Willow #2 Comic Recap

Issue: Willow #2
Release Date: December 2012
Writer: Jeff Parker
Pencils: Brian Ching
Inks: Jason Gorder
Colors: Michelle Madsen
Letters: Richard Starkings and COMICRAFT’S Jimmy Betancourt
Cover: David Mack
Alternate Cover: Megan Lara
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Willow’s still trying to bring magic back, while also trying to stay alive on the dangerous journey she’s undertaken. It wouldn’t be a normal day for the Scooby Gang if someone wasn’t in mortal danger, though. And she’s got a great challenge in front of her, so I hope to see some continued action in future issues.

Note: This recap may contain spoilers!

When last we left Willow, her new companion Marrak, and the Caterpillar Guy, they were facing off with a Hyberrax that I assumed was the creature they had killed and eaten before. No, that was the baby and this is the vengeful mother. Uh oh. While the Caterpillar Guy has a few tricks up his sleeve and is able to withstand any threat through his magical cocoon, Willow and Marrak have to rely on more hands-on means of survival once Marrak’s foot gets stuck during his escape. I’m sure that he would have preferred Willow let him in on her plan rather than playing the unknowing bait, but whatever works! And she even cleaned up their mess on the way out, instead of leaving the memory water contaminated with Hyberrax guts. They’re courteous that way.

Willow’s still maintaining her stance that she can’t go darkside, as Marrak would prefer, because she’d be lost. I agree with her assertions, though. We all remember what happened last time she lost control like that, and she needs to have a handle on herself if she’s going to bring magic back to our world. I found the brief trip into nightmare land to be interesting, even if it might not have been Willow’s nightmare that she was living. The fact that all her friends were faceless, that they couldn’t hear her warnings, was a bit telling as to how Willow might see herself. She’s got to save the world, while her friends aren’t powerful enough to do so. I wonder if that will be true throughout this situation.

Marrack and Willow’s trip is cut short when a mermaid-like creature binds him and confronts Willow. Well, confront and kiss, it’s all the same. The woman is Aluwyn, the Saga Vasuki — Willow’s teacher of the High Witching Arts. She and her companions are very pleased to see Willow and they take her and Marrak to the Witches’ Paradise, which is based around a wellspring. This is what Willow’s been looking for, and when the group performs a ceremony to repair the Scythe, Willow has all the tools she needs to cut a rift into our world and let the magic flow freely. If only it were that simple. In order to replenish our world with magic, it’s already got to have magic in it. Nice Catch-22 there. Could it be that our world will permanently be without magic? I should hope not, and I’m sure Willow will continue to fight until she sees success. She has to find another way because a world without magic is no world at all.

Rating: 4 / 5 Stars