Image Comics reviews 8/31/22 – The Magic Order Vol. 3 #2

The Magic Order continues to be one of my favorite titles. Writer Mark Millar keeps adding more layers to the mythos without making it come off contrived or falling into any silly plot twists just for the sake of shocking readers.

This issue continues the Order’s exploits in Hong Kong as Cordelia and company investigate the latest with region head Sammy Liu. As Sammy’s business thrives while more corrupt magic usage is on the rise, Cordelia, Regan and crew question if Sammy is still fit to lead the branch.

Meanwhile. Regan and Cordelia’s father, Leonard, reconnects with his estranged wife, Salome. With Salome, Millar introduces another fascinating character to the series. Salome sees time differently and revealed the fate of her family to Leonard on their first encounter. With this walking spoiler, Millar crafts some subtle foreshadowing as Leonard discusses the remaining members of the Moonstone family.

Salome is focused on avenging her father’s murder at the hands of a puzzle — yes, an actual puzzle, but it doesn’t seem silly in The Magic Order world.

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Gigi Cavenago’s art is vastly different from his predecessors on the title. There’s a loose flowing tone to his art that lacks the gritty, realistic visual from Olivier Coipel and Stuart Immonen. Maybe it was time to shift the visual style of the series and Cavenago’s pencils convey that this volume has an entirely different look and feel.

Colorist Valentina Napolitano brings out lavish combinations that play off each other well. This volume has been a lot less dark and dreary than the previous installments and the color is helping to expand on the series’ tone.

With two mysteries playing out simultaneously and the always stellar character development and a fresh visual style, Magic Order Vol. 3 is off to a terrific start. There’s little worry at this point that Millar and company will botch the trick — it’s just a matter of getting caught up in this new magical experience.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Photo Credit: Image Comics

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