Midnight Society - the Black Lake

"The agents of MI: Omega transformed her into a monster killer, but she was already something else! What Matilda Finn discovers on her first mission to Loch Ness threatens to shatter her connection to her team and to humanity!"

Thus is the only introduction given to this great little mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics recently, as issue one throws the reader right into the middle of the action.  Described as a pulp story told in a modern setting, the story focuses mainly on Matilda Finn, an agent of a secret British organization who hunts down "monsters" that the outside world cannot believe really exist.  In this instance, it's the Loch Ness Monster.  It seems that a famed cryptozoologist has gone missing, and it's up to Matilda and her group to find and rescue him.  So she heads out with the MI: Omega team to search for the missing scientist, only to discover that the Loch Ness Monster is definitely more than just a myth.  The boat is attacked, the crew is killed, and Matilda and her partner are left to fend for themselves.

It's a well-written fantasy story with a mysterious lead character who knows so little about her past - but who catches glimpses (along with the reader) as the story progresses, and by the end of the second issue, you realize there's a lot more to Matilda Finn than meets the eye (hint:  her last name should have give readers a clue).  Issue three reveals a very surprising fact about Matilda, and in the final issue, you learn how she came to be with MI: Omega.

While the story of the Loch Ness is neatly resolved by the end of the four issues, there are a number of unresolved plot threads left dangling, which, hopefully means that there will be more stories forthcoming.  Such as how the director for MI: Omega has his headquarters shrunken in an aquarium behind his receptionist's desk.  Such as what exactly is the "Midnight Society" of mythological creatures?  Such as how MI: Omega began looking for these creatures in the first place?  Such as what's next for Matilda, now that she knows the truth about herself?

Drew Edward Johnson, who both wrote and drew this marvelous tale, did some fantastic art on the Wonder Woman series for DC, as well as Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron for Dark Horse.  I knew he was a very talented artist, but this mini-series just goes to show how versatile he is, in that he is able to write and draw such an engaging story.

Here's hoping he brings another Midnight Society tale soon!

RATING:  10 mermaid fins out of 10 for putting out a comic series that is truly worth the money spent!