Sana Takeda's art continues to be gorgeous, dark, and of the kind of beauty you can't be completely comfortable with, because party of the story, and because of her ability to become twisted, gory, and shockingly horrifying at moments' notice. This issue has that firing on all cylinders. From Kippa's incredible cheerfulness which has become one of my favorite things, to the lies and deceits inside the Cumaean cities which mirrors the politics played in Game of Thrones. Monstress #5 dives deeper into the abyss of uncomfort, this time digging into the sentiment of mistrust and letting the reader feel it with every character and at the turn of every page. Read Full Review

Everything about MONSTRESS has me enraptured. So much has happened in only five issues, but I can't wait to see more. Marjorie Liu promises bigger and better things to come,and I have no doubt Sana Takeda will deliver Liu's world in magnificent fashion. This story is about an outsider coming of age during a dangerous time. Liu has created a character full of anguish and guilt and fear, and we can't help but hope she'll find all the answers she's searching for while Takeda's vivid artwork astounds us panel after panel. Read Full Review

This gripping issue furthers the story and also adds context to past events that took place issues back. This issue also mesmerizes with full-two page spreads. Onward with more cats and to a path that leads Maika to understanding how she fits in this world as salvation or a tool of destruction. Read Full Review

Monstress adds more to its overall mythology and does a lot of great stuff here. Liu's crafting of this world and its characters is strong and engaging, making for some really great scenes throughout and forward progress in natural ways with great twists. Takeda is fantastic here once again and I feel like I can't sing her praises enough with what she does with the layouts, details, and just the flow of panels. While there isn't anything that's radically creative or over the top it does present a real mastery of what's going on and how to bring it out in a smooth and engaging way. This is a book worth re-reading multiple times for multiple reasons and taking in all the details of the artwork is a big one. Read Full Review

In summary, issue #5 delivers an interesting and complex story. The narrative is being driven in an exciting direction and I look forward to seeing where it will be taking us in the future. Read Full Review

As fascinating as this world is, it often feels like you need an encyclopedia handy to really enjoy it. The great stuff is so spectacularly great that it's worth the effort, but more can be done in the future to humanize the rest of Monstress' enormous world. Read Full Review