Comics Review: "KARDAK THE MYSTIC #1" is Mystically Charming

KARDAK THE MYSTIC #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Joe Corallo

ART: Butch Mapa

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Butch Mapa

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Skylar Patridge

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2024); on sale in comic book shops August 14, 2024

Rating: Teen+

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics has also published superhero comic books featuring offbeat characters.  One of the stranger ones was initially known as “The Mystic” and he first appeared in Top Notch Comics #1 (cover dated: December 1939).  In Top Notch Comics #4 (cover dated: April 1940), The Mystic became “Kardak.”

Kardak debuted in a story by writer Harry Shorten and artist C. A. “Chuck” Winter.  Kardak was John Cardy, an American adventurer and professional magician known as “Kardak the Mystic.”  He was a superhero magician, employing tricks and mystical powers to fight organized crime and super-villains.  He was assisted by his fiancée, Lorna Dorne, and his faithful servant, Balthar.  Kardak made his final Golden Age appearance in Top Notch Laugh Comics #29 (cover dated: September 1942).

A modern version of Kardak the Mystic arrives in the new one-shot comic book, Kardak the Mystic No. 1.  It is written by Joe Corallo; drawn by Butch Mapa; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Kardak the Mystic No. 1 introduces John Cardy.  He is the stage magician, “Kardak the Mystic,” and all he ever wanted was to be recognized for his talents at magic tricks and sleight of hand.  However, the audiences for his shows are shrinking, and his loyal assistant, Lorna, believes that they should retire the act and move on with their lives.

Walking down the street one night, deep in his thoughts, John comes upon a magic shop, “Enchantra's Enchantments.”  There, he gets an offer he can't refuse – an amulet that would change everything for him.  But that kind of power is never free...

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time.  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  Kardak the Mystic No. 1 is the latest.

I really like Kardak the Mystic No. 1.  Joe Corallo's story is simple and straightforward, but really engages the imagination.  It is a standalone tale, but it suggests a number of possibilities going forward.  As I read it, I found my imagination to be quite engaged, and I was always wondering about what came next.  The ending certainly left me wanting more.

Corallo's script is transformed impressively by Butch Mapa's art into graphical storytelling with a hint of the supernatural.  Mapa's art is clean and smooth, so it captures the obvious emotions, dilemmas, conflicts, and danger that play in this story of transformation.  The coloring by the talented Ellie Wright heightens the tension and drama in the story.  As a team, Mapa and Wright team-up results in a dark tale that sparkles with playful magic and creepy mysticism.

Wow. I'm impressed, but also disappointed.  I don't think that there is much of a chance of readers getting a second issue.  Or maybe Kardak can pull of another miracle.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Kardak the Mystic No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Kardak the Mystic No. 1.]

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Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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