LADY MECHANIKA: THE DEVIL IN THE LAKE #1, by Image Comics on 9/4/24, begins a new adventure for the world’s greatest Steampunk Monster-Hunting Cyborg as she heads to Syberia to find a lake monster.
Credits:
- Writer: Joe Benitez, M.M. Chen
- Artist: Siya Oum
- Colorist: Beth Sotelo
- Letterer: Michael Heisler
- Cover Artist: Joe Benitez, Beth Sotelo (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: September 4, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of LADY MECHANIKA: THE DEVIL IN THE LAKE #1:
First Impressions:
Who doesn’t love a good Steampunk story with monsters? Well, we sure do. Joe Benitez and M.M. Chen brings Lady Mechanika back to the spotlight for a mission to save explorers who disappeared after looking for a legendary lake monster, so readers who enjoy X-Files stories with a Victorian twist are in for a good time.
Plot Analysis:
LADY MECHANIKA: THE DEVIL IN THE LAKE #1 begins with a brief look at a remote Siberian lake when a diver emerges after what appears to be a rough time. The narration transitions to our titular hero, Lady Mechanika, as she meets with Duchess Maria Alexsandrovna in London to discuss the particulars of the requested mission. The Duchess’s longtime friend Elizabeth was part of the exploration team looking for a legendary monster in Lake Labynkyr, but all contact was lost weeks ago. Lady Mechanika’s mission, if she chooses to accept it, is to reach the lake and bring the exploration team back alive. If they’re already dead, she has clearance to destroy the monster responsible.
Whew! That’s a mouthful of an opening. Unfortunately, the beginning is wordier than that by magnitudes because the Duchess is, shall we say, chatty. It’s nice to have a friendly conversation, but much of the information she delivers is superfluous. Thankfully, the Duchess’s dialog is the only overly wordy part of the comic.
Before she heads to Siberia, Lady Mechanika stops to see her longtime partner, Archibald Lewis, to ask if he’d be willing to join. Lewis won’t answer, and it’s clear their relationship is strained due to some past disagreement that isn’t explained. Later, Mechanika arrives in Russia by train to meet her handler, Zhenya, the two royal guards sent to protect them, and their guide, Tygyn. So, the adventure begins.
Benitez and Chen lay out the introductions in a clean, efficient manner by infusing each character with personality and distinction. The cast has a shared goal, but you can immediately see that each member will react to the rigors of their journey in vastly different ways.
The issue concludes with dreams and superstitions during their nighttime rest, rough weather on a dangerous trail, and dangerous encounters with wild beasts.
Overall, LADY MECHANIKA: THE DEVIL IN THE LAKE #1 starts the adventure with a slow and wordy beginning, but the story picks up steam (no pun intended) and a spirit of adventure as it progresses. Plus, the strong ending is a quintessential cliffhanger… literally.
Artwork and Presentation:
Benitez and Chen’s central story and setting are stronger, but the real highlight is Siya Oum’s jaw-dropping art. Given the Victorian era setting and the Steampunk aesthetic, you’d expect some cool details, but every rivet, pipe, and gadgety flourish gives you enough material to stare at each page for an hour or more. Oum went all-out in this comic, and the results are gorgeous.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
The story may be fictional, but the location and reports of a lake monster are not. There really is a Lake Labynkyr in Russia, and reports of a lake monster have persisted for centuries. However, the earliest written report of a Lake Monster wasn’t recorded until 1953.
Final Thoughts:
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LADY MECHANIKA: THE DEVIL IN THE LAKE #1 begins a fanciful Steampunk tale about a monster-hunting cyborg sent to rescue a research team from a sea monster. Joe Benitez and M.M. Chen captures an authentic vibe of pulp adventure, and Siya Oum’s art is exquisite. That said, the issue takes a little time to get going, so be prepared for hefty amounts of dialog.
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