Marlene (Graphic Novel)

Marlene / Mareridt
Marlene Book Cover, written by Peter Snjebjerg
Author(s)	Peter Snjebjerg
Original title	Mareridt
Translator	Peter Snjebjerg John Tomlinson
Illustrator	Peter Snjebjerg
Cover artist	Peter Snjebjerg
Country	Sweden
Language	Swedish English (Translation)
Publisher	Slave Labor Graphics
Publication date	January 4, 2006
Media type	Paperback
Length	48 Pages
ISBN	978-1593620332

For other uses of the word Succubus, see Succubus (disambiguation).

Marlene, also known as Mareridt in its original Swedish publication, is a graphic novel written and inked by Peter Snjebjerg and published by Slave Labor Graphics in 2006. The original title Mareridt can be translated into English as "nightmare" which describes the theme of this work well. It was translated into English by the author with the assistance of John Tomlinson of Lords of Misrule.

The story revolves around a series of deaths in a small Swedish village to which a woman named Marlene seems to be connected to. A detective investigates the deaths and eventually comes to the conclusion that the killer is a Succubus. It must be noted that the appearance of the Succubus in this work is not that of a classical Succubus, but instead it more resembles another being called a Mare. However, as the creature is called a Succubus in the English translation of this work, and does use sexual desires as a weapon, there are some connections to the Succubus myths in it.

Overview

• Title: Marlene
• Author: Peter Snjebjerg
• Published By: Slave Labor Graphics
• Length: 48 Pages
• Format: Paperback
• ISBN-10: 1593620330
• ISBN-13: 978-1593620332
• Publishing Date: January 4, 2006

Plot Summary

A lurking terror has infected the town of Malborg. Madness and death haunt the luminous Scandinavian nights, and the victims all seem to have one thing in common: their lust for the voluptous Marlene. As he investigates, ace detective Michael Joergendsen must navigate a dangerous course between his official duties and his own growing fixation with the young woman. Is he on the trail of a supernatural killer, or is it the other way around? And the beautiful Marlene - is she the innocent victim of an obsessive stalker, or is she something more sinister?

Book Review

The following review was originally published by Tera on her Blog, A Succubi's Tale

An interesting horror story that reminded me very much of some of the early Vampirella stories in how it was told and artistically drawn. There are a few sex scenes in the work, but they aren't the core of the story. It tends to be more horrific in nature in several ways. The art does not overemphasize the sexual nature of the characters, in fact they are toned down for the most part in the work. The horror aspects of the story are emphasized, particularly some rather gruesome ways in which several characters are killed by the Succubus. It must be noted that the Succubus here is not, nor does she act like the traditionally understood being. She is violent in her actions and acts more like an animal than anything else. As well, her appearance does not match with the usual horns and tail that are expected to be seen on Succubi. She does however match to another similar being called a Mara which is a common myth in the Scandinavian culture.

As I prefer the more sexual aspects of the Succubus myth, this work would not be one of the works I would point at as being a good example of a Succubus story. However, as a horror tale, and a work that embraces the myth of Mara, I think it is well done and did keep my interest through the entire story.

I'll give it three pitchforks out of five. Not what I expected, but still an interesting work to consider.

External Links

• The Marlene graphic novel at Snejbjerg.com
• The Marlene graphic novel at Amazon.com
• The website of the author and artist Peter Snejbjerg