Reviewer: Mathan “Max Lord?” Erhrardt
Story Title: Spells & Bindings
Written & Penciled by: Phil Jimenez
Inked by: Andy Lanning
Colored by: Jeromy Cox
Lettered by: Nick Napolitano
Editor: Will Dennis
Created by: Phil Dennis
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
The issue begins in Caer Na Og where a mystical warrior Cessaire halts an invading beast in it’s tracks. We then find ourselves in the “real” world where Siobhan Moynihan is in the middle of an engrossing college discussion. She and a fellow student, Jason get in a heated debate about values and culture. After the class concludes we find out that Jason and Siobhan are a couple.
We then meet Donnie, via a phone call with Siobhan. We learn that he’s a bartender, she and her band have a gig, and that she is cheating on Jason with Donnie. We also meet Julian, Donnie’s roommate. We then meet Catherine, also via cell phone. She and Siobhan talk about Catherine’s new beau. Siobhan gets another call, it’s Billie, her friend who works at a record store. They talk about Siobhan’s meditating and about her love triangle.
Back in Caer Na Og, Cessaire tries to convince her peers to allow her to seek a person from Earth, who has the ability to save their realm. There’s a great debate over whether or not to get help from Earth. They decide to give Cessaire their blessing to get their aid. On the other side of the equation, Sunshil one of Cessaire’s supposed allies, is actually working with the enemy. She fills them in on Cessaire’s plan.
On Earth it’s the night of Siobhan’s gig. All of Siobhan’s friends are there. We also meet a few other interesting characters. While Donnie is tending bar, Jason comes over and tells him that he suspects Siobhan of cheating on him. Meanwhile in the back Siobhan meditates and makes a connection with Cessaire. Donnie interrupts to tell her that Jason suspects, and Jason overhears the conversation.
Just as Siobhan takes the stage, Cessaire arrives and makes physical contact with Siobhan. Siobhan and many other people, including her friends are transported to Caer Na Og. Before they can adjust to their surroundings, they are attacked by some scary looking individuals. Continued.
Jimenez has an epic on his hands. While I’m not really a fan of “mystical” stories or settings, I’m thoroughly enraptured by Jimenez’s diverse “real world” characters. To call the characters interesting would be an understatement. I’m certainly curious as to how they will react to their new surroundings. Napolitano deserves credit for his excellent lettering. The sterile invader “voice” and the notebook narrator are some great examples.
Artwise this book is a feast. It’s lush and detailed. Cox’s coloring perfectly matches Jimenez’s intricate images. Lanning’s inks don’t overpower Jimenez’s pencils, yet they add to the overall look of the book. And of course Jimenez himself deserves credit for creating a diverse cast. This book features people of different races, ages and sexualities. And his montage of atrocities on page four actually stirs the soul.
