We didn’t fight.
It wouldn’t have helped.
Keep reading for a review of Die #9.
Warning, spoilers below! I’ll try to avoid some of the main plot points, but I have to give away one of the biggest reveals in order to actually talk about the story, so if you haven’t read the issue yet you might want to save this review for later.
This issue works really well on three levels: it advances the story of our main characters, it gives us a beautiful story behind the mythology of Die, and the art is flipping gorgeous.
Last issue Izzy betrayed the party by letting the rulers of Angria know that the Paragons (the main characters) were responsible for destroying Glass Town.
I know Izzy feels terribly responsible for the destruction, she’s never been okay with it, and in her heart of hearts knows that they should all pay for having done it. But my goodness I wanted to wipe that smug little smirk off her face. Ash is right, Izzy’s martyr complex is in overdrive.
However. By the end of the issue we find out Izzy had more in mind than punishment when she got everybody locked up, so maybe a little smirking is acceptable.
In between all that we have a story that explains how The Fallen are real people who’ve died inside Die, but there were Fallen here before Sol arrived, and if he made Die how is that possible? (Okay, when I said the story explains it, I mean it explains that there’s a much bigger question we should be asking.)
(Bigger spoilers below.)
We meet the ruler of Angria. Now ,the literary folks are going to sneer at me, but I’m only a little familiar with the true story of the Brontë family (bad bookworm, no cookie!) so I was just as surprised as Angela about the origins of Glass Town and Angria.
After doing some research (…looking at wikipedia…) I can see the story we hear in this issue matches all the main beats of the historical story, but it fills in all the gaps with a story of the worlds they created together, and how their creations…got away from them? Like I said, we get a lot of answers this issue, but they really just lead to more questions.
But lemmie tell you, this issue absolutely made me want to look up those Brontë creations, boy howdy.
As for the art, I forget sometimes how much Stephanie Hans can change up her style..
In this issue we start with the lush, painted images she’s used for most of the series, and then it switches over to this almost delicate line work for the story in Victorian England.
I’ve really enjoyed the rich painted look of the series, but the intricate lines of the Victorian story were fascinating. It’s so carefully done, and it reflects the idea of the laced-up 19th century, but it also matches perfectly with art that was specifically connected to the Brontë family. (If you want a nice treat, and you don’t already know the story, read the issue first and then look at the wikipedia page. The actual painting by Branwell will startle you.) Charlotte’s face when she says “But we must,” is lovely, so is the delighted look on the sisters’ faces when they see Branwell’s painting.
The art in the rest of the issue was beautiful as well, and I can’t tell you how much I love the design of Charlotte-of-Angria. Seriously, I think that would make an amazing cosplay.
