Mystik U #1 Review

Mystik Me

Written by: Alisa Kwitney
Art by: Mike Norton, Jordie Bellaire and Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: November 29, 2017

What a long, strange trip it's been!  I am not sure if everyone is aware, but Alisa Kwitney and Mystic U have been around for years and I am so happy that it's finally coming out.  Announced way back in the days of the DC YOU, it has been pushed back, put on the shelf and probably so many other unmentionable things, that I thought all hope was lost.  But, here it is!  Was it worth the wait?  Let's find out...


We start the story off with a Prologue that sets things up in a unique way and is also a DC Dark Universe fans wet dream.  There are a ton of name drops going on, but the best thing is the lead, Zatanna!  It all leads to Zee making a choice that sets everything (back) in motion.

We then head pack into the past to see a young Zatanna tap into her powers for the first time.  It certainly has it's consequences (Her father, Zatara, heading to Hell is a big one!), but it all leads to better times for now because Rose shows up to take Zee off to...Mystik U!

Seriously, if you are a Harry Potter fan and have been missing the first year of Gotham Academy, I think I've found a book for you.  Alisa Kwitney pokes fun at everyone's favorite wizard books while also showing us that Rose Psychic remembers what we all hoped she would remember.   On top of all of that, we get introductions of some of the supporting cast and they pass the cool factor test with straight A's.

We get a quick introduction to the school and then more info on the students.  It's very quick, but does a good job, especially with Pia, who obviously will be Zee's Six to her Blossom.  Then we find out that their roommate is June Moone?!?  Seriously!

We head off for a strange scene that introduces Enchantress and also some setup for a slimy future before heading off to a...Scavenger Hunt.  There is a bit of some forced conflict as it begins, but it ends up with a nice moment between Zatanna and Felix Faust's son.  Kwitney is setting up this story to be about Zatanna learning how to use her powers and I like where this is going.

We continue by overhearing the meeting of some of the greatest magic users in the DCU trying to figure out how to stop the Big Bad that opened the book and again, it's all about the characters.  This book really is a Who's Who of magic.  The big reveal?  One of the students is the Malevolence!

The scavenger hunt ends with a student's possible death to the slime monster from before and it's off to the first day of classes...Divination 101 with Professor Xanadu is first up and it's a setup for more character moments and more of the Slime Monster. We do get the bottom of the "monster" and move along with it becoming a student.  I'll go with it even though it is very rushed and forced.By the way, it's name is Plop.  The issue ends with the possibility of everyone being killed, but we know that ain't happening...yet. 

I really liked this beginning.  It's not perfect with a bunch of parts feeling rushed,  but it's all to get the story up and running and I'm all for that.  If Alisa Kwitney continues to focus on the awesome cast of characters while the overall mystery percolates in the background, she may have a hit on her hands.  I just hope people give it the chance it deserves.

Bits and Pieces:

Mystik U is the next step in a DC Harry Potter book and if you were a fan of Gotham Academy, you should really check it out.  This opening issue introduces the awesome cast of characters and Alisa Kwitney's story and Mike Norton's great art should please any fan upset at the short list of Dark  books on the DC shelf right now.  Recommended.

8.9/10