BIG TROUBLE in LITTLE CHINA / VAMPIRELLA / THE DARKNESS [Reviews]: Those real?

THE RISE OF THE MAGI #1 – Hop on your Firebolts and grab your pipe-weed, Potter and LOTR fans, because Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri (Witchblade) and newb comic illustrator Sumeyye Kesgin are teasing wannabe wizards and witches into the magical world of Rune. Quickly, our unwilling magic carpet repairer protagonist Asa Stonethrow is forced on an epic journey to save our mundane world when a Palantír-looking orb is compromised. Why should we fear the “Palantír”? This orb holds all the magic in the world and, if destroyed, everything will just cease to exist. Poof! What was confusing during the ominous description and history of the orb was the brief mention of the term, Big Bang. So, yes, the orb can destroy, but term suggests that with destruction comes life. Doesn’t seem as bad with that perspective. Despite this passing contradiction, the fast paced and chaotic nature of the story didn’t leave much time for reflection, especially when few sophomoric bites were thrown to lighten the mood. Kesgin’s energetic and expressive artwork ties perfectly along with the action packed storyline. Though the storyline is somewhat predictable, The Goddamn Wu doesn’t mind hitching a ride on this magic carpet. 3/5

He shall inherit...a hand.
He shall inherit…a hand.

THE DARKNESS: CLOSE YOUR EYES #1 – This the beautiful origin story of Adelmo Estacado, an ancestor of Mafia hitman, Jackie Estacado, scripted by Ales Kot (Secret Avengers) and illustrated by Maro Oleksicki (Judge Dredd) that deserves a foot washing from this awed fangirl. Although both the writing and artwork are understated, they are powerful… So powerful that one can taste the dry California dust and sweat on Adelmo’s skin and hear the beating of the oil rigs and the crackle of fire, much like Steinbeck transporting readers to the Salinas Valley in his short stories and novels. Although The Darkness never truly appears because it is set before and on the day of Aldemo’s 21st birthday, the day that The Darkness blesses and curses the Estacado male line. However, this ancient is alluded to through the sad story of Aldemo’s conception, his response to some Yo’ Mama taunts, and of course, most artfully by the mention of the poet Rimbaud (Thank you for that Easter egg, Kot, from Literature geeks everywhere). Oh, and The Darkness is also a motherfucking video game. Again, TGW thanks Kot and Olesicki for classing it up and proving once again why comics are a valid literary medium that isn’t just about hot superheroes in tight clothing beating up bad guys. 4.5/5

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