Lady Baltimore: The Witch Queens #3 Review
Writers: Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden
Artist: Bridgit Connell
Colours: Michelle Madsen
Letters: Clem Robins
The further we get into the Lady Baltimore mini-series the more apparent it is we’ve barely scraped the surface of the Outerverse. Each issue has introduced new characters who are sure to be important players in the series going forward, and it’s clear there is a much larger mythology which is slowly being introduced to readers. It’s difficult to know where to begin. There’s the Wyrding Witch Imogen, who has her own two part mini-series schedule for next month. She has an interesting relationship with Sofia which begins to develop in this issue. The relationship they have underscores another important difference between Sofia and Baltimore, where he gave up his humanity to fight his fight hers remains, albeit well hidden. It’ll be interesting to watch that relationship unfold over the course of the series. Another great character that has been introduced is the Warlock that has been left to guard the Witch Queen captured earlier in the series. It’s clear that there’s a lot more to him as well, and he’s yet another character who is bound to be an important player in the series going forward.
Where Baltimore told a very focused story, which by its end has grown to encompass an epic tale on a huge scale, it was very much Baltimore’s story from beginning to end. This new slew of comics set during World War II aren’t telling a story anywhere near as focused and tight as Baltimore, and that’s one of the most exciting things about this series. A story like this, encompassing such a huge war, shouldn’t feature a small set of characters. It should feel huge and all encompassing. There should be a large cast of important players in the story, and that’s exactly what Mignola and Golden are giving us.
One minor grip with the series has been the ongoing mystery of whether or not Lord Baltimore is still around in the form of a ghost. It’s an intriguing concept but depending on how it’s handled has the potential to make or break the mini-series. While answers aren’t particularly forthcoming in this issue it is beginning to feel more like if he does appear it’ll be to pass the reigns onto Sofia, allowing her to stand on her own two feet rather than in his shadow. That’s exactly what the series is needing, and it will be a definitive ending for Baltimore too.
One of the things that Mignola and Golden excel at in this issue is introducing old characters that readers of Baltimore and Joe Golem will be familiar with. Amongst all of the new characters there are a couple of reveals which come out of the blue which is sure to delight fans. No spoilers here, and a few fans may have had their suspicions about one character after the last issue, but the reveals are handled well and will get fans talking.
Bridgit Connell’s art has been a great match for the series, a perfect fit for the larger Outerverse, and she continues to shine in this issue. Some of the monsters she’s created in previous issues were incredible, but this issue she gets to focus more on the witches and their different types of magic. It looks incredible, and really highlights that there are more than one kind of witch and magic. The supernatural has truly come to life under her art and looks stunning. But it’s not just the action and magic she excels at, there are some quieter character moments that she captures brilliantly. Plus Rigo’s face looks truly horrific, as it should, which is something that not all of the comics manage to capture. Then there’s Michelle Madsen who’s excellent colours are fast becoming synonymous with the Outerverse.
This is the perfect opportunity to watch the Outerverse begin to blossom from seeds planted in Baltimore and Joe Golem. Readers have barely scratched the surface of this shared universe but indications are it’s going to be as big and exciting as Hellboy’s universe, and while comparisons are likely as both are the brainchild of Mike Mignola there is so much in here to set it apart from that series.
Artist: Bridgit Connell
Colours: Michelle Madsen
Letters: Clem Robins
The further we get into the Lady Baltimore mini-series the more apparent it is we’ve barely scraped the surface of the Outerverse. Each issue has introduced new characters who are sure to be important players in the series going forward, and it’s clear there is a much larger mythology which is slowly being introduced to readers. It’s difficult to know where to begin. There’s the Wyrding Witch Imogen, who has her own two part mini-series schedule for next month. She has an interesting relationship with Sofia which begins to develop in this issue. The relationship they have underscores another important difference between Sofia and Baltimore, where he gave up his humanity to fight his fight hers remains, albeit well hidden. It’ll be interesting to watch that relationship unfold over the course of the series. Another great character that has been introduced is the Warlock that has been left to guard the Witch Queen captured earlier in the series. It’s clear that there’s a lot more to him as well, and he’s yet another character who is bound to be an important player in the series going forward.
Where Baltimore told a very focused story, which by its end has grown to encompass an epic tale on a huge scale, it was very much Baltimore’s story from beginning to end. This new slew of comics set during World War II aren’t telling a story anywhere near as focused and tight as Baltimore, and that’s one of the most exciting things about this series. A story like this, encompassing such a huge war, shouldn’t feature a small set of characters. It should feel huge and all encompassing. There should be a large cast of important players in the story, and that’s exactly what Mignola and Golden are giving us.
One minor grip with the series has been the ongoing mystery of whether or not Lord Baltimore is still around in the form of a ghost. It’s an intriguing concept but depending on how it’s handled has the potential to make or break the mini-series. While answers aren’t particularly forthcoming in this issue it is beginning to feel more like if he does appear it’ll be to pass the reigns onto Sofia, allowing her to stand on her own two feet rather than in his shadow. That’s exactly what the series is needing, and it will be a definitive ending for Baltimore too.
One of the things that Mignola and Golden excel at in this issue is introducing old characters that readers of Baltimore and Joe Golem will be familiar with. Amongst all of the new characters there are a couple of reveals which come out of the blue which is sure to delight fans. No spoilers here, and a few fans may have had their suspicions about one character after the last issue, but the reveals are handled well and will get fans talking.
Bridgit Connell’s art has been a great match for the series, a perfect fit for the larger Outerverse, and she continues to shine in this issue. Some of the monsters she’s created in previous issues were incredible, but this issue she gets to focus more on the witches and their different types of magic. It looks incredible, and really highlights that there are more than one kind of witch and magic. The supernatural has truly come to life under her art and looks stunning. But it’s not just the action and magic she excels at, there are some quieter character moments that she captures brilliantly. Plus Rigo’s face looks truly horrific, as it should, which is something that not all of the comics manage to capture. Then there’s Michelle Madsen who’s excellent colours are fast becoming synonymous with the Outerverse.
This is the perfect opportunity to watch the Outerverse begin to blossom from seeds planted in Baltimore and Joe Golem. Readers have barely scratched the surface of this shared universe but indications are it’s going to be as big and exciting as Hellboy’s universe, and while comparisons are likely as both are the brainchild of Mike Mignola there is so much in here to set it apart from that series.
A Look Inside
