Review - Jenny Finn: Doom Messiah

Jenny Finn: Doom Messiah

Written by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey
Art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple
Publish By Boom! Studios

The story of Jenny Finn starts out by introducing the reader to Joe, a confident strong man who is new to the seaside town set in Victorian times. Within the first couple pages, fish whisper the word "doom" to no one in particular. A prostitutes client morphs into a twisted tangle of tentacles. And Jenny Finn wanders around the bad end of town and though Joe tries to help her, she refuses saying that she is wicked and belongs there. As the story progresses, Joe tries to gain the attention of Jenny Finn and Jenny Finn grows fond of Joe and tries to protect him from the strange things happening in the town.

Mike Mignola is a master in the comic world. His artwork and storytelling are unique. And with this story which would fit well in a collection of Lovecraft stories, Jenny Finn: Doom Messiah pulls on the same tools used in the good Cthulhu tales. Joe blunders into deep secrets that people shouldn't try to uncover, but he follows the path to the end. The story alludes to inconceivable powers that should not manifest on Earth. And unlike Lovecrafts stories, there is a little bit of steampunk elements added into the story.

The first three chapters art was done by Troy Nixley while Farl Dalrymple did the art for the fourth chapter. The entire book is black and white, which almost makes it seem like an illustrated story from an old newspaper. Nixley's art is more flowing that Dalrymple, but the change is style, which are similar, didn't detract from the story as a whole. I found the characters faces were the most interesting. The expression were often twisted and contorted to a point where the normal people often looked as grotesque as the monsters. Perfect for a story like this one.

This book appeared on one of our monthly selection lists and I picked up this book for the library based on Mike Mignola being the writer. I'm glad I did. Though the story would be considered PG-13 in the movie world, it is shelved in the Teen Graphic Novel area. And though I have, this one seems to be the least popular circulating only 3 times. Perhaps to promote circulation, I'll ask to create a Lovecraft display just prior to Halloween and more people will find and appreciate this book.