THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #4, by Dark Horse Comics on 1/22/25, brings the world closer to the end of all things when the Brotherhood of the Bell finds the key to awaken ancient darkness.
Credits:
- Writer: Mark Millar
- Artist: Matteo Buffagni
- Colorist: Giovanna Niro, Laura Ciondolini
- Letterer: Clem Robins
- Cover Artist: Matteo Buffagni
- Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
- Release Date: January 22, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (language, gore, sexuality)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #4:
Recap:
When last we left Cordelia and her allies in The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #3, the Order barely escaped a series of assassination attempts on Cordelia’s life. During their investigation to find out who wants Cordelia dead, the Order learns an ancient cult named the Brotherhood of the Bell has resurfaced to bring about the Apocalypse, and only Cordelia stands in their way.
Plot Analysis:
The Magic Order (Vol. 4) #4 begins with a flashback to the beginning of Clyde’s demonic partnership. During a deadly truck accident in Texas, 1978, Clyde felt his life ebbing away from catastrophic injuries. A demonic force approached Clyde in his last moments with an offer – accept the demons as a host and immortality or take his chances in the Great Beyond. Cognizant of his imperfect life, Clyde takes the deal.
In the years to follow, the demons take control of Clyde’s body during the night to commit horrific crimes of violence, but Clyde is left alone during the day. Eventually, Clyde learned to assert his will over the demons to stop their wanton destruction. When Clyde was arrested for his crimes, and his execution failed to achieve the expected outcome, Clyde was released from prison (see The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #1) with full control of the demons within.
In the present, Clyde and Cordelia enjoy intimate time together after Clyde saved Cordelia’s life and pledged to protect her in the previous issue. Their time is inconveniently interrupted by Order members when they learn a third assassin is on their way.
Meanwhile, Grandmaster Mott arrives in New Jersey to participate in the ritual hosted by the Brotherhood of the Bell. The ritual, requiring the sacrifice of a boy specifically bred over the course of generations, involves a bloody desecration of the boy to reveal a special bell. The issue ends with the Brotherhood fulfilling a very ancient task.
First Impressions:
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Mark Millar is a master at taking big swings, so it’s no surprise that The Magic Order (Vol. 5) #4 reveals a huge challenge for The Order. Fans of mature magic with a Lovecraftian twist will love where this story is headed.
Artwork and Presentation:
Beyond the immensity of the final moments in the script, the art team’s presentation is the co-star of this issue. Matteo Buffagni’s detailed artwork and whimsically magical elements perfectly encapsulate the mature, otherworldly vibe of the story. Further, the coloring team elevates the tale significantly by using saturation tones of blues, yellows, and greens to create mood in the major scenes of the story for more impact.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Writer Mark Millar creates a world-ending (galaxy-ending?) threat that’s ready to blindside the Earth for all time, and it seems there’s nothing the heroes can do to stop it. That’s the kind of big swing we need more of in modern comic storytelling, and if Millar can pay off the attempt in the remaining issues, this entire volume will be a winner.
The Negatives:
There’s not much to get down about in this issue beyond the odd nitpick. If you like Millar’s brand of adult, hard-hitting, dark fantasy, you get everything you’re looking for here and more.
Final Thoughts:
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
THE MAGIC ORDER (VOL. 5) #4 commences the penultimate issue in the volume with death, demons, and the beginning of the end of the world. Mark Millar’s script swings for the fences in a galaxy far, far away, and the art team’s mix of detail, whimsy, and gore is stellar. Beyond a minor nitpick or two, this issue is a winner.
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.