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Magik #1-4
X-Men: Magik - Storm & Illyana
Illyana Rasputin, little sister of the X-Men's Colossus, entered Limbo as a child and left as a young woman... on the same day In that one day, she spent seven years learning magic from the best of the worst, the blasphemous Belasco The X-Men escaped him, but they're still there nonetheless- some dead and some even worse off Which fellow mutants can Illyana befriend, which will she have to fight - and is there even a difference between the two? Also featuring the New Mutants Collects Magik #1-4.
101 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1990
11 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Chris Claremont
3,278 books888 followersChris Claremont is a writer of American comic books, best known for his 16-year (1975-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industry's most successful properties.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 29, 2023
5 stars for the whole limited series
Because without this miniseries we wouldn't get Magik, or any of her amazing stories in both new mutants or other x men titles.
Because without this miniseries we wouldn't get Magik, or any of her amazing stories in both new mutants or other x men titles.
July 5, 2025
Claremont liked to play around with genres, and this Magik miniseries is his attempt at high-concept horror and fantasy, and it was quite a good book.
Illyana has become a fan favorite in recent years, but in Uncanny X-Men # 160 when Colossus's sister suddenly got kidnapped by a sorcerer and aged up it felt out of nowhere. This expands the story and makes her much more interesting, years before the Inferno crossover and further explorations into the demon realm of limbo.
There's trippy time travel, a long arc about Storm and other X-Men growing old in this evil world. By the time Illyana becomes a member of the New Mutants, however long that took, it made it worth reading to get all this background on the character.
Before there were so many X-Men spinoffs, way back in the early 80s, somehow Magik got her own and this made for a very unique extra story at the time. Plus, John Buscema's art was great!
Illyana has become a fan favorite in recent years, but in Uncanny X-Men # 160 when Colossus's sister suddenly got kidnapped by a sorcerer and aged up it felt out of nowhere. This expands the story and makes her much more interesting, years before the Inferno crossover and further explorations into the demon realm of limbo.
There's trippy time travel, a long arc about Storm and other X-Men growing old in this evil world. By the time Illyana becomes a member of the New Mutants, however long that took, it made it worth reading to get all this background on the character.
Before there were so many X-Men spinoffs, way back in the early 80s, somehow Magik got her own and this made for a very unique extra story at the time. Plus, John Buscema's art was great!
April 13, 2020
More Marvel sneaky marketing, forcing X-philes to buy this 4-part Limited Series in addition to the ongoing 2 X-books! And what's worse, is that the book in no way lives up to the ongoing titles, despite being written by Claremont. It's a key part of Illyana continuity, but that's about it! 5 out of 12.
May 8, 2025
Magik (leading up to and through Inferno) is one of my favorite characters. Which means I want so much more for this book. But like my original review alludes, this story is likely better a mystery occasionally referenced than told.
The trade repackaging tries to sell this as a Storm story. While it adds an interesting facet to Storm's heritage and a potential direction they could take the character... you also aren't dealing with the real Storm in the same way that Bloodstorm is not Storm. But they are hoping the additional name sells the book.
It's a Magik story. If you came for Storm you'll be more disappointed.
Original review:
These are the types of stories that are usually better left untold, but people always clamor for the telling.
This is the telling of a story that takes place between a couple panels of Uncanny X-Men #160. Which also covers the passing of seven years. It is a story that I always figured was going to be better in my head than on paper, through the little tidbits that got dropped throughout Uncanny and New Mutants about Illyana, but you know they are going to tell it. I think it would have been better if Claremont had kept it a mystery thus keeping his options open for what happened to Illyana over those seven years in Limbo (in this case a demonic dimension).
Overall the story isn't terrible. It really plays up the duality of Illyana and to decent effect. It gives you a scope of how hardened she had to become. It... it was just better as a mystery.
