Review: Rise of the Magi #2 a Strangely Magical Tale

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Rise of the Magi 2 - Marc Silvestri, Stjepan Sejic coverRISE OF THE MAGI #2

Writer: Marc Silvestri
Artists: Sumeyye Kesgin and Mirka Andolfo
Colorist: Betsy Gonia
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Editor: Betsy Gonia
Additional Art: Marc Silvestri
Publisher: Top Cow Productions
Cover A: Stjepan Sejic
Cover B: Marc Silvestri and Betsy Gonia
Cover C: Marc Silvestri

On Sale: July 9, 2014
Pages: 32 Full Color
Price: $3.50

After a terrifying escape from the Magic world into ours, Asa finds that not even two realities are big enough to hide in. Armed with a terrible secret meant to destroy both his world and this strange place called Earth, Asa Stonethrow must seek help from his realms most feared criminals. His only hope is an enchanted frog and a street-smart, opportunistic petty thief and con artist named April Mae June.

Not so breaking news… We may have recently discovered the secret to Marc Silvestri’s strangely magical tale… his choice of late night snacks.

Post by Marc Silvestri.

This combination must have something to do with the strange visions that are the foundation of this magical mystical tale, fueled by his strange choice of late night snacks, Marc weaves a magical tale that spans two realms.  One fully aware of magic and the other largely oblivious to it’s existence. Asa may have escaped the situation on Rune, but that does not mean that he has left the troubles behind. And now he has to navigate a city he doesn’t know and find the one person that might be able to help him.

Sumeyee Kesgin and Mirka Andolfo bring Marc’s story to life with a sense of whimsy that is perfectly suited to this title. Again Top Cow has pulled off something I would not think to be possible, paired two artists on the same story that can deliver a cohesive style. As with issue 1 I was originally a little concerned about there being two artists on the book. Once again though the pairing itself is magical and the styles so well aligned that the reader might miss it if there were not already aware or looking closely to see if they could find the difference.  Well done Top Cow, almost makes one wonder if you stole a little speck from The Orb yourselves.

Added to Sumeyee and Mirka’s art are the coloring skills of Betsy Gonia, who appears to be in her element on this title.  In my opinion some of the best colors I have seen from her thus far.  Looking forward to seeing much more from her in the future.

And if none of what I have written here grabs you the covers alone would make most people pick up a copy to figure out what the book is about.  Cover A by Stjepan Sejic had me in awe and stitches as soon as I saw it.   A selfie taken by a creature that shouldn’t know what a smart phone is let alone how to take a selfie with it is perfect.  No idea where Stjepan got the brilliant idea for this. Cover B and C are simply beautiful but I have to say that for once Cover A may be my favorite this time.

If I have one complaint, it is that Rise of the Magi #2 ended to soon.  I was reading along, enjoying the tale, when suddenly I hit those dreaded words… To be Continued.  Noooooooo!!!! I now have to wait to read issue 3.  I will say that when a book makes you react that way when you get to the last page of an issue then it must be a winner.  Who cares on a boring or lackluster book when you get to the end of an issue; but on a winner, you almost cry realizing you can’t just stay immersed in the story, instead having to emerge back to the mundane world that we call earth.

Would I recommend this book to my friends? Well that’s easy, YES! And I have been doing just that as the story is so much fun to read.

For a creative story that has not been told in a million other ways a million other times, for art, for the laughs even for making me almost cry when I had to emerge to my reality, Rise of the Magi 2 scores a perfect 10.

The closest I will come to giving you a spoiler… somebody needs to find some energy supplements for Bloop.

Now to figure out where Marc and/or Top Cow are hiding their little sliver of The Orb so that I can… borrow… yes that’s the word, borrow it just for a little bit. Just don’t tell Marc or anybody at Top Cow who is borrowing it, please! 

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