THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #1 – New Comic Review

THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #1, by Dark Horse Comics on 9/25/24, follows the Order’s members as they help a woman whose children are stolen by a man who always keeps his eyes shut.

Credits:

• Writer: Mark Millar
• Artist: Matteo Buffagni
• Colorist: Giovanna Niro
• Letterer: Clem Robins
• Cover Artist: Matteo Buffagni (cover A)
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
• Release Date: September 25, 2024
• Comic Rating: Mature
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #1:

First Impressions:

Whoa! Please be warned. The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #1 may be triggering for adults who have a sensitive fear of child snatchers. Mark Millar isn’t afraid to go to dark places in the first issue of the last volume in the series, so it appears Millar intends to end the series by swinging for the fences.

Plot Analysis:

The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #1 begins with an introduction to Carly Summers, a young mother whose son was kidnapped on the playground by a bat-wielding man with a sigil carved into his forehead and who always keeps his eyes closed. After the expected rounds of investigations and press conferences, Carly’s son is never seen again. Eighteen years later, and after the end of her marriage, Carly has moved on with a new man and a new child until a knock on the door starts the nightmare all over again.

Ouch! If you’re a parent or an older sibling, you’ve likely had that horror fantasy pop up in your mind at least once. Mark Millar doesn’t visit that horror upon Carly once but twice over the years, so get ready to start the series with a hyper-cringe of dread.

Now, Cordelia Moonstone and Gator use a magic pathway to arrive at the hospital where Carly Summers rests to look into her case. After a brief explanation that the Order has come to find her missing children, Cordelia cracks an egg into a bowl for a location spell. She magically induces a restful sleep and a memory wipe on Carly. The hunt for the magical child snatcher has begun.

Once the Order arrives, Mark Millar reminds readers why this series is so successful. Cordelia, Gator, and the rest of the Order treat mysterious cases with an easy, matter-of-fact charm that’s captivating. The Order is populated with the most powerful and possibly dangerous people on the planet, and yet, they come across as friendly office workers who are here to keep you safe. Fascinating.

Elsewhere, Clyde (last seen in the previous volumes) steps out onto the streets after his release from prison. Clyde decided to turn over a new leaf, so he didn’t intend to use his power and demonic connections to do more harm. The demonic Harry greets Clyde at the gate with a job offer – assassinate Cordelia Moonstone at the behest of very powerful individuals.

After the egg yolk settles, Cordelia believes she has the location of the missing child. The Order heads out to a lonely location where an old trailer rests on an abandoned lot. What the Order finds, however, is not what they expected. The issue ends with a slow heartbeat, a smiling face that isn’t friendly, and a whole new world… or is it?

Overall, The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #1 will upset you, fascinate you, surprise you, and make you question what you thought you knew about The Order. If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll get more to love. If this series is new to you, you just might become a convert.

Artwork and Presentation:

Matteo Buffagni has the unenviable task of depicting violence against mothers and child kidnappings without getting schlocky or gratuitous. Here, Buffagni gives readers just enough shock value to sting but not so much as to distract from the overall narrative. You need to feel sympathy for Carly’s plight without being so traumatized that you can’t pay enough attention to anything else. On that point, Buffagni succeeds.

Art Samples:

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The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

This issue introduces the character known as “Clyde,” but it’s unclear if this Clyde is the same character known as Clyde Wyncham, Jr., who Mark Millar first created for Marvel Comics but has since brought the character in to appear in other Millarworld titles, such as Kick-Ass. If this Clyde is the same Clyde, who also goes by the name Marquis of Death, the Order is in for a rough time.

Final Thoughts:

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THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #1 begins the last volume in the series with a gut-wrenching crime that’s every parent’s nightmare. Mark Millar grabs you from page one with a crime that leads to a magical threat for the entire Order, and Matteo Buffagni’s art strikes a perfect balance between shock value and mature drama.

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