Review: Girl Genius!
10th March 2009
Girl Genius by Phil and Kaja Foglio
Seriously, if you don’t already have this bookmarked- why not? Its a gripping tale of “adventure, romance and mad science!” And I really do mean that- the Foglio’s are an inspiration and their artwork is to die for. The world of Agatha Heterodyne is beautifully crafted and I honestly can’t think of anything wrong with it other than I wish it were mine.
The Foglio’s have even made this puppy into the occasional radio play and every now and then we take a break from the main storyline to see comic versions of these plays or in one case a re-imagining of the classic Cinderella fairy tale.
If you’re curious as to what this tale is about- set in a steampunk (Victorian?) Europa, Agatha is a lowly, bumbling lab assistant who realises her destiny as the heir to the Heterodyne legacy- a family of adventurers who saved the world countless times. She sets out on a journey to not only prove herself but to evade those who would like nothing more than to destroy or control her.
The entire comic is littered with suspense as well as great humour, both provided by major characters and those charming young men know as Jaggermonsters, and right down to her faithful(?) companion Krosp… the Emperor of Cats.
You have monsters, evil creatures trying to take over the world, a Victorian era setting filled with clockwork creatures, zeppelins and talking cats as well as political intrigue- brilliantly constructed characters and psychotic castles. What more could an avid reader want? You want more huh? Well go and read it, I promise you won’t regret it.