What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Magick #2
Black Magick, Vol. 2: Awakening II
The trap around Rowan Black continues to close, with the Hammer closing in on one side and the Ascension now in motion on the other. But the ultimate wound may not be wielded by magick, but instead delivered via the heart.
Collecting issues 6 through 11 of the critically-acclaimed series by New York Times bestselling creators GREG RUCKA and NICOLA SCOTT.
Collecting issues 6 through 11 of the critically-acclaimed series by New York Times bestselling creators GREG RUCKA and NICOLA SCOTT.
136 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2018
15 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,493 books1,924 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 20, 2018
This has turned into a title that I actively stalk for new volumes.
It's beautifully drawn and I love the little splashes of color that get painted in for emphasis. Wow! Just...wow!
Rowan's backstory gets a bit of illumination, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way these witches live such long lives. I wasn't expecting that sort of thing, and it was surprisingly cool.
The story itself went in a direction I wasn't expecting, and it seems as though these lovely witches have more enemies than they originally thought.
My biggest complaint would be that I want to know MORE, and it isn't happening fast enough for my particular taste. But there is forward motion, which leads me to believe that Rucka has a storyline all mapped out, and isn't just leading the audience on.
I really liked the spooky shit in this volume. I know there was a little in the last one, but the creep factor gets upped in this when the ghoulish fuckers that are hunting Rowan and her friends show up. Brrrrr!
I have no real complaints. Zero.
This is a fantastic story and if you haven't checked it out yet, you're really missing out on something cool.
It's beautifully drawn and I love the little splashes of color that get painted in for emphasis. Wow! Just...wow!
Rowan's backstory gets a bit of illumination, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way these witches live such long lives. I wasn't expecting that sort of thing, and it was surprisingly cool.
The story itself went in a direction I wasn't expecting, and it seems as though these lovely witches have more enemies than they originally thought.
My biggest complaint would be that I want to know MORE, and it isn't happening fast enough for my particular taste. But there is forward motion, which leads me to believe that Rucka has a storyline all mapped out, and isn't just leading the audience on.
I really liked the spooky shit in this volume. I know there was a little in the last one, but the creep factor gets upped in this when the ghoulish fuckers that are hunting Rowan and her friends show up. Brrrrr!
I have no real complaints. Zero.
This is a fantastic story and if you haven't checked it out yet, you're really missing out on something cool.
February 13, 2021
Previous rating: 3.75 stars .
New rating: 5 stars .
➽ And the moral of this reread is: I obviously read this volume very wrong the first time around. I mean, I apparently thought that Rowan's backstory slowed the pace down . When it really is Super Extra Cool (SEC™) and adds a whole bloody shrimping lot to the series arc. Oh, and also, stuff like this:
Oh, and I think I must have beenstupendously high/drunk/both on premium quality stuff when I first read this volume. I mean, there's no other way to explain why I would dedicate a whole fascinating paragraph in my original review to some hypothetically hypothetical love triangle crap/relationship drama that may or may not take place in the next volume. Yeah yeah yeah, I'm still disappointed that Rowan and Morgan can't be just friends, and that Rucka had to bring silly 💕lurve💕 into the mix, but it's really not that bad. For now, anyway. One thing is certain though: Morgan is an ass. And that, my Little Barnacles, is a scientifically proven fact.
Oh I sure am with you on that one, Ro.
Amazingly enough, there is some stuff I did read right the first time around. I kid you not.
① The Yummy Creepsters are as deliciously creeptastic as ever.
② The Foul-Mouthed Kitty = 😍😍. (And also 🐱👤🐱👤, obviously.)
I wonder how an obnoxious feline would get on with murderous crustaceans? Quite famously, I'm sure.
③ The coloring still is and forever will be scrumptious as fish:
Wait for the next instalment I cannot. A good thing that in today's mail it should be. Well I sure hope that in today's mail it actually is. Because slightly peeved I might get if it isn't .
👋 To be continued and stuff.
· Vol. 1: Awakening I ★★★★★
· Vol. 3: Ascension ★★★
August 2018
I’d originally rated this volume 5 wondrous little stars. But. I had a little chat about it with my Nefarious Daughter (aka Little One) and thecunning brat well-intentioned offspring that she is made me realize how grossly overgenerous my original rating was. Ergo:
Pre-chat rating: 5 stars.
