Strange Academy (2020-) #12 by Skottie Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Strange Academy’s second story arc wraps up neatly as Young and Ramos weave a tale of loss and forgiveness in which teen angst ultimately wins the day.

The art is, as ever, sublime. If you like Ramos’ style you’ll love this, if you don’t then it’s not for you. But, then, if you don’t like Ramos and you’re still reading after twelve issues then maybe you need to take a long, hard look at yourself and your life choices, eh?

Young and Ramos have created an engaging cast of characters that I’m enjoying getting to know, and there are enough dark pasts and secrets here to keep the book going for many years to come.

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Strange Academy #11 (Strange Academy by Skottie Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Someone has attacked and shattered Toth, but who can it be?

There’s only one solution, you call in Howard the Duck to investigate while the faculty try to put Toth back together again!

This is a classic whodunnit, but with all the mystical twists you’d expect from Strange Academy. You see, the person who did it doesn’t know they did it, because they were possessed by an item of clothing!

It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s touching and it’s brilliant.

In other words: It’s Strange Academy!

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Strange Academy (2020-) #10 by Skottie Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s field trip time! And where do you go on a field trip when you’re a student at Strange Academy? Well, to Asgard, of course!

We learn some interesting things in Asgard, such as exactly why Iric has been such a dick to Doyle about being the son of a villain. And it’s not just because he has a crush on Emily, and there’s obviously something between Emily and Doyle.

Speaking of Emily and Doyle…wait…that would be a spoiler…

If you like high school drama in a fantastical setting then you’re probably already reading this, but just in case you’re not, you should start.

Ramos’s art continues to be amazing and Young’s writing just keeps getting better each month!

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Strange Academy (2020-) #9 by Skottie Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s Parent’s Day at the Strange Academy and, while it’s no secret that I love this book, this is by far the best issue so far.

This issue focuses on Doyle Dormammu and Calvin who both have reason to avoid Parent’s Day. Doyle’s dad won’t be attending due to him being the Dread Dormammu and Calvin’s an orphan (who has some serious issues with his previous foster parents), so instead they bunk off and get up to mischief together.

Meanwhile, Emily’s mother terrorises Parent’s Day, including Loki, with her competitive streak.

It’s funny, it’s fun, there’s a hint of darkness…it’s Strange Academy. If you love Strange Academy then you’ll love this. If you don’t love Strange Academy then why are you still reading after nine issues?

And, of course, I also love Ramos’s art. The character’s are distinct and expressive, they have a wide range of body shapes, and the backgrounds are rich and detailed when they need to be, and expressive when they don’t. Edgar Delgado’s colours also deserve a shout out. Having Doyle’s head change from orange to pink when he’s embarrassed/thinking about Emily is a particularly nice touch.

This book, while excellent from the start, is really hitting its stride now and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these kids.

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Strange Academy (2020-) #8 by Skottie Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Didn’t we just have an issue of Strange Academy? Anyway, I’m not complaining as this continues to be one of the best series Marvel is putting out right now.

Doyle’s attending counselling to deal with his resurrection while half the class are on a field trip with Rocket Raccoon and Groot and the other half are being taught to multiply bunnies by Agatha Harkness.

Meanwhile, Doctor Strange apologises to Emily…well, there’s a first time for everything!

This issue manages to be action packed whilst also providing a breather after the previous issue’s events. We also get the return of the mysterious “voice” in Strange’s basement. There’s lots to be curious about and, hopefully, this book will be in no hurry to provide answers to the mysteries.

Oh, and Ramos’s art continues to be outstanding!

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Strange Academy (2020-) #7 by Skottie Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, this is simply superb.

We open on a touching moment between Emily and Doyle Dormammu. They’re alone together on a boat on a river at night, and Emily wonders what would happen if she kissed Doyle. Would she catch on fire? You know, because his head is…on fire…all the time… He replies that nobody’s ever tried, and she says she’d like to change that…and then…she catches fire…and wakes up…and has to deal with the horror of what happened at the end of the last issue. You see, Doyle’s head isn’t on fire anymore, because Dr Strange had to let him die while he saved her.

This issue is full of raw emotion, ably conveyed in both script and art. This may we be some of Ramos’s best work yet, particularly in the scene in which Dr Strange confronts Hoggoth and begs him to save Emily.

It’s exceptional work, but it’s ultimately elevated even further by the final three silent pages, where the art is left to tell the story in a moment stillness which takes us through a whole range of emotions…as Emily finally gives Doyle that kiss…

…and, well, you’ll just have to read it yourself to find out what happens next.

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Strange Academy (2020-) #6 by Skottie Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let’s start of with some salt, shall we? If you hate Humberto Ramos’ art then maybe this series isn’t for you, you should never have picked it up, and if you’re still reading it after six issues then you’re probably a bit of an idiot, right?

Anyway, on to the actual review…

God, I love Humberto Ramos’ art! (Heh.) He’s the perfect fit for this series and the only other people who could have taken it on and been as good are probably Chris Bachalo and Skottie Young himself. As it is, Skottie Young is writing and doing a great job of it. Gradually letting us get to know this fairly large cast of new characters and also keeping the action exciting with some very real and tangible levels of threat (although I’m sure Doyle will be okay…right?).

Most of all, this series is fun, full of mystical adventure and gorgeous art. If you’re not loving it then you’re probably just a big grumpy pants. (Also, I’ve gotta say, I’m very please that #1 and the various variant covers of it that I own have rocketed in value…so glad I picked this book up from the start.)

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Strange Academy #5 by Skottie Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series continues to be pure, unadulterated fun.

Ramos’s art is magnificent and fits the book perfectly. We’re still getting to know the characters, and my one criticism would be that such a big cast of new characters is making it hard to get to know anybody. But maybe I’m just old. I’m sure if I was younger I’d know who everyone is and probably read or written multiple fan fics about them all.

The conversation between Doctor Strange and Brother Voodoo about prophecies was particularly good. It’s definitely fun seeing their egos butt up against each other.

But, honestly, this could really only be better if it was drawn by Chris Bachalo.

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Strange Academy (2020-) #4 by Skottie Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The students play a game of door tag, which takes them hopping across dimensions until Emily ends up in Weirdworld, where she meets Catbeast, a cute little creature who is most certainly a wizard in disguise.

This is fun, whimsical, beautiful fun. Humberto Ramos is at his best here, crafting weird and wonderful new worlds. Skottie Young has created a cast of charming characters and seems to be weaving a tale full of mystery. My only complain is that we haven’t really got to know the cast too well yet, but that will come in time, I hope.

As this book is set in a magic school, comparisons to Harry potter are inevitable, but Harry Potter drew on a tradition of boarding school and, indeed, magical school literature that has a long heritage that this book simply adds to.

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Strange Academy (2020-) #3 by Skottie Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is just wonderful.

The scenes in which Emily sees the world through her third eye are worth the price of admission alone.

Just three issues in and I love these characters and can’t wait to find out what happens to them.

I really hope this series runs and runs.

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