Black Magick #6 Review

Black Magick #6
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Nicola Scott
Colourist: Chiara Arena
Publisher: Image Comics

A review by Stephanie Pouliotte 

No, this isn’t some wonderfully mystical fever dream. The bewitching creator-owned series by Eisner-winner Greg Rucka and superstar Nicola Scott has finally returned with Black Magick #6! The Image Comics series was last published in February 2016, and fans have been getting a little stir-crazy waiting the acclaimed occult procedural to return, perhaps even popping into comic shops hoping to see it magically materialize on the shelves. Black Magick #6 was meant to drop in April, but to the dismay of understanding and supportive fans, Rucka announced late last year that the date would be pushed so the creative team could have the lead time for a more consistent monthly release schedule. In response, Scott tweeted to apologize, stating the blame rested with her on the artwork and that it would be worth it. Rucka was quick to tell everyone (respectably) that this was “bullshit” and that the writing was just as much to blame for the delay (artists everywhere give their thanks!) But Scott definitely had one thing right, Black Magick #6 was well worth the wait.

For those who need a little refresher (since it’s been a while), Black Magick is a dark, supernatural crime story that follows Rowan Black, a detective and practicing witch who’s gone to great lengths to keep those worlds separate (especially from her good-natured partner). But both worlds come crashing together when a hostage situation escalates and the crazed gunman whispers Rowan’s truename in her ear, revealing himself as the unwilling agent of an ancient sect that Rowan and her lineage have dealt with before. The first half of this arc ended with last issue’s thrilling climax where Rowan uses some contemporary magic to save her best-witchy-friend Alex, and we get a glimpse at the cabal of bizarre creatures who orchestrated the whole thing.

Instead of throwing the reader back into the thick of things after the comic’s year-long hiatus, Rucka pens a standalone issue to ease us back into the story’s modern, occult world. Black Magick #6 delves into the past, recounting Rowan’s awakening on her thirteenth birthday in a ritual that connected her to her previous lives and her family’s legacy. Rucka focuses on really fleshing out Rowan’s character here and he absolutely nails it, depicting her difficult transition into a rebellious adolescence filled with school, depression, and magical dabblings as she struggles to make sense of her traumatic memories, unable to understand why the world repeatedly persecutes them simply for who and what they are. Rowan’s mounting raw frustration, sadness, and anger at a legacy of senseless suffering strikes a poignant chord and resonates with our shared social experience. Rucka then neatly ties it back to the last issue with an ending that put an icy lump in my chest. It not only raises the stakes, but also gives credence to Rowan’s choice in becoming a detective and her resolve in following her own path.

Black Magick has by far my favourite art by Nicola Scott. I loved her work on Wonder Woman, but this series is simply breathtaking. Her artwork is only getting better and this issue features an absolutely stunning spread. Her layout is pretty straightforward, but each panel is a detailed masterpiece that captures the essence of the comic’s mystical vibe, and her strength lies in rendering truly evocative facial expressions. A lot of the comic’s visual appeal also has to do with Chiara Arena’s distinctive colouring, a soft greyscale with only a flare of colour here and there in the flame of a candle or in a demon’s glowing eyes.

Verdict
Buy it! Black Magick #6 is definitely a must buy. It continues to be a bewitching occult crime story about a woman caught between two worlds, and the pain that comes with having to hide a part of who you are. Also be sure to check out the lovely Pride variant cover!