The opening sequence provides the first look at the magic of Red London in action. Isra is all no-nonsense punk, and in close combat, she’s hard to distinguish from Maxim thanks to similar facial features and shading. While it’s not clear how much time has passed between issues, the reader can assume a certain passage of time has had an effect on our noble prince. With the use of broad ink strokes and heavy shading, his face is broader, more muscular, more angular, less Disney prince, more wizened man. Olimpieri gives a more chiseled look to Maxim. What is bone magic, and how does it differ? What happened on that fateful day a year prior to the events of the last docking of the Iron Grip that has left Isra with such contempt for her aunt? This is well-executed slow burn storytelling that fans of Shades of Magic know, building tension and defying convention. There’s just enough for us to comprehend the history between Arisa and Isra, but enough held back to build a cliffhanger. This issue continues the world building from the debut, which can either delight or frustrate readers. The first volunteer? Her niece, who isn’t in this for the money, but for revenge. Here Arisa reveals a job opening on her ship to be filled by a tournament of combat. The horrors of Arisa’s terrors aren’t enough to sway Maxim from his plan, and reluctantly Isra accompanies him to a night at Arisa’s favorite watering hole, the Black Torch. While the niece isn’t so eager to see her relative, Maxim doesn’t care and wants an audience with this pirate queen. Arisa isn’t just your standard pirate with a body count in the double digits she dabbles in a magic that transcends the laws of power. The homecoming shakes up the Blood Coast, none more so than Isra herself. But training with Isra takes a bit of a backseat with the news of a certain vessel dropping anchor in Verosian ports: the Iron Grip, home to Arisa Raors, the Pirate Queen.
New and old meet on the streets of Verose as Maxim acclimates to his new home.
In between learning the rules and norms of Verose (booooring), Maxim finds out some family history and finds himself in a tête-à-tête with a very powerful woman. NovemA review copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Schwab (writer), Vivian Spinelli (colorist), Rob Steen (letterer) Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince #2 Erica Eren Angliolini (colorist), Andrea Olimpieri (artist), V.E.
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