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Black Magick (Single Issues) #1
Black Magick #1
The hammer falls this Halloween! From New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning writer GREG RUCKA (LAZARUS, Stumptown, Gotham Central) and superstar artist NICOLA SCOTT (Birds of Prey, Secret Six, Earth 2)!
Detective Rowan Black works robbery/homicide for the Portsmouth PD, but her greatest mystery is the truth about herself...both who she has been, and who she will become. Yet there are others in Rowan's world with very long memories, and the power that one person holds, another will always covet.
PLUS, each issue also features an all-new work of original fiction by GREG RUCKA!
A new gothic-noir ongoing series about legacy, destiny, redemption...and the price of magic.
Detective Rowan Black works robbery/homicide for the Portsmouth PD, but her greatest mystery is the truth about herself...both who she has been, and who she will become. Yet there are others in Rowan's world with very long memories, and the power that one person holds, another will always covet.
PLUS, each issue also features an all-new work of original fiction by GREG RUCKA!
A new gothic-noir ongoing series about legacy, destiny, redemption...and the price of magic.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2015
16 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,504 books1,927 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 2, 2016
[Image Comics] FIRST ISSUES: The Good (Full review on the WondrousBooks blog.)
Creepy ritual in the middle of the forest. Chanting. Witches… Oops, sorry, guys, my phone is ringing.
Black Magick has this “supernatural noir” feeling about it, being an interesting occult detective story. What I liked the most about it is the fact that it drew me into the story and I’m really looking forward to simply knowing what happens later. While there are comic books which look cool even though they are not necessarily beautiful, the drawings in this one are indeed lovely and what’s more, they are black and white and only get color in important moments, which adds a lot to the story itself.
On the minus side, if you pay attention to the blond witch at the beginning and especially to the last panel she’s in, she has the exact face of the main character, which kind of leads me to believe that the illustrator might not have a big variety of female faces. We shall see.
Creepy ritual in the middle of the forest. Chanting. Witches… Oops, sorry, guys, my phone is ringing.
Black Magick has this “supernatural noir” feeling about it, being an interesting occult detective story. What I liked the most about it is the fact that it drew me into the story and I’m really looking forward to simply knowing what happens later. While there are comic books which look cool even though they are not necessarily beautiful, the drawings in this one are indeed lovely and what’s more, they are black and white and only get color in important moments, which adds a lot to the story itself.
On the minus side, if you pay attention to the blond witch at the beginning and especially to the last panel she’s in, she has the exact face of the main character, which kind of leads me to believe that the illustrator might not have a big variety of female faces. We shall see.
March 2, 2016
The comic work of Rucka has been hit or miss with me, really enjoyed Stumptown, Vol. 1 but never really cared for any of his mainstream writing.
The book starts on Mabon with a ritual circle of Pagan/Wicca,or coven(not sure yet) and Rowan Black is called away mid-ritual to her job, detective with the local police department. Seems there is a hostage situation with the suspect specifically asking to talk her. During their conversation several intriguing mysteries are hinted at and it made me interested to find out more about this story Rucka is setting up....so in that respect he accomplished the goal of bringing me back for more.
The Nicola Scott artwork is fantastic, a few splashes of color here and there throughout but the majority of the story is in a sort of sepia tone which certainly lends itself well to the subject matter. I also think this style helps bring out the strength of her art, there are times when colors actually interfere with the line work.
A solid start to a promising series.
8/10
The book starts on Mabon with a ritual circle of Pagan/Wicca,or coven(not sure yet) and Rowan Black is called away mid-ritual to her job, detective with the local police department. Seems there is a hostage situation with the suspect specifically asking to talk her. During their conversation several intriguing mysteries are hinted at and it made me interested to find out more about this story Rucka is setting up....so in that respect he accomplished the goal of bringing me back for more.
The Nicola Scott artwork is fantastic, a few splashes of color here and there throughout but the majority of the story is in a sort of sepia tone which certainly lends itself well to the subject matter. I also think this style helps bring out the strength of her art, there are times when colors actually interfere with the line work.
