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Mercy
Mirka Andolfo's Mercy #1
When the placid mining village of Woodsburgh is disturbed by a series of brutal murders, the settlement is in turmoil. And as the first snow covers the chaos in a white blanket, a mysterious woman in black arrives, eliciting a totally different kind of unrest. But who is Lady Hellaine, really? And what’s her secret agenda?
Acclaimed UNNATURAL creator MIRKA ANDOLFO presents a sensual Victorian gothic horror about otherness, damnation, redemption, and what it means to be a monster in a horror tale perfect for fans of Penny Dreadful, Crimson Peak, The Alienist, Parasol Protectorate, and Dark Shadows.
Acclaimed UNNATURAL creator MIRKA ANDOLFO presents a sensual Victorian gothic horror about otherness, damnation, redemption, and what it means to be a monster in a horror tale perfect for fans of Penny Dreadful, Crimson Peak, The Alienist, Parasol Protectorate, and Dark Shadows.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2020
11 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Mirka Andolfo
561 books259 followersNeapolitan artist and writer, she is one of the most complete and eclectic Italian creators in the international field. Her upcoming
Mercy
is going to be published almos simultaneously in Italy (November 2019, Panini Comics), France (January 2020, Éditions Glénat) and United States (March 2020, Image Comics).
Her ControNatura (Panini Comics) is one of the most successful Italian series of the last few years. Published in the USA by Image Comics under the title Unnatural/b> , it’s a best seller hit with several reprints already.
There are also Spanish, French, German, Polish, Mexican and (upcoming) Brazilian, Czech and Bulgarian editions.
Andolfo has been collaborating with DC Comics since 2015, having lent her pencil for titles such as Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Bombshells, Teen Titans, Green Arrow, R.W.B.Y. and Hex Wives (published under the cult-imprint Vertigo). Together with the writer Sylvain Runberg, she is creator of The Under York Chronicles (Éditions Glénat).
She also wrote stories for BOOM! Studios ( The Amazing World of Gumball ) and illustrated two issues of the award-winning Ms. Marvel series by Marvel Comics.
In 2012 she created Sacro/Profano (Edizioni Dentiblù), a huge bestseller published in United States, France, Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Spain.
As an artist she’s drawn comics for Dynamite and Aspen, as well as some short stories for Vertigo and DC’s Young Animal, and she’s actually working on covers for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Valiant, BOOM! Studios, Aspen, Zenescope.
As a colorist, she worked on covers and comics books of important franchises such as Geronimo Stilton, Adventure Time, Ice Age, Peanuts and other series and volumes published all over the world.
During her collaboration with Topolino magazine (Disney’s Mickey Mouse), she has colored numerous covers (including the cover of the historical issue 3000) and stories, working with artists like Giorgio Cavazzano, Corrado Mastantuono and Fabio Celoni.
When she is not working, she loves good food, reading comics and… sharing photos of cats and wolves on Facebook.
Her ControNatura (Panini Comics) is one of the most successful Italian series of the last few years. Published in the USA by Image Comics under the title Unnatural/b> , it’s a best seller hit with several reprints already.
There are also Spanish, French, German, Polish, Mexican and (upcoming) Brazilian, Czech and Bulgarian editions.
Andolfo has been collaborating with DC Comics since 2015, having lent her pencil for titles such as Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Bombshells, Teen Titans, Green Arrow, R.W.B.Y. and Hex Wives (published under the cult-imprint Vertigo). Together with the writer Sylvain Runberg, she is creator of The Under York Chronicles (Éditions Glénat).
She also wrote stories for BOOM! Studios ( The Amazing World of Gumball ) and illustrated two issues of the award-winning Ms. Marvel series by Marvel Comics.
In 2012 she created Sacro/Profano (Edizioni Dentiblù), a huge bestseller published in United States, France, Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Spain.
As an artist she’s drawn comics for Dynamite and Aspen, as well as some short stories for Vertigo and DC’s Young Animal, and she’s actually working on covers for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Valiant, BOOM! Studios, Aspen, Zenescope.
As a colorist, she worked on covers and comics books of important franchises such as Geronimo Stilton, Adventure Time, Ice Age, Peanuts and other series and volumes published all over the world.
During her collaboration with Topolino magazine (Disney’s Mickey Mouse), she has colored numerous covers (including the cover of the historical issue 3000) and stories, working with artists like Giorgio Cavazzano, Corrado Mastantuono and Fabio Celoni.
When she is not working, she loves good food, reading comics and… sharing photos of cats and wolves on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 17, 2020
Hyped for this. I love her art style.
After reading:
Solid 3
Good start, gorgeous art.
After reading:
Solid 3
Good start, gorgeous art.
