The only option for escape of Illana Lastina, trapped in marginal space, is that she is incredibly at risk in Magic #3. This week, “Pacts” arrives from Ashley Allen, German Peralta, Arthur Hesli, Ariana Maher and Darren Shan, turning Demon Lord Liminal and Magic into his face. We know that he wants to be freed. This issue is intended to shed light on the subject.
The first two issues of the series spent plenty of time reminding viewers of the tragic origins of abuse and manipulation by her mysterious “instructor” Velasco. It is also shown that her abdication from Limbo’s throne and her magical connection from that realm do not mean the destruction of the Dark Child, the demon persona born there. All of these came to mind by Magick’s birthday blues, but now it’s fueled Liminal’s charm. He was lured in a child, sacrificed in a dark ritual, giving him immeasurable strength, but to be later exiled from a plane on earth, Liminar does not consider Ilyana an enemy, but he sees him as a mirror of his own suffering.
Magik #3 spoilers!
Magik #3 is full of mirrors from Ilyana’s past. Her sudden descent into marginal space is as harsh as falling to her first frontier. Just like in her childhood, the only way Ilyana gains leverage against her prisoners is to risk her being even more harmed by their dark magic. Liminal even confronts her in a distorted figure from her past, as the tints of cats, sims and nastils prevent magic’s attempts to avoid the Devil’s Lord. Like Velasco, Liminal just wants to hurt Illana, just as loosening the Dark Child, and claims that Magick is just a fictional self that is erased. Literally, being on the frontier means being in a space of range. It’s space between spaces. It only makes sense for Liminal to remix and repeat the pain that survived in Limbo. Even as he mourns his own victim, he stacks this familiar trap on her.
Liminal cannot adhere to the fact that someone who was traumatized in a way similar to him was able to grow into something other than just another victim. We don’t know all about Liminal’s history yet. The gap between the ritual and his exile from Earth seems very important for him to rule out. But as he says, Liminal is a phony of what Ilyana was if she had never escaped from Velasco, if the Dark Child was what was left of her. Liminal has full control over this area that covers him, and the only way to allow Magik to leave is a bargain. If she can prevent his escape to Earth in three weeks, he will stop hunting mutants for his ritual. If she fails, Magick’s true self is released. The threat is clear, and in fighting this minor phor of her dark self, Ilyana risks controlling her literal version of her dark self forever.
Have YA ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
Credit: Marvel Comics
Liminal offers are not a real choice, as some abusers should not do it. The Magick can accept or stay in Liminal’s space, but Liminal does not tolerate the rest. Suddenly abandoned by Earth, Ilyana quickly finds a way to return to Cal Isaac. Young Mystic was just beginning to trust Ilyana more, but Magick’s confession about her dealing with Liminal brings his fear back to the surface. This end note on this issue was already tense, but there’s one last surprise. In her absence, Cal finds help from another magical new mutant, Dani Moonstar.
This issue is doing perfectly well, but some of the visuals in Magik #3 have missed some opportunities. Establishing Liminal space was a great opportunity to add to his traits, as Liminal’s dialogue gives an important background to this new character. We know that he has almost completely control over the dimensions of his pockets, and that his power as the devil lord is tied to the eerie marginal spaces we encounter every day. With the popularity of analog horror growing alongside Liminal space as aesthetic (i.e., the back room), Liminal and his concept of territory are opportunities to play with surreality, meeting the mundane. Instead, marginal space is the standard wasteland where mostly crumbling buildings live, empty in a way that feels unremarkable and unnoticeable.
Despite missing this opportunity, there are many special art moments through the matter. Peralta and Hesri fully link the similarities between Magic and Liminal on the above page. Liminal’s own art also brings irony to the heart of the character. Because of all he professes about liberating his true, dark self, Liminal refuses to unscathed his own porcelain shell. Another moment worth pointing out is the brief invasion of Darkchild near the end of the matter. The central panel, breaking through the dark moonlight palette that mostly dominates the marginal space, quickly reminds us of the feeling of an approaching anxiety attack, as the dark child coils around Magick’s throat.
Magik #3 found a pain where Ilyana’s past was remixed for the present, although no time travel required. Our mystical liminal becomes a more filled-in character, and tensions rise as he pushes our heroine into the demonic bargain. As we’ve just seen with Storm and Eegun, such a transaction can disappoint all involved parties. Only time will tell if this will return once to Darkchild’s Return.
“Magik” #3 Review: Deal with the Devil
Magik #3
Magik #3 found a pain where Ilyana’s past was remixed for the present, although no time travel required. Our mystical liminal becomes a more filled-in character, and tensions rise as he pushes our heroine into the demonic bargain. As we’ve just seen with Storm and Eegun, such a transaction can disappoint all involved parties. Only time will tell if this will return once to Darkchild’s Return.
We now understand why Ilyana has become the centre of Liminal’s plot.
Surprise Dani Moon Star!
A cry to the original Magik Mini!
The Liminal area is visually disappointing
