Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“I am made to sow the thistle for wheat; the nettle for a nourishing dainty. I have planted a false oath in the earth, it has brought forth a poison tree. I have chosen the serpent for a councellor…”
Issue #4 of Groupies, the comic book mini-series by Helen Mullane and Tula Lotay, opens with excerpts from a poem by William Blake, saucily juxtaposed with a steamy scene between two gorgeous women in bed – part of the groupies touring with the rising band, The Moon Show. This chapter is seen through the point of view of Morgaine, a young woman in love with her friend Gaia, who served as the narrator for issue #3 of Groupies.
Even though the opening poetic lines might seem at odds in a comic-book about drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll, but Blake is talking about a world where people resort to sowing seeds of evil, corrupting their souls, and leading amoral lives. In Groupies, all the characters lead hedonistic lives, drenched in intoxicating addictions, and now there are serious fears among the girls that some of the musicians practice Satanism. Morgaine talks of the anxiety and paranoia pervading the groupies due to these new suspicions in this issue.
If you remember the last issue, Gaia was overtly philosophical (especially when she’s high on drugs), and Morgaine isn’t very different, but at least her musings aren’t as mundane. While Gaia is drawn to Dorian, Morgaine is caught in the throes of unrequited love for Gaia, who, despite expressing deep affection for her friend, may not feel the same way. Helen Mullane introduces a thin veil of suspense over whether their attraction is mutual, while also giving readers glimpses into Lisa Storm’s (the groupie introduced in Issue #1) turbulent affair with Si.
Tula Lotay’s artwork fluidly captures the beauty and sensuality of these characters, portraying them as modern, seductive sirens – living the fast life, lost in drugs, dreams, and materialistic pleasures. The issue closes on a nightmarish note with yet another grisly, gory death. The cliffhanger is frustrating – after so many deaths, I need real answers. Are these girls overdosing and hallucinating their violent ends, or has the band really summoned a satanic demon that’s devouring the groupies?
You can read Groupies on Kindle Unlimited.
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