Bestselling star comic writer Mark Millar brings his acclaimed Millarworld imprint to Dark Horse with a new edition of The Magic Order. By day, they live among us as our neighbours, friends, and co-workers, but by night they are the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards that protect us from the forces of darkness… unless the darkness gets them first. Magic meets the Mob in The Magic Order, as five families of magicians sworn to protect our world for generations must battle an enemy who’s picking them off one by one.
Beginning his career in the 80s, Mark Millar has long been one of the UK’s top comic talents having worked for every major comic publisher. Whilst writing some of the post popular Marvel comics of the 21st century including The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Civil War and Old Man Logan – he built up his Millarworld line of titles including Wanted, Kick Ass and the Secret Service. Since around 2012, he has solely focused on his creator-owned output and overseen several of his works being adapted into film and TV shows with a current deal with Netflix.
With a TV series from Netlfix in production and being the first Millarworld title to be published by Dark Horse, it is a perfect time to revisit the world of The Magic Order. The series has a lot going for it. Millar has always had a great eye for art and has collaborated with a murders row of talent across his creator-owned titles. The Magic Order is blessed to have art from Olivier Coipel – one of Marvel’s most popular artists over the past twenty years – whose work includes House of M, Thor, Amazing Spider-Man and X-Men. He remains on top of his game for this series with the art exceling in every situation whilst bringing a sense of energy and excitement to proceedings.
The story itself brings together elements from classic murder mysteries and Harry Potter. Millar packs the comic with twists and turns which go a long way in keeping up the suspense. The premise also lends itself well to worldbuilding with Millar creating a brilliant set of characters beyond even the titular Magic Order that keep the story moving at a good pace and makes brilliant use of the magic that governs the world he has built.
This is a fun introduction for new readers to the Millarworld line of titles and a brilliant showcase of two top talents to boot. Now is a perfect time to discover or rediscover The Magic Order.
The Magic Order Volume 1 is out now from Dark Horse (9781506745220, p/b, £17.99)
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