Monday, April 20, 2020

Smallville: Harbinger #1 (2014) Review


Magically Delicious


Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Daniel HDR
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: January 3, 2014


The DEO and Steve Trevor need a Magicks expert and Zatanna may just fit the bill.  She is touring in London and her show is being ambushed by a heckler and maybe something more sinister.  It's hard to use word magic when her mouth is covered, but lucky for her, London's favorite magic man may be able to lend a hand.


Bryan Q. Miller has really turned Smallville into an interesting and diverse title.  Yes, it started as an extension to the excellent television show, but it has become so much more.  The idea of these "miniseries" is brilliant.  It allows Miller and the readers to see so much more than just Superman and Metropolis.  In fact, Smallville: Harbinger #1 only mentions Superman briefly.  In addition, it may start in Metropolis, but the bulk takes place in London.



This is a story about Magic and it features two of DC Comics' favorite magic users.  I love how Miller writes Zatanna.  I also admit that I am a huge fan of her word magic.  For the uninitiated, when Zatanna uses magic, the spell effect is written backward as she does it.  So "Lightning" would be "Gninthgil".  It's simple, but I like it.  As the book ends, Zatanna is attacked by a Brother Blood disciple and only escapes with the aid of another magic-user.  I won't spoil it, but the person fits the setting quite nicely (and is on the cover).  It's a team-up that I can't wait to see more of.

The art of Daniel HDR is really good.  Sometimes the art on the digital titles gets pushed to the back, but thankfully that's not the case here.  I really like the look of Zatanna, especially in her short action scene.

Bits and Pieces:

I really enjoyed Smallville: Harbinger #1.  Bryan Q. Miller can write Superman, but he shows he can write Zatanna as well.  I really like the art of Daniel HDR and the final pages promise a fun team up for this miniseries.

9.0/10

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