Excalibur #2 continues to solidify the series as filling the fantasy genre for the new line of X-Men comics. Each series fills a niche and this one falls squarely into the world of magic.

Written by Tini Howard, the team heads to the location of the old Excalibur lighthouse. It’s a nice nostalgic nod for those who read the original series but for new readers, it’s importance is danced around. Statements are made that it’s important but the details aren’t laid out. That can be frustrating or like a lot of the comic, you just roll with it.

Howard continues to dip the series into fantastical elements. Invisible druids dot the landscape. Mermaids pose a threat. And, Apocalypse’s past is woven into this new direction as well. It’s an interesting direction as there have been hints the character has shifted from the “tech” end of things to a more mystical one.

The story itself is decent moving the adventure along and weaving an entertaining chapter that’s a nice entry for the first arc. There’s a mix of humor and action that’ll entertain readers and keeps things moving along.

The art by Marcus To is solid with some great design and small details. How scenes are set up. Character designs. The ivy of the lighthouse. They all add to bits of the story and blends in a magical setting with modern mutants. Erick Arciniega‘s color and Cory Petit‘s lettering brings things together for an interesting look that has a certain brightness to the issue that is a reminder of the “happier” nature of the previous Excalibur series.

The comic is entertaining building out the direction of this series and dancing around some interesting topics like Captain Britain’s role and the rivalry between magic and mutants. There’s also the fantasy tragedy of fairytales to get things going. Excalibur #2 is a solid comic and one that weaved with the first continues to paint a unique voice for the new direction of mutants.

Story: Tini Howard Art: Marcus To
Color: Erick Arciniega Letterer: Cory Petit Design: Tom Muller
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review