The Quarter Bin

It’s been a couple of months, but Magdalena #2 from Top Cow is finally here. Check out our thoughts after the jump.

Magdalena #2
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Nelson Blake II
Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

I really enjoyed the first issue of Magdalena when it came out a couple months ago, and I also made comparisons to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which is definitely a compliment coming from me. Forgetting that I had already said that until I re-read my review of Magdalena #1, I couldn’t help but make the same comparisons in this issue. Patience’s struggle with her birthright, being the current Magdalena, and the responsibility and power that comes with it perfectly mixes with a perfect blend of sarcasm and snarkiness. Some of the one-liners she zings sounded like they could have come right from the mouth of Buffy Summers, and I’m really pleased to see another female heroine in the same vein.

Likewise, the Catholic church can once again be likened to the Watchers’ Council: seemingly fighting for the same cause, but also kind of corrupt and out of touch, unable to handle the independent will of the current Magdalena. Patience and Innocence, the ironically-named local priest, must band together in order to destroy the newly-risen son of Satan, who poses a threat to the entire world despite looking like a child. All right, yes, he reminded me of the Anointed One.

I think this series really has the potential to move into the Top Cow spotlight right alongside Witchblade, The Darkness, and Angelus, and part of that is because of the artwork of Nelson Blake II. It’s distinct, it really stands out, but most importantly, it’s nice to look at. It can be mentioned in the same breath as Stjepan Sejic’s wonderful artwork in Witchblade and Angelus, but it also doesn’t look quite like anything else in the Top Cow U, making the series feel fresh and exciting.

As a side note, I can’t wait for the inevitable Witchblade/Magdalena crossover, which will probably occur in some form during Artifacts this summer. I want to see snarky comments from Sara Pezzini and Patience on the same page. It seems like that would be an awesome match-up. Overall, I’m excited about this rising power in the Top Cow universe, and I can’t wait to see more.

Magdalena #2 is in comic shops now, so pick it up. Try to find the first issue too, if you’re just jumping in.