Lady Mechanika • Joe Benitez

For quite some time now, comics have been a regular part of my pile of unread books, and I’ve rarely regretted picking one up. When people think of comics, they often recall the little magazines from their childhood and have no idea what magnificent, beautifully illustrated editions with truly great stories are waiting to be discovered. There are countless comics and graphic novels aimed at adults, drawn with incredible detail and featuring stories as sophisticated as those found in novels or films. One truly brilliant comic is Lady Mechanika, which I’d like to take a closer look at in this post.

I wonder why Lady Mechanika eluded me for so long, because this comic series is exactly my kind of thing. The setting is a wonderfully rich steampunk world — a genre that was once an obscure subculture before literature, games, films, and comics began exploring it. Steampunk is a stylistic blend of Victorian-era aesthetics and steam-powered machinery, filled with retro technology, gears, intricate clockworks, marvelous airships, and a spirit of adventure. While it’s no longer as unknown as it once was, it still remains somewhat niche and not something you encounter very often. Its literary roots can be traced back to novels by Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, but I’ve also read several more recent fantasy novels set in this wonderful world. Steampunk elements also appear in games — those familiar with the BioShock series know how beautifully this style can be brought to life. It’s also very popular among cosplayers, who create stunningly elaborate costumes. If you browse Pinterest, you’ll find plenty of gorgeous steampunk outfits, as well as some incredibly cool gadgets and mods. In short: steampunk is a wonderful style fusion with huge potential that’s still far too rarely used.

Lady Mechanika takes full advantage of this setting and tells the story of a young woman who has lost all memory of her past and doesn’t know how she came to have mechanical arms and legs that grant her superhuman abilities. Determined to uncover her origins, she embarks on countless adventures and dangerous missions. I wouldn’t call the story extraordinary, but it’s solid and fits perfectly with the overall concept.

What makes these comics so wonderful, in my opinion, is the complete package. The illustrations are magnificent and beautifully detailed, perfectly conveying the mood and atmosphere of this richly imagined Victorian steampunk world. Combined with the story, which moves along at just the right pace and intensity, and the strong, attractive heroine, Lady Mechanika offers a highly immersive reading experience that quickly captivated me. The artwork is a feast for the eyes, and Lady Mechanika herself — curvaceous and striking — is consistently showcased to full effect.

Just as often as the setting changes, the strong protagonist appears in a new outfit — each one lavishly illustrated with great attention to detail. According to the afterword of the first volume, writer and artist Joe Benitez was particularly inspired by the many cosplayers who regularly present their stunning costumes at comic conventions. He sketched them quickly and used those drawings as templates for Lady Mechanika’s many outfits. If online sources are to be believed, the British model Kate Lambert (also known as Kato) was the primary inspiration for Lady Mechanika — and the resemblance is indeed striking. Kato herself designed many of her own outfits and presented them in a similar burlesque and erotic style to that of steampunk cosplayers.

This focus on fashion is immediately apparent and plays a major role in the appeal of these comics: the beautiful dresses, the finely ornamented, Victorian-style, and sometimes adventure-ready practical gear; the variety of outfits — from desert attire to the colorful costumes for the Mexican Day of the Dead — all of it looks stunning and always carries a touch of sex appeal. Many of the panels could stand on their own as works of art. I often felt like I was holding an illustrated artbook — only this one happens to come with an engaging story. Striking poses are a constant element, but there’s no shortage of action either, with plenty of dynamic and thrilling scenes throughout.

I’ve never really been into superhero comics, and while Lady Mechanika can certainly hold her own in a fight, she still feels human in a refreshing way. I always enjoy stories about strong women searching for their own path, and I’ve noticed that I’m especially drawn to those. I’m not sure exactly why — probably because the classic superhero trope just feels worn out. Monstress is quite similar in that regard.

The variety of settings and beautifully chosen backdrops are also remarkable — from the Victorian city of Mechanika to scenes set in the desert, the jungle, Mexico, the Swiss Alps, and many other places around the globe. This provides a wonderful sense of variety and is simply delightful to look at. The colors are vivid and vibrant, especially when you read the books in sunlight, which is how I preferred to enjoy them. Lady Mechanika’s style adapts to each location, and the chapter title pages feature full-page illustrations of her posing in attire suited to each setting. Similar images also appear at the beginning and end of each volume, enhancing that artbook feel. Benitez demonstrates a great eye for beautiful scenery, offering a wide range of spectacular scenes — from a masked ball aboard a luxurious airship to mysterious ancient excavation sites reminiscent of Indiana Jones, and a festive celebration deep in Mexico — there’s plenty for the eyes to feast on.

An interview revealed that Benitez enlisted help for later volumes: some backgrounds were drawn by Martin Montiel, and Benitez often didn’t do the coloring himself (which is not unusual in the comic world). You can clearly see that the backgrounds become more intricate and refined with each new book.

After reading just a bit of the first volume, I immediately ordered all five currently available volumes and read them back to back. It quickly became clear to me that this was another premium series I needed to own in full (just like Monstress). Searching for the English originals can be a bit confusing since there are so many editions that don’t quite line up with the German ones. So here’s a brief overview of which stories are included in each book:

• Volume 1: The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse, Part 1
• Volume 2: The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse, Part 2 and The Tablet of Destinies, Part 1
• Volume 3: The Tablet of Destinies, Part 2
• Volume 4: The Lost Boys of West Abbey and La Dama de la Muerte
• Volume 5: The Clockwork Assassin

Volumes 1 and 2 end on cliffhangers, while Volumes 4 and 5 are self-contained stories. Each story is divided into chapters. Although Lady Mechanika’s overarching quest to uncover her past runs throughout, she is often drawn into adventures that don’t directly relate to that search — uncovering conspiracies, stopping corrupt weapons manufacturers, or solving mysterious murders. Overall, the plots offer well-paced tension and are consistently entertaining.

As for the design and production quality of the books themselves, I’m once again impressed. Splitter Verlag consistently produces high-quality editions, and I’m always happy to pay a few extra euros for a beautifully crafted volume. That’s certainly the case here — I’m thrilled! The books even feature thread binding (!!), the printing is vivid and crisp, and the pages give off that wonderful fresh-new-book scent.

Joe Benitez was born in Mexico in 1971 but grew up in Los Angeles. He’s been active in the comic scene for quite some time and has even drawn for DC Comics. In Volume 4, he draws on his Mexican roots by setting the story during the Day of the Dead celebrations. Between stories, there are interviews and short texts by Benitez, and the appendices often include concept art — additions I always found fascinating, as they reveal some insight into his creative process.

Conclusion: The Lady Mechanika comics are among my absolute favorites, and I’ll definitely be getting all future volumes. I love the artwork, the beautiful protagonist with her richly designed costumes, and the engaging stories about her origins and the sinister dealings of corrupt weapons corporations in this atmospheric Victorian steampunk world. The detailed and colorful illustrations are pure joy to look at. Next year, Volume No. 6 will be released, and just the cover art already has me excited. Lady Mechanika is, without a doubt, highly recommended.

Book information: Lady Mechanika, Volume 1: The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse • Joe Benitez • Splitter Verlag • 112 pages • ISBN 9783958395206