Post-chat rating: 3.75 stars. Like sucks and stuff. Also, don’t blame me, I’m innocent as the newborn shrimp. This is all Little One’s fault. Obviously.
So. The ever-cool stuff about this series: first, the artwork. I still love it despite its sepia/black and white/whatever tones (which I’ve never been a fan of). And I still think that adding little touches of color here and there to put emphasis on some items/characters/whatever is pure genius and stuff.
Second, the setting. I really liked the “something Wiccan this way comes” meets crime story vibes of the first volume. What makes this volume super extra yummy is the addition of some deliciously creepy elements:
Why hello there, you cutie pie!
Then we have one of the coolest familiars in the history of coolest familiars. I mean, who the bloody shrimp can resist a foul-mouthed cat? I sure as fish can’t.
Now. I had two problems with this volume. The first one is the pace. I wouldn’t say it is slower than an apathetic barnacle’s, but it is painfully sluggish at times. Which is to be expected since there is a lot of backstory in this volume. Which made for an interesting read, admittedly. I mean, I really enjoyed learning more about Rowan’s witchy past and stuff. And looking at the super extra cool graphics that went along with it and stuff:
But. As intriguing as the backstory is, it really prevents the story from developing at a satisfying pace. So meh and stuff.
The second problem I had with this volume is the relationship between our Kick Ass Witch of a Heroine (KAWoaH™) and her partner, Morgan. One of the reasons I loved volume one so much is the genuine friendship these two seem to have. A woman and a man working together and being great friends, with no hint of silly romance? Why color me slightly flabbergasted and stuff. Well. It seems that I was overly and most ridiculously naïve in my hope that this would be a romantic BS-free endeavor. I could be wrong, but it kind of sorta feels like we’ve got some love triangle crap/relationship drama on the way.
Mr Rucka, I lurves thee, but you better steer clear of Romantic Drama Llama Territory (RDLT™). I might have to unleash the murderous crustaceans on you if you don’t. And I’d hate to do that. Until Lazarus is completed, that is. After that, well…
New rating: 5 stars .
➽ And the moral of this reread is: I obviously read this volume very wrong the first time around. I mean, I apparently thought that Rowan's backstory slowed the pace down . When it really is Super Extra Cool (SEC™) and adds a whole bloody shrimping lot to the series arc. Oh, and also, stuff like this:
Oh, and I think I must have been
Oh I sure am with you on that one, Ro.
Amazingly enough, there is some stuff I did read right the first time around. I kid you not.
① The Yummy Creepsters are as deliciously creeptastic as ever.
② The Foul-Mouthed Kitty = 😍😍. (And also 🐱👤🐱👤, obviously.)
I wonder how an obnoxious feline would get on with murderous crustaceans? Quite famously, I'm sure.
③ The coloring still is and forever will be scrumptious as fish:
Wait for the next instalment I cannot. A good thing that in today's mail it should be. Well I sure hope that in today's mail it actually is. Because slightly peeved I might get if it isn't .
👋 To be continued and stuff.
· Vol. 1: Awakening I ★★★★★
· Vol. 3: Ascension ★★★
August 2018
I’d originally rated this volume 5 wondrous little stars. But. I had a little chat about it with my Nefarious Daughter (aka Little One) and the
Pre-chat rating: 5 stars.
Post-chat rating: 3.75 stars. Like sucks and stuff. Also, don’t blame me, I’m innocent as the newborn shrimp. This is all Little One’s fault. Obviously.
So. The ever-cool stuff about this series: first, the artwork. I still love it despite its sepia/black and white/whatever tones (which I’ve never been a fan of). And I still think that adding little touches of color here and there to put emphasis on some items/characters/whatever is pure genius and stuff.
Second, the setting. I really liked the “something Wiccan this way comes” meets crime story vibes of the first volume. What makes this volume super extra yummy is the addition of some deliciously creepy elements:
Why hello there, you cutie pie!
Then we have one of the coolest familiars in the history of coolest familiars. I mean, who the bloody shrimp can resist a foul-mouthed cat? I sure as fish can’t.
