SMOKE AND MIRRORS #2 (OF 5)

Review by: Neb
Mike Costa, Ryan Browne

Size: 0 pages
Price: 3.99

I thought that the first issue started this series off strongly, so I was looking forward to the second issue this week. After finishing the issue, I can safely say that, for me, the anticipation wasn’t unfounded as this was a great issue. One of the things that I really appreciate about the series is its pacing. In this issue, we see our two main characters finally meet and begin an “apprentice/master” style relationship. Instead of spending 3 issues on this fact, a majority of this is taken care of through a comic book style montage. I find this to be a smart move as it doesn’t make the story feel drawn out. The second thing that I really like about this book is that there isn’t any internal monologue. Its almost like Costa and crew want us to use the context of the panels and the characters to see what’s going on, which in this age of comics can be refreshing. There is a sadness and loneliness to the magician, which we’re not told, but shown through the dialogue and his actions. It’s a deft touch and one that I appreciate as a reader. The issue ends on a fantastic cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

This title wouldn’t be half as magical without the art. It’s pretty fantastic. When a series doesn’t rely on text boxes to give us the internal monologue of every character, it relies on the art to portray the emotion of the characters. The art more than handles the chore in this case, and I’m really digging its visual style.

Overall, this is a solid new title in the pantheon of comics. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit different from the traditional superhero book, give this one a try. It’s a great read.

Story: 5 - Excellent
Art: 5 - Excellent

Comments

  1. Couldn’t agree more, I also thought this issue was a step up from last issue story wise and enjoyed how fast paced everything moved to get on with things. Some people might not have liked that part about it but I thought it was done well

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