A Review of Monstress Volume 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu (writer) and Sana Takeda (illustrator)

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A Review of Monstress Volume 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu (writer) and Sana Takeda (illustrator) (Image Comics, 2018).
By Stephen Hong Sohn

As the series has moved on, I’ve been enjoying it more and more. Monstress Volume 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu (writer) and Sana Takeda (illustrator) (Image Comics, 2018) has now finally come out, drawing out the complicated world in which Maika Halfwolf resides. My favorite character remains Kippa, the little fox girl, who is so instrumental to this particular fictional world precisely because she’s the rain of sunshine we really need. Here, I provide the requisite spoiler warning because, well, I’m going to tell you that this volume is also the most heartbreaking. Liu and Takeda must have known that Kippa was the breakout star of the series and the one that provides the most emotional stability to this narrative because of her utter desire to remain ethical in a world of literal and metaphorical monsters hellbent on power grabs and apocalyptic consumption. So, of course, they decide to put her in danger.

But that’s getting ahead of ourselves a bit. The major storyline involves Maika and her allies finding a refuge in a coastal city, but they also need to help repair a shield that keeps that location safe from enemies. Maika’s attempt to fix the shield doesn’t necessarily work out, but she transforms the device in such a way as to generate a catastrophic blast that not only decimates foes but also results in some collateral damage. In the meantime, Kippa has been busy. She’s found her people, many of whom are refugees. She wants to help them escape because they are under siege, but while she is doing some humanitarian good, it becomes apparent that Ren, our wily little feline companion, has a side quest that requires him basically to kidnap Kippa. We’re instructed to understand that something bad may be in store for the little fox girl, so we’re worried. At the same time, we wonder: will Ren really turn in Kippa to the cat-Ancients? Eventually, our faith is restored in Ren when he tries to defend Kippa from being taken, but he is seriously wounded, and this volume ends with Kippa having been taken.

On Maika’s front, her relationship with the God inside of her seems to be evolving. Whereas the God’s initial presence was clearly seen as an affront, they seem to be moving closer and closer to an uneasy alliance, somehow brokered in part because Maika isn’t having her own identity subsumed by this figure. But, Liu doesn’t want to give us much of a reprieve, as we’re absolutely devastated to discover what’s happened with Kippa. Marjorie: don’t do it! Save Kippa! In any case, Takeda’s visuals are stunning, as always. I definitely am at the edge of my seat for the next volume, anticipating that Kippa will (and must be) saved, however dire the situation!

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Review Author: Stephen Hong Sohn
Review Editor: Leslie J. Fernandez

If you have any questions or want us to consider your book for review, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email!
Prof. Stephen Hong Sohn at ssohnucr@gmail.com
Leslie J. Fernandez, PhD Student in English, at lfern010@ucr.edu