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Review: Spellbound Vol. 2 Urban Magic

Spellbound Vol. 2 Urban Magic

Anyone who has ever watched SyFy Channel knows the network has a superior inventory of programming when it comes to the geek genre. The network was first started as a network which would stream old science fiction movies and television shows. This would slowly change as they started introducing original programming which included both movies and television shows. One of my personal favorites was Eureka, about a community filled with the brightest minds in the world.

Then the came other shows like Warehouse 13, which combined all the intriguing aspects of X-Files, but only a more light-hearted take on the concept. Then there is the one show that seems to be the dark horse favorite of anyone who watches it, Lost Girl. The show embraces magical myths but set in an urban landscape and ruled by a numinous monarchy. The world created by the show makes you believe that there is a world that not everyone gets to see. In the second volume of Spellbound, the Boston Comics Round Table gives the world new tales that both astonish and dazzle.

In “What Circe Up to Now?,” we find the Greek goddess as she endures a “mortal” day, one which tries her patience as much as we do. In 
“The Sword In The Store,” a talking sword gets bought and becomes more than what the buyer expected. In “Salt Circle,” some pedestrians run across a monster who takes the first victim who becomes skeptical of its abilities. In “The Protector,” gives us an alternate reality which treats demons like refugees. In “The Legend of The Pope Lick Creek Monster,” tells of an animal god whose power ruled man from the day a clan settled there until now where it charms its victims to their deaths. In “Taco Truck Wizard,” one wizard tells of how food trucks are used in the battles between wizards. In “Facetime,” one man falls asleep and his face decides to have party all on its own and to have his face discombobulated once he wakes up. In the last story I will highlight, “NextHex,” a coven of witches uses their collective powers to hex a curmudgeon who had upset their evening.

Overall, the comics collection is excellent and different. Readers will both enjoy and be intrigued by these new voices. The stories are fun and exciting. The art is alluring and gorgeous. Altogether, it’s a set of stories which coalesce into an interesting narrative of a city beneath its underbelly.

Story: Irene Spassova , Barbara Thomas, John Bell, Kyri Lorenz, Samuel Cleggett, Patrick Scarborough, Catalina Rufin, Adrian Alvarez,Ben Rutberg, John Carvajal,  Brendan Tobin, Beth Barnett, Dan Mazur, Holly Fultz
Art: Irene Spassova , Timothy Wall, Anthony Lathrop, Kyri Lorenz, Samuel Cleggett, Patrick Scarborough, Catalina Rufin, Adrian Alvarez, Ben Rutberg, John Carvajal, Brendan Tobin, Beth Barnett, Dan Mazur, Holly Fultz
Edited By: Jonathan Hayes, Beth Barnett, Adrian Alvarez, Daniel Welch, and Cyn
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Spellbound Vol. 1

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