Well it’s AAPI month so I’m going to go into comics focusing on the PI half. Hey there aren’t a lot of Polynesian comics and Gutternaut tries to give people more exposure. So from Mana Comics is the solo series of one of the superheroes of the Aumakua team, Sistah Shark.
Who’s Sistah Shark?
Full disclosure, I put this character into focus because the series of her debut, Aumakua took a while to get its stride. The art wasn’t great and the slow pace of the first issue threw me out of the story. So the first solo title of one of its characters has to be good right? It was in this case.
Lani Castillo is one of many shifters, humans with the power to take on animals traits tied to Hawaiian cultures. Meaning despite having an origin like DC’s King Shark, she’s not the most unique. Except for being the first shark woman, and the shark man tribe considers this heresy. It’s why Lani’s mother leaves her in the care of a cop who already lost a girl. So when the teenage Lani finds herself thrown into a death match with very little time to prepare, she has her work cut out for her.
That’s not even including how all of this affects Lani’s relationships. Her dad was suicidal before meeting Lani and his desperate attempts to protect her feel powerful. Readers know his decisions are the wrong course of action because of the vicious shark men; but they completely understand him.
Meet The Aumakua… Gradually
Probably one of the best parts about the Sistah Shark series is how readers meet other members of the Aumakua. It really helps readers see through Lani’s perspective the relationship she builds up with them. Not only that but they each have layers of motivations and struggles. Take for example, Honu the sea turtle shifter is struggling to train Lani due to his past. But hey, anybody who had to slay their last student would want to change course.
Then there’s the Royal Hawaiian Guard, a loyal and moral man who wants to do what’s best. It’s why he puts himself at risk to prepare Lani for the death match and ensure her safety. But even he struggles to do that because he can also hold a grudge. Sure he can tolerate Nohu the Lionessfish, but he won’t push his limits for a monk seal shifter. Not even one who is being oppressed and exploited by a local yakuza gang.
Gotta Fear The Campy
That yakuza gang just add to the intensity in Sistah Shark while adding more to the fun. I mean one of their enforcers has octopus tentacles growing out of her back. Potential for jokes aside, her other powers can be a sight to behold. This Tako Ninja’s ability to sense fear makes her a deadly tracker, especially with how ruthless she is in one cliffhanger. But she’s also sympathetic when it comes to how the yakuza’s oyabun (her adoptive father) abuses her.
Which when the oyabun’s son monologues about his family’s inhumane research on shifters, it comes with a dreadful hindsight. Imagine being given to this family and being on the edge of ending up on a dissection table. It’s a terrifying thought that leaves readers in anticipation with how aware these people can exploit shifters. Remember that monk seal shifter? It wouldn’t be a surprise that they’d want to use his telepathy like a late Monk Seal king that the Guard fears.
Sistah Shark Has Everything To Offer
Sistah Shark is nothing short of remarkable with its complex characters, outlandish ideas, and themes. Which makes me wonder who between the co-writers puts in so much of this? Lani’s creator Christopher Caravalho or editor Kiko Galpin. Of course, I can’t leave out artist Eliseu Gouviea who makes gradual improvements over the series in details and presentation. Not to mention the change in coloring from Claudia Palescandolo to Dijjo Lima makes the story even more lively. Gotta give credit to Kel Nuttall in lettering as well.
And… because this was also in my trade Baby Sistah Shark by Caravalho and artist Shun Pactanac is a great palate cleanser. The dumb fun with Tom Bacon’s colors and Justin Birch’s lettering make it twice as notable.
Overall Sistah Shark gets 9/10.