Now. I had two problems with this volume. The first one is the pace. I wouldn’t say it is slower than an apathetic barnacle’s, but it is painfully sluggish at times. Which is to be expected since there is a lot of backstory in this volume. Which made for an interesting read, admittedly. I mean, I really enjoyed learning more about Rowan’s witchy past and stuff. And looking at the super extra cool graphics that went along with it and stuff:
But. As intriguing as the backstory is, it really prevents the story from developing at a satisfying pace. So meh and stuff.
The second problem I had with this volume is the relationship between our Kick Ass Witch of a Heroine (KAWoaH™) and her partner, Morgan. One of the reasons I loved volume one so much is the genuine friendship these two seem to have. A woman and a man working together and being great friends, with no hint of silly romance? Why color me slightly flabbergasted and stuff. Well. It seems that I was overly and most ridiculously naïve in my hope that this would be a romantic BS-free endeavor. I could be wrong, but it kind of sorta feels like we’ve got some love triangle crap/relationship drama on the way.
Mr Rucka, I lurves thee, but you better steer clear of Romantic Drama Llama Territory (RDLT™). I might have to unleash the murderous crustaceans on you if you don’t. And I’d hate to do that. Until Lazarus is completed, that is. After that, well…
July 29, 2018
I really liked the first volume of this series, which I read almost TWO YEARS AGO, ugh. But it is a testament to the quality of the series that, when I saw the second volume at the library, I took it home and read it in one sitting. Today. I don’t know that much of Greg Rucka’s superhero work but very much like series he did with Ed Brubaker, Gotham Central, and his indie Stumptown series. This is tale of Rowan Black, who is a Portsmouth detective, and also a witch. Trying to fly under the radar, which this volume reveals will not work out. At a glance I seem to be one of the few people who see this second volume as even better than the first. I like Rowan Black a ton as a character, just great.
In the second volume we get backstory about the centuries of Rowan’s having been around. She and her friend Alex have been killed more than a few times over the years, and we seem to really be on her (Wiccan?) side. She’s not The Wicked Witch of the West, let’s just say. She likes babies and stuff.
In the present, we encounter two factions that are threatening the quiet life Rowan has built as a detective. One of them is called AIRA, and they are witch-hunters, but it is not clear how this group will play with Rowan and Alex. Maybe an alliance may form? Either way, it is clear R and A definitely need help dealing with another group that I thought was Awesomely and Truly Scary. In other plot news, Morgan, Rowan’s partner, becomes a father and well, some of the scary stuff I can’t quite talk about impacts that event. Yeesh! So good. A comics mash-up of crime and horror! I will say because I had to wait so long and not much still happens 4.5 rating, but the art by Nicola Scott is the best and the ending I really really liked, indicating that the line Rowan erode.
In the second volume we get backstory about the centuries of Rowan’s having been around. She and her friend Alex have been killed more than a few times over the years, and we seem to really be on her (Wiccan?) side. She’s not The Wicked Witch of the West, let’s just say. She likes babies and stuff.
In the present, we encounter two factions that are threatening the quiet life Rowan has built as a detective. One of them is called AIRA, and they are witch-hunters, but it is not clear how this group will play with Rowan and Alex. Maybe an alliance may form? Either way, it is clear R and A definitely need help dealing with another group that I thought was Awesomely and Truly Scary. In other plot news, Morgan, Rowan’s partner, becomes a father and well, some of the scary stuff I can’t quite talk about impacts that event. Yeesh! So good. A comics mash-up of crime and horror! I will say because I had to wait so long and not much still happens 4.5 rating, but the art by Nicola Scott is the best and the ending I really really liked, indicating that the line Rowan erode.
February 20, 2019
I’m really enjoying this witch/police/centuries-long adversarial relations between groups/creepy series. The artwork is gorgeous, and we get some backstory on Rowan, where we find she and her longtime friend Alex have lived and died repeatedly at the hands of a group of witch hunters. Also, Rowan’s relationship with her detective partner are deteriorating thanks to her rapidly failing attempts at juggling the two parts of her life.
There are hints about changes to Rowan’s abilities and things getting worse in future issues, which I really want to read, and I LOVE Rowan’s familiar!
There are hints about changes to Rowan’s abilities and things getting worse in future issues, which I really want to read, and I LOVE Rowan’s familiar!
April 25, 2019
★★★1/2
This moody story combining policing and the occult continues here as different forces begin to converge on Portsmouth, and it looks like Rowan's past and her apparent destiny might be the reason behind it all. The story moves at a much slower pace in this volume but there's even more dark magic and horror on display (the maternity ward scene was pretty exciting!) and the stunning and creative artwork continues to be the real star. This series is worth a read for the art alone!
This moody story combining policing and the occult continues here as different forces begin to converge on Portsmouth, and it looks like Rowan's past and her apparent destiny might be the reason behind it all. The story moves at a much slower pace in this volume but there's even more dark magic and horror on display (the maternity ward scene was pretty exciting!) and the stunning and creative artwork continues to be the real star. This series is worth a read for the art alone!
February 24, 2019
Fabulous artwork, great story, excellent continuation of the first volume.
The sketching continues to be very, very good and the colour highlights were well placed.
The look at Rowan‘s youth was a very nice addition that added depth to the story.
It got really tense there at the height of the plot. I will definitely pick up Volume 3 when it becomes available.
The sketching continues to be very, very good and the colour highlights were well placed.
The look at Rowan‘s youth was a very nice addition that added depth to the story.
It got really tense there at the height of the plot. I will definitely pick up Volume 3 when it becomes available.
January 8, 2021
Damn now I'm going to be in the same boat as everyone else. Sure volume 3 is out next month but then I'll be waiting 2-3 years for the 4th (and I assume final) volume.
Anyway, Ro is not having a good week. After something happens that puts her on watch again, she is trying to struggle between being a good friend, a good partner, and a good cop. On top of that the witches make their move and...well let's just say they aren't fucking around this time. Ro has to juggle alot this time but by the end I was 100% behind whatever Rucka has in store for our favorite witch here.
While not AS good as volume 1 it is still fantastic. The art really gives this series such a unique look and style. On top of that the story is interesting throughout and the last half is like "omg omg omg" panic the whole time. Where we go from here? I assume more sadness but I need it.
A 4.5 out of 5.
Anyway, Ro is not having a good week. After something happens that puts her on watch again, she is trying to struggle between being a good friend, a good partner, and a good cop. On top of that the witches make their move and...well let's just say they aren't fucking around this time. Ro has to juggle alot this time but by the end I was 100% behind whatever Rucka has in store for our favorite witch here.
While not AS good as volume 1 it is still fantastic. The art really gives this series such a unique look and style. On top of that the story is interesting throughout and the last half is like "omg omg omg" panic the whole time. Where we go from here? I assume more sadness but I need it.
A 4.5 out of 5.
August 7, 2021
The art is amazing and the subject is fascinating, but the pace of the story is a bit too slow. Things don't start happening until the end, and it's not very clear what is happening. I guess you have to read the next volume to find out.
January 21, 2019
Fantastic, nuanced, imperfect relationships. Understated dialogue, all sounding about what you’d expect real life to sound like under the circumstances.
Gorgeous art, fuzzy without being irritating, composed as if someone is playing out cameras in their head.
Gorgeous art, fuzzy without being irritating, composed as if someone is playing out cameras in their head.
March 7, 2021
This is a hesitant five stars, as it still feels like a lot of real estate is spent telling not much story.
But what I see, I love. Those bad witches are REALLY badass, and color is used in this mostly grayscale style spectacularly well.
------------------------------
SECOND READ
These evil witches (are they demons?) trying to recruit Rowan are terrifying. Brilliantly concepted.
But what I see, I love. Those bad witches are REALLY badass, and color is used in this mostly grayscale style spectacularly well.
------------------------------
SECOND READ
These evil witches (are they demons?) trying to recruit Rowan are terrifying. Brilliantly concepted.
March 28, 2021
I’m head over heels in love with the witches in Greg Rucka/Nicola Scott’s Black Magick graphic novel series. They have definitely cast a spell on me.
The second book, “Awakening II”, sees Portsmouth Homicide Detective/practicing witch Rowan Black trying to figure out what cabal of demonic forces is pursuing her. There is also a secret society of witch hunters known as Aira investigating her. She and Aira go way back, as Aira has captured her and burned her at the stake several times in her many past lives. Needless to say, they’re not on good terms.
