Image Comics 2017
Written & Illustrated by Steve Skroce
Coloured by Dave Stewart
Lettered & Designed by Fonografiks
The Maestro is dead, long live the Maestro! For William Little, being last in line for the throne didn't grant any exemptions from the brutality of Wizarding school, Hogwarts it wasn't. Now, Willy's family is dead and he's the new Maestro, armed with the most powerful spell in creation, he has a few lessons of his own for the mad mages of his new magical kingdom. What could go wrong?
There is a heavy sense of “be careful what you wish for you just might get it” coming from this book. Will is suddenly thrust into the role of Maestro and this gives him power he’s never dreamed of and for a conman like him that is going to be interesting to see what happens. Then of course there is Rygol who also need be careful of what he wishes because now he wished for one thing and totally got another. I am kind of fascinated by the whole dynamic of that as it seems each character that we are introduced to suffers from the same debilitating syndrome and that is an unexpected delight.
So in essence what I’ve just said is that basically nothing here is what it seems. The story has depth to it that goes so far beyond the surface and what Steve does with it with a style and grace that honestly from this book I wasn’t expecting. I like the idea that Will a banished son of a great ruler, subject to opinion, is pretty much a grifter and a loose morals at that. I really thought that this was going to go in a different direction and with the opening here, which is monologued to deathly perfection, I continued to think incorrectly.
Also that Steve is illustrating this as well as writing it means that we get to see this in all it’s glory as he intends it to be. So the magic of the writing syncs with the illustrations so that the overall effect it has on me as a reader well that is incalculable. It’s like the shapes and colours that are use in the overall design of not only the characters and their wardrobe but the architecture all have a design to them that is meant to somehow effect your ocular view more senses. It may sound weird what I’m trying to say but you need to read it to truly understand.
The use of page layouts is extremely well done through the angles, perspective and utilisation of backgrounds. Whether it’s the past or present it’s so well done that it’s hard to take my eyes off the page for any considerable length of time. I really like the emotion the characters emote for us and the creativity and imagination on display are kind of stunning.
I think the fact that Will is in charge now and he sees what works and what doesn’t in this place and is trying to change that is nice. However it does mean he’s going to make enemies out of those who have resided in power while making friends of those who have held none. Too much too soon it’s almost as good as the careful what you wish for aspect. I really thought this might be more of a fun loving kind of romp through the life of a playboy given a throne but Steve has managed to take that and throw out the window and replace it with this incredibly solid direction.
The ebb & flow of the story and how its structured is extremely nice to see. That his mom and his old girlfriend are there by his side at this time is interesting as each one brings a unique dynamic to what we are seeing. Also that he’s much smarter than I think most of us have given Will credit for is going to be fun to see. After all Rygol is underestimating Will and that’s just another in his ongoing mistakes that are making themselves known.
Complex and yet easy to follow, interesting and deceptive this book has a whole contradictory feel to it that makes every page feel like it could be a game changer.