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Joe Benitez returns to the world of Lady Mechanika with The Mechanical Menagerie

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Joe Benitez returns to the world of Lady Mechanika with an all-new chapter in Lady Mechanika: The Mechanical Menagerie. Written by Madeleine Holly-Rosing and illustrated by Benitez and Martin Montiel, this four-issue miniseries plunges readers into a haunting steampunk mystery this May from Image Comics.

When Lewis, Fred, and Allie stumble upon an abandoned amusement park, their curiosity awakens something that should have remained lost to time. As strange mechanical threats emerge from the shadows, Lady Mechanika teams up with Inspector Singh to investigate the whereabouts of the sinister Mistress Grimm and her elusive Reapers—before the past claims even more victims.

Blending action, adventure, and gothic steampunk spectacle, The Mechanical Menagerie is a perfect entry point for new readers and a must-read for longtime fans of the series.

Lady Mechanika: The Mechanical Menagerie #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 6:

  • Cover A by Benitez and Sabine Rich
  • Cover B by Benitez, Montiel and Rich
  • Cover C 1:10 copy incentive by Benitez and Montiel 
Lady Mechanika: The Mechanical Menagerie #1

Review: Lady Mechanika Vol. 2

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When stories are set in the steampunk genre, they usually take place in some major metropolis. Blade Runner, took place, in Los Angeles, in in what Philip K Dick believed 2019 was going to look like. In Hugo, the movie is set in 1930s Paris, where he invention of automaton is centerpiece to the story.  The recent Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events, has a Neo- Gothic feel which screams steampunk.

Anime studio have been working in the genre for years. Take the aptly named and brilliant Steamboy, taking place in 1860s Britain, an inventive young man is caught up in a huge conflict in an advance in steam power. The glaring omission amongst all these examples, are anything involving satires taking place in Third World or barely having people of color. These omissions are not lost on the creative team behind Lady Mechanika, as they venture into Africa in Lady Mechanika Volume 2: Tablet of Destinies.

In this storyline, Mechanika, is visited by an old friend, whose Grandfather, gets himself into a bit of trouble. They go throughout London, try to find out clues as to what happened to him, and find themselves in a globetrotting adventure. They soon end up in Africa, where her grandfather has been kidnapped so he can find an ancient artifact which holds secrets to an prehistoric race. By book’s end, Mechanika has rescued her friend (a few times) and her friend’s grandfather, while saving the world from impending doom.

Overall an excellent story arc, which thrills and addresses subjects which other writers would otherwise bypass. The story by M.M. Chen shines as it reminds me of those swashbuckling serial adventures of yesteryear, and the fact it takes place in Africa, is a major plus, as the characters introduced especially Akina, are fully fleshed out and well developed, as lesser writers would just make them background characters, instead of integral to the plot as Chen does here. The art By Benítez, Montiel, Garcia and Heisler, is lush, detailed, and remarkable. Altogether, another excellent story arc, in this ongoing series, which most come for the art, but will stay for the well-developed stories and characters.

Story: M.M. Chen Art: Joe Benitez, Martin Montiel, Mike Garcia and Michael Heisler
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy Now!!

Preview – The Stars #1

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Official Press Release

Earthbound Comics is starting the new year off right with our first full color book! A story that will forever change the way readers look at Superhero Teams. The Stars is a 6 issue limited series created, written, and drawn by Winter War veteran Kurt Belcher. It also features art by Zachary Turner and Martin Montiel.

Don Smith of ParcBench.com writes: “Kurt Belcher is one of the best independent creators I have seen… He is both an amazing writer and artist. Anyone who picks up a comic with his name on it will not be disappointed!” The Stars #1 will be released January 1st with two separate covers. One by creator and artist Kurt Belcher and an alternate cover by Top Cow & Zenescope artist Martin Montiel.

The Stars made their name battling superhuman weapons of mass destruction until a mission gone wrong put them on hiatus. Now reassembled by their super-celebrity leader, John Century, the group is being subtly manipulated as they try to replace lost members. Before The Stars can get back to business as usual, they have to defend themselves against an attack – Secret Russian superhumans are executing a hostile takeover of the planet… and the only thing in their way is The Stars!

The Stars #1 will be available January 1st at Eathboundcomics.com. In print at Indyplanet.com and formatted for digital download at Drivethrucomics.com.

It is the newest book in Earthbound Comics’ Book a Month Initiative. See our website for other great titles.

Earthbound Comics is a company dedicated to putting out and promoting quality comics from a variety of creators. We’ve chosen to bypass the traditional Direct Market method, in favor of a POD (print on demand) model, because we feel that that by cutting out the financial hurdles of the direct market, we can focus more on CREATING COMICS instead of financing them.

Review – Earp: Saints For Sinners #1

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Earp Saints for Sinners #1Hmm, there’s tons I like in Earp: Saints For Sinners #1, but the familiar issue with today’s art cropped up, at times I couldn’t tell what the hell was going on.  Written by M. Zachary Sherman and Matt Cirulnick the story is a very cool update to the story of Wyatt Earp.

In a world where the American economy has all but collapsed to the levels of the Great Depression, infamous bandits roam the country and the law is as corrupt as the criminals its sworn to stop. Yet one lawman remains a steadfast moral compass for the people: WYATT EARP. Earp has collared more most-wanted men than anyone in history – but after a violent assignment claims the life of his brother, Wyatt sets out to forge a simple life in the only boomtown left: Las Vegas. With gorgeous women and free-flowing money on endless tap, Sin City attracts more people than a modern gold rush. Though Earp no longer wears a U.S. Marshall’s badge, his past is about to catch up to him.  With nearly everything to lose, Earp will have to beat the odds stacked against him in order to bring old-fashioned justice to Sin City.

The story isn’t what I have an issue with, it’s the art.  Many of the characters look too similar, and at times the coloring is so dark, I can’t tell what’s going on.  It seems to be a common issue with Radical comics, and I wonder if they’re just not made for digital reading (I read digital previews on an iPad).

The series has already been optioned for the big screen and it’ll absolutely rock in that medium, visually though, it just makes me cringe a bit.  Too dark seems to be a common issue today with digital comics and with that becoming a more common way to read, it’s hard not to worry what the future holds.

Overall though, the story is solid and entertaining.  The art though, is what makes me put on the breaks a bit from being overly enthusiastic.

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