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Excellence #7
Publisher: Image
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Aritst: Khary Randolph
Colors: Emilio Lopez
Letters: Deron Bennett
Cover: Khary Randolph

Excellence returns and after a bit of a time jump we’re right back in the thick of the action. Spencer Dales is determined to bring the Aegis down along with the entire magical system that has governed his life. However, things won’t be easy as Brandon Thomas introduces a new obstacle by the name of Dequan Hill. Between this new threat and his associates, “Kool Moe Dee” and “Melle Mell” currently hunting Spencer it looks as if things just got a lot more dangerous.

What makes this issue another great entry in the series is Thomas’ continued great character and world building. Spencer is a complicated young man still attempting to find his place while holding to his own values. Even though he’s extremely angry at his father for his horrific actions against him there’s still a desire to help him. Even if it means toppling the system around them. There’s also a moment where Spencer visits his friend while on the run and what is revealed there goes to show just how foul the Aegis is. It’s a moment in the story that feels more like a suspense-thriller and a nice change up in tone before we move on. And as Spencer’s plan is put in motion, Thomas’ writing compels you to see this through to the very end. Especially with the cliffhanger we’re left with.

Once again we’re also treated to one of the most talented art teams in comics with Khary Randolph and Emilio Lopez. They have been on fire since the first issue and continue to deliver sequential storytelling that takes the narrative to new levels of cool. Dequan Hill’s character design is one of those moments. From the moment he makes an appearance you know he’s going to be a problem especially after you see his “wand”. Randolph and Lopez also nail the emotional beats during Spencer’s multiple visits to family and friends while on the run. They’re also the main reason that suspense-thriller moment I mentioned earlier hits so hard and the poster on the wall was a great easter egg as well. When we get into the magical displays of action and fights, Lopez shines even more as the etheral displays leap off the page.

Now, this isn’t the issue to jump into if you haven’t been reading this since it’s debut. However, it’s not too late to dive into the new series and see what all of the excitement is about. The creative team is putting so much into this story and it’s good to have it back on the shelves. Excellence is where the magic happens!

Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net