Broken Frontier

Witness mutants in Egypt and sphinxes on a train in the first issue of a series showcasing Marvel’s mystical characters.

Once, Ian McNee vied with Dr. Strange himself to be Sorcerer Supreme. Now, somewhat humbled, McNee runs a curio shop of arcane artifacts. A prophetic dream of the goddess Oshtur sends McNee on a search for cornerstones of the four mystic elements, a search that intersects with one that took place long ago, when former New Mutants Illyana Rasputin (a.k.a. Magik) and Dani Moonstar (Mirage) found themselves stranded in ancient Egypt.

Just as the recent Annihilation series showcased Marvel’s science fiction characters, Mystic Arcana aims to cast the spotlight on the heroes of the supernatural. This first issue is divided between two stories of varying tone and style, thematically tied by an ancient sword. The first of these tales, written by Louise Simonson, is the more traditional action-based of the two, focusing on an adventure of two time-traveling mutant kids from Xavier’s School. Simonson’s contribution has a very old school Marvel feel to it. This is at times a double-edged sword as the story is both fun and character-driven but also a tad exposition heavy and filled with a few convenient deus ex machina twists. Nonetheless, it’s a good yarn that explores the troubled mind of Illyana and the burden that such a young soul carried.

The second tale, a framing story that will connect the series, is more internal and metaphysical by nature. Ian McNee’s meeting with the sphinx Ammut on a subway train leads to a classic game of riddles and a journey through the psychic plane as he initiates his quest. Both the script and visuals reminded me of Alan Moore’s Promethea with its meditations on magic and the human psyche (not quite as mind-boggling as Moore’s work but then, what is?). Both this story and the issue’s introduction have some clever insight into the nature of magic and magicians.

Artistically, the two stories follow very different paths as well. Like Simonson’s script, Steve Scott’s art has a classic sense of superhero illustration while Eric Nguyen’s thinner linework and psychedelic colors fit McNee’s mystical journey. I was not familiar with McNee prior to this so I’m not certain if his resemblance to John Lennon is a new conceit. Either way, it’s an appropriate choice and the ever-shifting symbols in his glasses provide an interesting visual.

Like many stories of the supernatural, Mystic Arcana is a bit vague and cryptic in places and prone to expositional speeches of gods and fate. However, if fantasy and magic is your bag (as it is mine), this first issue is worth the price of admission.