M.O.M: Mother of Madness
Writers Emilia Clarke,
Marguerite Bennett Artist Leila Leiz Publisher Image Comics
The debut comic from Game Of Thrones actor Emilia Clarke takes cues from complicated women like Jessica Jones, but unfortunately isn’t half as abrasive or compelling.
The first issue introduces us to Maya, a quirky single mum with superpowers and a painfully obvious backstory (her scientist father created an experimental medication that altered her DNA). The interesting snag is that Maya cycles through various special abilities whenever she’s on her period. This leads to funny shenanigans, but robs Maya of any signature superpower.
After an exposition-heavy first act, the second issue is stronger, with a major storyline about Maya going after a secret sect of human traffickers. But while the comic’s breezy and tongue in cheek, it’s never that funny. And for a story so fixated on empowerment, it feels oddly retrograde for a beautiful light-skinned woman to be the main character while her black, disabled friend is relegated to a side role.
Girls do often feel like freaks when puberty hits, and M.O.M. deserves a look for paying homage to that and aiming to normalise female bodies in a light-hearted way rather than weaponising or fetishising them. But it’s never as challenging, or as interesting, as it strives to be.
RATING ★★★★★