REVIEW: ‘Strange Academy,’ Issue #13

After a brief, unscheduled vacation, class is back in session at the Strange Academy. But while things seem back to normal after the faculty and students came together to defeat Mister Misery, all may not be right with everyone at the school Strange Academy #13 is published by Marvel Comics and written by Skottie Young, with art by Humberto Ramos, colors by Edgar Delgado, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

One of Strange Academy‘s greatest strengths is how naturally it has managed to blend its magical world with that of the mundane high school experience. With field trips and parent days getting merged into dimension-hopping games of tag, this book’s world has managed to feel both familiar and fantastical all at once. Strange Academy #13 continues to meld the two into one harmonious whole as a new chapter for the students of this most unique academy begins.

Coming in at the end of class presentations, we see the students getting ready to enjoy a night on the town. But not everyone seems to be up for a party. Calvin is still struggling from the recent revelations concerning the source of his magic, while Emily excuses herself from the festivities to meet with someone.

Emily’s half of Strange Academy #13 does a great job of highlighting how much the young woman has grown. How she addresses the situation she confronts is unique, clever, and born from a place of compassion. She has seen a lot in her first year at the academy and she seems to be putting her experiences to good use.

While Emily has her private moment, several of her classmates have hit the town in search of ghosts, music, and fun. Luckily for them, the academy is just down the street from New Orleans, where all can be found in abundance. And they happen to have a resident that can provide some extra insight about one of its famed landmarks.

This side of Strange Academy #13‘s story centers on Zoe. Through the group’s tour of one of the city’s more haunted locations, we learn more about Zoe’s history and how she came to find herself in her current state. This look into her backstory further delivers that melding of mundane and magic, as Zoe’s past sees her dealing with a classic childhood problem, but with a magical twist.

Bringing the trials, tribulations, and adventures of Strange Academy‘s students to life once again is Ramos’s wonderful art. The artist’s lines deliver everything from the otherworldly to every day with an eye-catching flair. The emotional expressions of the subjects throughout the book light up the panels thanks to the artist’s willingness to lean into every smile, frown, and exclamation. The children of Strange Academy are always wearing their hearts on their sleeves, making each all the more charming for it.

Combining with the excellent lines are Delgado’s gorgeous colors. Everything in this book is beautifully shaded and filled with dazzling color. I especially enjoy the running joke of Doyle’s flames changing color when Emily has embarrassed him. I don’t know whose idea it was for Doyle to be a living mood ring, but it makes the flaming pumpkin head so incredibly cute.

Delivering the final touch to the book’s energy and personality is Cowles’s lettering. As always, the lettering in this book brings that extra spice to the character’s voices, making each sound just a touch more unique.

So, to wrap it all up, I’m thrilled that Strange Academy #13 has brought the school back into session. With an ominous air lingering over one of the students as this story closes, I look forward to seeing where the story will take our group of misfit mages next.

Strange Academy #13 is available now wherever comics are sold.