IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics @TheMagicOrder
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Olivier Coipel
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Peter Doherty
EDITOR: Rachel Fulton
COVER: Oliver Coipel with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVER: Rafael Grampa
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018)
Rated M / Mature
The Magic Order is a new comic book miniseries created by writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Chrononauts) and artist Olivier Coipel (Thor). It is also the first new and original comic book series created by Millar since he sold his organization, Millarworld, to Netflix in August of 2017.
The Magic Order focuses on the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards that protect humanity from darkness and from monsters of impossible sizes. The Order's leader, Leonard Moonstone, and his children: Regan, Cordelia, and Gabriel must deal with a mob-like war and conspiracy that is killing off members of The Magic Order.
The Magic Order #2 opens with a Cordelia origin story. The Order gathers in Moonstone Castle in a meeting to decide what to do about Madame Albany, the woman who is leading the killings of members of the Order. What is “the Orichalcum?” Who is Albany's assassin? Has the Order heard of “The Venetian?” Why is Albany and her cohorts stealing powerful magical objects? These questions will need answers as members of the Order continue to be destroyed in the most novel ways.
There are some Mark Millar-written, creator-owned comic books that I really like (Kick-Ass, The Secret Service), and some do not interest me enough to keep reading past a first issue (Huck, Chrononauts). The Magic Order is obviously one of those that I like enough to keep reading past the first issue. I adore this comic book, and this second issue has obliterated my reservations. The best Millar comic books are crazy, sexy, cool, and The Magic Order may be the craziest, sexiest, and coolest. It is really like a blend of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them with a Martin Scorsese mob film – leaning more towards Fantastic Beasts, but with a strong sense of Casino.
After reading the first issue, I was not all the crazy about Olivier Coipel, but I am over that. Was I on crack when I wrote of my “reservations” about this talented artist in my review of the first issue? His illustrations are perfect for this moody, edgy, and deadly story, and Coipel depicts the increase in the rate of killings in a matter of fact manner that could take away your breath.
Colorist Dave Stewart balances the displays of magical places and the depictions of murder with a sense of balance – wonder meets blood-curdling. Letterer Peter Doherty slips the word balloons in between the action like a smooth criminal would do.
I am excited by Millar's premise, and I really enjoyed reading The Magic Order #2, probably more than I was issue #1 – which I really enjoyed. In my current state of giddiness concerning The Magic Order, I am immediately ready for the third issue.
9 out of 10
http://www.millarworld.tv/
www.imagecomics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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