THE AGENT #1, by Ablaze Publishing on 12/20/23, uncovers the hidden world of magic beneath the criminal underworld when a drug enforcement agent stumbles upon dealers who deal in more than just drugs.
The Details
- Written by: Mathieu Gabella
- Art by: Fernando Dagnino
- Colors by: Fernando Dagnino
- Letters by: Vibrant Studios
- Cover art by: Fernando Dagnino (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: December 20, 2023
Is THE AGENT #1 Good?
Well, this comic is a pleasant surprise that came out of nowhere. Mathieu Gabella and Ablaze craft an interesting urban fantasy about a drug enforcement agent who gets pulled into the hidden world of sorcerers and magic in AGENT #1.
Gabella’s tale centers on Rhyn, a drug enforcement agent in Paris about to make a massive drug bust. When Rhyn pounces to arrest the dealer and his buyer, Rhyn discovers that more things are for sale than run-of-the-mill drugs, but her ability to resist magical attacks draws the attention of dangerous people.
Gabella’s premier issue focuses heavily on intrigue and mystery as you see the situation unfold from Rhyn’s point of view. Initially, Rhyn is confused (as are we) about what’s happening, but Gabella teases just enough information to clue you into the larger world of magic to give Rhyn’s experience context.
What’s great about THE AGENT #1? If you’re looking for an example of how to introduce readers to the world behind the world you thought you knew, this is it. Gabella pulls Rhyn into the hidden corner of magic with precision to heighten the intrigue and hook the reader.
What’s not so great about THE AGENT #1? The minor downpoint is a chase sequence in the Paris subways wherein Rhyn tracks a killer. The visuals are well done, so you can follow what’s happening, but the confused chunks of voices Rhyn hears in her earpiece don’t make much sense. Yes, Rhyn is supposed to hear confusion, but you have no context about who’s speaking because the lettering for multiple disembodied characters is the same.
How’s the art? Excellent. Fernando Dagnino keeps the majority of the book firmly rooted in a crime drama aesthetic, holding the magical elements to a sparse minimum so as not to overwhelm Rhyn. The action sequences look great, and the character designs are fantastic.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s THE AGENT #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Rhyn undercover in the Paris subway as she follows a drug dealer to his next sale. In her earpiece, Rhyn hears her crew providing reconnaissance to make sure the arrest goes smoothly. When Rhyn sees the sale take place, she charges into the arrest.
Unfortunately, the buyer didn’t buy drugs, and when he thinks he’s caught, he pulls a gun and starts blasting. As Rhyn chases the buyer-turned-killer, she’s assailed by a cloud of weed-like dust the killer throws in her direction. The dust doesn’t get Rhyn high or slow her down, but everyone around her suddenly goes blind.
We conclude the issue with insanity, a crazed husband, and a voodoo doll.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
THE AGENT #1 is an intriguing urban fantasy about a drug enforcement agent who stumbles upon the magical side of the criminal underworld. Gabella’s crime noir tale is a proper thriller set on the streets of Paris, but the magical developments are subtle enough to build mounds of curiosity. Likewise, Dagnino’s hard-hitting action is fascinating when it includes a unique magical twist.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.