retorts that's what they were -- now, they are a heroic band of traveling repairmen! And, of course, the problem of the empire over all, with the destruction of the hospital. Agatha gets briefings on history and starts to lay plans.
Gil leaves the town to return Castle Wulfenbach, where -- after a funny sequence of getting through the guards to the control center including punching out a guard while saying he will promote him (the only guard who thinks to question his evidence of identity -- he is immediately, on his father's orders, recognized as the new Baron. (The scene where Bang explains why she was not at the hospital when it happened has a surprising but very effective twist.) And he meets Tarvek again, furiously making plans. When Klaus reappears and orders their capture, Gil leads the way -- and gets Tarvek out.
It involves another falling machine, Zeetha's lecturing Agatha about needing to know how a princess behaves -- practical details starting with the observation that every princess needs a battle axe -- the point at which Moloch's resolution to flee Mechanicsburg as soon as he can walk is undermined, the use of an actual ram on the gates (it lowers its head and butts), Tarvek's making a better impression on the jaeger generals than Krosp did through powers of observation, a battle between dragons, a heroic rescue of weasels and notes, a jaeger whose father was a philosopher (trust me, after years of listening to him, you too would want to burn down the world), and much more.
And as it begins, so does it end: with a dramatic turn in the story, without showing its impact. That's next volume. (Or online.)
I was particularly taken by the witty conversations that peppered it all.
Indeed, you can still hear the Doom Bell from the end of Girl Genius, vol 11: Agatha Heterodyne and the Hammerless Bell at the opening, and it determines much of the opening sequences. It's in this book that Mama Gkika notices, for instance, that Gil is unaffected by the bell's ringing in the midst of their polite conversation about how the Baron protected the jaegers and the jaegers served him loyally, which they will not forget now that the
Despite its heavy impact on the invading forces, there's a lot of clean-up to be done. Both of the invaders and of the town itself. The arrival of the jaegers in force. When Moloch and his band are recognized as the prisoners, he retorts that's what they were -- now, they are a heroic band of traveling repairmen! And, of course, the problem of the empire over all, with the destruction of the hospital. Agatha gets briefings on history and starts to lay plans.
Gil leaves the town to return Castle Wulfenbach, where -- after a funny sequence of getting through the guards to the control center including punching out a guard while saying he will promote him (the only guard who thinks to question his evidence of identity -- he is immediately, on his father's orders, recognized as the new Baron. (The scene where Bang explains why she was not at the hospital when it happened has a surprising but very effective twist.) And he meets Tarvek again, furiously making plans. When Klaus reappears and orders their capture, Gil leads the way -- and gets Tarvek out.
It involves another falling machine, Zeetha's lecturing Agatha about needing to know how a princess behaves -- practical details starting with the observation that every princess needs a battle axe -- the point at which Moloch's resolution to flee Mechanicsburg as soon as he can walk is undermined, the use of an actual ram on the gates (it lowers its head and butts), Tarvek's making a better impression on the jaeger generals than Krosp did through powers of observation, a battle between dragons, a heroic rescue of weasels and notes, a jaeger whose father was a philosopher (trust me, after years of listening to him, you too would want to burn down the world), and much more.
And as it begins, so does it end: with a dramatic turn in the story, without showing its impact. That's next volume. (Or online.)
I was particularly taken by the witty conversations that peppered it all.
February 7, 2015
This is the 12th book in the Girl Genius series. These books are getting harder and harder to review because they are getting pretty complicated and cut between a lot of different characters.
Agatha has left Castle Heterodyne and is trying to help defend the city of Mechanicsburg. Meanwhile Gil and Tarvek are in Castle Wulfenbach trying to get things sorted. The Jagers are out in force helping to defend the city and the other monsters of Mechanicsburg have been released to help in the defense as well. The other sparks are still trying to repair Castle Heterodyne and give it more power so that it can enable even more defenses in Mechanicsburg.
The first part of this book had much of the humor that earlier books in the series have had and I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit. The rest of the book was a bit more tense and serious.
The story is all over the place and Agatha isn’t in it for vast portions of the story. There are many different groups of characters that we follow and at points it gets a bit confusing as to exactly how much time has gone by between different parts or if they are happening simultaneously. There is a “The Story Thus Far” part at the beginning of the book which is helpful. I wish there was a quick guide to what the characters look like and their names as well. There are so many characters involved now that sometimes I have trouble remembering who came from where and what their names are.
Castle Heterodyne wasn’t in the story as much and I missed that. There is a ton about the Jagers in here (I like the Jagers but reading through the accent they talk with can be a struggle).
I continue to enjoy all the crazy inventions and steampunk elements to the story. I also enjoy the characters and the wonderfully bright illustration throughout.
Overall this was a solid installment in this series. I still enjoy the characters, the steampunk elements, and the illustration. I hope future books are a bit less scattered and instead of jumping between a million different groups of characters that they focus more on progressing the story. I would recommend this whole graphic novel series to fans of fantasy graphic novels who like humor and some steampunk in their stories.
January 27, 2015
And so Agatha Heterodyne's journey brings us to the siege of her home town of Mechanicsburg. As she continues to try and repair the castle that co-ordinates the town's defences, Gil and Tarvek are trying to sort things out on Castle Wulfenbach. And the Jagers are back! Properly! This book has a surfeit of Jagers, if such a thing were possible, although is sadly counterbalanced by a smaller role for the castle, which I've come to grow very fond of as a character.
