Monstress #31

Monstress (Single Issues)

by Marjorie M. Liu (Writer), Sana Takeda (Illustrator), Rus Wooton (Letterer)

The start of a new arc! Maika always knew that her decision to involve herself in the battle of Ravenna would have repercussions, and now she begins to pay the price. War isn’t the only thing she has to fear—the political intrigue of the Dusk and Dawn Courts might be far more dangerous.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Steampunk, Horror, Comix, Adult

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2021

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 81% | Very Good
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #31-35 and other included stories can be found here: Monstress, Volume 6: The Vow.

[Mitticus · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh vaya, mientras los cumae tratan de abrir un cubo misterioso en la tumba de la emperatriz shaman, vemos como llega la tia a Puntos y confronta a tuya, y ella le habla de los cañones que fueron bloqueados y quienes siendo posible traicion de la dusk court. Maika ha decidido comerse unos cuantos enemigos anteriormente, pero aun despliega quemaduras y a pesar de la oposicion de Zinn, decide hacer algo partiendo con kippa, y corvin la deja ir, aunque los espias reportan de su salida de la ciudad. el cdte des de la vieja escuela en guerra y manejo de esposas, al parecer. pero sorpresa , parece que tuya tendra que dar explciaciones o semi explicaciones despues de todo.

[Shaun Narine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to the new/old story arc. The Siege of Ravenna is just beginning. Maika has embraced - to a point- her need to feed on human flesh to survive. She has turned this into a military advantage as she single-handedly takes out Federation patrols and scouts. The story itself does not have much action in terms of kinetic engagement. But it covers a great deal of ground through the many conversations and revelations of information throughout. The last scene is an absolute kicker as it becomes apparent that Maika is still capable of surprising everyone. Also, it becomes apparent that she is really, really smart and it takes a lot to put anything over her. Great story and great read. The story makes considerable progress.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Just Keeps Getting Better and Better.

Oh the plot twists. Oh the complications. It just gets better and better. Even after reading every issue, I still have no idea where things are headed. Especially since there are some characters conspicuous by their absence. Good that things aren't completely dark and grim. Can't wait until the next volume.

[Colin Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

This issue does a lot of set-up work for the new arc. Maybe it’s just because this is a lull in the action but the brooding politicking is only sporadically interesting.

The scene at the end — with Maika playing coitus interruptus to Tuya and Warlord — was definitely gasp-worthy but it left me with puzzling plot questions that may yet be resolved. Has Maika known that Tuya was the Baroness? Was she seeking court with Warlord and happened upon the pair in passionate embrace?

Right now, the end to the issue feels a bit like a cliffhanger that the series hasn’t earned but I am of course very, very intrigued to see what becomes of Tuya and Maika’s reunion…

[Samhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hahaha, Maika really knows how to make an entrance!

It's still difficult to grasp what most characters truly want behind all their pretenses, but this new arc looks like it's gonna shed some light on major players' wishes and desires. I'm just super sad Corvin didn't go with Maika and Kippa. He loves them both so fiercely, it's more and more obvious, and the three of them need this so, so much. Fingers crossed Seizi brings some kindness and protection to Maika's life to compensate for this loss.

[Logan Mendivil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another issue filled with beautiful artwork that ends one arc and opens a new one. It was a little slow paced at points but that's to always be expected during arc transitions so I am not going to deduct any stars on behalf of that because it is still nonetheless a wonderful entry and I look forward to what the future holds.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

#31 – “With the Warlord here, you do not have power in Ravenna. The kind of power you need, which is political and subtle.” – Corvin
“To quote the poets, ‘Fear is merely the soul trying to hold on to mortal life..” – Maika
“… Bomb the forest. Burn the humans out. – Warlord
“The smallest, most fragile hope will keep a person fighting, no matter how impossible the odds. I know this now.”

[Vyshakh Aravindan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The calm before the storm. This issue resets the chessboard after the chaos of earlier volumes. Maika and Zinn’s uneasy alliance simmers beneath the surface, and Kippa’s absence is sorely felt. The tension is all about waiting—for allies, for battle, for inevitable betrayal. The art captures this pause beautifully: dark corridors, hushed shadows, unreadable faces.

[Kai (CuriousCompass) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like kind of a filler episode overall but DID SHE WALK IN ON HER AUNT AND HER BEST FRIEND HAVING SEX AT THE END?!! I need this to devolve into that kind of messy drama lmao, the war, genocide, and conspiracies are exhausting me emotionally.

[M. Ashraf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monstress
Issue#31
Volume#06
The Vow
Marjorie M. Liu

It has been a while since I picked this series
So here we are
The artwork is just amazing!
Th best thing in the series!
Great fantasy
Maika and Zinn are getting along
The series got comfortable with the R rated
Very good volume!

[Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idea where this is going, but I’m interested to see the conversations Maika and Tuya have in the next issue. This has been a long time coming!

[Tim Nowotny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice start of a new ark. I like how all characters are playing with (more or less) open cards right now and interests get brokered

[Mousmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 5 Stars.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Dakota Bedeski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy!!!!!

First off, Hot, Hot,Hot!!!!! Scenes at the end. The Warlord knows Tuya doesn't love her. Also, Makia finally sees Tuya, just not the way Tuya wanted her to see.

[Cats W. Bats, Esq. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Adore this series so much.