Black Magick is a comic book series created by writer Greg Rucka and artist Nicola Scott. It was first published by Image Comics in October 2015. The story revolves around the life of Rowan Black, a detective and a practitioner of witchcraft. Rowan Black comes from a long line of witches who have used their powers for generations to protect innocent people. However, in recent times, Rowan has tried to distance herself from this world and focus on her career as a police officer. But as her peaceful life starts to crumble, Rowan becomes drawn back into the world of black magic and witchcraft.
But as her peaceful life starts to crumble, Rowan becomes drawn back into the world of black magic and witchcraft. The series combines the genres of crime noir and supernatural horror, creating a unique and gripping storyline. The artwork by Nicola Scott is beautifully detailed and captures the dark and mystical essence of the story.
I Visited a Notoriously Haunted Doll, and Bad Luck Followed Me Everywhere
I'm a relatively superstitious person. I would never walk on someone's grave in a cemetery, I believe in ghosts, and I'm careful to not walk under any ladders. So while I was on my honeymoon in Key West recently and heard about a ghost tour that involved Robert the Doll — a famously haunted doll that brings bad luck to those who visit him — I was pretty intrigued.
For an inanimate object, Robert is pretty well-known. He's been featured on several TV shows and is even toted around to various conventions that center on the occult. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, my husband, Chris, and I booked a tour with a company called Ghosts & Gravestones, which included a stop at the Fort East Martello Museum where Robert resides. While the tour was awesome, our brief encounter with Robert was . . . less than ideal. Why? Well, because he "haunted" me for about 36 hours afterwards.
Related:In order to understand the full extent of this, it's important to know Robert's sordid past. Originally given as a gift to Eugene Otto, an author and painter, by his grandfather in 1904, the two were instantly inseparable. It's said that Robert the Doll's outfit was even modeled after one Eugene wore. As a boy, Eugene would often blame the doll for accidents and misgivings, claiming, "Robert told me to do it." Seems like somewhat normal little kid behavior, right?
According to our tour guide, the real trouble started when a woman who worked for the Otto family was fired abruptly without cause. But rather than packing her bags and leaving, she reportedly used voodoo to put a curse on the doll as a form of revenge. And while it may seem pretty far-fetched to some, others believe it actually worked.
"Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness."
As an adult, Eugene became an artist. Considered by many to be "eccentric," Eugene returned to his family home in Key West with his wife, Annette Parker, after they got married in 1930. And despite being an adult, Eugene's love of Robert never wavered (legend has it that Robert sat right next to Eugene while he painted). Annette obviously wasn't a huge fan of her husband's best friend, and vice versa, so once Eugene died in 1974, Annette left Key West. She left Robert behind in the attic of the home, where he was found years later by the home's new owners. While strange things had often happened in Robert's presence before — people hearing voices, noises, and other unexplained sounds — it wasn't until he was donated to the Fort East Martello Museum in 1994 that his less-than-kind attitude went full-scale.
Before walking into the museum to get a peek at Robert, the tour guide gave us some strict rules to follow: you must greet and introduce yourself to Robert; if you want to take a photo of him, you must ask first; and you can't leave the museum without saying goodbye. While a bit weird, that all sounded doable to Chris and me, so we did as we were told. After snapping a few photos, we learned about what happens to people who don't follow the rules or poke fun at Robert. A nearby TV showed thousands of letters from people from around the world who experienced terrible luck after rubbing the doll the wrong way.
According to some of the letters, visitors have been met with all kinds of misfortune, from getting burned by hot water to missing their flights to — yep — even getting divorced. "Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness," says the website. "Letters continue to arrive daily."
As a respectful visitor, I thought I was off the hook. I followed the rules and was genuinely interested in learning about him. But boy, was I wrong. I made ONE comment about a grown man carrying around a doll, and my fate was sealed. As soon as I woke up the next day, the bad luck began. First, our flight home was delayed. Then, we were forced to rebook our flight because the plane was too heavy, resulting in us having a five-hour layover and getting transferred to another connecting flight. While both of these things were annoying, I also knew they happen sometimes. It couldn't have been because of a doll, right?
I realized that Robert might actually have had it out for us when we finally landed back home around midnight. The problem? Our luggage never showed up. We were told to go home and that the suitcase was probably on the next flight in. Fast forward to the next morning — still no sign of the bag. And no one on either airline that we used could locate where the suitcase was. It was simply missing without a trace. Frustrated and near tears, we decided to give into our superstitions and write letters to Robert in the hopes of reversing whatever bad luck he gave us and finding our lost bag.
The use of black and white illustrations with occasional splashes of color adds to the atmospheric tone of the series. In addition to the compelling storyline and stunning artwork, Black Magick also explores themes of identity, power, and the consequences of one's actions. Rowan's struggle to balance her personal and professional life, while also dealing with the secrets of her family's magical heritage, creates a complex and relatable character. Black Magick has received widespread critical acclaim for its well-crafted storytelling and engaging characters. It has been praised for its strong female protagonist and its ability to seamlessly blend different genres. The series has also been recognized for its diverse and inclusive cast of characters. Overall, Black Magick is a captivating comic book series that will appeal to fans of crime, horror, and supernatural genres. With its compelling storylines, stunning artwork, and thought-provoking themes, it stands out as a must-read for comic book enthusiasts..
Reviews for "Black Majicc and its Representation in Diverse Comic Book Characters"
1. John - 2 Stars
I was really disappointed with "Black Majicc Comic". The story was confusing and hard to follow. The characters lacked depth and I didn't feel connected to any of them. The artwork was also subpar, with lackluster coloring and sloppy linework. Overall, this comic just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Emily - 1 Star
I couldn't even finish "Black Majicc Comic". The plot was cliché and unoriginal, and the dialogue felt forced and cringeworthy. The female characters were written poorly and seemed more like caricatures than actual people. The artwork didn't do anything to redeem the comic either, with messy and inconsistent illustrations. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.
3. Michael - 2 Stars
I was really excited to read "Black Majicc Comic" but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off and it felt like nothing really happened until the very end. The main character was unlikeable, and the attempts at humor fell flat. The art style was unpleasant to look at, with disproportionate characters and lack of attention to detail. Unfortunately, this comic didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Hannah - 2 Stars
"Black Majicc Comic" had so much potential, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The story had some interesting ideas, but they were poorly executed. The writing felt rushed and lacked depth, making it hard to engage with the plot. The artwork was mediocre, with unimpressive panel layouts and unappealing character designs. Overall, this comic was a disappointment for me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Alex - 1 Star
I found "Black Majicc Comic" to be incredibly boring and unoriginal. The story felt like a rehash of every cliché in the genre, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The artwork was lackluster, with uninspired compositions and unimaginative designs. I was hoping for something fresh and engaging, but this comic fell far short of my expectations.