The issue starts with a focus on the villains. Djall finds a vassal for the Demon Vephar using a newfound way of entering our world, via paintings acting as portals. It seems like the villain duo of this arc has been assembled and they have work to do!
At the Manor we get to meet Paige’s charge. And while we get to find out what her power is in an unexpected way, I think it will be very interesting to see how and in what creative ways she will use it moving forward.
I really like how the sisters’ common everyday lives and problems are not neglected. Phoebe is trying to balance her witch and advice columnist life. In the same vein Paige is trying to balance her whitelighter and witch duties and Piper’s tax problems with P3 are far from solved.
The timeline of the comic considering the timeline of the show has been a question since the first issue released but if Paige having a charge earlier than when she had one in the show helps shape her character further, I am all for it.
This is the beginning of Paige’s relationship with Piper and Phoebe and as we saw in the show during that period of their lives they are still having fights and trying to understand each other. It is nice to revisit that part of Charmed because despite their problems, the sisters have a great bond that is shown in the issue clearly.
Maria Sanapo’s art and likenesses in #2 continue to be very accurate and especially shine when there are close ups of the characters. Heartwork studios’ colors compliment Sanapo’s art with a highlight being the coloring of the powers and special effects.
Erica Schultz never wastes a panel here. Every single panel is used to the maximum. You will not see a double page spread or a single panel page and while they are nice to have, it helps not having them in the early stages of the series because it helps move the plot further. The pace of the issue is fast to the point I found myself double reading some parts because of everything that was happening in a small number of panels from Phoebe having a premonition to the girls casting spells to the Demons plotting their next move.
#2 has what a Charmed fan needs. The sisters dealing with their everyday lives, a Demon threat in the works, searching the Book of Shadows, the show’s traditional corny spells etc.
Charmed #2 is out on April 12th.