Insight Comics' M.F.K. may be a title that alienates casual readers with its unusual style, but once readers jump into the story they'll have a hard time climbing back out. Originally published in 2017, the graphic novel collects the first three chapters of Nilah Magruder's adventure story which is easy to immerse onself in.
I remember seeing the book at a Barnes and Nobles a couple years back and actually considered picking up the title but I ended up grabbing a copy of Saga or Paper Girls instead as I am a huge fan of Brian K. Vaughan (Ex Machina, Y: The Last Man). After reading M.F.K. twice now, I wish I had given it a chance much sooner.
Sure, M.F.K. is far from your average superhero story, as this adventure is self contained and focuses on a small town in a desert. There are still enhanced individuals however, called Parasai, which have been touched by Devas and imbued with unimaginable powers. While there are certainly Parasai that protect the innocent in more prosperous parts of the world, this story focuses on a town that suffers under the weight of several rogue bully Parasai which use their abilities to torment townspeople and rob them of their "tributes".
Luckily for the town's residents, two of the kind townspeople happen to find Abbie, a quiet and kind wandering Parasai who is originally reluctant to accept their help but winds up using her powers to defend the people anyways. Her journey focuses on getting her mother's ashes to a mountain range called Potter's Spine so she can honor her by scattering them. Unfortunately the Rogue Parasai in town crash her urn and scattered her mom in town -- which only managed to upset Abbie enough to rain judgement down on the rogues.
Ultimately forced to leave as her presence in the town will inevitable invite more danger, Abbie heads out on her own as she always does, but is quickly followed by Jaime, the boy who rescued her from the sandstorm and brought her to town in the first place. After a lot of hemming and hawing, Abbie agrees to allow him to join her on her adventure.
From top to bottom I was unable to find flaws in M.F.K., as the story isn't convoluted at all, but rather it sucks you in quite quickly and convinces you to care for characters in only three chapters. Boasting an unsual concept and nailing it all the way, Nilah Magruder hits a home run with a volume that many will certainly hope will only be the first to come. While it might be best suited for older audiences, comic book fans of any age will definitely enjoy everything from the brilliant art to the captivating story. - Five out of five.
Let us know what you think of our review in the comics and be sure to check out the book's cover art and official synopsis below, along with the link to purchase M.F.K. yourself!
In a world of sleeping gods, a broken government, and a fragile peace held in the hands of the corrupt, one youth must find the strength to stand up against evil and save humanity. This story is not about that youth.
It's about Abbie, who just wants to get to the mountain range called the Potter's Spine and scatter her mother's ashes. But the way is filled with sandstorms, wild beasts, and rogues that wield inhuman powers and prey on poor desert-dwellers. When one of these rogues threatens the town where Abbie takes refuge, she must choose between running and unleashing her own hidden power to meet danger head on.
Journeys are hard on the social recluses of the world.
Insight Comics'
M.F.K. is currently available to order for $24.99
here.