DISNEY VILLAINS: MALEFICENT #2, from Dynamite Comics on 6/7/23, brings a young prince into the Dark Woods in search of his wayward brother. Will Maleficent help the prince or seal his fate?
The Details
- Written by: Soo Lee
- Art by: Soo Lee
- Colors by: Soo Lee
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Jae Lee, June Chung
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: June 7, 2023
Is It Good?
DISNEY VILLAINS: MALEFICENT #2 is a pleasant surprise. If you read issue #1 from Dynamite and Soo Lee, you know the first issue read like a one-and-done capsule story. It was good, but the ending gave no hint about a continuing story. Boy, we were wrong because issue #2 picks up the events from issue #1 and builds with a complete story that stands on its own but weaves itself into a bigger picture.
When last we left Maleficent, she encountered a young runaway who took advantage of her mercy and paid a steep price. Now, a young prince enters Maleficent’s woods looking for his runaway brother, resulting in an awkward meeting with the dark sorceress.
As with issue #1, DISNEY VILLAINS: MALEFICENT #2 holds up as a one-and-done, but there are enough touchpoints to link the issue to #1, possibly as part of a larger story. Kudos to Soo Lee for doing what every comic writer should be doing in their stories, whether it’s an ongoing or a mini-series. Every issue should have a complete beginning, middle, and end, and focus on at least one big idea. That may sound like basic stuff, but if you’ve read our reviews for any length of time, you know how often modern comic writers miss the basics.
But is the story any good? In a charming, simple way, yes. Maleficent presents a formidable threat to anyone who trespasses within her territory. The misguided prince’s explanations add depth to issue #1 and set up the possibility of a bigger conflict in the future. And the Maleficient grand show of power elevates her status as a powerhouse not to be trifled with. The pacing is super quick, the dialog is spot-on, and the soft ending is satisfying.
How’s the ar? Well, Soo Lee is primarily familiar to us as an artist, and she delivers a pitch-perfect representation of a Disney storybook. Lee’s backgrounds lack detail, but the character work and facial acting give readers plenty to overcome the background shortcomings.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DISNEY VILLAINS: MALEFICENT #1 review to find out what happens to naughty boys in Maleficent’s woods.
We begin with a nosy raven observing a young man on horseback entering Maleficent’s woods. The raven reports what it sees to the dark sorceress, and Maleficent quickly departs her home to investigate. When Maleficent catches sight of the trespasser, she transforms into a viper and approaches.
At first, the traveler is surprised to be greeted by a talking snake. He introduces himself as Prince Gavin, heir to the throne, and he’s searching for his runaway brother, Reynaud. Prince Gavin gives a full description of his younger brother to Maleficent after she transforms back into her human form, and Maleficent recognizes the Prince’s brother as the troublesome thief from the last issue.
When Maleficent informs the Prince of his brother’s fate, the Prince becomes enraged. We conclude the issue with little things becoming big, a hopeless battle, and a promise.
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Final Thoughts
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DISNEY VILLAINS: MALEFICENT #2 tells a solid story about a Prince who looks for his brother in the wrong places. Soo Lee’s breezy pace and spot-on dialog emphasize one big point wrapped in an enjoyable plot – don’t mess with Maleficent.
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