By Dahl Botterill
Finder: Chase the Lady is the newest book in Carla Speed McNeil's Finder series of graphic novels. The story follows Rachel Grosvenor as she tries to turn her social victories from Voice into something meaningful—or at the very least useful. As a newly titled member of the Llaverac clan, she finds herself overwhelmed by responsibilities and expectations and is desperately trying to find a balance between what she needs and what everybody around her wants. Rachel is trapped between the social demands of her clan, the material sponsorships she's dependent upon, and the spiritual needs of those around her. Like the previous volume Third World, this book is in colour, which, while not strictly necessary, can provide some additional visual cues in a story set largely in a social bubble filled with nearly identical individuals.
Finder is often a particularly dense work of art. The world it paints is not simply expansive but also very full. From the very first Finder book, there is an expectation of an engaged readership that's seeking something special and ready to do their part. Every page thick with characters, plot, and promise, the immersive quality of these books stems in part from the painstaking care Carla Speed McNeil puts into her world. The detail doesn't cease at the borders of each particular tale but extends far beyond the setting in question.
There is also a distinct lack of extraneous explanation, as the reader experiences the world of Finder as though they've been dropped into it, piecing the larger picture together as the story progresses. This is one of the things I love about Finder. McNeil trusts her readers to keep up as best they can and fully utilizes the comic format to provide just enough context to place the action in the larger setting. She also provides extensive notes that can be alternately helpful and fascinating, but they are best saved for future reads, as the rush and flow of the format drive the experience alongside the plot.
This technique has the potential to alienate a new reader to some degree, and as the eleventh volume of an ongoing series, Chase the Lady is at a bit of a disadvantage in this respect. Finder has followed a variety of interrelated characters and told many distinct stories over the years. While Chase the Lady primarily follows just one of those and certainly stands as a story that can be enjoyed independently, there is a lot more here for somebody already versed in the setting. Somebody who's already familiar with Rachel Grosvenor and those around her, or even the world she inhabits with its clans and titles and expectations, will certainly find the book an easier fit.
Finder is easily one of my favourite series. Chase the Lady is a fantastic entry, beautiful to behold, filled with incredible ideas and well-considered explorations. It may not be the easiest entry point for new readers, but it is a magnificent work of art and a pleasure to experience.