Each city has character. Most people seem to write about my hometown New York City. Los Angeles is also popular because of its steeped history and indelible character. The truth is every city ,town, and county has its own story and holds its own secrets. It makes you wonder what lies in those hidden streets, and dark corridors. Is it anything like Neil Gaiman’s masterwork, Neverwhere? In one of their first entries into the comics anthology world, the Boston Comics Roundtable has put Spellbound Volume One, a mystical exploration of Boston.

In “Wizards of the MBTA,” we meet a team of magicians who take care of fantastical nuisance but are on the city’s payroll. In “Snapper,” one man’s first day at work becomes the strangest in his life. In “The Secret,” one woman feels a need to escape and wishes away from her troubles, only to find her wishes come true in a not so subtle manner. In “Marcel On Ice,” a teacher and a student share funny conversation and a walk together. “Whereto Find Faeries in Boston,” explores the most common haunts where you find faerie kind congregating. In “Urban Fantasy,” one dishwashing liquid gets to dream about her best life.

Overall, the graphic novel is a diverse collection of stories that reflects the many shades and shapes that the city possesses. The stories by the creators are funny, enigmatic, and accessible. The art is both alluring and vivid. Altogether, it’s an excellent set that will have readers wanting to peak around their city for those mystical clues that makes their places magical.

Story: L.J. Baptiste, J.L. Bell, W.B. Clem, PatrickFlaherty, Mehitabel Glenhaber, Levon Gyulkhasyan, Paul Hanna, Youngjin Hur,Patrick Jordan, Anthony Lathrop, Dan Mazur, Greg Moutafis, John Quirk, Roho,Catalina Rufin, and Adam Tutkus
Art: L.J. Baptiste, J.L. Bell, W.B. Clem, Patrick Flaherty, Mehitabel Glenhaber, Levon Gyulkhasyan, Paul Hanna, Youngjin Hur, Patrick Jordan, Anthony Lathrop, Dan Mazur, Greg Moutafis, John Quirk, Roho, Catalina Rufin, and Adam Tutkus
Edited by: Olivia Li, Heide Solbrig, Ben Doane, and Jamie Koh
Story: 10 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy