Writer: Rick Remender / Artist: Greg Tocchini / Image Comics

When it comes to mothers, I find them to be some of the strongest human beings on the planet. Both mentally and physically. When I look at the women in my family and some of my sheroes that are also moms I see a strength that is nearly unrivaled. Perhaps this is why I’ve taken to Stel so well and why I root for her. Stel is, in my opinion, quite the multidimensional character. She was wife, now widow. She is mother. She is optimist. She is survivor. She is fighter. She is one who has united others.

stel

And you know what else Stel is, ten issues in? She is tired. She sees herself in a mother of a species that dwells under the water who also is trying to save her children. She asks Stel for a sacrifice of blood, a task for her child who is slowly slips away, according to her. This scene was so significant to me: for Stel to see herself in someone else for one moment. For Stel who has hoped, grieved, sweated and fought and grinded without thanks or much acknowledgement… yet despite HOW THIS ENCOUNTER ENDED, it was pivotal for Stel to “wake up” from her daze. To wake up and realize why she’s fighting so hard to find the probe, to save and reunite her what’s left of her family and to ultimately help bring hope to a dying world.

light

I’m giving Low issue number ten a rating of 10 out of 10. I was no way prepared for the emotional pull this issue brought as I read through the pages. The character development has really be on point this second arc and I can’t stop thinking of Stel’s words on  one of the last few pages of this issue and I’m paraphrasing here:  “I can’t give you hope… you have to grow your own and hold it through the darkness…” There is something so uniquely fundamental that speaks to the human spirit every time I finish reading an issue of this extraordinary comic. Most times I don’t even have a word of it or how to describe how I feel after reading which leads me to reflect upon it, reread and submit my review a few days later. What I can say with much certainty is that this is a read that will inspire you. This is  book that will challenge your framework on what is hard, what is difficult to endure. This is a fantastic comic book that will constantly have you defining and redefining what the concept of “hope” is.

10 out of 10

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  • Carrie McClain is writer, editor and media scholar. Other times she's known as a Starfleet Communications Officer, Comics Auntie, and Golden Saucer Frequenter. Nowadays you can usually find her avoiding Truck-kun and forgetting her magical girl transformation device. She/Her

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