The story is still flying along at breakneck pace, and the siege is pretty tense. There are some great moments though, like Franz (the monster) telling invaders to rejoice at the return of the Heterodyne as he stomps all over them, and the ongoing character moments with the minions (von Zinzer's progress to chief minion not least, and the blossoming romance between Airman Higgs and Zeetha). The Foglios definitely know how to do a cliffhanger too, and the mad-scientist lightning here is as effective as the Doom Bell from last volume.
At the time of writing, there's only one more volume left that's been published, so the question is whether to get it now or to wait and savour it? Ah, who am I kidding, I'm only good at self-denial when it's something I don't want...
The story is still flying along at breakneck pace, and the siege is pretty tense. There are some great moments though, like Franz (the monster) telling invaders to rejoice at the return of the Heterodyne as he stomps all over them, and the ongoing character moments with the minions (von Zinzer's progress to chief minion not least, and the blossoming romance between Airman Higgs and Zeetha). The Foglios definitely know how to do a cliffhanger too, and the mad-scientist lightning here is as effective as the Doom Bell from last volume.
At the time of writing, there's only one more volume left that's been published, so the question is whether to get it now or to wait and savour it? Ah, who am I kidding, I'm only good at self-denial when it's something I don't want...
September 9, 2015
For many years I have followed Girl Genius Webcomic as one of my daily rituals. I have been following the Foglio's quirky humour and idiosyncratic drawings.
What I really like of the series is the depth of scope and worldbuilding, with many details becoming obvious much later than when they appear. As such the recently appeared novels are the perfect complement, as you can finally be inside the head of Agatha, overcoming one of the limitations of comic: wordcount. So instead of being sparse with words, they can let out freely.
The series takes place in an alternate Europa, one where some kind of magical technology, the Spark, has made it diverge wildly from our own. The series follows the adventures, with some sadness and romance but mostly with good humour, of Agatha, the Girl Genius, and a huge supporting cast. I would call it Steam Fantasy instead of Steampunk, but it is better than most stories with than label.
I supported the kickstarter campaign, so I got the first 12 books. I suspect they are only scratching the surface so far...
I will recycle the review for the others, because they are really part of a continuum, and all are at a high level. If you do not believe me, just try it, it is free: www.girlgeniusonline.com
February 10, 2017
I love this series, but the current arc is getting more confusing again. Lots of players mean lots of subplots, and I sometimes have trouble tracking the subplots. Still... mad science! Yay!
January 20, 2014
Agatha has gotten the Castle to accept her as the Ruling Heterodyne… Now to repair it.
Are those pants Spinoza is wearing something from Wallace and Gromit??? Hilarious!
Also, the fabled Monsters of Mechanicsburg wake up …
YEZ! MORE JAGERS DEN HYU KIN COUNT!
Confusing at times, both in storyline and in art, which is sometimes just TOO busy.
And I must say, I"m tired of all the fighting! Oh for the early days when it was all about Agatha, not the cast of thousands; it's becoming a bit like Game of Thrones, that way.
Are those pants Spinoza is wearing something from Wallace and Gromit??? Hilarious!
Also, the fabled Monsters of Mechanicsburg wake up …
YEZ! MORE JAGERS DEN HYU KIN COUNT!
Confusing at times, both in storyline and in art, which is sometimes just TOO busy.
And I must say, I"m tired of all the fighting! Oh for the early days when it was all about Agatha, not the cast of thousands; it's becoming a bit like Game of Thrones, that way.
December 1, 2013
Great art and plenty of lines that are laugh-out-loud-and-then-read-across-the-dining-room-table-to-the-wife funny. I do wish, however, that we would reach some resolution --- the last couple of volumes have been chock full of action and new plotlines, and I have found it a bit difficult to keep up with everything.
January 14, 2014
Action! Jagermonsters back with the Heterodyne! The Great Dragon of Mechanicsburg! (Call him Franz.) The Doom Bell! Giant apes! Crazy sparks running all over the landscape, as Mechanicsburg faces the attack of, well, everybody! And the townsfolk make book on Agatha's suitors. Things are definitely HAPPENING in this one.
February 25, 2019
REREAD 2019
Ok, so this is the weakest album of the series so far. It is really messy and all over the place, beating the same dead horse of cliches and intrigues.
Or it may just be that I've been reading this series for a long while now and am starting to be a little fed up. It happens *shrug*
Ok, so this is the weakest album of the series so far. It is really messy and all over the place, beating the same dead horse of cliches and intrigues.
Or it may just be that I've been reading this series for a long while now and am starting to be a little fed up. It happens *shrug*
April 18, 2015
I found this volume to be less comprehensible than the last several. Lots of big battles and little sense of what is going on in the story on a personal level. I also must have missed who the "Storm King" really *is* and why he is such a big deal. So I didn't find that part to be as interesting. Agatha is as fun as ever, I just want more of her.
September 28, 2015
Another great volume in the series. I loved it. So fun and action packed. My only complaint was that so much was happening at once. There were five or six different scenes taking place at the same time. It was slightly confusing to be bounced from one scene to the next so rapidly. I wished there were better transactions, but I don't see how the author could have done better.
June 19, 2014
Lively and funny as this series always is. Agatha and her friends struggle to reactivate the Castle Heterodyne defenses despite feuds, mad scientists, multiple clashing agendas and Baron Wulfenbach finally showing his hand.
June 26, 2014
This book has such non-stop action I'm exhausted for Agatha and friends... This issue introduced some twists and turns, and I'm back to not knowing who is a good guy or bad guy, which is sort of nice. Overall I thought it was a pretty good issue.
November 5, 2014
I read all 12 volumes over the space of a few days so can't separate one from the other for the sake of reviews, but can say that I'm not disappointed at having had this pointed out to me, only that it took so long for me to get on the bandwagon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews