THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #3, by Dark Horse Comics on 12/4/24, sends Cordelia and Clyde on a murder investigation related to the recent assassination attempts against Cordelia.
Credits:
- Writer: Mark Millar
- Artist: Matteo Buffagni
- Colorist: Giovanna Niro
- Letterer: Clem Robins
- Cover Artist: Matteo Buffagni
- Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
- Release Date: December 4, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #3:
First Impressions:
Give writer Mark Millar a prize. The man knows how to construct a grounded fantasy story that puts you in the heart of a thriller with believable magic and whimsy. Cordelia and Clyde discover what’s behind the attacks, and the answer instantly shoots up the stakes and consequences like a rocket. Millar’s developments are simple, and the issue reads as quick as a 100-meter dash, but every moment is quick and memorable.
Plot Analysis:
Previously, in The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #2, Cordelia escaped a mind trap created by a team of demon assassins intent on taking her out. The attack prompted The Oto order to assemble, including Clyde, who was recently released from prison, to formulate a plan to stop whoever set their eyes on destroying the Order. The issue ended with the distressing news that Cordelia would die in three days.
In The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #3, we begin with a brief prologue unveiling the latest assassin to set its sights on Cordelia Moonstone – a sorcerer trapped in a dog’s body with the ability to control the minds of multiple host humans, Skin Walker Sam.
Millar’s knack for grounded surrealism smacks you in the face with a Skin Walker whose hosts adopt the face of a Corgi. It would be comical if Skin Walker Sam wasn’t so deadly, and that’s the beauty of the issue. You get mundane or innocuous people, places, and things suddenly turning into the most dangerous threat possible, so the issue keeps you on your toes.
Elsewhere, Cordelia, Clyde, and Martina visit the scene of a mass murder, cloaked in an invisibility spell to avoid drawing police attention. The wizards learn that an ancient order called The Brotherhood of the Bell survived eradication years ago, and the cult has slowly built up power and infiltrated society at every level. Their goal? Find a mystical bell inside a child that will summon forth their gods of darkness to eradicate all light.
In effect, the assassination attempts against Cordelia are an attempt to keep the Order occupied while the cult brings about the End Times.
Talk about an escalation. Mark Millar raises the stakes from simple murder to global annihilation in the blink of an eye, but the revelation is presented with such efficiency and impact that its big twist is incredibly organic to the tale.
Later, Cordelia, Clyde, and Martina walk the city streets to discuss their next steps and Cordelia’s wishes for her last few days on Earth. Suddenly, Clyde catches a reflection that shouldn’t exist as they pass a store window. Before you know it, Clyde is in the fight of his life against an army of Corgi-faced civilians while Cordelia desperately keeps the flames away while she’s tied to a stake.
The issue concludes with fighting a monster with even bigger monsters, and the next assassin checking in.
Overall, The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #3 turns up the heat and the stakes to make the current arc exponentially bigger. Mark Millar’s blend of grounded thrills and surreal magic is eternally captivating.
Artwork and Presentation:
Matteo Buffagni gets to show off with an issue that has the biggest magical battles yet in the arc. Buffagni’s sense of realism brings the reader into the setting while gracefully integrating the magical elements in surprising ways.
Art Samples:
Final Thoughts:
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THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #3 unveils the hidden agenda behind the assassination attempts, skyrocketing the scale and stakes of the arc. Mark Millar’s script presents an easy charm that blends realism and surrealism for a fascinating tale, and Matteo Buffagni’s art fits the script perfectly.
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