Advance Review — ‘Payna: The Mummy’s Curse’ #2 Reminds Us Of The Human Aspect In Fantastical Stories
by Anton Kromoff
Summary
It is in the quiet moments that Payna: The Mummy’s Curse really shines. As our dream plague protagonist goes about her day-to-day life long time fans of the mythos of Mignola are treated to moments that tie bits of lore together in ways that are nothing short of magical. Fans who are new to The World of Hellboy will have another brilliant story of folklore, mystery, and the indomitable spirit of those chosen for purposes only truly known by elder gods who were ancient when the world was young.
Overall
10/10Welcome to the table,
“It is said that in Ulthar, which lies beyond the river Skai, no man may kill a cat; and this I can verily believe as I gaze upon him who sitteth purring before the fire. For the cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see. He is the soul of antique Aegyptus, and bearer of tales from forgotten cities in Meroë and Ophir. He is the kin of the jungle’s lords, and heir to the secrets of hoary and sinister Africa. The Sphinx is his cousin, and he speaks her language; but he is more ancient than the Sphinx, and remembers that which she hath forgotten.”
Howard Phillps Lovecraft – The Cats of Ulthar
I love my cats. I love cats in general. Not in a weird Carole Baskin sort of way, but in a way that Neil Gaiman‘s The Price makes me cry and Lovecraft’s The Cats of Ulthar is one of my favorite short stories ever written. Maybe not for the quality of the writing, but for sure the intent behind those words and the lesson to be learned from them.
Dark Horse‘s Payna: The Mummy’s Curse #2 is slowly starting to not only be a delightful addition to the Mignolaverse but also a tale of cats and the more-than-meets-the-eye nature they always seem to have.
Based on characters created by Mike Mignola, with a story by Chris Roberson, art and cover by Christopher Mitten, colors by Michelle Madsen, and letters by Clem Robins, Panya: The Mummy’s Curse #2 is another stellar showing in the ever-expanding lore of The World of Hellboy.
This issue picks up with Panya appearing to be in her early adulthood. She is a handmaiden to a priestess serving of the gods who have grown in the land of sand and secrets. While tending to her duties, Panya also finds herself seeking the counsel of the feral cats she feeds as she cleans around the temple.
It is in the quiet moments that Payna: The Mummy’s Curse really shines. As our dream-plagued protagonist goes about her day-to-day life, long time fans of Mignola’s mythos are treated to moments that tie bits of lore together in ways that are nothing short of magical. And those who are new to The World of Hellboy will have another brilliant story of folklore, mystery, and the indomitable spirit of those chosen for purposes only truly known by elder gods who were ancient when the world was young.
This book, much like Miss Truesdale and The Fall of Hyperborea, is so much fun. There are quiet human moments within the story that really showcase why a story about demons, gods, magic, and frog-men can matter in the greater conversation that is storytelling.
The human aspect of the protagonist in these Mignolaverse stories is what really makes them powerful and part of the enduring legacy of not only comics, but of fiction.
Payna: The Mummy’s Curse #2 will be available on August 16, 2023 wherever really good comics can be found. If you are still on the fence about it I hope you give it a chance. It’s one of my favorite books right now.
Until next time, in Ulthar no man may kill a cat.