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Monstress

Monstress

MONSTRESS

THE ONGOING DARK FANTASY SAGA

MARJORIE LIU · SANA TAKEDA

Image Comics · 2015–Present

🟡 ONGOING SERIES

10 Published Volumes · 1,744 Pages

60 Main Issues Collected · 2 Special Issues

Latest Published Issue: #64 (September 2026)

Writer: Marjorie Liu

Artist & Colorist: Sana Takeda

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Genres: Dark Fantasy · Cosmic Horror · Steampunk · War Fantasy · Mystery · Mythology

🌙 ABOUT THE SERIES

Monstress is an award-winning dark fantasy comic book series created by writer Marjorie Liu and artist Sana Takeda.

Set in an alternate, matriarchal version of early twentieth-century Asia, the series unfolds in a world of ancient magic, political intrigue, monstrous beings, and technological wonders.

The story follows Maika Halfwolf, a teenage Arcanic survivor of a devastating war between humans and supernatural races.

Haunted by the death of her mother and the horrors of her childhood, Maika searches for answers about her mysterious ancestry and the ancient forces that have shaped her existence.

Within her body dwells Zinn, a powerful and terrifying entity connected to the Old Gods. Their uneasy symbiotic relationship becomes central to a conflict that threatens the entire Known World.

Accompanied by unlikely allies—including Kippa, a young fox-like Arcanic, and Ren, a mysterious talking cat—Maika journeys through hostile kingdoms, ancient ruins, powerful courts, and worlds beyond ordinary reality.

As long-buried secrets emerge, she becomes entangled in a struggle involving the Cumaea, the Federation, the Arcanic Courts, and the legacy of the Shaman-Empress.

Combining intricate political fantasy with cosmic horror, psychological trauma, and an elaborate mythology, Monstress explores identity, survival, prejudice, inherited violence, loyalty, and the monsters concealed within human nature.

Sana Takeda's extraordinary artwork draws inspiration from Art Deco, manga, and Asian artistic traditions, creating one of the most visually distinctive worlds in contemporary fantasy comics.

📚 COMPLETE PUBLISHED COLLECTION

01 — AWAKENING

2016 · 208 pages · Issues #1–6

Maika Halfwolf deliberately enters the stronghold of an organization that enslaves and experiments upon Arcanics.

Her search for answers awakens the monstrous being hidden within her and exposes the existence of a dangerous ancient power.

02 — THE BLOOD

2017 · 152 pages · Issues #7–12

Maika, Kippa, and Ren journey to Thyria in search of clues about Maika's mother and her mysterious heritage.

Their investigation uncovers terrifying secrets and draws them deeper into the conflict between humans, Arcanics, and ancient supernatural forces.

03 — HAVEN

2018 · 168 pages · Issues #13–18

Maika encounters new allies and enemies as her relationship with the creature inside her continues to evolve.

The search for sanctuary brings revelations about her past and the complex political forces surrounding her.

04 — THE CHOSEN

2019 · 176 pages · Issues #19–24

Maika and Corvin travel through dangerous territory in search of Kippa.

Unexpected encounters reveal long-hidden family secrets and a conspiracy threatening the Known World.

With a new war approaching, Maika faces increasingly difficult choices about loyalty and destiny.

05 — WARCHILD

2020 · 176 pages · Issues #25–30

War between the Federation and the Arcanics becomes increasingly inevitable.

Maika must decide whether to protect the people she loves or pursue her own desperate search for answers.

Personal conflicts and political ambitions begin to transform into open warfare.

06 — THE VOW

2021 · 184 pages

Collects:

War engulfs the Known World, forcing Maika and her companions to confront the consequences of their decisions.

Long-buried secrets, unexpected reunions, and shifting alliances threaten to change the balance of power.

The two Talk-Stories specials explore important memories from the childhoods of Kippa and Maika.

07 — DEVOURER

2022 · 160 pages · Issues #36–41

Caught within the dangerous political intrigues of the Dusk Court, Maika and Zinn begin discovering painful truths about their shared past.

Meanwhile, Tuya struggles to secure her future, and Kippa assumes an increasingly important role in the survival of the Known World.

08 — INFERNO

2023 · 160 pages · Issues #42–48

After learning the truth surrounding her mother's death, Maika faces a profound personal crisis.

Her companions travel to a remote prison planet where monstrous beings have been confined for generations.

The journey reveals secrets about Zinn, the origins of the Known World, and the terrifying forces hidden beyond it.

09 — THE POSSESSED

2024 · 176 pages · Issues #49–54

Maika, Kippa, and Ren return to discover that an entire year has passed in their absence.

Zinn has fallen into the hands of Maika's father, the Lord Doctor.

As the group seeks refuge in the Spice Islands, they must confront betrayal, political upheaval, and the growing threat posed by the Lord Doctor.

10 — HOLLOW GODS

2025 · 184 pages · Issues #55–60

The Defiled, ancient Monstra imprisoned on the planet Golga, escape through a rift between worlds.

They possess those who have worn the Mask of the Shaman-Empress, including Maika, Kippa, and the Lord Doctor.

Separated from Zinn, Maika must forge unexpected alliances to resist an invasion capable of destroying everything she loves.

🔮 UPCOMING COLLECTION

11 — INHERITANCE

Announced · Not Yet Published

Image Comics release date: December 16, 2026

Following a catastrophic confrontation, the Lord Doctor is presumed dead.

Competing factions struggle for power while Maika faces new dangers connected to the Blood Court.

Questions of inheritance, family, and political loyalty take center stage.

Publication note: The publisher and distributor currently list differing issue contents and page counts. Final bibliographic details should be verified upon release.

📦 ALTERNATIVE COLLECTED EDITIONS

MONSTRESS — BOOK ONE

2019 · 504 pages

Collects Issues #1–18.

Equivalent to Volumes 01–03.

MONSTRESS — BOOK TWO

2022 · 512 pages

Collects Issues #19–35 and Talk-Stories #1–2.

Equivalent to Volumes 04–06.

MONSTRESS — BOOK THREE

2025 · 528 pages (Image Comics listing)

Collects Issues #36–54.

Equivalent to Volumes 07–09.

MONSTRESS — COMPENDIUM ONE

2025 · 1,152 pages

Collects the first eight volumes:

All of these editions reprint material from the regular numbered volumes.

They are alternative collection formats, not additional story arcs.

🏆 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Eisner Awards (2018)

Harvey Award (2018)

Hugo Award

British Fantasy Award

✅ COLLECTION STATUS

Published Trade Paperbacks: 10 volumes

Main Issues Collected: #1–60

Special Issues Collected: Talk-Stories #1–2

Latest Published Main Issue: #64

Upcoming Collection: Volume 11 — Inheritance

Publication Status: ONGOING

Reading Order: Volumes 01 → 10 → 11 (when released)

Important: The story has not yet reached its final conclusion.