Mangdalena #4

Title: Magdalena #4
Publisher: Top Cow
Writer(s): Ron Marz
Artist(s): Nelson Black II
Inker(s): Sal Regla
Colorist(s): Dave McCaig
Letterer(s): Troy Peteri
Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Story/Concept: (8/10) This issue is part four of the “Blood of the Lamb” Story line I must say though I’m not a huge fan of supernatural fare in comics I was really engaged and invested by the end of the issue. For it being my first issue in the series I was not lost and the team did a great job catching any new readers up to know everything the needed to enjoy the comic.

Writing: (7/10) Ron Marz has been one of my favorite writers in comics for a long time was exposed to him many years ago in DC Comics when he was writing the Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) about ten years ago. Never know to be a flashy writer he is just consistent in the way he tells the story and how his characters feel in what every world or setting he decides to group them into and I think that is a mark of a good writer. Though I have no previous knowledge of Magdalena as a character by the time I flip through the last page I’m vested in her plight and ready to read what comes next as well as everything that has lead up to this point. How many writers can honestly say they have the talent to do that? Trust me not many at all. So it is safe to say as long as Marz is on this book I will be picking it up.

Art: (6/10) I don’t have much to say about the art at all and that is not meant to be a negative comment. It serves it’s purpose of conveying the story but it doesn’t add anything to it so it doesn’t equal the level in my opinion that the writer brought on this issue.

Cover: (8/10) A great work of art this cover is one of those you would like a poster of to put on your wall. Just a powerful image created by Ryan Sook whose artwork I used to enjoy thoroughly earlier in his career back at the start of the current X-Factor series over at Marvel. He seems to have improved more since his early days and can’t wait to see more cover or interior work from him soon.

Overall: (7/10) A great first issue expierence for me that not only got me on the book but have me looking for all the Magdalena trades as we speak. Decent art, great story telling this is a book you need to be on the look out for from Top Cow with a strong female lead character.

Bottom Line: For even someone like me that is not a fan of the supernatural I really must say I enjoy this book to the utmost and I can recommend it fully to anyone that is looking for something other than your standard superhero fanfare to spend your money on.

Comic Book Savant