A New Take On Classic Monsters — Reviewing ‘Lady Baltimore: The Daughters Of Medusa’ #1

Welcome to the table,

It’s hardly ever a bad time when I get the chance to open a book from the dynamic duo of Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden. The day becomes even more delightful when that book, in this case Lady Baltimore: The Daughters of Medusa, has fantastic art by the talented Bridgit Connell and killer colors by Michelle Madsen.

The Lady Baltimore series follows Lady Sofia Baltimore, the wife of famed monster hunter Lord Henry Baltimore, who, while not selected by some flick of the wand of fate itself to live this life, has taken up fighting monsters in all forms because she is driven to do so.

The newest chapter, Lady Baltimore : The Daughters of Medusa, takes place in the late 1930s and immediately drops into strange happenings where secretive agents are being turned to stone on lamp lit streets by sword swinging, snake haired gorgons. Lady Baltimore and her charming crew arrive on the scene shortly after the stone shaping happens. Immediately we are treated to mountains of quick conversations that amount to a ton of world building and lore setting.

This is one of those stories that delivers monsters and mystery wrapped in wonder-filled world building wrapped and brilliant art colors. It’s the kind of story you look forward to because you never know what is going to happen next but you know you will enjoy the ride.

The world building done with the Daughters of Medusa is not the only really cool story beats that transpire within the pages of this Dark Horse offering. There is also some truly charming dialog that takes place as a blossoming romance occurs between two of Sofia’s companions, Josephine and Mac that really ends up, for me at least, being the stand out part of this issue.

That is another strength of this title; the small moments that make all the very human characters feel… well… very human.

The artistry and dialogue flow in such a way that the seemingly overwhelming weight of the supernatural threat — and the long shadow of one of the most evil groups of humans that have ever cursed this planet with their presence — melts away in the panels due to the presence of these truly lovable beings.

This of course makes me fear what is to come in the next issue as all good monster stories tend to stick the knife in when you least expect it and twist it so my fear that we may lose one of these darlings is very very real right now.

Until next time, history fans and those who delight in new takes on classic monsters are really going to get a kick out of this story. I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I have.