Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest Review

Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest is a 2015 crime thriller graphic novel written by Denise Mina, illustrated by Andrea Mutti and Antonio Fuso. Lisbeth Salander fights for her life and freedom after surviving a brutal attack. With journalist Mikael Blomkvist’s help, she exposes a secret government faction that conspired to control her since childhood. As they seek justice, Lisbeth faces her powerful enemies in court.

Plot:

The third installment in the Millennium series adapted by Vertigo Comics, the story picks up with Lisbeth Salander hospitalized and under arrest, while journalist Mikael Blomkvist races against time to clear her name. The comic captures the essence of the novel, balancing tension-filled courtroom scenes with psychological depth, though some may find the pacing slower compared to previous volumes. This shift allows the story to delve into complex issues around corruption and justice, revealing the sinister forces of “the Section,” a shadowy organization responsible for much of Lisbeth’s trauma, including sponsoring her cruel father.

The change in tone and increased focus on legal proceedings may be off-putting for those expecting the action-packed sequences of the earlier books. However, the slower pacing effectively builds suspense, adding weight to each revelation and raising the stakes for Lisbeth's final confrontation. The courtroom dynamics provide new layers to her character, giving her a powerful chance to reclaim agency amid societal and systemic abuses.

The side plot involving Niedermann, Lisbeth’s brutal half-brother on the run, adds a welcome thread of suspense, keeping readers invested as he evades capture. His scenes lend a gritty contrast to the legal drama, reinforcing the stakes. The supporting characters, including Erika Berger and members of Blomkvist’s investigative team, remain compelling and well-developed, adding depth to the storyline.

Overall, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest offers a satisfying, slower-burn resolution, balancing high-stakes legal drama with intense, character-driven storytelling, though it may divide readers with its shift in tone and pacing.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Production:

Adapted by Denise Mina, this graphic novel captures the dark essence of Stieg Larsson’s original narrative with both grit and finesse. Mina's writing plunges deeply into the story’s raw themes, unflinchingly exploring power, trauma, and justice. The dialogue is solid, conveying the tense emotions and motives of each character, though it occasionally lacks the polish of its prose counterpart. Mina doesn't shy away from intense content, incorporating explicit language and graphic violence to enhance the intensity of Lisbeth’s journey.

The art by Andrea Mutti and Antonio Fuso brings the story to life with remarkable depth and texture. Their illustrations convey the bleak, almost oppressive atmosphere, emphasizing Lisbeth’s gritty world. The cover art is a highlight, offering a powerful visual representation of Lisbeth's resilience and complex psyche. Mutti and Fuso’s character designs are exceptionally detailed; Lisbeth’s iconic look is captured with stark precision, embodying both her strength and vulnerability. The paneling is well-structured, guiding the eye smoothly and mirroring the story’s tone and rhythm. Overall, the art style is one of the graphic novel’s most prominent features, seamlessly blending with Mina’s storytelling to create an immersive experience that is haunting, bold, and unforgettable.

Rating: 3 out of 5

The Verdict:

In the end, Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Vertigo Comics adapts the high-stakes drama as Lisbeth Salander, hospitalized and under arrest, faces a daunting legal battle, while journalist Mikael Blomkvist races to prove her innocence. The graphic novel delves deeply into themes of corruption and justice, effectively capturing the novel’s darker tones. Although slower paced, the story builds tension through courtroom confrontations and psychological depth, culminating in a suspenseful resolution that underscores Lisbeth’s fight for agency and redemption. Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest gets 3 out of 5.