Her partner, Morgan, is beginning to suspect that she’s hiding something big, and while he enjoys their partnership, he’s not sure if he can trust her anymore. With his wife expecting their first child, he needs to know that Rowan has his back.
Great police procedural coupled with supernatural creepiness makes this a winner of a series, but it’s the talking black cat that seals the deal for me.
The second book, “Awakening II”, sees Portsmouth Homicide Detective/practicing witch Rowan Black trying to figure out what cabal of demonic forces is pursuing her. There is also a secret society of witch hunters known as Aira investigating her. She and Aira go way back, as Aira has captured her and burned her at the stake several times in her many past lives. Needless to say, they’re not on good terms.
Her partner, Morgan, is beginning to suspect that she’s hiding something big, and while he enjoys their partnership, he’s not sure if he can trust her anymore. With his wife expecting their first child, he needs to know that Rowan has his back.
Great police procedural coupled with supernatural creepiness makes this a winner of a series, but it’s the talking black cat that seals the deal for me.
May 16, 2018
Greg Rucka has been known for writing strong female protagonists throughout his bibliography, and yet, while reading his Rebirth run on Wonder Woman during the year of the Wonder Woman movie, he didn’t do justice towards the Amazon princess. However, during that run, he did reunite with artist Nicola Scott, and both are responsible for the Image creator-owned series Black Magick, which has brought out the best in the two creators. Following their time at DC, Rucka and Scott return to the world of noir meets witchcraft.
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
September 28, 2018
The short version of a review for this book is: Witches be crazy.
Impressively detailed art that crosses back and forth between black/white and color in the most effective way I've ever seen. The story is an interesting take on magic and while the dialogue is sometimes a little uninspiring the ceiling for the premise is so high I'm willing to let it go to see where this winds up. Totally worth your time for something different in the best way possible.
Impressively detailed art that crosses back and forth between black/white and color in the most effective way I've ever seen. The story is an interesting take on magic and while the dialogue is sometimes a little uninspiring the ceiling for the premise is so high I'm willing to let it go to see where this winds up. Totally worth your time for something different in the best way possible.
July 8, 2018
Black Magick je pro me asi zatim nejmin stravitelna vec od Grega Rucky. Prvni volume sem cetl dvakrat a libilo se mi to az na podruhy. I po druhym volume mam rozporuplny pocity.
V prvnim cisle se dockame flashbacku do detstvi Rowan, resp. do dne jejich 13. narozenin, kdy se stava carodejkou. Dozvime se i neco o jeji rodine, minulosti atd. Tahle cast je fajn...
Pak to trochu skripe, ale v druhy polovine story arcu pribeh opet nabira tempo a vypada to, ze misto tradicniho souboje dobro vs. zlo, to bude trojboj dobro vs. zlo vs. jeste vetsi zlo.
Kazdopadne Black Magick je fajn cteni se zajimavou kresbou, ale je mi jasny, ze to neni pro kazdyho. Nicmene na treti volume si urcite pockam :).
V prvnim cisle se dockame flashbacku do detstvi Rowan, resp. do dne jejich 13. narozenin, kdy se stava carodejkou. Dozvime se i neco o jeji rodine, minulosti atd. Tahle cast je fajn...
Pak to trochu skripe, ale v druhy polovine story arcu pribeh opet nabira tempo a vypada to, ze misto tradicniho souboje dobro vs. zlo, to bude trojboj dobro vs. zlo vs. jeste vetsi zlo.
Kazdopadne Black Magick je fajn cteni se zajimavou kresbou, ale je mi jasny, ze to neni pro kazdyho. Nicmene na treti volume si urcite pockam :).
June 3, 2018
The second volume of Greg Rucka's Black Magick feels a bit muddled. I have a suspicion that's due to bad organization of the collections, as volume 1 carries directly into volume 2, and that it's something that'll be corrected as the series emerges as a whole. But for now this volume starts with a flashback and dives right back into Rowan's case load and it really jams the breaks on any momentum.
With that said, the look back at Rowan's childhood is excellent, and gives some depth to the whole series. Then, the problems that she's facing in the modern-day continue to mature and we also continue to get great looks at a few other characters, in the form of Rowan's two partners.
But even moreso than most continuing comics today, this volume is just a tiny fragmeny of a larger story.
