Review: Black Magick Vol. 2- Awakening Part 2

Quick Summary

Pros: The main storyline is full of both suspense and excitement. This collection answers questions presented in the first volume and continues additional worldbuilding. The mystery here becomes even more compelling than before. The artwork is gorgeous and is the perfect complement to the story.

Cons: Nothing significant.

Overall: The second volume of Black Magick enhances nearly every positives from the first volume. It builds deeper relationships, more thoroughly explores mysteries, and gives readers a greater sense for what this series is going to be about. Plus, along the way, it ensures that there are moments of drama and excitement to keep things spicy. If great characters and intriguing magical mysteries are your thing, this comic is for you.

Story

In our review of Black Magick Vol. 1 (Review), we discussed how the first volume in this series was able to accomplish everything the first volume in a series should do. Black Magick Vol. 2: The Awakening Part 2, by Greg Rucka, repeats this distinction by doing everything the second volume in a series should do. Pieces of this volume inform readers about aspects of the universe in which this comic is set, answering lingering questions developed in the first volume. In addition, previously introduced mysteries become more compelling, as their relevance to the present becomes more apparent. All the while, an engaging and exciting story, centered around fantastic characters, continues to play out. The entire work is a joy to read and reassures readers that this is a comic to look out for.

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The biggest draw in The Awakening Part 2 is the way in which it develops upon elements from the first volume. In some places, this involves further developing vague concepts that were introduced previously. For example, Rowan’s clear trauma over burning alive and her references to previous “lives” are explained by the ceremony at the beginning of this collection. In other places, this development comes from simple character progression, which can be seen as readers learn more about the friendships Rowan holds dear.

However, the biggest element of development seen in The Awakening Part 2 comes from the continuation of the larger mystery this series seems to be centered around. Here, readers learn that there are three separate parties locked in some sort of war with one another. Readers also learn that the Aira is, currently, not the enemy they appeared to be and may end up being an ally by the end of this series. Learning all of this deepens the mystery here and makes the entire comic more compelling.

Alongside all of this development and worldbuilding, The Awakening Part 2 also manages to tell an exciting story along the way. The heroes here flirt with danger throughout this adventure and are put in a couple of dicey situations. There is even an incredibly suspenseful moment wherein a baby is in the arms of a literal monster and Rowan is forced to unleash an insanely powerful blast of magic in order to save it. Meanwhile, alongside all of these exciting moments, are ones focused on the characters themselves. These realistic interactions allow the story to stay grounded, despite the grandiose concepts featured right alongside them. All in all, the combination of realistic human struggles and intense magical encounters makes for a fantastic read from start to finish.

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Art

The artwork in The Awakening Part 2 is every bit as beautiful as it was in the previous volume. Nicola Scott’s realistic depictions of human beings and subtly imaginative takes on magic prove to be an incredibly effective combination. Every environment and character in this story has a personality, which helps fill in details that the narration misses. Even the clothing each character chooses to wear says something about their character and makes this book feel as if it was taken from real-world moments. Plus, this volume continues the unique interplay between greys and colors that helped define the first volume in a wonderful way. Overall, this book is visually impressive from start to finish and is a perfect complement to the story being told here.

Continuity

Black Magick Vol. 2: Awakening Part 2 continues the story from Black Magick Vol. 1: Awakening Part 1 (Review).

The story here is set to continue in a third volume, the name of which has yet to be announced.