The changes continue.
Creative Staff:
Story: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Ariela Kristantina
Colors: Bryan Valenza
What They Say:
Lady and Mariah twist and evolve to protect their little family from the insidious force inside their very home. As the dangers of the lovers’ new world escalate, old horrors ooze up from beneath the streets of London!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The opening installments of Insexts has definitely provided for some captivating material as we got to see the first stages of Mariah and Lady’s transformation, the fallout from it with her husband, and the introduction of an opponent with the relatives looking to end her. Bringing a child into the mix certainly adds to the tension of things because of the protective nature of the women when it comes to him, but it also brings a closer and stronger bond between the trio that’s really appealing. It’s not that it introduces a softness into the mix or anything but rather it just makes them even more of a family unit that looks out for each other and has a lot more invested overall. The child doesn’t play a significant role at the moment yet his presence has altered the dynamic significant compared to how it would be without him. He’s a grounding element.
The changes that they’re going through are certainly continuing and there’s both some neat and scary elements for them with it. Lady is really taking to what she can do, particularly as she looks out for those that are less fortunate, such as kids being absconded with into workhouses. It’s something that gets her to be quite forceful, which is also possibly another element of her physique changing. Her rescue of Hakim strikes a strong personal note for her since it’s someone she knows, but for Mariah she sees it as another of Lady Bertram’s schemes to undo her Lady. Mariah’s role is a bit secondary this time around, a little more supportive overall, but she’s clearly making sure that Bertram isn’t going to be any bigger of a problem than she is. So when she discovers the lys, it’s surprising that she doesn’t just snap completely right then and there because of the threat it represents.
Interestingly, the book also delves into the medical needs of the women – especially as Lady’s transformation is far more physical at the moment. She’s surprising herself, and unnerving herself, with some of those changes and the thought of bringing in Dr. Taylor as a confidant is growing. But before that, she ends up spending time with another doctor that she discovers is doing some decidedly terrible things with women that comes to his office and this offers up our chance for some revenge material to factor into it, allowing for Lady to cut loose and for Lady Bertram to discover it. How that will play out is hard to say since who would believe her? And at the same time, does she want Lady after her? Or will she view it as something she might gain some power over and use? The possibilities are certainly there.
In Summary:
The third installment of Insexts isn’t quite as strong as the first two but mostly because it’s exploring a few different elements while getting ready for what’s next. It’s a moment of calm and quiet threats that could blow up at any moment. What it does alone, once again, is for this team to really savor the period and the people. Kristantina continues to bring some fantastic work to the page in bringing the story to life. The costume design along is highly appealing with all of its details and I love the way the women come across here with both a softness and a harshness, sometimes within the same panel, that just gives it a rawness that’s captivating. The settings also stand out well here with the room and exterior work that makes it feel even more grounded and real, particularly with some great camera angles used that doesn’t go for the obvious titillation but rather entices with it in its own way. Very good stuff all around that has me excited for what’s next.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 17+
Released By: AfterShock Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: February 10th, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
