One of the best movies I saw last year was The Beguiled, a remake of a Clint Eastwood movie, that subverted expectations at every turn. I remember watching the original movie, all those years ago, and thinking, how is this situation, supposed to be romantic, as Clint Eastwood’s character was a predator. Sofia Coppola, ad a similar thought, and reversed the perspective on the characters. The new movie, which is not only different but an actual thriller.

In this movie, Colin Farrell, plays Clint Eastwood’s character of Corporal McBurney, a charismatic Union soldier who seeks shelter, in an all-girls school. He goes about, trying to seduce each woman, but ends up suffering for his attempts. The movie, was not only better than the original film, but was timely and brought up themes that movies and books about the era had to brought up before. Those same themes of gender and power are explored in Sophie Goldstein’s House of Women.

We first meet, Sarai, Rhivka, Aphra and Kizzy, all emissaries, from the Empire, who has embarked on a mission to “civilize “an unknown planet, called Mopu. As they go about colonizing, increasingly they find, they are not who they expected, and they are not welcome, as the shadow of the last mission looms large over them and what happened those crew members. Soon, the mysterious humanoid stranger, Jael Dean, and the ecosystem that is the life blood of the planet, both overwhelm the women. By book’s end, the mission encounters some casualties but for those who survived, they not look at life the same way again.

Overall, a powerhouse graphic novel that I wished I knew about sooner as it is will not leave you soon after you read it. The story by Sophie Goldstein successfully combines science fiction, thriller, and horror, into a richly woven tapestry. The art by Goldstein is elegant, off putting, and vibrant. Altogether, a science fiction tale that draws you in with an interesting but familiar premise and then subverts all your expectations in the most glorious way.

Story: Sophie Goldstein Art: Sophie Goldstein
Story: 10 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation:Buy