Magic is going it alone on a new comic series dedicated exclusively to the mystic X-Men hero. Ahead of the January release, new art and a series preview reveal terrifying new designs for Magik, and her Darkchylde persona returns! A new villain named Demon Crow is also revealed for the series with original designs by Peach Momoko. After being part of the latest iteration of the X-Men, Illyana Rasputina takes her first steps on her own path.
In an illiterate preview for Magic #1 written by Ashley Allen (X-Men: Blood Hunt – Magic) and designed by German Peralta (Black Panther, Loki), Magik faces threats that target the magical community. The impressive art in the preview panels includes Magik wielding her Soulsword against a group of demons and looming over the X-Men in their full demonic form. There’s also a first look at Peach Momoko’s new villain, Demon Crow.
Along with the main cover of the series, there are also a wide range of other covers from a roster of famous artists. One cover is Peach Momoko’s design for the new villain, Demon Crow, while others include pieces from best-selling artists including Jeehyung Lee and David Nakayama. A special cover was done by Dike Ruan, and a pinup cover by Jay Anacleto.
Enchantress takes her first steps away from the X-Men since Krakoa
The Mystic Mutant gets his own villains
X-Men is currently in the ‘From the Ashes’ era, establishing a new status quo after the X-Men lost the mutant nation of Krakoa. There are many groups of X-Men that emerged after the fall of Krakoa. One led by Cyclops established their base in a former Sentinel factory in Alaska called “The Factory”. Magik joined Cyclops and other X-Men at the Factory and recently investigated the mysterious appearances of late mutants.
Now, Magik is starting her own quest. In Magik’s new series, she moves away from the X-Men and goes it alone as mystical threats begin to emerge in Alaska.
X-Men Magic is long overdue for a solo series
A former Sorcerer Supreme, Magik can more than justify solo adventures
In AIPTIn X-Men Monday #273, Ashley Allen explained why Magik is such an interesting protagonist:
She is a woman who has gone through a dark past, but refuses to let it stop her from doing good in the world. I think the desire to leave the world a better place than it was before resonates with many fans (myself included). Although she is sarcastic and has some walls, she is ultimately a sweetheart who deeply loves her friends and family.
Illyana Rasputina is an incredibly popular character among X-Men fans, but She didn’t have much time to shine outside of the X-Men or New Mutants. This series gives Magik the chance to truly demonstrate her powers to the fullest. Magik’s suite of powers, including teleportation through space and time, sorcery, and of course her giant Soulsword, allows for so many incredible visual moments unlike any other hero, mutant or human. Focusing exclusively can tap into that potential like never before.
Magik’s deep X-Men history is done justice in new solo series designs
Darkness is fundamental to the character
Illyana Rasputina is the younger sister of the X-Men’s Colossus. As a hero, she became a New Mutant, trained her magic under Doctor Strange, and eventually became the Sorcerer Supreme of the Limbo dimension. However, this all followed her kidnapping and abusive childhood in Limbo, where she was taken by the demonic Belasco. An older Magik eventually returned, but was forever changed by her experiences, with her Darkchylde form acting as a metaphor for the deep well of trauma just beneath the surface. Initially, this form was able to overpower her, making her a major threat, but more recently she has been able to use it to her advantage.
Magik isn’t Cyclops’ first X-Men to strike out on his own. Previously, Cyclops benched Psylocke for some rest, which led to her own solo series. With solo series for Storm, jean gray and Dazzling (her first solo series), it’s clear that Marvel is giving the X-Men heroines a new chance to shine as solo heroes. What Magic will encounter on his own journey remains to be seen, and I hope this new X-Men the spin-off sees fan support continue for years to come.
Magic #1 is available January 8, 2024, from Marvel Comics.
Source: Chris Hassan, AIPT