Private investigator Minky Woodcock has found herself wrapped up in another strange case; this time, she’s been hired by none other than Aleister Crowley. Your Major Spoilers review of Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu #1 awaits!

MINKY WOODCOCK: THE GIRL CALLED CTHULHU #1

Writer: Cynthia Von Buhler
Artist: Cynthia Von Buhler
Letterer: Jum Campbell
Editor: Charles Ardai
Publisher: Titan Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 16th, 2024

Previously in Minky Woodcock: Minky Woodcock is a private investigator who has crossed paths with some of the most intriguing figures in history, like Harry Houdini and Nicola Tesla. During her time with Houdini, he introduced her to another historical figure, H.P. Lovecraft.

INTO THE TIGER’S DEN

Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu #1 opens in Rhode Island, with Minky and Harry Houdini rehearsing his latest trick while kissing. They’re interrupted by the arrival of H.P. Lovecraft. Harry introduces the two and informs Minky that H.P. and he have been working on a book together. Things then flash forward six months. Minky receives a letter from Lovecraft, asking if Minky will convince Houdini’s widow to release the book. Minky is then visited by Aleister Crowley, who says that a woman who believes he killed her husband is going around town ruining his reputation. Afterward, she writes a letter, and while putting it in the mailbox, she rescues a woman from being assaulted. The next day, they see a movie about Crowley. Then, Minky and her friend visit a club, see a show, and have dinner with the performer. The three then have a night together, but in the morning, things get dangerous.

UNFOCUSED AND JUMPY

Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu #1 runs into a problem that a lot of period pieces run into – it’s too concerned with trying to mimic the time period and pay homage to the era than it is with crafting a solid story. Having people like Crowley, Houdini, and Lovecraft pop up is fun, but it’s a poor substitute for a well-paced tale, which is something this is not. Events in this issue sort of just happen. For example, Minky getting a letter, then meeting Crowley, then writing a letter, then saving her new friend from assault, all happen the same day, right after each other, with nothing between them to act as connective tissue. While some of this can be explained away by this possibly trying to be an homage to old noir/pulp magazines of the past, that came with their own brand of camp, but even that can’t stop this from feeling too disjointed. As for the campiness, that was the best part of this issue. The way that nearly every scene either starts or ends with sex, some of the one-liners, the innuendo, all of it works to give this issue a vibe that is enjoyable and that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

LIVING IN THE EXTREMES

The art in Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu #1 ranges from absolutely stunning, to downright uncomfortable to look at. The use of color in this issue is just great. It’s bold, but limited, capturing a sort of Pop Art appearance that blends well with some of the more dynamic framing and panel composition. Some of the full-page spreads, like the sex scene towards the end, Minky’s dream sequence, and the discussion about scarab beetles, are gorgeous works of abstract art that could easily be posters on their own. Other times, parts of this issue look like the characters were rotoscoped, but given no embellishments, making all the expressions flat, as if they were cutouts put inside a three-dimensional diorama. At times, this technique for faces creates an uncanny valley effect that’s hard to shake.

BOTTOM LINE: SOME FUN TO BE HAD, BUT LACKING COHESIVENESS

The enjoyment of Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu #1 is most likely supposed to come from its being a period piece, its historical figures, and its sex and nudity. And yeah, it definitely has all of those things. But once the initial titillation wears off, there’s not much here to hold a reader’s attention. The plot is bare bones to begin with, then lacks any connective tissue that makes this feel like anything other than a series of individual events mashed next to each other. Visually, there are a few truly striking moments that can stand on their own. There are also a few moments where it’s difficult to look at the characters and not feel uncomfortable. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.