December 19, 2020
4.3/5
Mercy #1 is a Victorian gothic horror masterpiece. Andolfo's writing flows so seamlessly and her art is deeply sensual, imbued with blues, browns, and reds that accentuate light and shadow to emphasize facial expressions, bodily movement, and even scenery.
This story may take place in the buttoned-up Victorian era, but Andolfo doesn't shy away from sex, nor its implications. And she also leans into the difficult subject matter. This debut issue depicts several potentially upsetting moments, including murder and child abuse-both of which can be triggering - but it also depicts women and girls whose strength comes from something other than their social standings or their marriages. Andolfo's characters live and breathe on the page, brought to life through evocative dialogue and near-flawless art.
In both art and script, the issue draws parallels between characters and makes it clear that just because certain tropes appear to be true, it doesn't mean they are. Just when the reader thinks they have someone's number, that assumption is swiftly corrected -- which will surely make for an interesting read throughout the miniseries' planned six-issue run.
Mercy #1 is a Victorian gothic horror masterpiece. Andolfo's writing flows so seamlessly and her art is deeply sensual, imbued with blues, browns, and reds that accentuate light and shadow to emphasize facial expressions, bodily movement, and even scenery.
This story may take place in the buttoned-up Victorian era, but Andolfo doesn't shy away from sex, nor its implications. And she also leans into the difficult subject matter. This debut issue depicts several potentially upsetting moments, including murder and child abuse-both of which can be triggering - but it also depicts women and girls whose strength comes from something other than their social standings or their marriages. Andolfo's characters live and breathe on the page, brought to life through evocative dialogue and near-flawless art.
In both art and script, the issue draws parallels between characters and makes it clear that just because certain tropes appear to be true, it doesn't mean they are. Just when the reader thinks they have someone's number, that assumption is swiftly corrected -- which will surely make for an interesting read throughout the miniseries' planned six-issue run.
February 25, 2021
3.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Cette BD a une couverture vraiment magnifique ! Bon, il faut dire que comme c’est une édition collector, le format est plus grand et il y a des bonus. C’est un très beau cadeau que j’étais impatiente de découvrir.
Ce premier volume se lit rapidement. Elle amorce l’histoire de Lady Hellaine, une femme très mystérieuse, capable de choses impressionnantes, et celle d’une petite fille orpheline qui recherche sa maman.
Comme la couverture, les images à l’intérieur de la BD sont sublimes et c’était un régal de les découvrir. L’histoire est un peu confuse et se lit rapidement, mais je suis assez curieuse de voir ce que la suite donnera.
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Cette BD a une couverture vraiment magnifique ! Bon, il faut dire que comme c’est une édition collector, le format est plus grand et il y a des bonus. C’est un très beau cadeau que j’étais impatiente de découvrir.
Ce premier volume se lit rapidement. Elle amorce l’histoire de Lady Hellaine, une femme très mystérieuse, capable de choses impressionnantes, et celle d’une petite fille orpheline qui recherche sa maman.
Comme la couverture, les images à l’intérieur de la BD sont sublimes et c’était un régal de les découvrir. L’histoire est un peu confuse et se lit rapidement, mais je suis assez curieuse de voir ce que la suite donnera.
March 14, 2020
Story is a little confusing but the art is amazing
October 15, 2025
Lu en Français.
C'est tout d'abord le style graphique qui m'a attiré dans cette oeuvre, avant d'en découvrir le contenu. Le dessin est superbe, le traitement des couleurs impeccable, de même que le découpage. Seuls quelques personnages sont parfois trop peu fouillés selon les cases.
Globalement nous sommes sur une histoire horrifique et fantastique appartenant au genre du Western Loveceaftien, qui compte trop peu de représentants.
Les thèmes ouverts sont variés, le monstre, le deuil, le racisme et la colonisation, le travail des enfants, la désindustrialisation, les inégalités sociales, le travail du sexe et autant d'autres éléments pouvant habiter un cadre de western ou Victorien.Tous servent de décors aux actions de la fameuse Lady Mercy et son terrible majordome.
Le principal apport de cette bande dessinée est à mon sens son traitement du "Vampire", qui se mêle ici à un autre monstre plus inspiré de "The Thing", l'horreur venue d'un autre monde (amplifié par le décors arctique). Mais cette horreur se perd, acquiert des sentiments, sait se mêler aux humains dont elle doit se nourrir pour subsister. Une interprétation originale et intéressante de cette figure.
Bien que j'attende patiemment l'arrivée des futurs tomes en langue française; nous ne sommes pas face à une oeuvre incontournable du genre. Beaucoup des éléments présents sont déjà vus dans de nombreuses autres œuvres, beaucoup de réponses originales faisant glisser la série vers l'horreur existentielle pourraient apporter un plus remarquable.
L'on passe un bon moment et trouvons de bonnes inspirations pour le genre au travers de ce récit. Je suivrai ses futures sorties.
C'est tout d'abord le style graphique qui m'a attiré dans cette oeuvre, avant d'en découvrir le contenu. Le dessin est superbe, le traitement des couleurs impeccable, de même que le découpage. Seuls quelques personnages sont parfois trop peu fouillés selon les cases.
Globalement nous sommes sur une histoire horrifique et fantastique appartenant au genre du Western Loveceaftien, qui compte trop peu de représentants.
Les thèmes ouverts sont variés, le monstre, le deuil, le racisme et la colonisation, le travail des enfants, la désindustrialisation, les inégalités sociales, le travail du sexe et autant d'autres éléments pouvant habiter un cadre de western ou Victorien.Tous servent de décors aux actions de la fameuse Lady Mercy et son terrible majordome.
Le principal apport de cette bande dessinée est à mon sens son traitement du "Vampire", qui se mêle ici à un autre monstre plus inspiré de "The Thing", l'horreur venue d'un autre monde (amplifié par le décors arctique). Mais cette horreur se perd, acquiert des sentiments, sait se mêler aux humains dont elle doit se nourrir pour subsister. Une interprétation originale et intéressante de cette figure.
Bien que j'attende patiemment l'arrivée des futurs tomes en langue française; nous ne sommes pas face à une oeuvre incontournable du genre. Beaucoup des éléments présents sont déjà vus dans de nombreuses autres œuvres, beaucoup de réponses originales faisant glisser la série vers l'horreur existentielle pourraient apporter un plus remarquable.
L'on passe un bon moment et trouvons de bonnes inspirations pour le genre au travers de ce récit. Je suivrai ses futures sorties.
March 17, 2020
Love the art! And the story is very intriguing
May 17, 2021
So NOT what I was expecting! Give me more please haha
April 5, 2021
Something evil is lurking. I can't wait to see where this goes.
February 11, 2021
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
August 31, 2021
Well that looks promising !
August 8, 2020
Adoro el estilo de dibujo que tiene, así como el coloreado. Visualmente esto es una belleza.
En tan pocas páginas sólo se puede poner un pequeño prólogo a la historia, y creo que (pese a que se siente algo apresurado, pero es normal) sienta las bases para un relato de horror interesante.
En tan pocas páginas sólo se puede poner un pequeño prólogo a la historia, y creo que (pese a que se siente algo apresurado, pero es normal) sienta las bases para un relato de horror interesante.
April 15, 2020
tiene un estilo muy estilizado. Me ha sorprendido y seguire con la serie
April 18, 2020
108/365
El llamativo dibujo es mucho mejor que la historia que, salvo el giro final, poco me ha dicho. Quizá debería haberse centrado más en la protagonista de poco disimulado apellido.
El llamativo dibujo es mucho mejor que la historia que, salvo el giro final, poco me ha dicho. Quizá debería haberse centrado más en la protagonista de poco disimulado apellido.
September 2, 2020
Nice artwork, good introduction to the universe but not enough for me. I need to know more, I'm intrigued though.
March 10, 2021
The story is really intriguing and the art is beautiful!
October 23, 2020
Cool mais très classique. Il faudra voir la suite.
March 16, 2020
While the writing is a bit muddled, Andolfo's art is beautiful.
February 7, 2021
Omg! This was soooooo great!!
I love the art!
What an awesome opening!
I love the art!
What an awesome opening!
March 15, 2020
Great art. Lively dialogue, quite violent and a bit of sexual content. Both playfully done. Quite enjoyed it. I bought as a single issue but will prob wait for the first trade to read more.
March 10, 2020
"MERCY #1, out this Wednesday from Image Comics, is a disturbing beginning to a series worth keeping an eye on. The village of Woodsburgh is about to be irreparably altered – and the readers along with it.
Mercy is a brand new series springing from the mind of Mirka Andolfo. You probably recognize that name – they’re the author and artist behind Unnatural, another unique read. A fact that is already proving true for this latest run.
Set in a remote mining village, this is a story full of murders, turmoil, and fear of the unknown. There is something supernatural about to strike this small town, and they are woefully unequipped to handle it.
As with her previous series, Mirka Andolfo is both the writer and main artist for Mercy. That’s given her an immense amount of control and creative freedom for this project – and it shows. Her iconic style shines through every inch of this first issue."
Check out the rest of my review over at Monkeys Fighting Robots
Mercy is a brand new series springing from the mind of Mirka Andolfo. You probably recognize that name – they’re the author and artist behind Unnatural, another unique read. A fact that is already proving true for this latest run.
Set in a remote mining village, this is a story full of murders, turmoil, and fear of the unknown. There is something supernatural about to strike this small town, and they are woefully unequipped to handle it.
As with her previous series, Mirka Andolfo is both the writer and main artist for Mercy. That’s given her an immense amount of control and creative freedom for this project – and it shows. Her iconic style shines through every inch of this first issue."
Check out the rest of my review over at Monkeys Fighting Robots
January 12, 2024
a Victorian gothic horror comic. Vampires. Cool Victorian outfits. Weird blood plants or aliens (??), a secret society, mysterious characters, a small village plagued by weird murders.
Sounds great. But I was just bored. Probably won't read more.
Sounds great. But I was just bored. Probably won't read more.
March 21, 2020
While the draw here is really the art, and the writing perhaps leaves something to be desired, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable read and I find myself intrigued enough to stick around for the next issue.
May 6, 2020
Slow start but wanting more
Adult horror, love the art work. Don't see why it getting low review, it's the first issue in a new series.
Adult horror, love the art work. Don't see why it getting low review, it's the first issue in a new series.
February 25, 2022
There were parts I really liked and stuff I really didn't enjoy. I liked the whole idea of praying to the devil to protect you from monsters, and the idea of who do you turn to when there are larger powers at work you don't understand. I get so much more invested in a story if it is character driven and this was too early to understand who anyone was or their motives so it made me feel confused and bored. There was also something quite off putting about how much swearing there was; it never felt like it quite landed on a time period so the dialogue + the swearing + artwork made it feel like it was working against feeling grounded in the turn of the century. I was excited about how the monstrous elements looked, but I felt like it could've been pushed so much further if it felt of the time period and that the monster was truly other.
December 27, 2020
If you're a fan of shows like Penny Dreadful, this is a must read. The turn of the century setting and the tragic story lines are dead on target. One thing that was off was that she gave titles of Lord and Lady to the men and women. Even the housekeeper was called Lady Leila. At first I thought they were all transplants from England, but the housekeeper was American. The author is Italian so maybe the translation is to blame. Not enough to keep me from enjoying the book. Just a little jarring. I see that there's going to be a sequel titled "Merciless" in 2021. Can't wait.
December 31, 2020
(Numbered score at bottom) I’ve been waiting to get this book for a very long time and I’m finally pleased to have purchased it. I’m a huge fan of Mirka’s work particularly her art and that once again shines through in her work. It is absolutely gorgeous and the colors she picked are simply stunning. While this book has an interesting plot and it is only in its first issue at times the book felt like it jumped a bit all over the place. It also introduced way too many characters for one issue. Rory’s story seems to be the most heartbreaking and I wonder how it will develop. 7.5 out of 10.
July 7, 2020
First off, the artwork is just stunning! The images are consistently high quality throughout the entire book and add more to the story at times than the dialogue.
Secondly, the hook is great. I guess I can understand how many seem to find the plot wanting, but I found the introduction of the key characters to flow naturally and the (assumed) foreshadowing to be skillfully done for a series that is set to be 6 issues long.
Can’t wait until I get my hands on the next issue!
Secondly, the hook is great. I guess I can understand how many seem to find the plot wanting, but I found the introduction of the key characters to flow naturally and the (assumed) foreshadowing to be skillfully done for a series that is set to be 6 issues long.
Can’t wait until I get my hands on the next issue!
February 7, 2021
Spooky and Cool intro!
Indeed it is weird entry for this comic(s) full of mystery yet to know and solve. Start liking the intense gore and some nudity plus sex in action it is double plus. I’m loving it so far even more the art style even the character design with their coloring is of my liking. I wonder where the story while go I have high hopes for the the Author or Creator to make an amazing scary and gory story with no holding back. Be bold, Be yourself!
Indeed it is weird entry for this comic(s) full of mystery yet to know and solve. Start liking the intense gore and some nudity plus sex in action it is double plus. I’m loving it so far even more the art style even the character design with their coloring is of my liking. I wonder where the story while go I have high hopes for the the Author or Creator to make an amazing scary and gory story with no holding back. Be bold, Be yourself!
July 13, 2020
The most beautiful art style I have seen in a comic book this year!
These one has dark and Gothic vibes, some gore and a lot of beautiful faces.
In this story we follow a mysterious woman returning to a town she had visited before. She has bad intentions and is clearly up to no good. The people of this town don't know what's coming for them.
I can't wait to see what happens next!
These one has dark and Gothic vibes, some gore and a lot of beautiful faces.
In this story we follow a mysterious woman returning to a town she had visited before. She has bad intentions and is clearly up to no good. The people of this town don't know what's coming for them.
I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 10, 2023
This needs more show and less tell; there's nothing worse than characters over-explaining who they are and what they're doing to another character who should already know, just because the writer can't think of a better way to exposit to the reader.
That said, I'm still intrigued by the story and am eager to try more.
That said, I'm still intrigued by the story and am eager to try more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews