“In an attempt to cut ties with the Imperial family, Aristia la Monique decides to strengthen her bonds to her own. But being named the official heir of family Monique means first becoming a knight worthy of leading the Second Order — no easy feat for someone born with such a delicate constitution. And when unrest in the borderlands takes her father and mentors away, she's left without a teacher to oversee her training. With time quickly running out and all the cards stacked against her, will Aristia succeed in this desperate scramble to escape her fate?” (Yen Press)
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The inaugural release of “The Abandoned Empress” presented a deeply tragic story of a young woman having her life stripped away from her. Themes such as corruption and sexual inequality/violence were deceptively hidden behind a shiny veneer of bright colors, sparkles, and decadent fashion, making the inaugural release all the more impactful as it began to show its hand. In addition, It concluded with a rather fantastical twist that saw Aristia la Monique able to relive her life in an attempt to escape her fate.
All these elements culminated in an exciting debut series, that combined a stunning visual presentation with an intriguing (albeit slightly disturbing) narrative. Comparatively, the second volume takes a slight step back in tone (thankfully keeping the sharp fashion-focused aesthetic) to offer depth to the sensational tone and climax of volume one. It certainly lacks the excitement of the inaugural release, but it is a necessary tonal shift that will do little to dissuade readers who are already charmed by the series.
The art of “The Abandoned Empress” continues to impress, pushing past the confines of the digital comic format with lush color use and an eye for fashion. As an artist, INA shows an understanding of how to use pre-rendered textures and digital shading to really push past the limits of the digital medium. This skill also extends to the environments that offer up sublime visions of decadence and prestige. Personally, the medium of digital art in comics has always felt too lifeless and static to me, yet Ina makes a case for the validity of the process, with an attention to detail that shows an understanding of how to make artificial colors and textures work.
One of the most appealing aspects of this release is the apparent care taken by Yen Press in adapting this from the webtoon format. Not only does the book allow for some gorgeous double panels that pop, but the resizing on certain panels delivers a more traditionally structured comic narrative that is really thought of and well executed. The glossy stock compliments the lush colors, making them stand out more than what is available in the online format. This is, undeniably, the ideal way to experience the series.
At face value, one might be mistaken in thinking that “The Abandoned Empress” is an atypical historic romance title with a focus on capturing the elegance of the era. While it does have said elements, Ina and Yuna have constructed a story with a deceptive depth with layers to uncover. If you have been hesitant to check out manhwa (if Solo Leveling has not already won you over) consider giving “The Abandoned Empress” your attention.
