Cool Origins And Chilling Happenings: Reviewing ‘The Magic Order 5’ #4
by Olly MacNamee
Summary
In ‘The Magic Order 5’ #4 we get to know the coolest of the Magic Order, Clyde, as we delve back into his past and learn his origin story. And just like the man himself, it’s pretty cool.
Overall
10/10We open up on a shocking and dramatic splash page. It’s 1978 and we are witness to an overturned truck, dangerous on fire, with Clyde trapped and in a bad way. A very bad way. Enter his salvation and the reason he is now part of the Magic Order. We learn the price Clyde had to pay and how he overcame his demons. Literally and figuratively. For me, Clyde is the stand-out hero of this series. It’s a shame he’s only turned up now in the last volume. One part Han Solo, another part Thomas Magnum with a peppering of Logan, this guy oozes coolness; with a cool origin story to match. I dare anyone to dislike this guy, Cordelia certainly doesn’t.
As such, Clyde’s fascinating backstory dominates the issue, which is fine by me. I was happy to get to know this renegade. And we certainly needed a good dose of cool before the chills of the closing scene. All perfectly choreographed by artist Matteo Buffagni. And eerily illuminated in all the right places by colourist Giovanna Niro. Returning to the opening scene one more time is a great example of an artist and colourist working in simpatico. Clyde is lying at death’s door and is kinda forced to make a deal with the Devil. But the threat is made all the more creepy with Niro’s use of glowing yellow-green hues, distilling the whole scene as unsettling.
Mark Millar’s grasp on telling an enthralling story is present on every page of this page-turner of a comic. The art, the dialogue, the colours; they all work so well in an issue that seems to be over far too quickly. Pretty gripping stuff.
The Magic Order 5 #4 is out now from Dark Horse Comics