“God gives you what you need, the Devil gives you what you want”

When you want something bad enough, would you do anything you can to get it? Would you make a deal with the devil? You wouldn’t? Even if you knew that the person paying for your bargain wasn’t you?

In Brazilian artist Arabson’s comic, Elizabeth Dumn is the daughter of a religious man who promised his first born child in exchange for wealth and success, when the Devil comes for what he was owed, its up to her to fight for her soul. Elizabeth is unloved, accused by her family of being unlovable, she is mean and vulgar and violent. She is sent to a boarding school where she is taught to fight and hold on to her will, away from her family, where they don’t have to think about her anymore. She stands in opposition to her brother, who is the perfect version of what their parents want in a child, he is Christian, virginal, obedient and docile, he’s the only one that shows real concern for Elizabeth. Whether because of her gender or because of her nature Elizabeth’s sacrifice is seen as being for the families greater good, but she doesn’t see it that way.

There are many elements in this comic that are striking despite it’s short, one-shot format. The family is seemingly Christian, but hides domestic violence and selfishness. Elizabeth is pegged as being no good because of her unfeminine and wild ways, but it’s all of those unfeminine ways that help save her life.

The comic’s art style is reminiscent of French artist Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belville) with grotesque lines and repulsive expressions, it gives the whole thing a dark sense of humor. No one is good in this. No one is innocent. The action is fluid and fast and manic, at times disgusting, at others the emotions of the characters hit you before you even know it.

Pick it up November 15th if you’re looking for something with a bad-ass female lead who doesn’t suffer the sins of her father.

With colors by Anderson Cabral and translation by Eisner Award winner James Robinson – See more at: https://imagecomics.com/content/view/the-terrible-elisabeth-dumn-against-the-devils-in-suits-takes-readers-throu#sthash.5tqEt7ux.dpuf