Dark Horse Comics reviews 10/29/24 – The Magic Order 5 #2, Night Club 2 #3

The Magic Order 5 #2

The Magic Order 5 #2 picks up right after that wild cliffhanger from the start of this arc.

Caroline wakes up in an insane asylum. Her therapist is trying to help her out with her latest hallucination. But Caroline is convinced she’s not crazy. She is actually Cordelia Moonstone, the leader of The Magic Order.

Writer Mark Millar paces this chapter beautifully. There’s no need to drag this charade out for multiple issues. Half the issue is just enough time to establish some doubt and the outrageous notion that maybe everything in The Magic Order has been a lie. This actually would have made for an amazing mind-screw for the series finale’s final issue. Here it’s just a fun subplot.

But with a new threat in the form of Irios and an ally in the super cool Clyde Bailey, Cordelia has enough to keep her occupied.

Artist Matteo Buffagni does an incredible job of crafting this pedestrian life for Cordelia and the subtle cues that she is in a nightmare. Buffagni draws his characters with such grace and smoothness, making for dazzling presentation that fits well with the tone of this arc.

Colorist Giovanna Niro utilizes some gorgeous blends and lighting techniques to enhance Caroline’s world. The shift to reality comes with another stark tweak in colors. Letterer Clem Robins keeps the dialogue lined up precisely for clear comprehension even in lengthy monologues.

Cordelia gets out of the nightmare with the help of a new character who isn’t out for the bounty on her head. That still won’t change the outcome for this arc titled The Death of Cordelia Moonstone.

The Magic Order 5 #2 pays off the first issue’s shocking cliffhanger while delivering a pretty solid one of its own. It’s going to be very interesting to see where Millar takes this arc next.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Missed the previous volume? Check out The Magic Order Vol. 4 now on Amazon.

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