Millennium Vol. 4: The Girl Who Danced with Death - PNP Review

Millennium Vol. 4: The Girl Who Danced with Death is a 2018 crime thriller graphic novel written by Sylvain Runberg, illustrated by Belen Ortega, published by Titan Comics. The Swedish secret police (SAPA) are illegally collecting information about private citizens all over Europe while Lisbeth Salander and her hacker buddies are attempting to break into the system and expose this massive abuse of political power. Meanwhile Millennium is investigating a radical conservative politician who is a dangerous threat to the ruling government and wants to gain control of the database too.

Plot:

Titan Comics attempts to tackle contemporary issues in its plot, centering on the Swedish secret police (SAPA) collecting citizens' data across Europe. Lisbeth Salander and her hacker allies fight to expose this overreach of power, while the Millennium team investigates a radical politician hoping to weaponize the database for his conservative agenda. While the story presents a compelling premise that combines cyber-espionage with political intrigue, it lacks the nuanced approach needed to delve into its themes effectively. The comic leans heavily into a black-and-white perspective, portraying antagonists as simplistic villains without substantive motivations. The choice to use far-right extremism as a central threat feels one-dimensional, as these characters lack depth or complexity, making it hard to invest in them as legitimate adversaries.

The pacing and direction are well-executed, keeping tension high as Lisbeth and her team race to hack SAPA’s system. However, the narrative lacks the intricate, layered storytelling of Stieg Larsson and David Lagercrantz, opting for a more straightforward, less morally complex approach. Character-wise, Lisbeth and Mikael retain their iconic personas, and Erika and Plague are engaging in their supporting roles. Plague shines in his increased role, adding comic relief and tech expertise. Trinity also brings a refreshing, competent presence to the hacker group, though without major development. I honestly did appreciate seeing more of Hacker Republic.

Ultimately, while enjoyable, The Girl Who Danced with Death fails to add significant depth to the main cast or advance their relationships, which feels like a missed opportunity given the potential of its themes and characters.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Production:

In Millennium Vol. 4: The Girl Who Danced with Death, writer Sylvain Runberg crafts a gritty, action-packed extension of Stieg Larsson's iconic universe, capturing the dark and complex essence of Lisbeth Salander. Runberg’s storytelling is intense, with layered themes of revenge, societal corruption, and the clash between technology and power. His writing is deep and immersive, though at times the dialogue lacks polish, with excessive vulgarity that, while adding grit, occasionally distracts from the narrative's flow. Runberg’s direction is bold, embracing the violence and hardcore content integral to Lisbeth’s world, though it may feel heavy for some readers.

There is a missed opportunity as the writing could’ve been a more insightful look into society’s view of authoritative corruption, government overreach and human rights with such large-scale immigration.

Belen Ortega’s artwork complements the story well, full of energy and raw emotion that brings the characters and action scenes to life. Ortega’s illustrations are dynamic, capturing facial expressions and intense action sequences with great precision. Her character designs are intricate, particularly Lisbeth’s, whose appearance aligns well with her rebellious, resilient personality. The cover art stands out as one of the series’ highlights, reflecting Lisbeth’s spirit and the dark tone of the story.

The paneling is executed skillfully, supporting the story’s pacing and tone, guiding the reader smoothly through action-heavy and introspective scenes alike. However, while Ortega’s artwork is generally impressive, some background details feel underdeveloped or repetitive, leaving certain scenes looking sparse or inconsistent. Additionally, the heavy shadowing, though effective in creating a dark atmosphere, occasionally muddles finer details. Despite these minor issues, the art and storytelling provide an engaging visual experience that fans of the Millennium series will appreciate.

Rating: 3 out of 5

The Verdict:

In the end, Millennium Vol. 4: The Girl Who Danced with Death offers a gritty yet straightforward take on political intrigue and corruption in a world driven by data control and radical agendas. Sylvain Runberg delivers a tense, action-focused plot where Lisbeth Salander and her hacker allies challenge Swedish authorities’ surveillance abuses. Though visually captivating with Belen Ortega’s raw illustrations, the narrative misses an opportunity for nuanced exploration of power and societal corruption, leaving the characters’ depth and relationships largely untouched. Millennium Vol. 4: The Girl Who Dance with Death gets 3 out of 5.