My review is making it sound like this story was written after Claremont started developing Illyana in the pages of New Mutants. In fact it came out just prior to her getting a major role in that book. I just experienced it a bit more backwards.
Pretty much, don't bother to read this unless you really enjoy Illyana. And even if you do, it may serve you better to hear about the happenings in Limbo more in passing than in full. Perhaps...
The trade repackaging tries to sell this as a Storm story. While it adds an interesting facet to Storm's heritage and a potential direction they could take the character... you also aren't dealing with the real Storm in the same way that Bloodstorm is not Storm. But they are hoping the additional name sells the book.
It's a Magik story. If you came for Storm you'll be more disappointed.
Original review:
These are the types of stories that are usually better left untold, but people always clamor for the telling.
This is the telling of a story that takes place between a couple panels of Uncanny X-Men #160. Which also covers the passing of seven years. It is a story that I always figured was going to be better in my head than on paper, through the little tidbits that got dropped throughout Uncanny and New Mutants about Illyana, but you know they are going to tell it. I think it would have been better if Claremont had kept it a mystery thus keeping his options open for what happened to Illyana over those seven years in Limbo (in this case a demonic dimension).
Overall the story isn't terrible. It really plays up the duality of Illyana and to decent effect. It gives you a scope of how hardened she had to become. It... it was just better as a mystery.
My review is making it sound like this story was written after Claremont started developing Illyana in the pages of New Mutants. In fact it came out just prior to her getting a major role in that book. I just experienced it a bit more backwards.
Pretty much, don't bother to read this unless you really enjoy Illyana. And even if you do, it may serve you better to hear about the happenings in Limbo more in passing than in full. Perhaps...
August 5, 2019
2.5 stars.
Chronicles Magik's missing years in limbo. Lots of talking and lots of training montages. Can be safely skipped unless you are a big Magik fan or you just have to read everything X-Men.
Chronicles Magik's missing years in limbo. Lots of talking and lots of training montages. Can be safely skipped unless you are a big Magik fan or you just have to read everything X-Men.
September 1, 2024
Give Illyana a break.
April 11, 2013
It was ok but not exactly what I expected and it just seemed so weird. Ugh am not sure if I really like it lol.
July 2, 2022
illyana my boobear my everything
January 15, 2025
Rileggere questa miniserie dopo oltre 30 anni è stato interessante ma faticoso.
Gli eventi narrati, in particolare la fine degli X-Men di quell'universo alternativo in cui loro e non Illyana rimasero bloccati nel limbo di Belasco, me li ricordavo abbastanza bene.
Quello che non ricordavo era l'enorme quantità di didascalie che appesantiscono i bei disegni dei fratelli Buscema (e Ron Frenz) inchiostrati dal sembre bravo Tom Palmer.
All'epoca avrei dato tranquillamente 3 stelle e mezza a questo albo, ma oggi devo dire che non è invecchiato bene e tutto sommato si mantiene giusto sulla sufficienza, 2 stelle e mezza.
Gli eventi narrati, in particolare la fine degli X-Men di quell'universo alternativo in cui loro e non Illyana rimasero bloccati nel limbo di Belasco, me li ricordavo abbastanza bene.
Quello che non ricordavo era l'enorme quantità di didascalie che appesantiscono i bei disegni dei fratelli Buscema (e Ron Frenz) inchiostrati dal sembre bravo Tom Palmer.
All'epoca avrei dato tranquillamente 3 stelle e mezza a questo albo, ma oggi devo dire che non è invecchiato bene e tutto sommato si mantiene giusto sulla sufficienza, 2 stelle e mezza.
July 12, 2018
half my lifetime spent on earth… and half in hell…!!!! belasco laughs. i join him!!!! and before i allow another living soul - especially one i care for - to suffer such a fate…i’ll see illyana dead… and you in hell!!!! SNAP!!!! i want to fight. and i want just as much to give in. there’s a part of me that will always answer his call… that wants the demonic power he offers!!!! as i plunge my hand into the energy sphere… an image comes to mind… of a sword!!!! i read every book in his library. the learning isn’t lost, it’s merely been passed from one demon mage… to another!!!!!!!!!
