In BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: THE SPIRIT OF REBELLION, available from Source Point Press on August 25th, 2021, Caitlin and Samuel head to Philadelphia for a fresh start, but a worker’s strike and a group of nefarious gangbusters force Caitlin to realize her destiny.
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The Details
- Written By: Madeleine Holly-Rosing
- Art By: Gwynn Tavares
- Colors By: Gwynn Tavares
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Gwynn Tavares
- Cover Price: $11.99
- Release Date: August 25, 2021
Was It Good?
I enjoyed this story quite a bit.
Whenever creators publish one-shots or side stories of the main title, the results can be inconsistent because they don’t speak to the heart of what makes the main title work. The Spirit of Rebellion, thankfully, retains the spirit (*heh*) of the main title and builds on it. Arguably, this entry will become required reading for fans of the series because the developments inside have a significant impact on the main characters going forward.
The central premise centers on Caitlin finding new living arrangements in Philadelphia and consequently getting mixed up in a worker’s strike involving the ghost of Mary “Mother” Jones, a famed union organizer. Holly-Rosing’s skill as a writer and researcher show their worth here by setting the story in a locale and historical events (with creative liberties) that feels authentic to the period, but the material is seamlessly merged with her own, paranormal version of the world.
In other words, this is a prime example of creating a fictional history story the right way.
Tavares’s art style has a soft tone reminiscent of watercolor paintings. If this book was focused on more hard-edged horror, the style wouldn’t be a good fit. However, the tone of the material is more ethereal and wistful, so the art suits the vibe of the story perfectly. That said, there were a few moments where the contrast between light and dark could have been more pronounced to sell the dramatic moments with greater impact.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read with pleasing visuals. Given the growth Caitlin and, to a lesser degree, Samuel experience in the story, this will be a welcome and required entry for Boston Metaphysical Society (BMS) fans.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Caitlin being thrown out of her home by her mother. Mrs. O’Sullivan considers Caitlin a curse and a shame for following in her father’s footsteps as a medium. With nowhere to go, Caitlin turns to Samuel Hunter for help.
Samuel takes Caitlin to a boarding house for women run by a trusted acquaintance in Philadelphia. There, Caitlin meets an array of eclectic characters with unique talents that factor in later in the story. Soon after they arrive, Samuel bumps into a former Pinkerton Detective colleague, Harry Connelly. It’s clear from the onset there’s a mild mistrust between Connelly and Samuel.
Connelly offers Samuel an undercover job to infiltrate the organizers of a worker’s strike against Dobson’s factory. Samuel accepts to help fund Caitlin’s new living arrangement as long as there will be no violence against the organizers. Meanwhile, Caitlin makes an unexpected, late-night introduction to another boarder, Frida Altman, and her ghost companion, Mary Jones. Caitlin is surprised she can hear the ghost talk. Frida and Mary expected Caitlin’s arrival to help prepare her for a broader life as a powerful medium.
As the story progresses, Samuel’s undercover work is successful, Connelly is revealed to be more than just a Pinkerton detective, and the gangbusters mean to do more than simply break up a strike. We conclude the issue with a new path for Caitlin and a development in the relationship (both personal and professional) between Caitlin and Samuel.
Final Thoughts
BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: THE SPIRIT OF REBELLION is a pleasing blend of fictional history and ghostly adventure set in turn-of-the-century New England. The art has a soft charm that focuses on the character moments rather than high-impact drama, and the writing captures the factual spirit of the era while still telling an entertaining ghost story.
Score: 8.5/10
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