With that said, the look back at Rowan's childhood is excellent, and gives some depth to the whole series. Then, the problems that she's facing in the modern-day continue to mature and we also continue to get great looks at a few other characters, in the form of Rowan's two partners.
But even moreso than most continuing comics today, this volume is just a tiny fragmeny of a larger story.
June 6, 2018
Not as thrilled with Vol. 2. Moving too slow as a lot of back story is brought in and a lot of space is devoted to the opposing forces. The story and the art is most alive when Rowan is on the page and she is missing for long chunks at a time. Always a challenge to expand the story and maintain the current focus and I think Rucka gave some momentum back here. Probably won't matter when there is a Vol 3 & 4 etc to read in quick succession, but for now, when this is all we have, it's a bit of a letdown.
October 16, 2022
This volume was spectacular. Nicola Scott is a monster on the art within. I'm not sure if this series is ongoing seems like the production has been slow on this series but I'm definitely reading volume 3 and will be on the lookout for more from this tandem.
October 3, 2020
I like this series, but it does move a bit too slow for my tastes.
October 24, 2019
Catching up on this after starting it years ago. Exciting and thrilling, leaving me wanting more.... But realised that there hasn't been an update since 2018, and reading up on it - it looks like there won't be for a long while, which is a shame and I hope that time can come quickly. Nicola Scott's art and how she has stylised it for this comic in particular is undeniably stunning, and the story that Rucka is writing is starting to really weave and get interesting. I hope for more, and hoping I won't have to check-in again in another 4 years. lolsob
December 18, 2023
Mejor que el primero. El misterio se profundiza, conocemos algo más de backstory y aparecen cazadores de brujas que parecían ser medio obvios y resultan algo totalmente distinto. Una hermosura.
May 12, 2019
The trap around Rowan Black continues to close, with the Hammer closing in on one side and the Ascension now in motion on the other.
---
I am dead. I'm speechless! On tO issue 12
---
I am dead. I'm speechless! On tO issue 12
November 12, 2021
Wow, that took me like 10 minutes to read, it was so snappy. Super good, plot thickens, demons come forth to menace folks.
December 21, 2024
Rucka and Scott follow up a phenomenal first volume with this equally fantastic second installment, perfect for heading into fall and the Halloween season. In the opening chapters we spend less time with the police investigation, and more of Rowan's childhood and the burden of her magical lineage, as well as table setting for our other magical groups, namely witch hunters and demons. The tension slowly builds as Rowan and Alex get closer to unraveling the true villains behind the murders as well as Alex's attackers, paralleling the impending birth of Rowan's partner Morgan and his wife's first child. Things get complicated between Rowan and Morgan with new developments in the investigation, and anyone picking up on other tension will see more of that addressed too. While the pacing was a little more up and down, the story continues to be dark, unique and superbly entertaining. (There were a few more horror elements introduced but nothing this wuss couldn't handle.) Also, as a new black cat owner, I got a real kick out of finally seeing Rowan's familiar get his moment, and it didn't disappoint. (Jodi Wynne does a fantastic job with the cat's lettering.) I love how Black Magick seems to be aware that sisterhood is at its core - sisterhood that has sustained Rowan and Alex not just for all their lives, but their past lives too.
Scott is at the top of her game with her meticulous black and white realism style. It's a moody and somewhat nostalgic "true crime" style that really fits the atmosphere of the book. While a lot of art is done digitally the way Scott paints by hand really shows her talent and care. Using color to denote magic is really taken up a notch, and it's a testament to both Scott and Chiara Arena's talented partnership that you don't miss the color when it isn't there, and the scenes with color - even a few in full color, are just as special but in a different way. (I didn't realize until reading an interview with the creators that Scott came up with the idea that witches can see the full color spectrum, and when they use magic, we see what they can see. Very cool.) That being said, there are some full page spreads that are just tremendous to behold. Even there are a few nude and sexual scenes, it never feels gratuitous and always for the sake of Rowan's story. It's interesting how Rowan's sexuality and her magic are intertwined here, not in an exotic/othering kind of way, but perhaps in the way that her magic (and particular heritage) limits her freedom.
I read this second volume in the hardcover version, which compiles both the first and volume, called The First Book of Shadows, and it was absolutely worth it to better appreciate the artwork. There's also some great bonus material including pages from Scott's artwork, an interview with the creators, a guide to Portsmouth, and variant covers.
I now join the many fans anxiously awaiting the next installment - but whatever the next chapter holds it will certainly be worth the wait.
Scott is at the top of her game with her meticulous black and white realism style. It's a moody and somewhat nostalgic "true crime" style that really fits the atmosphere of the book. While a lot of art is done digitally the way Scott paints by hand really shows her talent and care. Using color to denote magic is really taken up a notch, and it's a testament to both Scott and Chiara Arena's talented partnership that you don't miss the color when it isn't there, and the scenes with color - even a few in full color, are just as special but in a different way. (I didn't realize until reading an interview with the creators that Scott came up with the idea that witches can see the full color spectrum, and when they use magic, we see what they can see. Very cool.) That being said, there are some full page spreads that are just tremendous to behold. Even there are a few nude and sexual scenes, it never feels gratuitous and always for the sake of Rowan's story. It's interesting how Rowan's sexuality and her magic are intertwined here, not in an exotic/othering kind of way, but perhaps in the way that her magic (and particular heritage) limits her freedom.
I read this second volume in the hardcover version, which compiles both the first and volume, called The First Book of Shadows, and it was absolutely worth it to better appreciate the artwork. There's also some great bonus material including pages from Scott's artwork, an interview with the creators, a guide to Portsmouth, and variant covers.
I now join the many fans anxiously awaiting the next installment - but whatever the next chapter holds it will certainly be worth the wait.
April 9, 2018
There is a lot of Rucka's writing that I've read , and that I'm a fan of. There is some that leaves me with mixed feelings/opinions, and that's ok. Not every writer is going to nail it for a reader, even their fans, every time out.
But, this series leaves me feeling confused. unlike his novels (Atticus Kodiak, Queen and Country) or other comics work (White Out, Checkmate, Lazarus), this just feels like a slog through calf high mud. Rucka does a good job of conveying that there is a large threat on the horizons, and that past foes may have to become today's friends.
The pacing just seems way far off, and at the end of this TPB some character bits, especially Rowan's, seemed inconsistent from what would happen in the real world (and no matter how fantastic Rucka usually keeps a very grounded feel in his comics work).
Maybe the answer is that urban fantasy is not Rucka's forte, and I'm not giving up on this series yet.
But, this series leaves me feeling confused. unlike his novels (Atticus Kodiak, Queen and Country) or other comics work (White Out, Checkmate, Lazarus), this just feels like a slog through calf high mud. Rucka does a good job of conveying that there is a large threat on the horizons, and that past foes may have to become today's friends.
The pacing just seems way far off, and at the end of this TPB some character bits, especially Rowan's, seemed inconsistent from what would happen in the real world (and no matter how fantastic Rucka usually keeps a very grounded feel in his comics work).
Maybe the answer is that urban fantasy is not Rucka's forte, and I'm not giving up on this series yet.
Read
July 21, 2018Finally, a second volume for the cop/witch series, which still soars thanks largely to its eerie art, generally monochrome and then occasionally flaring into colour at the most evocative moments. But the plot really isn't moving at any great pace, so it would help enormously if they could pick up the publication speed.
July 15, 2020
Sublime, utterly sublime and it grieves me to say that I’m not sure there are any more to follow as I cannot find them on comixology.
The art is black and white with just to occasional splash of colour to VERY effectively show when there is magic about. The emotion and characters are very real in this and very nuanced.
The way it merges the urban fantasy with the suburban story of a couple of police partners and theor relationship is brilliant. The nuance and ups and downs of their relationship is just as interesting and exciting as the Magical conspiracy which we see slowly building against her.
The Magik is handled brilliantly and very grounded so you fully buy into the story.
I was drawn in, gripped and I could barely put this volume down.
This was a good as 6 guns. The looks on peoples faces and their emotions were so well drawn. It had such an eye for emotional drama and big canvass moments that it felt like it was firing on all cylinders. I’m going to keep looking. I hope there are more to be written of this story.
The art is black and white with just to occasional splash of colour to VERY effectively show when there is magic about. The emotion and characters are very real in this and very nuanced.
The way it merges the urban fantasy with the suburban story of a couple of police partners and theor relationship is brilliant. The nuance and ups and downs of their relationship is just as interesting and exciting as the Magical conspiracy which we see slowly building against her.
