nooneThe first volume of Black Magick strikes an intriguing balance between supernatural thriller and police procedural. The concept is not untried: Grimm is well into its fifth season, and Sleepy Hollow has enjoyed similar success with the same audience. Therefore, many readers may approach Black Magick with one big question: what makes this one different?

That’s the question I felt was left largely unanswered by the end of this volume. Protagonist Rowan Black is a police detective and a bonafide witch, and the story opens with signs that someone or something is coming for her. A shadowy anti-witch organization is moving in the wings as well, but this seems to be a third party with unknown but certainly malicious intentions. Black is surrounded by supportive, likeable coworkers who know nothing of her magickal abilities, so looking into a case with distinct supernatural leanings means that she is operating partially outside the department to investigate this new threat.

Writer Greg Rucka builds a fairly believable world: it’s not clear exactly what the limits or rules of magick are, but doesn’t stretch audience credulity unduly in the small amount that is included in this introductory volume. He even gets a couple of real-world things correct that many popular crime-of-the-week shows get wrong, like rotations for case assignments.

Artist Nicola Scott brings a style that emphasizes a high degree of realism, and her work is extremely detailed and looks amazing. The way she frames each scene really heightens the drama, especially the character close-ups and reactions. The way Scott worked with colorist Chiara Arena really deserves a shoutout as the accents really powerfully highlighted the way magick affects the mundane world.

This was definitely an enjoyable read and set up the next part of the story arc nicely, but it didn’t grab me. The thing I would want to see in upcoming issues is character development, some new plot twists- something that really sets it apart. Even if that doesn’t happen, I’d be up for seeing what happens to Rowan Black and company next!