cover image Saint Catherine

Saint Catherine

Anna Meyer. 23rd St., $27.99; $19.99 trade paper (368p) ISBN 978-1-250-82272-7; ISBN 978-1-250-36437-1

Meyer explores what it means to be truly good in her vibrant, if occasionally clunky, graphic novel debut. Catherine grew up in a strict Irish Catholic household in which going to Sunday mass was imperative. As an adult, it’s her guilt (and texts from her mom) rather than faith that drives her to church. Her life transforms when she agrees to skip Sunday mass for the first time ever, in order to explore an abandoned church with her boyfriend, Manolo. After nearly falling off the broken dais, Catherine becomes possessed by Vassago, the demon prince of hell (“Nice to meet you,” he says, a floating black blob resembling a larger Totoro soot sprite). As her constant companion, Vassago pesters Catherine with questions about faith and morality: “What about that time... you lied on your résumé... do Catholics even read the Bible?” While the demon’s influence is at times cathartic for Catherine, encouraging her to take control over her own decisions, the scrutiny leads her to the brink of self-destruction. Despite some abrupt scene transitions, Meyer’s attractive, accessible character art lends emotion and energy to the layouts. The creepy yet endearing dark demon jumps out of the otherwise light color palette. It’s a playful approach to a thorny topic, on par with For the Love of God, Marie! (Apr.)