A Review of Mary Shelley's School for Monsters: La Llorona in the Machine
Mary Shelley's School for Monsters: La Llorona in the Machine
Jessica Maison words
Anna Wieszczyk art
Joel Rodriguez letters
How much do you love monsters? If the answer is, A LOT, peep the solicit:
A young Mary Shelley encounters an occult scientist, Dr. M, and a living book of spells, Necro (The Necronomicon), who accidentally split her into two versions of herself: the literary giant who goes on to write Frankenstein and a supernatural girl, Shel, who spends her immortality fighting evil humans who exploit monsters.
Now, infamous bogeywoman from Mexican American folklore, La Llorona, has been kidnapped by a villainous video game programmer, Edith Sharp. In an attempt to make the scariest game on the market, Sharp traps La Llorona in the game, and the children playing it are going missing. The team needs to rescue La Llorona before the townspeople get involved and endanger the monsters.
This absolutely delightful all-ages graphic novel seamlessly blends elements of horror, adventure, and heartwarming storytelling. Maison's quick-witted and fast-paced writing, combined with Wieszczyk's breathtaking illustrations and Joel Rodriguez's skillful lettering, creates an immersive and visually stunning experience.
The story builds around Mary Shelley, who, after a peculiar encounter with the Necronomicon, is split into two beings. One becomes the renowned writer we know today, while the other embraces the supernatural and creates a sanctuary for misunderstood monsters. In this original graphic novel, Shel and her friends embark on a daring mission into the realm of a malevolent video game designer to rescue a trapped ghost, La Llorona.
The physical edition of the graphic novel is a beautiful hardcover, reflecting the care and attention to detail that went into its production. The interior art is vibrant, bringing the characters and the world they inhabit to life in a truly captivating manner. Wieszczyk's artistry shines through, capturing the essence of each character's personality, and the mood of every scene is controlled through excellent use of colors.
One of the standout aspects of Maison's storytelling is her ability to flawlessly deliver an engaging narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. The plot is an absolute blast, filled with thrilling twists and turns, and the underlying message of not judging others based on appearances is skillfully woven throughout. Readers of all ages will be able to connect with the characters, cheer them on, and empathize with their struggles.
However, the true star of the show is Maison's ingenious evolution of the Necronomicon. Renamed as Necro, this book of the dead takes on a completely unexpected form—it appears as a lively puppy, exuding charm and ready to make friends while wielding its potent magic. This imaginative alteration injects a unique and endearing quality into Maison's tale, setting it apart from other all-ages horror titles on the shelves.
Mary Shelley's School for Monsters: La Llorona in the Machine is an exceptional graphic novel that combines solid storytelling, gorgeous illustrations, and a positive message. It's a book that can be enjoyed by audiences of all types, from children to adults, and it stands out as a shining gem in the realm of all-ages horror. Maison, Wieszczyk, and Rodriguez have created a true epic deserving a place on every nerd’s bookcase.
Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters: La Llorona is currently slaying all day on Kickstarter, and you can check out the campaign here.
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