A MISCHIEF OF MAGPIES #2 (DSTLRY)

Marinus been tasked to stop the Moray King as he advances his grip on The Wandering City. The journey into the mysterious land has been one of unexpected twists and turns,

It is taking a stronger toll on his life in the real world. This is causing alarm of those that care about Mar.

Each action is coming with fearful consequences for his future.

Let’s talk A Mischief of Magpies #2 By Simon Spurrier , Matías Bergara, Kike J. Díaz & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DSTLRY)

Editor Note: This story deals with mature subject topics that readers might find upsetting. Discression is advised.

A Mischief of Magpies #2 By Simon Spurrier , Matías Bergara, Kike J. Díaz & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DSTLRY)

*** possible spoiler warning ***

WRITING:

Mar’s journey moves into upsetting corners of reality with this latest installment. The writing shows him still very impacted by the death of Milly. Readers sense the pain and sorrow in his voice as the diary entries convey his tortured soul. This feeling breaks for the welcomed escape to The Wandering City. It becomes fleeting as Mar snaps back to school. His actions lash out not only at bullies, but those trying to show empathy and compassion. His reaction shows the pain in his heart as he attempts to escape reality again. In this trip though, a mistake becomes the catalyst for a far more dire situation.

Readers watch as Mar’s carelessness winds up hurting a Magpie. Spurrier uses this moment to push Mar into dangerous territory while he attempts to thwart enemies. His initial outing goes into a dark place. The writing delivers a chilling segway into the recap of events. It leaves readers very uneasy as Mar tries moving forward. This becomes even more heartbreaking as his interaction with Sally implodes in devasting fashion. The encounter pushes Mar back into the fantasy haven, which becomes anything but welcomed. Readers see a domino fall of emotions as Mar’s life accelerates into a downward spiral. This crafts an unsettling final sequence where readers will walk away with a heavy heart inside the sorrow filling the closing pages.

CHECK OUT RICH’S REVIEW OF ISSUE #1!

ARTWORK:

Bergara and Díaz begin events with a cold look at Mar’s diary entries. The aftermath of Milly’s death doesn’t leave the pages as the full page funeral scene conveys the sorrow of Mar’s heart. This move into a spilt of more diary entries balanced out by the fantasy aspects of Mar’s other world. The latter takes hold from a great transition page. This leads into a phenomenal two page splash of Mar’s arrival in the Wandering City. Readers can easily see the stark contrasts of both worlds as Mar’s pain unloads in a single page with Sally. Images show the true Mar coming out, while attempting to escape reality.

Once back in the fantasy world, the mood shifts as Mar attempts to handle some new capabilities. Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering with the group of Magpies unloading their “attack” jumps out as well as Mar’s writing in the sky. This ushers in a series of fantastic full page images with Mar taking his moves underwater. The gloomy coloring helps construct the mirrored look of Mar internally. This jumps into a terrifying two page spread of Mar’s bloody fight. The painful reflections carry into his meeting with Sally. Their expressions scream out under the black and white presentation. A superb full page brings Mar back to his escape world, but nothing is welcoming him back. The art shows more struggles in his return, leading to a frightening close. Readers brace as the art leads in strong apprehension of what’s about to come, esp. with the final page. Strong work balancing the extreme subject matter.

FINAL GRADE: 9

Mar’s latest journey into fantasy turns to unsettling places with its’ latest chapter. Spurrier pens a highly impactful vision of perceptions of reality. Bergara, Díaz & Otsmane-Elhaou flood pages with incredible art, fueled by heavy emotion.‍ A powerful vision at trauma and tragedy with stunning results. Get your copy at the LCS or Neon Ichiban today.

Let me know your thoughts on A Mischief of Magpies #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!