The second issue of this miniseries is here!

Actually, it came out three weeks ago, but a series of unfortunate events delayed me from getting a copy. That sucks, but at least I can say that it was worth the wait!

First, through dialog and flashbacks, we learn more about Calista’s relationship with Jackson before he was killed, as she and her friend Kaz continue to explore the origins of the grimoire and cope with how their lives have changed since she discovered it. It was Jackson who had convinced Calista to get the tattoo on her back, which turns out to be a sigil from the grimoire. and that explains how the sigil saved her and Calista from an attack last issue, albeit in an unexpectedly brutal way. When that brutal event is mysteriously covered up in the press, the teens realize that there are powerful forces behind this and know that their ordeal is not over. They also meet a new arrival to their school, who is sure to cause them a lot of trouble in the issues to come.

Of course, we also get plenty of time with Agent Malek in this issue. The big plot twist revealed about him in the first issue’s cliffhanger is that he’s actually a double agent, working from the inside to destroy the Father Division for personal reasons. After a flashback that showed how he managed to track the grimoire to Calista (with the help of a covert ally), we’re brought back to the present where we left off, as Malek’s treachery has been discovered by Charles King, the Division’s Director. And just when it seems like Agent Malek’s story is about to be over before it barely began, he proves himself to be even more resourceful than expected, as we see how he gets himself out of this particular jam.

Once again, writer (and new Massive Publishing Editor-In-Chief) Blake Northcott spins a suspenseful story that enchants the reader from the first to the last page. The use of flashbacks to fill in various background details flows naturally as does the dialog she writes for her characters. And the artistic team of Giuseppe Cafaro (pencils) and Bryan Valenza (colors) continue to impress me with their illustrative skills, especially in the action scenes involving magical mayhem.

Plus the issue includes another hot picture of Erica Fett. Just sayin’.

The North Valley Grimoire is shaping up to be a comic-book series that you don’t want to miss. Chacebook rating: FIVE STARS

AVAILABLE IN COMIC SHOPS EVERYWHERE, AND VIA MASSIVEPUBLISHING.COM