Review: Magik #1

‘Magik #1’ takes a walk on the supernatural side as Illyana Rasputin sets off on her post-Krakoa adventure…

Since the fall of the mutant island Krakoa it seems that Marvel Comics is going all out on giving us a new X-Men-related series each week. This week also seems to follow the trend as Magik #1 heads to comic book shelves. Normally I’m not that into reading about mutant kind, however since the launch of “From the Ashes” I have been drawn to the various series that fall under the umbrella narrative. Naturally, it was given that I’d dive straight into Magik #1. 

This issue opens up in a small town in Alaska where the citizens are seemingly being dragged away into oblivion by a demonic force. This suburban horror is then cut to Magik as the mutant is suffering from a nightmare. While a simple scene in itself it does do a good job in briefing new readers on who Magik is while not bogging the issue down with needless exposition. Anyway, once this is over the rest of the X-Men attempt to throw Illyana a birthday party which promptly ends when she storms off. Illyana then finds herself within the nightmare unfolding within the wider community as she battles with mutant bigotry and whatever the entity is that’s preying on the civilian population. 

As opening issues go Magik #1 gives us plenty of meat to hook us to coming back for the next issue. The underlying mystery of who’s kidnapping the civilians does a good job of tying Illyana to the narrative, while simultaneously building up toward something truly evil stirring in the background. Writer Ashley Allen also introduces a new character with the villain The Demon Crow who then wastes no time in putting Illyana through her paces. While a big bulk of this comic is devoted to the duo battling against each other it sets up the story very well. With plenty of ties to demons and other supernatural threats, we’re certainly going to be taken for quite the ride as the series develops. 

Bringing it all to life are artist Germán Peralita and colourist Arthur Hesli who waste no time in capturing the atmosphere with plenty of dark brooding art. The action sequences are well presented with plenty of subtle effects used to keep the reader focused on the scene, while simultaneously building the tension between the characters. The Demon Crow is also very well designed and the style of gunslinger/crow is implemented well. Likewise, Illyana is presented with a grandiose display of her powers which highlights why it’s time she’s gotten her series. 

Overall, Magik #1 delivers a strong debut title for a character who truly has her standalone series. Ida a visceral trip into the supernatural world of the X-Men that is packed with high-intensity combat and intricate world-building. While this issue’s lean towards combat may leave its story a little thin, there are plenty of threads already being developed.

Rating: 8/10