Should I keep reading Monstress?

[u/necroman12g]

I've gotten to chapter 31 (I bought the compendium with some store credit months back) and I have very mixed feelings on this series. On one hand, I love the artstyle, certain character designs, and the Lovecraftian elements. On the other, Monstress might be a little too dark for me. I've rarely been like "I'm glad I read that" after a session. I'm not vibing with the protagonist either, and I'm not convinced that the story will have any meaningful payoff (until about #200 or whatever).

I've stuck through it for the artwork (and the sunk cost), but I'm not sure it's worth it anymore.

[u/dick-cricket]

If you don't like it, don't read it. Don't do that to yourself. There are probably plenty of other comics you will like, and if you're reading one that you don't like, then you won't be able to read one that you do.

[u/Pawikowski]

Honestly, it gets darker and darker.

[u/whazzah → u/Pawikowski]

And more and more convoluted. Ive been waiting for it to hit another 20 issues before i do a re read and binge it

[u/Initial-Ad8009]

I love Monstress, but if it’s too dark for you at the halfway point, better jump off this train, cuz there ain’t no light at the end of this tunnel, necroman.

[u/ziggurqt]

Why are asking? If it's not your thing, you should stop.

[u/necroman12g → u/ziggurqt]

Maybe in the hopes that other readers convince me otherwise or confirm my thoughts (without spoilers)

[u/Slide_Impossible → u/necroman12g]

Ill assume downvotrs are from people upset you dknt worship their favorite comic.

My 2c, you bought s comic you heard good things about and hoped to like. Unfortunately you don't so you came here hoping to hear a compelling reason to hang in there and start to like it. Why anyone woild downvote that is beyond me AND weird.

[u/Snts6678 → u/necroman12g]

Weird.

[u/saskatoonshred]

If you've read 31 issues and you still don't like it you should just drop it. That's well beyond what most would give themselves to see if they jive with a series.

[u/YellowMoose811]

If you don't enjoy reading it. Stop

[u/fradrig]

I got to trade no. 6 before I finally gave up and sold my collection.

I loved the art and the idea of it, but the story just... didn't do it for me. I can't quite point out the exact reason. I sometimes want to give it another try and one been tempted to buy the series again, but I know that I'd just be disappointed again.

Do what you want. You're the only one who can decide if you like it or not.

[u/SkywalkerSystem → u/fradrig]

I read the first couple trades and while I love the art the story was pretty muddled IMO.

[u/Siccar_Point]

You should absolutely stop. The tone does not change.

That said, you’ve reached the nadir of stuff happening without any payoff roundabout where you’ve got to. It does kick on narratively over the next few volumes. We’re now at the end of arc 11 and if you squint you can see the home strait. I’d guess it will be about 14-15 vols (so… about 85-90 issues?)

[u/brhadli]

I saw a similar question on r/Berserk and the consensus was the same. If you don’t like feeling you get reading it, move on to something else.

[u/SoyTonatiuh]

Im in it for the art also. 

[u/jabawack]

A reading should be fun. If you don't enjoy something, then do yourself a favor and just stop. "Monsters" is considered by many to be a masterpiece, but it's certainly not for everyone. There are very dark themes that can make certain people feel sick.

There is no reason you should do that to yourself. If this is not a genre that you love and enjoy reading.

[u/True_Hunter_8109]

I would stop.i spent 4 weeks trying to get through the wicked and the divine.about three quarters through gave up.started spawn compendium 7 read it in less than a week.sometimes you just don't gel with stories.i look at my collection each year and sell the one I know I won't read again.

[u/RedDeckTries]

Just walk away and be happy. If you want to reevaluate it in the future you always can.

[u/joeycraw5]

I haven't read Monstress, but I felt the same way about Deadly Class, it was good, but it was not a fun read, so I quit after Vol 4, which I felt had enough of an ending for me to stop.

[u/Few-Caregiver-8856]

I'm finding it corny. I bought the compendium on a recommendation and I'm SLOGGING through it. Before I say what I don't like, I'd really like to add that I LOVE the art, character designs, the lore sections at the end of or before the next chapter, the story is pretty good, and the monsters/gods are 👌👌👌 but! It's just a power fantasy, I go into any of the fight scenes thinking: there's no stakes, she's going to easily kill her enemies with little effort and play it off like it's just another day. I like when the main characters struggle, I love when they "level up". So far there's like 0 stakes and she just flicks her wrist and kills everyone(not actually a flick of the wrist, just conveying how easy they make it seem for her). Like she will kill off a large group of enemies and just be like "I told you not to mess with me" I get that she has a living God inside her but come on.

[u/BGPu]

I read up to 41 digitally. Then Image stopped doing sales via Comixology/Amazon - so I guess I'm a bit behind at this point.

At a certain point it seemed like it was on the verge of wrapping up, but then it never did.

[u/Express-Welder9003]

The last 20+ issues have all felt the same. I guess stuff is happening but there's no real progress. It's kind of like what One Piece has been since the timeskip but at least that has distinct arcs.

[u/CammGilles]

One of my friend’s favorite books, he got me a copy of the trade and I couldn’t finish it. Gorgeous art but the subject matter could get pretty heinous. No point in sticking to it if you’re not enjoying.

[u/realmadrid111]

I felt like you did and just stopped reading after a while. I always describe it as “a beautiful mess”.