What’s SHE SAID DESTROY issue one about?
Good versus evil is a classic comics trope. That formula gets a lot more interesting when traditionally evil forces are on the same side as the good guys. Enter the Goddess of death and queen of fairies, The Morrigan.
She is one of the two remaining Gods from her pantheon, who were forgotten and erased. Her only remaining sister, Brigid (Goddess of the Sun) has persuaded the entire solar system into devoutly following her, using the force of inspiration. The Morrigan and her people, who reside in the colony of Fey, are the last obstacle in her quest for domination.
The only thing stopping Brigid from conquering The Morrigan and converting her followers are Jackelyn (a galactic witch), Winona (the princess of Fey), and her best friend, Raul.
How’s the reading experience?
On the first page, author Joe Corallo implies that because “some gods wanted more,” “cultures were homogenized and erased.” No details of this backstory come through in the issue, but it affirms that Brigid is the antagonist; in her crusade to get every person to conform to her worldview, Brigid has effectively erased the many cultures of the solar system.
It’s clear the Brigid is motivated by the fate of the other gods: she fears being forgotten as they were. This premise is not entirely unique, and I did not feel an attachment to Brigid and The Morrigan. Their characterization, motivation, and relationship to each other rung hollow.
The apparent protagonist of the series, Winona exudes strong Jon Snow vibes — noble, skilled, and persistent, but somewhat uncomfortable in the spotlight. Much like Brigid and The Morrigan, unfortunately, Winona’s personality is one-dimensional. She is kind to everyone, a good friend, and appreciative of life, but neither Corallo, Kangas (artist), nor Nalty (colorist) indicated that she has endured trauma, or is capable of being anything but good.
This story has the pieces of a successful comics saga: space opera genre, with fantasy and sci-fi elements, conflicting belief systems about to be at war, and an inclusive cast of characters and creators. But did these pieces come together? Not in my opinion.
How’s the art in SHE SAID DESTROY?
Generally, the art in this debut issue parallels the quality of the storytelling: many flat colors, line-work that feels hasty and incomplete, and attempts to convey motion that feel static nonetheless. Often, I couldn’t clearly discern what I was viewing. Even if this visual disruption was intentional, it evoked no emotional response in me.
I will credit Kangas and Nalty with the ability to create imaginative worlds, expressive costumes, and memorable faces with even more distinct facial expressions — this, especially, is rare. All these strengths were apparent in the differences in Brigid and The Morrigan. Exuding a magical aura, the Sun Goddess was regal, enshrined in gold, ephemeral, and evidently at the peak of her power. On the other hand, Brigid, whose powers are waning, had a relaxed posture, more woodsy garb, and several fairies floating around her.
Should you invest in this series?
After the first reading, I felt profoundly unmoved. After the second round, I felt more appreciation for the narrative structure, characters, and message — but still unmoved.
There is a distinct lack of pacing and world-building that manifests in the hurried art. I most likely will not continue reading SHE SAID DESTROY #1, but respect the intentions of its creators.
Secret Society Comics 