Lady Mechanika HCF 2019 Vol. 1 Issue 1 RE:VIEW

It's my first dabble into Lady Mechanika and also probably steampunk in general (the issue isn't really steampunky but it'll do). If I'm following the issue correctly, Mechanika is coming to terms with losing a loved one and the issue seems to be her finding herself. 

What a mighty feast the comic came to be! It starts off with a quick back story that it illustrated gorgeously which I assume is a setup for the Lady's next adversary (love a quick backstory). Then pow! The entrance of Lady Mechanika who happens to speak fluent Spanish (most of the comic is spoken in Spanish - translated, of course). I have to say that the art literally pops in all ways and I'm living for the rather subdued steampunk look she's rocking. The styling remains strong throughout the whole comic book with expressions, panelling and speech and text box styles on fleek and very easy to grasp immediately. 

The comic is a nice departure from the type of huge comic book events that I am so well acquainted with. It feels contained but very relatable in terms of the theme of acceptance and dealing with the loss of a loved one. It seems to forms its own anecdotes with the fresh perspectives of death and the afterlife from a personal or cultural belief like how the comic book deals with death as not being the end. Another thing that got me is the theme of acceptance with Mechanika looking different but she is immediately accepted into the fold without any prejudice which I don't think I've come across many comics of recent do so much of.

The action comes at the end though and leaves closes it off in the highest fashion. I'm not complaining though as it's a fresh way to read comics instead of having to see two titans duke it out with each other. Moreover, the story carries strong on the character of Mechanika enough for me to invest myself in wanting to read more into her adventures. This seems evident seeing that I believe that the comic is set 5 volumes in but already I'm gathering a picture of her whole character.

Subscribe? Yaaaaasssssss

I'm definitely picking up the first volume of the comic book!

LADY MECHANIKA HCF 2019 Vol. 1 Issue 1
Joe Benitez and M. M. Chen - Story
Michael Heisler - Letters
Joe Benitez and Martin Montiel - Pencils 
Studio J=13 - Digital Inks
Peter Steigerwald and Beth Sotelo - Colors

Edit:

Just realised I had the previous year's edition of the Halloween Comic Fest version

Iyanu: Child of Wonder - Chapter One (RE:VIEW)

This is the first comic of YouNeek Studios that I've delved into and it's a good one at that. I would describe it as a young teen still finding her way in life and especially finding out her full capabilities in wondrous and surprising ways. Let's dive right in!

There are extremely tender moments in the comics, especially that I find when it starts off when she's off for a hunt for food which with lack of words explains her character to a lot of degrees. It also allows time and breath to take on the sheer beauty of the art (it's a stunner, doll). The art plays on the subjects with strong shifts on use of blurs and focus, which helps creates a gorgeous piece that is extremely easy to follow. There's a stunning single page when the character goes Avatar Ang which is a splendour to marvel at. 

The writing is really easy to follow even with the shifts in panels. It's beautifully juxtaposed with the story and even with the tidbits of saying which helps to serve the chapter really well. The main thing I found hard to follow is whenever they speak in their language and is of course translated into a box, the box is very small and hard to read at times, which in contrast to the main speech bubble texts.

The writing puts the main character Iyanu on a relatable on many levels with being able to independently work your way around the world, learning and discovering new things and being able to pick yourself up after falling. Seems to become almost like an anecdote for my life. I would definitely enjoy this in my teens as I am now.

Subscribe: YAAAASSSSS

It's a yes from me, the artwork I find is different from the stuff I read at the moment and I'm loving the read. I want to see where I head next with Iyanu!

Iyanu: Child of Wonder - Chapter One (YouNeek Studios) Halloween ComicFest edition
Roye Okupe - Creator, writer and art director
Godwin Akpan - Illustration
Spoof Comics - Letters