As a parent, we often make sacrifices that we don’t vocally espouse. That is the point of being a parent, being selfless, taking care of the ones you love, and doing almost anything that’s needed. That “almost anything” is where most test the bounds of our love. You can only hope it is reciprocal but your children’s’ reliance on you is unquestionable.

We have seen our share of parents throughout comics. Most seem pretty bad but a few are pretty good. Parents can be conduits for our life’s journey. We can always hear our parent’s words no matter how far away they are or if they are still with us. In Acursian Chapter 10, one matron makes a powerful sacrifice.

We’re taken back to the Isle Of Shadows, where Ceillech’s mother is down to her last breaths, imploring Ceillech to take her to Alba, as she is their only hope. We also catch up with Charlie and Corra in Hoover’s America, where they are hiding out in an abandoned house, hoping to figure out a plan to find the dagger, but right when they get comfortable a SWAT team looks to apprehend them. WE find Ceillech making a deal with Alba, one that would seal her fate and force her daughters to find the talismans. By the issue’s end, Charlie starts to question Nate’s powers and he may have found a clue where the dagger is.

Overall, Acursian Chapter 10 is a brilliant chapter that lends empathy to the antagonists. The story by the creative team is rewarding. The art by the creative team is incredible. Altogether, a story that adds another piece to an already intriguing story.

Story: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis Art: Beni Lobel and  Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has mastered the art of storytelling. Granted, most of it has been culled from decades of creators expanding this vast universe in comics. This doesn’t take away from what they created on the screen within the dozens of movies that have already captured the public’s imagination. The films have molded these characters into what the world now considers the standard template of the superhero.

One of the heroes that has been introduced within these live-action films is Thor. His comics have been some of the best to come from the House of Ideas and the movies show why. In Thor: Ragnarok, Odin is dying, and in a bittersweet moment, gives a solemn goodbye. In Acursian Chapter 9, one matron looks for serenity in her last moments much like Odin.

We find Ceillech’s mother, slowly fading away, and looking for her husband before it is too late. We also catch up with Charlie and Corra in Hoover’s America, where everything is not what it used to be and Nate has been captured by the authorities. They soon are reunited and we find out Nate is not exactly who he seems to be. By the issue’s end, we find out Bregon might bring about the end of the Isle of Shadows by killing his parents.

Overall, Acursian Chapter 9 is a brilliant entry that gives the reader a closer view of the stakes. The story by John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis is satisfying. The art by the creative team is amazing. Altogether, it’s a story that delivers the readers the buy-in they need.

Story: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis Art: Beni Lobel and Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

As a fan Of Back to the Future movies, I definitely have my favorite ones. Each of the movies had its own appeal and its memorable scenes. Each of them shows the range of each actor in the ensemble. The darkest of three movies to me was Back To The Future II.

That movie showed the dark consequences of changing just one thing from the past, the “butterfly effect”. The things Marty McFly did at the beginning of the second movie causes a ripple effect through the timeline. Good intentions sometimes have dire penalties. In Acursian Chapter 8, Charlie finds out how dagger changes the direction of life much as Marty did.

We find Charlie now on the run, as every magical being in the vicinity is hunting him down. As we soon find out that when they lost the dagger that America became a totalitarian government, becoming completely unrecognizable to Charlie and his friends, causing them to hide until the morning in a basement, where they figure out the next steps. By issue’s end, Charlie finds out his family’s dark secrets through a memory recall by one of the witches, and possible fatality changes the stakes.

Overall, Acursian Chapter 8 is an excellent entry that finally tells the whole story. The story by John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis is rewarding. The art by the creative team is dazzling. Altogether, a story which gives readers the parts of the story that has alluded them.

Story: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis Art: Beni Lobel and  Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

As a fan of Back to the Future, I’ve watched the trilogy way too many times. It’s one of those films that still stands up to time. Michael J Fox is at his best while Christopher Lloyd shines. Director Robert Zemeckis also solidifies his position as a visual storyteller with the films.

As the movies became a staple of modern American cinema, they also became an earmark in popular culture. What I enjoyed about the movies was how it was written for everyone to watch without saying outright that it was made for the family. I also enjoyed how it insisted on real-world stakes if one thing changes. In Acursian Chapter 7, Charlie finds out the hard way just how much things changed when a certain chess piece is moved.

We find Charlie dealing with the fallout of Jock’s death, as he loses the dagger of time in the process. We are also taken back in time to see how the dagger gained it power where one Scottish ruler uses it in a Blood oath to ensure his victory on the battlefield. Charlie is told of how the loss of the dagger may mean the difference between life and death. By the issue’s end, we find exactly how it has changed his life by the loss of it, realizing now he has made a colossal mistake.

Overal, Acursian Chapter 7 is an immense entry that has our heroes with their back to the wall. The story by John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis is gratifying. The art by the creative team is stunning. Altogether, a story that shows our heroes as they suffer their first great loss.

Story: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis Art: Beni Lobel and Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art:9.0 Overall:9.0 Recommendation: Buy

There is always that point of the story where everything changes. Most writers call it the “turning point”, where life is is no longer as simple for the characters. This is where usually things get more interesting. Sometimes it can be dangerous. Usually, that includes what writers call a “catalyst”.

These catalysts are often disturbances that no one saw coming and most of the time don’t want to be there. Sometimes they get there in the nick of time, often saving our protagonist. Either way, their entrance is always interesting. In Acursian Chapter 6, a certain progenitor helps our protagonist find his way

Alison shows up with his son right about the time Corra arrives, leading to more confusion between the couple as Charlie tries told on to what is left of his family. We also find Jock, stabbed by the same dagger he stole all those years ago, which the only thing is keeping him alive. We find out how Bregon broke from his sisters and how Jock got hold of the dagger in the first place. By the issue’s end, a skirmish between Charlie and Steve over the dagger changes events in ways they don’t even know how bad.

Overall, Acursian Chapter 6 is a great entry that gives a bunch of twists and turns. The story by John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis is satisfying. The art by the creative team is dazzling. Altogether, an issue that pushes the foot on the accelerator for the story.

Story: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis Art: Beni Lobel and Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

There is something so interesting about omens. As most people who think logically cannot fathom the existence of anything that does not belong to the natural world. This is most interesting when you take into account, most people believe in a religion also. As scientists dismiss most myths are fairytales. The truth is, most myths are based on facts, with some skewed details.

As we usually believe most myths until cynicism enters our thought process as adults. So when I started to research some famous myths, the stories behind them made them even more rapturous. As sometimes the reason for the myth provides a more fascinating story than what is told. In Acursian Chapter 5, the reader finds out exactly how Jock ends up as the titleholder

We’re taken back to 1746 Scotland, where Prince Bregon is trying to usurp his sisters, who just happens to be the three witches, from taking back the crown. We soon find out how the witches hid their source of power away from Bregon but had an unknown observer. We also find how Jock became as wealthy as he and Charlie are. By the issue’s end, it’s up to Charlie to set things straight.

Overall, Acursian Chapter 5 entertains. The story by John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis is pleasurable. The art by Beni Lobel and Tommy Lee Edwards is bright. Altogether, a story that gives the reader some very much needed context.

Story: John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman, and Erika Lewis Art: Beni Lobel and Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy