Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: Dec. 4, 2013
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Mike Norton
Cover: Steve Morris
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An ancient and powerful book called Sword has chosen college student Rob Bailey as the next one who can wield its awesome power. The story is set in the small New Hampshire town of Plymouth, and at its claim to fame (infamy?) Plymouth State College. Why Plymouth State College? That is a good question. Rob is under constant danger as is anyone around him, due to people wanting to kill him and take the book, and also due to the unpredictable power of the Sword.
Stories like this one are best read from the beginning. This issue, smack dab in the middle of the series, is probably the worst place to start from. It didn't make a whole lot of sense other than this Rob kid is in over his head but trying to make the best of it, a detective allows herself to be possessed by some old wizard-guy, and we learn of a pact between the dead and the welder of the Sword that he is never to cross the gate. Guess what he does? He crosses the gate, setting things up for some sort of supernatural war.
Geared toward a younger audience, The Occultist has moments of humor added into the action, which stays clear of being hyper-violent. The dialogue flows nicely and the artwork is clean and attractive. The colors really make a statement in this one, with lots of out-of-body Dr. Strange floating around craziness represented with a ghostly blue-white color. Monsters are here too, and that's a good thing, with the cliff-hanger leaving things to look like the next issue will be chock full of monsters.
The theme of the book is much like a Harry Potter movie: school kids running around with magic at their disposal, faced with dangers they have to overcome, and all the while battling hormones. Certainly not something for someone seeking out some creepy supernatural occult stuff, but it seems like it is a solid story for those who prefer more light-hearted fare.