Full Moon Child Rising: ‘The Magic Order 5’ #5 Advance Review
by Olly MacNamee
Summary
Like John Wick, Cordelia is on the run and running for her life in ‘The Magic Order 5’ #5. But wherever she runs, she keeps on running into danger. Oh, and did I mention she has no magic powers to protect her?
Overall
10/10As we reach the finishing line of the Moonstone saga, Cordelia is met with threats on two fronts, thanks to the menacing Fellowship. Worse still, her powers have been ripped from her for the next hour. Which is a long time in the world of magic. So, Cordelia needs to keep her head down and head for The Abington Hotel. Think The Continental from the John Wick film franchise, but brim full of witches, wizards and more from across time.
Like the ending of the Harry Potter novels, magical energies flow liberally and damagingly, but it is better written with Mark Millar always finding the right words and cadence for his characters with wonderful turns of phrases. Whether it’s the formal and sometimes grandiose language of the Moon Child, (she could fight on and “get no more tired than the stars in the sky”) or the gutter punk language of the foul-mouthed. Cordelia, Millar certainly knows how to craft dialogue and character voices. And all aptly translated onto the printed page by artist Matteo Buffagni and colourist Giovanna Niro. Buffgani is one of those talented artists who seem to be able to presents the most detailed of scenes with the fewest possible lines. But, highly effective and realistically rendered too, giving this more of a cinematic feel to it that many mainstream comics. That, or a very well dirceted TV series. It certainly a good indication of what the eventual Netflix show will look like.
With one last issue left, Cordelia certainly has her hands full. It must be tough, as she has been predicted to die. But, as ever, the riddler and writer, Mark Millar, has one last twist to play that is true to the prophecy but also acts as a handy get-out clause for the young mage.
The Magic Order 5 #5 is another dramatic, frantic issue as tensions rise even higher as Cordelia runs out of places to lie low. And by the end, the problems have only multiplied.
All I’m saying is that it’ll take a lot more than a bit of sleight of hand and a deck of cards to sort this one out. But I’m intrigued to learn what one last trick Millar and Buffagni have in store for us.
The Magic Order 5 #5 is out Wednesday, 26th February from Dark Horse Comics
