A new season, but the same old problems. The sisters are still at risk from every monster out there and they are taking them on with the Power of Three. Looking forward to seeing what their season’s arc will bring.
Note: This recap may contain spoilers!
As the issue begins, the sisters are once again threatened by a monster. Feels just like old times. However, we’re soon thrust back into the past so that we can get caught up. I personally would have rather seen the story emerge chronologically, but maybe that’s just me. And the artwork this go-around feels crude compared to the last season. Art quality and story quality are both important to get the reader engaged. Hoping they both improve over the course of the season.
Back in time, we’re introduced to a new neighbor. He drops by the manor to give them dessert pastries as an introduction, but then he refuses to shake their hands or say his name. Yeah, that’s not suspicious at all. The sisters are sure that the guy is a demon or a warlock, but Henry thinks they’re just overreacting. Hmm, who is right? The sisters, of course. The pastries really were evil and bad things are coming down the line.
Later, Piper chats with Prue and gives her the scoop on the suspicious neighbor. Piper doesn’t think the threat is too big, but Prue wants to kick some demon butt. Turns out, maybe the threat really is larger than Piper thought because the germaphobic neighbor busts through the door and announces himself as Gaxageal. Here comes a fight!
Or…not. We skip to three months later, missing all the excitement and just getting a summary. This feels like shaky writing. We learn that Gaxageal has been a constant threat to the sisters and has actually been expelled three times already. They’re still trying to figure out how to get rid of him once and for all. And it’s implied that he’s also keeping tabs on Prue, but later we find out that this isn’t actually true. Again, shaky writing makes things unclear.
The sisters decide to take on Gaxageal again, but he busts in and surprises them. And he brought friends this time. Coop beams the children and Henry to Magic School in order to keep them safe while the sisters deal with the group. The fight seems pretty tidy, as they take out everyone but Gaxageal. He then rises up and we’re back to the panel from the beginning of the comic.
The big showdown is more like a letdown. They manage to weaken him, then orb out his heart, and he explodes. Neat and tidy? Sure, but also a gateway to what the real story might be. Some strange man named Fritz is recalling all of this, having witnessed it. Who is he? Fritz has a companion, too, who thinks that the key to killing the sisters is the Ancient Athame. It will cause them to cease to exist. And even though Fritz thinks it’s just a legend, his companion knows it to be true and where to find it. Perhaps this will be the true arc of the season. Much more intriguing than the Gaxageal letdown of the issue.
Rating: 2 / 5 Stars
