Review: The Marked #10

Who knew that tattoos can come with magical powers? As I have a couple of Batman ones, I wonder what that means? The Marked features a coven of magic users, each getting their powers from their tatts. Different spells are kind of inked onto the body. The problem at the moment is that there seems to be someone who is using the Marked magic for their own purpose and its up to the coven to find who or what that is!

Mavin and Kildare catch up with Selene, who despite the the latter trying to destroy Kildare’s shop they try and help her. This is but one subplot that is touched on in this issue as Eden arrives to talk to the group over recent events, a recreation in need of “adjustment” and Lovecraft being, well, not quite Lovecraft-ish. To say that there is a lot going on would be an understatement, that is if anything really happened.

Creator, writer and artist Brian Haberlin clearly has planned for the long haul. Whilst this is the first part of the next arc, the book actually has a bit of a secondary task in touching base with the previous and ongoing sub-plots. Haberlin ensures that each element gets some panel time, structuring the story in quite a formal way, clearly identifying or “marking” if you will the changes. This approach may seem a little unusual, but by using this format, Haberlin makes certain that key elements are not lost in the wash, especially given the amount of dialogue in this issue.

As stated, Haberlin also provides the art for the book. There is a kind of childish vibe to some of the faces, displaying a kind of charm that allows for the innocence or newness of this world to seep through. Panel design is fun, though there are a couple of times where things get a little confusing or out of sync; this might be something to keep an eye on as the series progresses. The magics are well covered and there are plenty of magical creatures for Haberlin to have fun with; Mr. Fluffy is inspired. However, there is a distraction in play and that features Mavin herself, or at least her clothes, I am not sure what she is wearing. Is it a bikini top over a white vest top? If so, how come the bikini sits above the fullness of her chest? More observation is required in order to get the style of the outfit right. Other characters are modelled well. I did enjoy the colors supplied by Geirrod Van Dyke which are dark on top of more darkness. This contrasted with the scheme used for the magic as well as other aspects, Eden’s outfit for example. Finally, letterer Francis Takenaga deserves to be paid by word in the verbose script.

I know that there is an argument against making comics for other media and I am fully on the comics first bandwagon. But with that said, this is the sort of book that my wife would love if it was a TV show. This shows Haberlin’s past experiences with studies as much as it does his first love of comic books. Ten issues in is not too far in for new fans, who may well be intrigued by this almost jumping on point, to go check out the back issue bins.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Brian Haberlin
Art by; Brian Haberlin
Colors by; Geirrod Van Dyke
Letters by; Francis Takenaga
Publsihed by; Image Comics for Anomaly Production

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network