Review: The Final Curtain Comes Down On The Moonstones In ‘The Magic Order 5’ #6

The Magic Order 5 #6 marks the end to another series of magical meddling and mayhem, but it also brings the curtain down on the whole family saga of the Moonstones. And with that, writer and co-creator Mark Millar brings everything to the table in a comic that doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to this particular conclusion, but certainly plays to the crowd. 

Beyond the obvious comparisons with Harry Potter and his Wizarding World, there are a huge number of influences that have fuelled this family drama, including the cosmic horror of HP Lovecraft and the real-life character of Aleister Crowley. Beyond the more specific influences there are others too, common supernatural storytelling tropes, such as the Truce Zone (in this case the Abington Hotel), demonic possession, bell, book and candle and so much more. All informing this concluding chapter. In watching the action unfold and a conclusion conjured up, Millar is rewarding his long-term readers of this series with a Greatest Hits compilation of sorts, while delivering a gung-ho ending that readers will be happy with, even if it does echo his previous conclusion to Big Game quite considerably.

But, even in concluding this long running and enthralling saga, there is still time for the odd revelation and – maybe uncharacteristically for Millar – happy endings too in the closing scenes of this book. I won’t spoil the specifics, but it’s safe to say that if anyone deserves a happy ending I think we can all agree it’s Cordelia Moonstone. What that looks like however, is for you to find out by picking up this issue that’s been a long time coming.

Throughout this whole family drama Millar has been blessed with stunning artists, and this last series has been no different with Matteo Buffagni’s art clean and crisp allowing the dense action to flow successfully on the page and offering the reader a smooth read with perfectly presented character and dramatic layouts designed to pack a punch. His attention to realism, details and the phantasmagorical really helps sell this story, making each character tangible, real; characters we can relate to. Something quite important when you’re reading about people with god-like powers. And, as even, Giovanna Niro’s colours helps set the appropriate tone throughout, even closing down this affair with apt pink, cozy hues, reflecting the rosey outlook and optimism of the last scene.

A happy ending, after a rather tempestuous few years. But, whether we have really seen the last of Cordelia and her family.. well, they do say a magician never repeats his greatest trick. Only time will give us an answer to that one.

The Magic Order 5 #6 is out now from Dark Horse Comics