A solid start to a promising series.
8/10
July 6, 2017
Really great first issue. Rucka and Scott are such a power team on Wonder Woman that I really wanted to try this. Magic, witches and an amazing writing/artist combo? I'm so in 😂😂 Will be picking up the trades of this 👌🏻👌🏻
February 27, 2016
I am a big fan of detective novels and stories. What I love about this is the unique combination of detective and fantasy witch/magic elements. The first issue left me wishing I'd had a pile of issues to just keep going through all night. The illustrations are unbelievably gorgeous. The storyline jumped straight into action and dilemma. Rowan, the main character, promises to be well-layered, intrigueing and generally kick-ass. For me, a female with strong attitude and intelligence, with the emphasis on those things instead of her looks, will always be a winner. I'm definitely going to be following this series.
November 22, 2015
Great decision to stay black/white. Horrible decision to have protagonist named via haggard ass tropes. Much intrigue builds mystery to bring readers back but in general feels a bit forced. But man oh man that art. The motorcycle scene is one of the best double page layouts I've seen in a long long time. The angles. The sharp perspective. The level of depth of understanding of perspective. I've not heard of Nicola Scott before but she's definitely got the human form on lockdown. Taking a sneak peek at her covers for issues 2 and 3 has me wanting more.
June 27, 2017
4/5 stars
Several things. One, I am definitely carrying on this series- I love witches, and detective stories, so a witch detective? BEST. Two, the art is literally so stunning I have yet to get over it. Genuinely some of the best art I've ever seen in a comic. Three, I really dig that this will have some darker humour. I feel like it's important to have some humour present in stories.
Several things. One, I am definitely carrying on this series- I love witches, and detective stories, so a witch detective? BEST. Two, the art is literally so stunning I have yet to get over it. Genuinely some of the best art I've ever seen in a comic. Three, I really dig that this will have some darker humour. I feel like it's important to have some humour present in stories.
October 11, 2017
I met an awesome lady on the train today who game me this and I’m obsessed! This looks like it will be a really cool comic book series and my first ever as well.
September 16, 2021
Muy buen comienzo. Me gusta el estilo gráfico y estoy intrigada por la historia.
April 29, 2024
Wow the art in these are super. Love the black qnd white. The story is fun. I only wished I would have waited closer to Halloween to read these. It definitely has Jessica Jones vibes but with magic.
November 27, 2015
I pulled this one out thinking, "Oh, you know what, I don't even remember if I saw the second one in stores," and it was apparently just released and I didn't buy it. I thought when I pulled it out to read it that it was going to be one I thought was good, but would probably never look at again. Nope. I read it and now I'm already addicted. Now I have to go to the store and rectify my not buying it mistake.
December 15, 2015
Very striking art, reminds me of black and gray tattoos. I don't normally like non-color comics but this was gorgeous. Story could turn into something interesting. I see a love interest looming - that always draws me in.
November 7, 2015
Witches!
The first is issue is amazing. The writing and the artwork is awesome. I'm not a big fan of black and white comics but it works for this. I can't wait for issue two.
The first is issue is amazing. The writing and the artwork is awesome. I'm not a big fan of black and white comics but it works for this. I can't wait for issue two.
August 26, 2016
Quite promising!
August 29, 2016
Very cool, pulp style comic.
January 9, 2025
POPKULTUROWY KOCIOŁEK: Główną bohaterką historii jest tutaj detektyw Rowan Black. Kobieta ma również inne zajęcia niż tylko praca w policji i skrywa ona pewien sekret – jest ona bowiem wiedźmą, posiadającą wiedzę i umiejętności, które pozwalają jej rozwiązywać sprawy, z którymi zwykli śledczy nie byliby w stanie sobie poradzić. W Czarna magia: Pierwsza Księga Cieni poznajemy jej świat, gdzie balansuje ona między pracą w policji a praktykowaniem magii. Fabuła koncentruje się tu na serii spraw, które wydają się mieć podłoże okultystyczne. Rowan, wykorzystując swoje unikalne zdolności, stara się rozwikłać zagadkę i powstrzymać mordercę, zanim będzie za późno.
Pierwszą i najmocniej rzucającą się w oczy zaletą tytułu jest jego ogólny klimat. Rucka naprawdę zręcznie i co najważniejsze ciekawie łączy tu elementy kryminału noir z motywami okultystycznymi, tworząc dość unikalną mieszankę. Mroczne ulice miasta, nocne scenerie i tajemnicze rytuały tworzą gęstą atmosferę, która wciąga czytelnika bez reszty.
Sprawnie łączy się to z dobrze prowadzoną narracją, która dawkuje odbiorcy napięcie. Autor buduje atmosferę tajemnicy, stopniowo odkrywając kolejne elementy układanki. Czytelnik wraz z Rowan zagłębia się w mroczny świat magii i zbrodni, odkrywając coraz bardziej niepokojące fakty. Fabuła co prawda momentami może wydawać się troszkę nużąca (kilka przydługawych scen), ale to właśnie powolne budowanie napięcia i skupienie na relacjach między postaciami jest tu ważniejsze niż akcja, chociaż tej tutaj również nie brakuje. Pewne drobne zastrzeżenia można mieć jednak do zaserwowanej tu kryminalnej intrygi. Jest ona dobrze prowadzona, ale opiera się na pewnych zbyt dobrze znanych schematach, a więc dla niektórych odbiorców nie wszystko będzie tu wielkim fabularnym zaskoczeniem.
Nikt za to nie powinien narzekać na plejadę występujących tu bohaterów. Rucka podobnie jak w przypadku serii Lazarus czy Wonder Woman na pierwszym planie scenariusza stawia tu silną, zdecydowaną kobietę, która momentalnie przykuwa uwagę czytelnika. Nie popada on tu jednak w żadne niepotrzebne stereotypy i pozwala swojej bohaterce odpowiednio dojrzeć wraz z rozwojem historii. Wyrazistość dotyczy także kilku postaci drugoplanowych, które stają się doskonałym dopełnieniem dla detektyw Black...
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/noir-...
Pierwszą i najmocniej rzucającą się w oczy zaletą tytułu jest jego ogólny klimat. Rucka naprawdę zręcznie i co najważniejsze ciekawie łączy tu elementy kryminału noir z motywami okultystycznymi, tworząc dość unikalną mieszankę. Mroczne ulice miasta, nocne scenerie i tajemnicze rytuały tworzą gęstą atmosferę, która wciąga czytelnika bez reszty.
Sprawnie łączy się to z dobrze prowadzoną narracją, która dawkuje odbiorcy napięcie. Autor buduje atmosferę tajemnicy, stopniowo odkrywając kolejne elementy układanki. Czytelnik wraz z Rowan zagłębia się w mroczny świat magii i zbrodni, odkrywając coraz bardziej niepokojące fakty. Fabuła co prawda momentami może wydawać się troszkę nużąca (kilka przydługawych scen), ale to właśnie powolne budowanie napięcia i skupienie na relacjach między postaciami jest tu ważniejsze niż akcja, chociaż tej tutaj również nie brakuje. Pewne drobne zastrzeżenia można mieć jednak do zaserwowanej tu kryminalnej intrygi. Jest ona dobrze prowadzona, ale opiera się na pewnych zbyt dobrze znanych schematach, a więc dla niektórych odbiorców nie wszystko będzie tu wielkim fabularnym zaskoczeniem.
Nikt za to nie powinien narzekać na plejadę występujących tu bohaterów. Rucka podobnie jak w przypadku serii Lazarus czy Wonder Woman na pierwszym planie scenariusza stawia tu silną, zdecydowaną kobietę, która momentalnie przykuwa uwagę czytelnika. Nie popada on tu jednak w żadne niepotrzebne stereotypy i pozwala swojej bohaterce odpowiednio dojrzeć wraz z rozwojem historii. Wyrazistość dotyczy także kilku postaci drugoplanowych, które stają się doskonałym dopełnieniem dla detektyw Black...
