Womanthology initiated by Renae De Liz
Written by Robin Furth, Rachel Edidin, Jennifer DeGuzman, and Trina Robbins
Illustrated by Carli Idhe (with Ronda Pattison), Sophia Foster-Dimino, and Leigh Dragoon
Letters by Robbie Robbins and Sophia Foster-Dimino
Covers by Meng Tian Zhang and Hanie Mohd
Published by IDW

the three cents.

The newest issue of the ongoing Womanthology series of science fantasy tales is as good as previous issues, and maybe even better, as the bright imaginations and vividly evocative artistic stylings present three solid stories of drama below and beyond the stars.

Centipede is a dramatic short where a captain faces down the consequences of her ship and crew being used for military insanity. Furth brings sharp characters in a tale I sure hope finds continuation soon. Idhe’s gnarly artwork is intense, with a fastly building action that flows really strongly. Robbins on letters and Pattison on colours rounds out a complete team in a story of science fiction with bad, bad consequences.

Countdown is just wonderful. Any anthology compels readers to pick out their own favorite, and the real strength of anthologies is that they can better appeal to more readers in general. But this one may be my favorite of the issue, and maybe even of the series thus far. BOLD WORDS! But Edidin captures a level of innocent imagination in such a fun and engaging way, and Foster-Dimino gives an alternative flavor in bringing this story of two girls with their heads in the clouds to four color life. Super fun and sweet without being sweet-sweet, you know?

The Vesta is more high drama an offering, as DeGuzman and Dragoon give a mind-bending story that tries to be on par with what’s to be found in Heavy Metal Magazine. A scientist and her spaceship and their relationship is explored in a way I don’t believe I’ve seen all that often before. Very clean art, but stirring nonetheless.

Lily Renee: She Fought Nazis With Pen And Ink is a text piece from Trina Robbins that follows up on her biographical work on the legendary Golden Age artist. Reading more of Renee’s pre-comics back story, along with samples of her visual acuity, is as intriguing as it is inspiring. Loud applause to Robbins for uncovering such gold nuggets of long ago for today’s audience.

Also including a pinup from Maysa O’Connor, Womanthology: Space 3 is a fine, fine issue for those hungry for the shameless wonder of imaginations unbounded. Excellent covers also, of course. This series maintains a legitimately groovy stride. Certainly one of the better ongoings from IDW right now, and one of the finer anthologies being printed in the western world.

Tags: Carli Idhe, exegesis, Hanie Mohd, Jennifer DeGuzman, Leigh Dragoon, Maysa O'Connor, Meng Tian Zhang, Rachel Edidin, Renae De Liz, Robbie Robbins, Robin Furth, Ronda Pattison, Sophia Foster-Dimino, Trina Robbins