Feminism can often take on a many forms. From redefined gender roles, to discussions about equality in the workplace. And now, of course, there’s the newly released horror comic series, ‘Gestella’ – an exploration of femininity that takes the form of a heartbreaking werewolf story.
The series, created by James Iles and Will Perkins, follows the story of Gestella, a young woman who discovers that she has inherited a strange and potentially deadly condition. She is a werewolf, and her transformation occurs once a month, where she is forced to face deep inner fear and chaos as she wrestles with the beast that lies dormant within her. But Gestella is more than just a werewolf – she is the first female werewolf in the world, challenging preconceived notions of gender roles and exhibiting a representation of female strength and resilience that is often overshadowed in horror literature.
It is a great way to explore issues of gender and identity in an unconventional way. As Gestella struggles with her curse she is presented with a variety of obstacles to overcome, from family members who want to exterminate her, to werewolf hunters and other characters interested in exploiting her powers. Her growth as a character is particularly satisfying, and her eventual understanding of how to control her inner beast is not only empowering, but a testament to her incredible resilience.
The series is quite unique, as it explores gender identity in a way that is rarely seen in our culture – it takes a genre (horror/fantasy) that has historically been saturated with male protagonists, and flips it on its head with Gestella as the powerful female lead. It is a tale of an empowered woman who is able to face and defeat both her inner turmoil and her physical adversaries, and it stands as a testament of the strength of the female spirit.
Overall, ‘Gestella’ is an amazing series that offers a direct and poignant statement on feminism and gender. It is a dark and engrossing story that stands as a great example of how horror comics can be used to explore serious themes in a creative and beautiful way. If you’re looking for a great feminist werewolf story, then Gestella is a must-read – it’s compelling, thought-provoking, and masterfully put together.