Magik #1 Review- A Hero of Two Worlds Finds Her Place
From Marvel Comics
Written by Ashley Allen
Art by German Peralta
I have to admit as I start this review that I have never really been a fan of the character, Magik. Admittedly, this lack of connection is due largely to a lack of engagement on my part with modern X-Men titles, but another historically irksome factor regarding the character is the seemingly muddled nature of her powers and overall design. A supermodel, blonde haired, blue eyed mutant, directly related to one of the foundational X-Men characters, who can teleport using magic discs, that also casts magical spells, summons a sword comprised of her soul energy, and shifts between dimensions- it all just seems like a hat, on a hat, on a hat- you get it. Additionally, her use in the modern era of X-Men titles has largely been as a stoic, battle hardened, powerhouse character who rarely is given time to express herself outside of action scenes and advance her interpersonal characterization.
However, I am happy to report that my opinion of the character has been fundamentally altered by this new solo series from Ashley Allen, where the character finally shines in what seems to be her appropriate narrative niche. Which is precisely the feeling you want to leave with after picking up a new solo title from any legacy comics character.
If you are like me and have never really had Magik click as a character for you, or if you have simply never read a Magik comic (which I was surprised to learn dates back to 1983), then I implore you to give this comic a read in order to broaden your perspective of the Marvel Comics universe and the diverse characters within it. What’s more, this debut issue wisely begins with a brief recap of Magik’s bizarre backstory before smoothly transitioning into the crux of the issue as Magik wrestles internally and externally with her unique place as a child of two worlds.
Moreover, the interior artwork here from German Peralta and character designs from the legendary Peach Momoko, are almost enough of a selling point on their own. This title is filled with gorgeous, inventive, harrowing sequences that contribute towards making Magik stand out as an important and thoughtful new series on comic book shelves right now.
Let’s talk more specifically about Magik #1 which means,
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our issue begins in Alaska, the location of the mainline team of displaced X-Men these days, as we see the nightmarish scene of a distressed woman hunted through the streets by what could best be described as a living shadow. We then cut to a different nightmare, the one taking place inside Magik’s, Illiyana Rasputina’s, head as she tries to escape the voice and premonitions of Darkchild, her demonic other half, beckoning her back to her home in Limbo.
As I stated earlier, this is a simple and effective foundational introduction to our story, that provides a sense of the constant emotional stakes at play for Magik, who should feel more connected than ever to this reality as an official “X-Man,” but somehow does not. This is further evidenced in our following scene as the X-Men team attempts to celebrate Magik’s birthday, only for her to dismiss the affair as trivial, pointing to the television announcing Mutant disappearances nearby in Juneau.
Sidenote here- I wasn’t sure about Alaska as the new location for X-Men centric stories, but after a few months and with additions from other titles like this one, I really enjoy the Stephen King-esque nature of these atypical, poignant tales in these quiet Northern environs which are beginning to take shape, and I hope that we don’t move on from Alaska any time soon.
We then shift attention to the funeral of the Mutant woman from the intro, as the mourners within are confronted by protesting townsfolk outside, fearful of the apparent rise of Mutant violence in and near their homes. This fear is only compounded with Magik’s arrival through a portal and the sudden appearance of demons on her heels. Magik sarcastically asks the prejudiced townsfolk if they would like her to help before doing battle with the hoard. In the midst of fighting, she is able to evacuate the bulk of gathered innocents by teleporting them through limbo, in another hilarious sequence. Which is another huge plus for me in this first issue, adding a welcome portion of humor and character to Illyana’s story which is otherwise largely brooding, ethereal, and horror-tinged.
As the demons kidnap one of the mutants, Ren, after she is pushed into harm’s way by one of the townsfolk- Magik pushes both Ren and the demon through a portal, arriving in the apparent safety of a graveyard. However, as Magik gauges her surroundings she discovers a frightened child in the graveyard, who transforms into the spectral revolver wielding Crow Demon.
This stylized villain reveals to Magik that he has been hunting Mutants as sacrifices in order to break the mysterious seal they are standing on. Meanwhile, the grandmother of one of the other mutants, Cal, looks upon the scene in horror, revealing that her family has been magically protecting the seal for generations in order to stop the emergence of an entity known as, “Liminal.” Ren attempts to use her mutant ability to stop the Crow Demon from killing Magik, only for him to redirect her attack, killing her brutally. The Grandmother begins casting Dr Strange-esque magical runes and sigils in order to prevent the fracturing of the seal as she is aided by the confused Cal who watches his friend die helplessly. This leads to a more direct assault from Magik, marching down the Crow Demon as she nearly transforms into the Darkchild in the process. However, Magik rejects her demonic abilities and casts a silencing spell on the demon in order to prevent his clever manipulation of magic bullets. Magik is able to cut the Crow Demon’s arm off, but not before he shoots the Grandmother, and is seemingly consumed by the erupting seal. Magik is able to teleport Cal and herself to safety, just as the seal erupts in a magical typhoon of dark energy.
This entire sequence is riveting, imaginative, and revealing of what the content of Magik comics should be. I especially love the artistic, visual use of Magik’s abilities in her fight with the Crow Demon which make for dynamic action scenes that feel specifically evocative of this beloved character. Moreover, I think this section of the story allowed me as a new reader to connect with the thematic and aesthetic attributes that Allen has implemented, hybridizing numerous elements of popular fantasy and horror stories in such an elegant way that it makes Magik feel like a new standalone independent horror series, as opposed to a legacy Marvel superhero comic.
In our final pages, we see Magik reconcile with the dramatic turn of events that have just transpired, awkwardly comforting Cal after losing two loved ones in quick succession. Cal however, is quick to action, vowing that he will take up the magical protector mantle that his Grandmother intended to pass to him and stop the emergence of Liminal into our world. Magik, whether she knows it or not, sees something of herself in Cal and remarks that “this is her mistake to fix,” agreeing to see this through with Cal to the end. Cal seems to remember his Grandmother’s words that the Darkchild cannot be trusted as the two depart through a portal. Elsewhere, a mysterious voice muses over a hellish depiction of Magik as the Darkchild, wondering if she will be a gift or a threat to their plans, before the issue concludes.
Overall, Magik #1 is a thrilling, nuanced, benchmark of a moment in the story of Illyana Rasputin, that I believe can and will attract a lot of new fans to this multidimensional hero. What’s more, this issue carries a lot of emotional and thematic weight that contextualizes Magik in a specific and digestible way that does wonders for the character’s proliferation.
Please support your local comic book stores and discover the nightmarishly spellbinding saga of Magik #1, on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
