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The Magic Order 4 #1
- Writer:
- Mark Millar
- Artist:
- Dike Ruan
- Letterer:
- Clem Robins
- Cover Artist:
- Dike Ruan
- Publisher:
- Image Comics
- Price:
- $4.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-01-25
- Colorist:
- Giovanna Niro
The Millarworld shows no signs of slowing down as the fourth arc of writer Mark Millar's popular magician series returns. Written by Millar, drawn by Dike Ruan, colored by Giovanna Niro, and lettered by Clem Robins, Image Comics' The Magic Order 4 #1 is another intense and violent story where the characters aren't going to escape without any scratches or bruises. While there might be some hocus pocus on display, the characters are often darker than the magic they utilize.
Like the previous arcs, the issue dives straight into the new story. The scent of revolution is in the air as The Magic Order grows frustrated with Cordelia Moonstone and her recent decisions. A war is brewing among the magicians, and things are about to get ugly as characters struggle for power and freedom.
Much like Nemesis: Reloaded #1, Millar makes the most of this first issue. The writer puts the pedal to the metal, drifting into the high-octane action and shocking moments rather than slowing down for exposition. This fast-paced approach makes The Magic Order 4 #1 a difficult jumping-on point for fans who are unfamiliar with the previous arcs. There is a brief synopsis of the basic premise of the story on the back cover, but if the reader has no idea who Cordelia is, they will struggle to understand why she is pivotal to this storyline and how she fits into the grand scheme of things. As such, it's highly recommended that audiences catch up with the previous arcs before diving into this one.
Ruan's art is breathtaking and cinematic in equal measure. The artist pulls out all the stops to drop jaws with stellar linework. He depicts the moments of magic with a brilliant, almost magical, style that will leave fans wanting more. While the other artists on this series have been fantastic, this issue is an unforgettable improvement with action set pieces that deserve to be the gold standard for anyone looking to draw heart-pounding, entertaining violence. This is the kind of comic book that will bring friends together to pore over every detail.
Niro and Robins bring their A-game in The Magic Order 4 #1. The colorist conjures up a palette of rich and absorbing hues and shades that electrify the panels. The magic scenes explode with a plethora of powerful colors to draw the reader in, while Robins adds the exclamation mark to these eye-catching moments. Robins' restraint is as impressive as his sound effects. He gives the art room to breathe.
Anyone who has read the previous entries in this series knows it's not like any other magic series. Millar and his collaborators aren't afraid to get nasty and dirty with these magicians, as they put them through immeasurable pain and suffering. The Magic Order 4 #1 doesn't allow relief or respite either, as the creative team tightens the vice on these characters and lays the groundwork for even more chaos in the future.