REVIEW: New graphic novel ‘Mary’ envisions descendant of Mary Shelley healing monsters
Image courtesy of Six Foot Press / Provided by MM Publicity with permission.
Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley’s Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter is a fun new graphic novel that is a perfect accompaniment to the Halloween season. In Brea Grant’s invented world, 16-year-old Mary tries to fit in, but she’s distant from her mother and the rest of her family. They all seem to be living in the shadows of their famous relative, the late great author Mary Shelley, who of course penned the monster novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.
Modern Mary’s relatively dull life is given a monstrous spark when she’s visited by, well, a monster. He needs to rely on her supernatural powers of healing, but there’s one problem: She has no idea these powers even exist. When she is able to heal the monster — who is good-looking and immediately catches the eye of the teenager — many more beasts of lore stop at her treehouse for some universal healthcare. Now she has her hands full and is worried that knowledge of her secretive powers might get out to her best friend and her family.
Grant’s story is a clever one, combining an appreciation for the feminist trailblazing of Shelley and the modern-day journey of Mary. It’s essentially a coming-of-age story, but one that connects to history and folklore.
Complementing the narrative is the exquisite art by Yishan Li. The illustrations are creative and intricate, allowing the overall story to breathe and also adding energy, enthusiasm and foreboding dread. Li and Grant are a winning team.
The story ends quite abruptly, which may portend future adventures for Mary. Almost as soon as her powers are full realized and exercised, the pages run out in this slim graphic novel, but no doubt the journey is not finished. There are many more monsters to heal.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley’s Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter by Brea Grant and featuring illustrations by Yishan Li is now available from Six Foot Press. Click here for more information.
