Graphic Novel Review – The Devil in the Lake (Lady Mechanika, Vol 8) by Joe Benitez, M.M. Chen, Siya Oum (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Steampunk/Graphic Novel
Length: 128 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1534336308
Stand Alone or Series: 8th volume in the Lady Mechanika series
Source: Bought Paperback
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Lady Mechanika tries to escape disturbing revelations from her past by running off to Siberia on a dangerous hunt for an alleged dragon living in the depths of an ancient lake.”
Series Info/Source: This is the 8th volume in the Lady Mechanika series. I purchased this in paperback to read.
Thoughts: I always really enjoy a new Lady Mechanika graphic novel. The illustration is incredibly well done, very detailed with dark lush tones. The story is action-packed and fun with witty banter. Some of the frames are pretty text dense but there is a lot of story here.
After the events of the last volume, Henry and Lady Mechanika are on the outs. When Lady Mechanika is contacted to find out what happened to an expedition in Siberia that was focused on finding a lake with a monster in it she is forced to go on her own. What she finds there is bittersweet. Fred hopes to mend things between Lady Mechanika and Henry, and she is determined to set off to Siberia herself to get Lady Mechanika the help she needs.
This was packed full of fun steampunk devices, fast-paced scenes, intriguing monsters, and some cute and heartwarming scenes as well. Lady Mechanika continues to punish herself for her past but does make some progress in this book on healing. I continue to love Fred as a character and her insightful look into everything.
The illustration remains top notch with incredibly detail, it’s just really well done. Some of the frames are very text heavy, but that has always been the case with this series. I think I just notice it more as I get older and have a bit more trouble reading all that teeny text.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I really loved this and continue to really enjoy this series as a whole. This is a wonderful action-packed steampunk graphic novel series. It has been pretty long between volumes, but the wait is always worth it. I would recommend if you enjoy action-packed graphic novels that are well balanced and have a steampunk theme.
