Midnight Suns #1: Something Wicked This Way Comes

And so one issue in we already have plenty to think about. Not only a mystery to solve AND an impending apocalypse, but also Doom is throwing a spanner in the works. That’s a lot of plates to spin, but Ethan Sacks did a good job of keeping the pace going. Given the faltering history of this title it was never going to be an easy sell, as the original 1990’s version never fared well and in the past Marvel haven’t seemed as keen to explore it’s magical line as DC have. However this issue jumped right in and offered a suitably dark edged tale, with some intriguing setups. How it all ties in to Zoe and her importance in events is unclear, but the hastily assembled team don’t have long to figure it out. It all seems to have begun the day before in Centerville and whatever Mary Beth did. And as those ethereal demons only appeared when Zoe’s necklace was snapped, it seems likely she holds the key to something Mary Beth wants. And as ominous visions go this one was immediately dark and foreboding.
Being a huge fan of the last short lived team of this name (from Doctor Strange: Damnation) I was keen to see what this title would have to offer. Having already been disappointed the Greg Smallwood pitch of 2017 never came to fruition I held my breath in anticipation. Getting off to a promising start with a giant hand in the sky and impending doom (no pun intended), I found the following set up in the Strange Academy a little too stilted and ‘Harry Potter’. That may be on me, as I’m not overly familiar with that title as I was the Midnight Sons. However, it soon ramped up the action and drama again. And so far everyone had at least a minor part to play. I am loving that some of my favourite characters from different titles are in this book. We have Kushala, Clea AND Zelma from the Strange family and on top of that X-Men galore – one of whom is in my top ten… And it’s not who you’re thinking! (It’s Magik..and the first time since New Mutants she dons her new armor)
As the threat became more obvious I warmed to the story again and found the main characters were all relevant to the plot. And I admit I got to like some to the aforementioned kids of the Strange Academy and even became curious about those I was unfamiliar with. A demon that is the child of S’ym, for instance?? And a budding romance between a demon girl and a zombie girl. Most of the main characters are there for obvious magical reasons, but Wolverine being roped in seems at first out of left field…until you factor in his history with the magical side of things. Not only has he just been on the road with Johnny Blaze, but also had previously shared adventures with Danny Ketch against Blackheart (Hearts of Darkness, Dark Design and Hearts of Darkness II) So aside from the fact he gripes about ‘magic people’ he is kind of drawn to this dark element.
And even Kushala, who I haven’t seen much of since the Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme miniseries making a grand entrance. I’d have liked a bit more of Clea, but maybe her part will become more clear in upcoming issues. I guess it may have been too much on top of setting up the plot in the opening issue, so well done Ethan for not overcrowding it. And Luigi Zagaria and Antonio Fabela both play their part well. Honing in on the details in several set pieces that really backed up the plot, such as the dark and oppressive gloom creeping in and the fog swirling around the assembled heroes during the attack. Not to mention some amazing colourful splash pages. Most notably the ominous figure hovering over Zoe, which deliberately points her out to be the focus of the story. And then both the arrival of Spirit Rider and Doom, heralded perfectly by Joe Sabino’s lettering.
Overall the blend of characters worked well and the plot wasn’t too convoluted to absorb in the first issue and was well paced. A solid start in an era hopefully more ready to accept the more magical side to Marvel lore. My one request would be that it gets a little darker. The splash with the figure hovering oppressively over Zoe is a good indicator, as is the cover by David Nakayama. More of this please.