The Magik is handled brilliantly and very grounded so you fully buy into the story.
I was drawn in, gripped and I could barely put this volume down.
This was a good as 6 guns. The looks on peoples faces and their emotions were so well drawn. It had such an eye for emotional drama and big canvass moments that it felt like it was firing on all cylinders. I’m going to keep looking. I hope there are more to be written of this story.
October 23, 2025
If the first volume was Rucka establishing the world, characters, and mystery. This volume is about Rucka establishing who Rowan Black is, how she is connected to said mystery, and how her world is closing in on her. This volume was great, and what I enjoyed most was just learning more about Rowan. We see how she got involved in becoming a witch, her upbringing, and why the witch hunters of Aira are so interested in her. Another great aspect of this volume was the development of Morgan (her partner at the police). This volume dives more into his feelings on this whole mystery, and his doubts in Rowan.
The art continues to be stellar, and to me is one of the strongest aspects of the book. Nicola Scott is doing amazing work here. Scott's use of color is also really interesting, as she doesn't use it all the time. Color in this book is used for key/important moments in the story. This adds more weight to said scene, and grabs you when color is used. Excited to see where Rucka and Scott go in the third volume.
The art continues to be stellar, and to me is one of the strongest aspects of the book. Nicola Scott is doing amazing work here. Scott's use of color is also really interesting, as she doesn't use it all the time. Color in this book is used for key/important moments in the story. This adds more weight to said scene, and grabs you when color is used. Excited to see where Rucka and Scott go in the third volume.
June 25, 2018
A stellar volume 2 that really builds on the near perfect story of Black Magick. Rucka does a fantastic job at building on the paranormal crime story from volume 1. I really enjoy the mix of witch craft and crime story and volume 2 takes the story up a notch for sure. New characters are introduced and the plot is getting heated. I loved the opening with a flashback with Rowan and her family, great teases for future story. Like the previous volume the artwork is perfect... I am constantly captivated by the work of Nicola Scott. Her ability to draw faces and expressions are flawless. I love the uses of black and white, its so beautiful with all the gradients of grey. I wish I had her artistic ability! Please bring volume 3 quickly!
December 31, 2022
Rucka has paced this one out very, very well. An excellent way to close out the year, with a fantasy-mystery involving witches, witch hunters, and evil doers in the modern world. The goofy spell casting that undermines many a witch story is minimized here to sensible moments. Clues and twists are parsed out in equal measure and serve to ratchet up tension, and I’m hooked.
My only complaint is the art at times is weirdly over posed. Like Nicola Scott had people hold a specific pose, sometimes unnaturally so, and then copied it. It’s a similar issue I had with Ex Machina, in that people were obviously holding still in a moment that implies movement, putting all the art, as good as it is, in an uncanny valley for me. Also, it’s strange that there tends to be a excess of absurdly attractive women, giving this an air of fanboy/fan girl non-reality. I’m all for eye candy in comics but it gets distracting when the entire book is populated by supermodels. A weird old man complaint, I know.
My only complaint is the art at times is weirdly over posed. Like Nicola Scott had people hold a specific pose, sometimes unnaturally so, and then copied it. It’s a similar issue I had with Ex Machina, in that people were obviously holding still in a moment that implies movement, putting all the art, as good as it is, in an uncanny valley for me. Also, it’s strange that there tends to be a excess of absurdly attractive women, giving this an air of fanboy/fan girl non-reality. I’m all for eye candy in comics but it gets distracting when the entire book is populated by supermodels. A weird old man complaint, I know.
March 20, 2020
Este 2º volumen de Black Magick me ha gustado mucho y es una buenísima continuación del anterior. Se nos explica aún más la mitología, contándonos cositas del pasado de Rowan (puede que mi parte favorita de la historia) y también de los Aira. De los malos oficiales aún no sabemos mucho, pero lo que nos han enseñado te deja con ganas de MÁS.
Greg Rucka y Nicola Scott siguen muy grandes con el guión y el dibujo. Lloro de saber lo que nos queda para poder leer el volumen 3.
Greg Rucka y Nicola Scott siguen muy grandes con el guión y el dibujo. Lloro de saber lo que nos queda para poder leer el volumen 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews