Bridging the gap between the fifth and sixth arc (which resumes in January 2021), MONSTRESS returns with TALK-STORIES, a two-part limited series that invites you to eat dumplings beside the fire and listen as Kippa recounts a defining moment from her childhood.
New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Marjorie Liu is best known for her fiction and comic books. She teaches comic book writing at MIT, and she leads a class on Popular Fiction at the Voices of Our Nation (VONA) workshop.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #1-2 and Monstress #31-35 can be found here: Monstress, Volume 6: The Vow.
I didn't realize this issue will be so short. A moment in Kippa life. A sad, bittersweet moment of children growing up in refugees camps, and even more still dealing with family problems.
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At the end of the fifth story arc, we get a two-part side story, and a little glimpse into Kippa's background in Talk-Stories #1.
Kippa has a step-sister! And we learn a few things about her family dynamics, her parents and life in the camps. It's hard, brutal survival, struggle and poverty. It was really sad, cute, adorable and....just heartbreakingly sad, with a little dark humour thrown in. Emotions overload! Kippa is sooo cute. We need moar Kippa!
Brief but beautiful, emotional, and informative. A charming link between the arcs that adds background about Kippa’s young life and her bond with Maika.
Got me right in the feels. It's been long overdue to see some more depth in Kippa's character development and I'm glad 'Talk-Stories' has delivered. Of course I am eagerly waiting the next issue of this bridging gap between the next official Monstress arc. My only wish is they continue to develop Kippa and other characters that stand along Maika's journey. Monstress has been brilliant so far and I love the ensuing chaos and excitement this brings. But the star players have been lacking deep, fleshed-out backstories to really make the ongoing Monstress arc hit home. More Kippa! More baroness! More Ren! If this graphic novella is going to continue to be as epic as I think it will be, we need to know these characters back to front. Other than that, enjoyed the hell out of this.
I think perhaps because the theme of the issue pertained so heavily to my life, it felt more personal than most things i read. This is a perfect example of why reading can occasionally be dangerous for me. (I'm kidding of course but you know what i mean). I was feeling pretty good before reading this- but afterwards- I felt emotionally spent. For a simple 24 page one shot it brought me to tears. It's very frank at times but ultimately leaves on a mostly positive (if bittersweet) note.
Some much needed background on Kippa. Her sense of justice and ability to love and want love for others is so innocent and yet wise beyond her years. She is quickly becoming my favorite character.
Kippa tells Maika a happy memory from a time when she and her half-sister Perri scavenged for food and made dinner for their parents. As she remembers joyfully eating that meal together with her parents and sister, she suddenly tears-up when she recalls that she is the only member of her family still alive. Maika comforts Kippa as these memories trigger both happiness and sadness. Very bittersweet.
Podría leer 800 issues del pasado de Kippa y no solo no me aburriría, sino que además lloraría con cada viñeta. Also, Liu y Takeda, as always, no decepcionan.
This is one of the most gut-wrenching stories I have read in Monstress, and that is saying a lot. It is a solid, spiked kick in the feels and no one should read it without having the second issue close at hand.
I see Kippa, I read 💖 Honestly though, she's the brightest, most wholesome fluff in the midst of all the pain in this series. This little issue made me smile, melt and cry.
A nice refresh in between super intense story arcs. I like the inclination to dig more into these characters’ backstories, and the slightly breezier tone (though still decidedly grim at points) provides a good change of pace. It works as a one-off, though I could see these side stories becoming more regular offerings.
This is review of both Talk Stories which add background to the main characters as they recover. It’s two separate stories about Maika’s and Kippa’s pasts. They’re entertaining and, as usual, beautifully produced. A worthwhile addition to the main story. I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
We hear a little of Kippa's early childhood and learn that she had/has a sister called Perri. The tale is beautifully told but I wish it was a little longer.