Someone is trying to kill Nikola Tesla! There’s already been one attempt on his life, and issue 3 opens on the aftermath of another. Tesla and Caitlin (the Irish medium who can communicate with the dead and, more recently, use telekinesis to mend small objects) were very nearly electrocuted by a cut power line in the rain. Mercifully, they’re both able to get the treatment they need—though what that treatment is and why it works remains a bit of a puzzle to Caitlin’s companions.
Caitlin has also been having visions of spirits. This is nothing new, considering her gifts. Only her connection with spirits is normally triggered by being at the place where they died, and these visions are of somewhere else—somewhere she’s never been. Instead, the visions seem to be triggered by the testing of Tesla’s new wireless transmission device.
At any rate, the spirits are trying to tell Caitlin something, and while she can’t quite figure out what it is, each vision gets her slightly closer to the truth. Perhaps it will also get her closer to the truth about what’s happening at Pikes Peak right now, with all the accidents and murder. Or perhaps it will get all of them killed.
Tesla is kind of a jerk in this story. We (or at least I) tend to picture him as the underdog, and thus the hero, but in Boston Metaphysical Society, he’s rude and self-absorbed, only caring about his work. Still, jerk though he may be, he’s not actually evil, and if his life is in danger, Samuel, Granville, and Caitlin should probably figure out why, and who’s behind it.
What I love about the Boston Metaphysical Society series is that the stories begin based in historical fact, before branching off into the fantastical. Though it’s set in an alternate history, many of the figures and events still line up with what really happened. Even Granville T. Woods – inventor, genius, and one of the main characters in BMS – was a real historical figure.
Particularly if you’ve seen The Prestige, you may be familiar with Tesla’s laboratory at Pikes Peak, above Colorado Springs, in the 1890s, where he experimented with electricity and wireless signals on a grand scale (much to the chagrin of the townspeople below). Only instead of being funded by Westinghouse, in this story he’s funded by House Zhou and House Astor, two of the Great Houses—the wealthy and powerful families who control the government and wield all the economic and political power in the United States.
That’s just the beginning. There’s plenty of fascinating history (and science) interwoven into this Steampunk supernatural mystery. At the end of each issue, creator Madeleine Holly-Rosing even provides an overview of the bits that were inspired by factual elements, along with sources for further reading. For a history nerd like me, this is like hitting the jackpot.
Even apart from the historical inspiration, it’s a great story and one worth reading. This particular arc is inspired by classic murder mysteries, and I do think it was a pretty good one. These last two issues really bring everything together in a satisfying conclusion. Plus, it’s a great adventure, as all of the Boston Metaphysical Society comics (and novels, short stories, audio dramas, etc.) are.
If you’re new to the Boston Metaphysical Society, don’t worry. While not exactly standalone, this comic arc can definitely be read and enjoyed on its own. Everything you need to know is covered in the prologue. Still, it is worthwhile to read the other stories, as well, in their various forms. Not only do they provide some context for many of the characters and events, as well as the world in general, they’re also just a whole lot of fun. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, history, steampunk, paranormal, mystery, or adventure, you’ll want to check out Boston Metaphysical Society, and particularly Pikes Peak.
Creative Team: Madeleine Holly-Rosing (writer, creator), Daniela Rivera (art), Angela Wu (cover), Kaytee Brown (coloring), Troy Peteri (lettering)
Publisher: Queen of Mercia, LLC
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