Malcolm Magic #4 & #5

The first thing that strikes you when picking up an issue of Malcolm Magic is the quality of production. The boys at Blink Twice Productions clearly go to a lot of effort to make their comics something special to hold with the thick card stock paper and high quality printing. The Matt finish to the covers give them an almost water colour feel. These are nice items to hold and look at.

I must admit to being aware of Malcolm Magic's existence, but up until now had never sat down and read an issue. I was a little apprehensive coming into an established series cold but I needn't have worried. Firstly the creators Robin and Lawrence Etherington provide a handy synopsis of previous issues along with what is effectively a dramatis personae on the inside front cover. Secondly, issue 4 reads like an ideal jumping on point as a new chapter in Malcolm's adventure begins. A few pages in I felt right at home.

The story itself is essentially a multiple world story, the action taking place in both Malcolm's hometown of Fuzzton and the fantasy paradise Happy Hippy Dale that Malcolm visits usually when 'his brain goes wonky'. The towns are exquisitely rendered by artist Lawrence Etherington, giving each a distinctive look; Fuzzton being all straight lines, while Happy Hippy Dale literally oozes off the page, all curves and odd perspectives. Overall the art has a definite European flavour, reminding me of children's animations like Doctor Snuggles from the early eighties.

The story rattles along quite nicely, after a game of NETball (for the duration of which Malcolm is drunk) Malcolm is rendered unconscious and finds himself back in the Dale. There he is recruited by Theodore Law, the Dales Chief Controller of Fun, to track down Bright Eyes, the most 'dangerous animal alive', recently exiled to Fuzzton. On his return Malcolm gathers his friends and off they go to track him down. The rest of Issue 4 and the whole of 5 involve the gang hunting down the villainous Bright Eyes.

At first glance it seems like a typical adventure yarn with cute animals as the central characters and to this end would make a great all-ages title in the style of BONE and such like. There is potential here, there are indications of a bigger story under the surface - hints that Malcolm is more important than he thinks to the two worlds. The artwork is accomplished on the whole and is full of energy. Judging by the volume of their output Robin and Lawrence are enjoying their work so hopefully as their storytelling skills continue to improve Malcolm Magic will become a series to watch.

- Leon Hewitt