It’s hard to believe Magik has never had her own solo series, but that ends this week with Magik #1. One of the more complex X-Men, thanks to her ties to Limbo, among other details, Ashley Allen headlines the series and has a clear sense of where to take the story. And if a character with ties to demons and a sword made up of her own soul wasn’t enough, she also has one of the coolest costumes! All that said, is Magik #1 good?
Armed with artist Germán Peralta and colorist Arthur Hesli, Magik is a dark and moody first issue that encapsulates her darker tone and worldview. Magic spells are used, a new villain named The Demon Crow is introduced with a cool look, and the use of lighting really amps up the supernatural elements. Throw in the fact that there’s a good deal of blood and damage Magik takes, and the art team has you on the edge of your seat for much of the issue.
The issue opens in a small town in Alaska where people are being dragged off by what looks like a demon. We then cut to Magik’s dream, which turns into a nightmare, with the character quickly waking in a panic. Allen does a good job establishing the basics of Magik in this opening nightmare for casual readers who need a refresher.
What a great page!
Credit: Marvel
This leads to an establishing scene with the X-Men, who attempt to throw Magik a little birthday party until she refuses and storms off. She doesn’t play nice, even with her friends.
Lucky for the small town where the issue opened, Magik ends up helping people who are attacked by demons. Many of those people are mutant bigots, which allows Allen and Peralta a moment to let them suffer a bit when Magik saves them through her Limbo portal.
If you like action, you’re going to love this issue. A good portion is devoted to Magik facing off against The Demon Crow, and the art team does a fantastic job of bringing his unique power to light. Magik spells light up the pages well, adding complex glow effects. On the reverse side, the action scene is so long the plot progression is minimal here. The pieces are in place, but with around 13 pages devoted to the action scene, the plot progresses slowly.
Underlining the attack on the civilians is a mystery with ties to magic and a door holding something truly evil back. Allen establishes a young character whom Magik must work with, but they don’t even trust her fully. Her ambiguous ties to Limbo and demons complicate things, and given the type of enemy Magik is facing, she’ll likely need to face her own demons in the process.
Magik #1 is a strong debut for the character’s long-overdue solo series, blending atmospheric visuals and high-octane action to introduce an engaging mystery. While its focus on spectacle slightly detracts from narrative depth, it sets a solid foundation for Magik’s journey into darkness. Fans of supernatural superheroes and intense combat will find plenty to enjoy.
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