ComicScene Misty Review

Misty 2024 Special Review by Kevin Hall.

Price: £6.99, Earth Money.

SPOILERS Below…

Cover Art: Tula Lotay. 5 stars

Lotay’s art has always been stunning – and this cover of Misty in a white dress, black hair blowing in the breeze, the two black crows with white eyes on her shoulder and hint of magic in her hands, against the redness of the eerie woods, has a whimsical beauty and full of fine details. It’s a super cover and one of the best of the year.

Eleven Lonely Deaths.

Script: Gail Simone.  4 stars

Art: Carola Borelli. 4 stars

Colours: Ellie Wright. 4 stars

Letters: Jonathan Stevenson. 4 stars

We knew Clive Collins was a creep after taking close shots of Misty by Snydon Lake. He is a crime podcaster too and the Snydon Lake Strangler had 12 victims here – crushing the girls throats and drowning them in various spots. That at first we think Misty is going to be next and likes to save animals, only for her to be a member of the Bird-Watchers, schollars and storytellers and she gets her revenge on Clive and his Followers, is fun. It’s a nice revenge tale, written skillfully by Simone. Borelli’s art has some great touches – Misty with her long hair and short skirt and top; Clive with his glasses and camera; the shots of Lake and forest with the Xs; the beautiful art on the lake and expressions; each panel is a joy to look at. Wright uses some wonderful blues and greens for the backgrounds, and the pink and blue clothes of Misty, go well against the white shirt of Clive. The crows are a nice touch too.

The Pub at the End of the Road.

Script: Gail Simone. 4 stars

Art: Aly Fell. 4 stars

Letters: Jonathan Stevenson. 4 stars

The daughter of sleazy Abner Grudd, Willow, is tired of being treated like crap and a toy for the men who try to ogle her, such as Ian. She wants to be with David, who wants to marry her and run away together from the grimy pub. Willow looks after the animals much to her fathers distaste and Ian “takes care of David” so he can marry Willow. It all backfires and Willow controls the Spiders to kill Abner. It’s a ghoulishly fun twist by Simone. The art by Fell is big and bold – her Willow is beautiful with long, brown hair and fur coat makes her stand out against the drab pub backgrounds. Burly Abner, with his pot belly, receding hair, vest and beard, has some nice touches – his shocked look as the spiders fill the page, is well drawn too. Ian with the bat, prince-like David with brown hair and the mice, all look fab. Fell uses some browns, greys and yellows to give a murky look to the art but it’s still sharp enough and stands out.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Parker!

Script: Gail Simone. 4 stars

Art: Marianna Ignazzi. 4 stars

Letters: Jonathan Stevenson. 4 stars

Be careful what you wish for in this tale – as Carina the nurse is well-liked by patients calling her an angel and staff, apart from a jealous Mika. That Carina turns out not to be an angel and gets rid of the patients nobody cares about, thinks she has taken out Mika, only for her to come back, as well as the patient as they are also ladies of the Bird-Watchers and Misty is too, and it’s a nice twist with some delicious shocks. The final message had me smiling too. Ignazzi’s art is top notch – each of the nurses has a unique look, with blonde haired Carina, Hong Kong Mika, Misty and burly head nurse Fissle, the ladies are beautifully drawn by Ignazzi. Her details on the canteen, cake and fragrance shows she cares about the art and small moments amoungst the bigger shots of the group and patients in the bed. The green uniforms and use of yellows, especially when Carina is remembering, and the spirits flying around outside, are highlights.

The Cracked Glass.

Script, Art & Letters: Letty Wilson. 5 stars

Saving the best for last, this creepy weirdly fun tale by Wilson, shows how someone who can do it all makes it work. Curious Sam notices the neighbours haven’t been around for ages – with subtle clues like the light is always on and the cat comes to visit. She decides to venture into the creepy house, only for it to have a secret mirror which Sam enters – much to Flora’s pleas not to. That Sam finds strange Coraline-like versions of the neighbours and Sam herself becomes one, is a very scary premise that will stay with you. Wilson’s cartoon style art with the big child eyes is fantastic – she conveys a lot of emotion, especially scared looks as Sam with her glasses and curly brown hair and pink top, surveys the details of the house – like the games console, stinky dishes, clothes line and that cracked mirror, the greys of the other world and stairs, as well as making everyday appliances look Sinister. The washed out colour scheme of the greens, greys and blues works wonders and the eerie thin look of the neighbours will haunt your dreams. We mustn’t forget poor Flora, distant but also a constant presence throughout.

Verdict:

It’s great to have Misty back – the art and stories are first rate, and there is something for everyone. It would be lovely to have this back as a regular monthly. Welcome back, Misty – it’s been too long!

4 stars