Dynamite Entertainment 2017
Written by Ray Fawkes
Illustrated by Johnny Desjardins
Coloured by Mohan
Magnus
Written by Kyle Higgins
Illustrated by Jorge Fornes
Coloured by Chris O’Halloran
Both Lettered by Taylor Esposito
The year is 2025, Turok has gone missing and Magnus is good and worried about that. When even a time traveling mission to confer with Doctor Spektor and the creature once known as Solar don’t yield any answers, Magnus must brave the unknown to track the missing hero down.
I am still enthralled by the fact that Dynamite has found the way to take these classic heroes and keep the feel of them true but be able to also move them into the future at the same time. It’s got a special kind of excitement about it where it’s literally one viable future that could be from the past where we usually find these characters rooted. The natural progression in their beings, powers and situations may be a tad surprising or alarming in some cases but that they make sense and make for a hell of a beginning is what we want to see.
So I want to talk and rave about where we see these characters in the story but to do that would spoil way too much. So i’ll be a bit vague and just talk around all that for the moment. I like the idea that the major characters are all in league with one another and yet completely separate at the same time. It’s like okay we all have our own unique place in the scheme of things and we can respect each other but basically stay out of each other’s way, while at the same time keeping tabs on them. It’s like the definition of Frenemy.
Also it’s incredibly nice to see Johnny a book right now. His eye for storytelling and utilisation of page layouts through angles, perspective and use of backgrounds is a dream come true. His attention to detail is a joy to see and the way you sweep the panels and get a feel for the entire scene is masterfully done. Johnny is one of the most underrated and highly talented artists around today.
So as if being Frenemies weren’t enough there’s a mystery happening as well. If you missed the zero issue don’t worry you don’t HAVE to rush out and find it, though ya should. Because there’s something amiss and it first hit Turok. Magnus has a feeling that Turok is dead and that’s what gets this ball rolling as he tries to figure out just what is going on with or without the help of his old friends, who will find themselves in danger by getting involved. It’s a wonderfully written, paced and executed story.
The backup is an introduction to the new Magnus series that will be hitting stands. So i’m intrigued to see where in the timeline that will fit in. One of the more unique factors of these characters under Dynamite’s direction is that nothing is ever set in stone but all are intertwined in some way shape or form. So get in touch with the heroes of yesterday as they face the challenges of tomorrow!