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/noir-...
February 7, 2017
In my witch phase, I stumbled across a comic book called Black Magick, which has the kind of premise I'm surprised I haven't seen before: she's a police detective, and she's a witch. I'm guessing it will be a Netflix series before long.
Rowan Black is our heroine, and at the opening of Volume 1 she's in some kind of witch circle, and her cell phone goes off. It's a nice gag, making witches part of everyday life. Her best friend is a teacher. They are actual witches, not Wiccans, able to cast spells and everything.
But it turns out that Black has been personally called to a hostage situation. The man holding the hostages has singled her out, and tries to burn her alive. She casts a spell on him so that he burns up, but she keeps that from her colleagues (along with a lot of other things, such as that she's a witch).
Since this is only Volume 1, I was left hanging, but I liked it a lot. I would have really liked it when I was about fourteen, as the art by Nicola Scott, is very good and very risque. The great thing about witches is their easy way with nudity.
So in this case we have a story where witches are actually the good guys, and some mysterious group is after them. There seems to be no ties to Satan.
The writer is Greg Rucka. If I were a TV producer I'd be on the horn with him right now. Cops, witches, violence, casual nudity--it's a no-brainer.
October 9, 2020
This was, not what I was expecting, but I didn't really know what to expect
Think witchcraft + murder mystery and you've got black magick!
I really liked the art and sense of humor spread throughout this issue which made it super easy to read and get invested in. Our main character Rowan hides secrets from everyone, and at the end of this issue, we see a hint that they're about to unravel.
Honestly, it felt like a cool merge of witchcraft and something realistic and grim
I'll definitely be continuing with this series.
Think witchcraft + murder mystery and you've got black magick!
I really liked the art and sense of humor spread throughout this issue which made it super easy to read and get invested in. Our main character Rowan hides secrets from everyone, and at the end of this issue, we see a hint that they're about to unravel.
Honestly, it felt like a cool merge of witchcraft and something realistic and grim
I'll definitely be continuing with this series.
November 20, 2020
I am hyped for this! I love the concept and I absolutely loved the execution of these ideas. Especially the use of color in the last few pages . I definitely want to read more of this comic to learn more about her life as a witch and as a cop. And what does it mean it is all happening again? I can't wait to find out!
June 8, 2020
Police officer and witch.
Mainly black and white artwork, image freebie. A witch is also a police officer. The dual life is difficult for her to maintain. A war on witches is breaking out.
Mainly black and white artwork, image freebie. A witch is also a police officer. The dual life is difficult for her to maintain. A war on witches is breaking out.
May 24, 2021
Brujas y hechicería en el mundo moderno. Me reí mucho en la parte del ritual y el celular sonando jajaja.
El arte de Nicola Scott es hermoso.
La historia tiene buena pinta, espero pronto poder leer los siguientes números
El arte de Nicola Scott es hermoso.
La historia tiene buena pinta, espero pronto poder leer los siguientes números
January 26, 2018
Cool concept well executed, but not for me. Scott's line work is excellent and the sparing use of color is very clever.
April 8, 2018
Amazing art and great writing!
I love how colour is used in the monochromatic illustrations to emphasize on characters and important elements in the story.
I love how colour is used in the monochromatic illustrations to emphasize on characters and important elements in the story.
May 6, 2018
The art is amazing and I'm totally invested in finding out who wants Rowan Black so bad that they are committing so much evil to do it.
June 15, 2018
Well, that caught my attention.
July 13, 2018
Incredible.
July 21, 2018
Great start for a series, can not wait to get a hold of another volume.
February 8, 2019
Love all the witchcraft mythology and the art is super sexy. Can't wait for Vol. 2.
April 23, 2019
I very much liked the detective/witch story going on and the artwork is great. I would like to read this series and see where it takes me.
June 30, 2019
Rowan Black is a young police detective with a dark secret: she's a powerful witch. And of course, someone, or something, is on a sinister supernatural mission to get her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews