Wickedly beautiful artwork and a captivating story! I had to read this twice. If you love graphic novels, you will not want to pass up on this one. I did not know what to expect because this was my first graphic novel read in a long time. I am HOOKED! I don’t want to give anything away but somehow it captures so much on every page with the artwork. I cannot imagine what it would be to hold this artwork in your hand because the screen doesn’t do it justice.

"Mercy" by Mirka Andolfo offers a captivating blend of gothic atmosphere, historical setting, and horror elements, all wrapped up in stunning artwork. Set in the late 19th century in the mining town of Woodsburgh, the story revolves around a series of brutal killings by a mysterious monster coinciding with the arrival of a striking stranger.

One of the undeniable strengths of "Mercy" lies in its artwork. Andolfo's illustrations are undeniably breathtaking, capturing the eerie ambiance of the setting and the haunting presence of the titular character. The attention to detail and the atmospheric use of color contribute significantly to the immersive experience of the narrative.

In terms of storytelling, "Mercy" initially grips the reader with its compelling premise and mysterious atmosphere. The tension builds steadily as the townspeople grapple with the escalating violence and the enigmatic arrival of the stranger. However, as the narrative progresses towards its conclusion, some aspects of the story begin to falter.

One notable issue is the perceived lack of mystery towards the latter half of the volume. What starts as a promisingly enigmatic tale gradually loses its sense of intrigue, leaving the reader with unanswered questions and a feeling of dissatisfaction. Additionally, the story feels somewhat unfinished, as though certain plot threads are left unresolved or hastily tied up.

Another challenge while reading was the occasional difficulty in following the narrative. Despite the initial engagement, the storytelling can become disjointed at times, making it hard to fully immerse oneself in the unfolding events.

"Mercy" offers a visually stunning and initially compelling gothic horror experience set in a richly atmospheric historical backdrop. However, the story's descent into predictability and its unresolved plot elements detract from its overall impact. While the artwork alone may be enough to entice some readers, those seeking a tightly woven narrative may find themselves disappointed by the uneven execution.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for a copy of Mercy.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Mercy is a gothic historical horror, set in the late 19th century in the small town of Woodsburgh, which is a mining town. In the town, a monster is brutally killing people; around the same time, a gorgeous stranger arrives. Is there a connection, and can the people stop the creature from killing more of the townsfolk?

I really thought the artwork for this graphic novel was stunning. The story was interesting too - creature features are always fun, and with a little bit of revenge mixed in, it was definitely an intriguing concept. The story did kind of fall flat for me; I just thought parts were a little disjointed and hard to follow. There were also a lot of characters and their connections weren't made super clear, so it was difficult to keep a lot of them straight. I also would have liked to know more back story for the main character. We get pieces by the end of the novel, but I feel like it wasn't fully fleshed out the way I would have hoped for.

Overall, this was a decent story, but the artwork was definitely the best part in all of it.

Penny Dreadful meets Monstress in this gothic victorian monster series featuring a mysterious woman who has just moved into a struggling mining town... where dead bodies seem to drop constantly and a deadly monster is eating away at people... and the town's own secrets are deadly. When Lady Hellaine arrives into town with her butler Goodwill, things shake up in this small mining town. Hellaine's beauty, her wealth... is all picture perfect but she's hiding something... the fact that she is a monster who consumes people and so is her butler. Her arrival is not smooth sailing though as it arises suspicion from Lady Swanson, widow of the late owner of the mine and a leading figure of the local bourgeoisie. It doesn't help that Hellaine's not the only monster in this town... there are other monsters ready to eat and monster hunters on the loose too... bodies are dropping and blood is being shed, the question is, who is the true monster and can any of them be redeemed? This was definitely an interesting one, it's. a bit scattered, but the artwork is phenomenal, absolutely stunning. I love love love the art in this series and would recommend it for the art alone. The story has a interesting monster/gothic tone to it too.

*Thanks Netgalley and Image Comics for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*