KING: MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN #1 Review


Will this book cast a spell on you? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

“It’s time to put on a SHOW!”

Welcome to the KING, full of IMPOSSIBLE TRICKERY and DEMONIC DESTRUCTION and HEARTBREAKING VILLAINY and WITCH DOCTORING and GLOBAL CATASTROPHE and SMIRKING SLEIGHT-OF-HAND and DAPPER DETERMINATION! Witness MAGICAL MYSTERY by Eisner-Award Winner ROGER LANGRIDGE (Thor the Mighty Avenger) and JEREMY TREECE (Marvel Zombies) with a connecting King cover by comic legend DARWYN COOKE!

King-Mandrake The Magician 1_Variant CoverWith a series of mini-adventures born from a landscape already expanded by Flash Gordon, the comic world is in for a treat. Especially with this one as the creative team takes, by my estimations, the most unknown character and crafts a literary jaunt that begs for an audience. And you know what? They do more right then wrong as this one earns a spot on your pull-list.

Ever since the first issue of Kings Watch I’ve wanted a series that focused on Mandrake the Magician, and thanks to a script by Roger Langridge that’s exactly what I got. The story unfolds after the invasion by Mongo, Earth has been sent back decades in regards to her technology. The world is suffering and our showmen decides that a live display of his skills to raise funds from the rich and powerful would be a good idea. Problems ensue and this author makes use of those events, while keeping a steady pace that’s full of wit.

On the visual side Jeremy Treece offers up a striking set of pictures that honestly caught me off guard. Of all the King books this one stands out, because the talent yields renditions that are far more stylized then the others. The result is a vibrant display that plays with the mystic arts but leaves plenty of room for expression. I’m willing to bet that the final look for this book might not fit everyone’s desire, but I liked it.

King: Mandrake the Magician #1 is a fun outing that knows its primary character well enough to keep my attention. And for that it earns a recommendation from me.

OUR RATING
8
  • + See a smart script.
  • + Had a consistent pace.
  • + Absolutely styled display.
  • - Acheron needs development...

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