Review: Midnight Heart by KitsuneArt
Are you looking for murder with a twist featuring a cursed mummy, a glimpse of Ancient Egypt and a queer love story all wrapped up in a comic with an elegant art style? Then Midnight Heart by KitsuneArt could be what you're after.
Midnight Heart is a self-published comic set in Victorian London. The story revolves around Sheila Watson, a young woman who becomes entangled in a dangerous study of a cursed mummy. The city is plagued with fear and suspicion that a curse is behind some recent murders. One of the murders is linked to the mummy of the priestess Hetmenuhyt, which has led to the British Museum's Egyptology department closing temporarily.
Despite the public uproar, Sheila is determined to continue her studies at the British Library and investigate the mystery. She sneaks into the museum, examines the mummy and its associated artefacts, and begins to have visions of ancient Egypt. This leads her to discover that her own connection to Hetmenuhyt may be more intimate than she ever imagined.
Starting with the art, as usual, and KistuneArt's art style is simple but effective. There is a strong emphasis on atmosphere and mood. I love black-and-white artwork, and this style perfectly captures the dark and gothic tone of the story. The character designs are expressive and stylish, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. There is excellent use of shading throughout to add depth, darkness, and texture. Some panels are dark, while warm glows are occasionally added to heighten the anxiety and mystery whilst highlighting where your attention should be.
A few pages near the middle depict a flashback to ancient Egypt that is presented in a dream-like sequence from the perspective of an outsider. This is done without words, simply letting the art tell the story to create an immersive, intense experience. If you can tell a story through art alone over a few pages like this, then you know that KitsuneArt can put together a comic incredibly well, as words really aren't needed when you can tell a story like this.
As for the story, it has a well-paced plot with a few surprising twists and turns. Sheila is a protagonist who is easy to like and relate to, and her bond with the mummy is captivating and touching. The supernatural elements in the story are handled with care, resulting in a chilling and thought-provoking story that is wonderfully told. With everything wrapped up as a complete short story, it's pretty satisfying to wrap it up without feeling like it's missing something. I would happily see more of Sheila Watson in future comics, though. There's definitely potential for more, and I'd love to see it.
If you're a fan of mystery, horror, and romance, Midnight Heart is a comic that beautifully combines all three genres. The illustrations are stunning, and the writing is top-notch. As we're in the Halloween season, it's a perfect read for anyone looking for a heartwarming supernatural book. There are also some extras at the back, such as character designs and background information, making it an even more enjoyable experience at the end.
You can pick Midnight Heart up for just £8 over at kitsuneart.net.
Rating: 4.5/5