April 26, 2024
Illyana siempre me ha parecido un personaje interesante. A partir de Schism creo que los escritores encontraron su mejor cualidad: ser un general de guerra con cerebro táctico muchas veces on par con Cyclops y siempre con la mente en el end game.
Es bueno regresar a sus orígenes para entender el potencial OP que tiene a pesar de no ser Omega.
Es bueno regresar a sus orígenes para entender el potencial OP que tiene a pesar de no ser Omega.
January 14, 2025
"You were so beautiful when I first saw you, your majesty took my breath away.
Forgive me. I never mean to bring doom and destruction to those I care for, but i always do."
Que alguien le de un abrazo a esta niña por favor
Forgive me. I never mean to bring doom and destruction to those I care for, but i always do."
Que alguien le de un abrazo a esta niña por favor
August 26, 2025
Yeah, Magik rules.
January 24, 2025
A very fun origin story for one of my favorite comic book characters
April 18, 2019
I'm slowly making my way through Chris Claremont's epic X-men run. I found this limited series to be a lot of fun. I would imagine this story would make little sense without reading X-Men #160, and it's a shame that issue isn't collected with this book. I'd think one would enjoy this story a lot more if they had the context of that issue.
I really liked the why Claremont depicts the relationships of Illyana with Storm and "Cat" in this story, and you feel the angst each of those ladies have over how to deal with the fate of Illyana. The ending is actually quite powerful.
I really enjoy how Claremont is able to show characters making really tough decisions while being placed in these high stake moral quandaries. His writings always make me stop and think about how I would react in similar circumstances, and this story is no exception.
Sure, this story is full of mutants, magic, demons and other extraordinary stuff, but Claremont delivers a very human story that's worth the read.
I really liked the why Claremont depicts the relationships of Illyana with Storm and "Cat" in this story, and you feel the angst each of those ladies have over how to deal with the fate of Illyana. The ending is actually quite powerful.
I really enjoy how Claremont is able to show characters making really tough decisions while being placed in these high stake moral quandaries. His writings always make me stop and think about how I would react in similar circumstances, and this story is no exception.
Sure, this story is full of mutants, magic, demons and other extraordinary stuff, but Claremont delivers a very human story that's worth the read.
August 11, 2016
Magik! X-Men #160 was amazing, but it left many questions unanswered, like what happened to Illyana in her 7 years in Limbo. The answer could have totally sputtered out, but instead Claremont excels, offering a story almost as great as its predecessor. Part of the joy is seeing these weird, warped version of the X-Men. Part is seeing a bit more of timey-wimeyness. But the best part of the story is simply the terrific depiction of Illyana's apprenticeship: how she went from being an innocent girl to the dark childe. Sadly, when Illyana's story finally came to a close in Inferno some years later it wasn't nearly as good as what was set up here [8/10]
December 9, 2012
I would have loved to give this 5 stars because I love Storm and Illyana dearly. This is a fairly small story, clocking in at just around 100 pages, collecting the 4 issue Magik mini-series. I really wish they would have included X-Men #160 because not only would it have upped the page count and made this edition feel a little "meatier," but #160 is essential reading for some of this story to make sense. Some of the writing is heavy-handed at times with the good vs. evil stuff, but it's typically Claremont. I enjoyed this quite a bit, but felt it could have been presented better.
February 25, 2013
You know when you read a comic and you think "that was boring, I wish I hadn't bothered with that"?
I think I may have physically nodded off whilst reading this, which wouldn't be so strange if it were late in the evening rather than early afternoon whilst I read it. It's a true soporific. A thoroughly irrelevant tale based on an irrelevant character in which nothing of note happens. It's appropriate that this comic is set in limbo because by a strange coincidence I felt like I was in limbo as I read it.
I think I may have physically nodded off whilst reading this, which wouldn't be so strange if it were late in the evening rather than early afternoon whilst I read it. It's a true soporific. A thoroughly irrelevant tale based on an irrelevant character in which nothing of note happens. It's appropriate that this comic is set in limbo because by a strange coincidence I felt like I was in limbo as I read it.
June 25, 2016
20th book read in 2016.
Number 272 out of 513 on my all time book list.
Review Pending:
Number 272 out of 513 on my all time book list.
Review Pending:
February 28, 2021
This is a massive story for the X Universe and is crucial to the development of Magik as a character but also lays the foundation stones of the Inferno storyline that was to hit years later. Kidnapped and imprisoned in Limbo, the innocent Illyana Rasputin rapidly ages and develops a range of powers that fit her well for X Men inculcation (or, more specifically, to become a founder New Mutant).
March 6, 2021
I’ve always been a fan of Magik, and I’m glad this piece of her story was told. It’s not the most original tale, but the acorn/soul sword contrast was pretty cool. It’s not the first or last time that alternate timeline X-men sacrifice themselves for a current timeline hero, but some of the arcs are pretty effective. Recommend!
Also, I read the original comic books and the ads are hilarious.
Also, I read the original comic books and the ads are hilarious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2021
Bagi pecinta X-Men yang penasaran tentang riwayat Illyana Rasputin (adik dari Colossus) bisa menjadi mutan yang spesial (ia punya kekuatan sihir, pedang yang juga magis, dan teleportasi). Maka miniseri ini adalah jawabannya. Ini adalah kisah tentang pelatihan Illyana di dunia Limbo, tempat ia dilatih oleh Belasco sang iblis, Storm sang penyihir, dan Kitty Pryde Shadowcat.
December 28, 2022
illyana😭💗💗😭🫶🏾
but well this was kind of disappointing. when belasco turned kitty into a cat it just went downhill, after that i kind of lost interest but still loved seeing magik’s character development, wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who likes comics in general its just good if u actually like magik
but well this was kind of disappointing. when belasco turned kitty into a cat it just went downhill, after that i kind of lost interest but still loved seeing magik’s character development, wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who likes comics in general its just good if u actually like magik
February 17, 2023
Man I was surprised to find out that the 5 cent comic book that I bought years ago had an actually good story.
Illyana is stuck in limbo and she has to face a demon to survive. The story was only 4 issues but it felt like 12 issues that's which is good. It really makes the reader feel like they are limbo.
Overall 4.25 stars.
Illyana is stuck in limbo and she has to face a demon to survive. The story was only 4 issues but it felt like 12 issues that's which is good. It really makes the reader feel like they are limbo.
Overall 4.25 stars.
February 10, 2025
Found the first issue for Magik's origin completing my set. Solid book. Had some dark twists for the alternate universe of the x-men. Loved Illyana's struggle with her relationships with her mentors and how they were all abusive in their own way. Having her ride the line on who's path she should follow was interesting.
December 14, 2025
I had to force myself to read this. The story is all over the place, it feels like it isn’t going to end and then when it does end it just stops. There’s really no closure or satisfaction of an ending. It just ends and that’s about it. It’s all over the place and the story is unorganized. There is a lot of character development for Magik, and this version of Kitty Pride is strange.
July 26, 2024
Another nice surprise to see collected in hardcover. This falls under the category of “probably cheaper to buy the singles than the hardcover”, but where’s the fun in that? Solid stuff by Chris Claremont, Sal Buscema and Ron Frenz that is much better than most comic books published today.
December 26, 2018
besttttttttttttt
May 21, 2021
Young, powerless and innocent Illyana is trapped in a magical dimension and develops stockholm syndrome for a demon. It’s amazing.
Read
May 29, 2021WHAT did this comic have against letting illyana wear proper pants
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews