REVIEW: Mata Hari #2

At times, Mata Hari Chapter 2: “Bare Breast,”“ from the Berger Books imprint at Dark Horse, moves so quickly and so fluidly — through time and space ”“ that it will leave readers“ heads spinning. But if you can keep up; if you can keep pace with the flashes forward and back, with the geo-spatial maneuvers across nations and continents, then you will realize how the comic book form can be manipulated into a meticulous character study. This complexity and attention to detail is required since the Mata Hari remains one of the most misrepresented and misunderstood “femme fatale”“ figures in world history.

One of the ironies of Emma Beeby“s narrative approach to the history of the Mata Hari is that her particular vision of the story is being realized in comics. Comics is a genre known for its sensationalism, its fast and furious playing with history and the limits of reality for a younger audience. This fact makes Beeby“s approach appear to be counter-intuitive. Don“t be fooled by the alluring covers and the anatomical sub-titles, Beeby is invested more in the nuanced complexities and contradictions of this historical character and much less interested in repeating the traditional historical narratives writ large through the male gaze. Those narratives tend to only see a hyper-sexualized femme fatale.

Ariana Kristantina (art) and Pat Masioni (colors) are committed to a serious and sensual visualization of the protagonist ”“ not so much a sexual one. This is in sync with Beeby“s narrative mission as she wrestles with the complexity of an almost unknowable woman ”“ a spy of sorts ”“ the Mata Hari is a woman whose motivations remain mysterious in the early stages of this comic version and will likely remain that way throughout this story. As they do in history. Note well: this story may become the definitive Mata Hari tale. It will leave some questions unanswered and some of the Mata Hari“s motivations unknown or unknowable.

This approach may frustrate some readers, especially early on. Beeby“s Mata Hari is already screaming for a TPB version since having all of the story at once might help readers sort through the discontinuity of the early acts. One tool that the creative team gifts to the readers is the stunning lettering work provided by Sal Cipriano. You will want to make sure you know whose voice is narrating which story and when that narration is happening, and the shifting lettering styles can function as a decoder of sorts.

Ultimately the beauty of Beeby“s story so far ”“ and especially evident in this issue ”“ is that you have to be prepared to set aside your reader“s impulse to figure out everything. Suspend that habit for a bit and do your best to figure in to the majestic world of the Mata Hari. 4/5.

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(W) Emma Beeby (A/CA) Ariela Kristantina