Graphic novels are something I've always wanted to get into, but picking the first one to introduce myself to the world has largely felt overwhelming. What if I like the story but not the art? In what order do I read the word bubbles? Why is everything a series? I finally decided to let go of all the fabricated anxiety I've stupidly built around cracking open a stupid book and picked up the Order the of Circle written by Levi Cory and illustrated by Elisabeth Mkheidze and can finally breathe a sigh of relief - I've plunged into the world and what a deliciously grim welcome it's been.
The Order of the Circle is a grimy, visceral descent into an alternate London, where a magical society has slowly infiltrated the foundation of the city. From hospitals to police stations and maybe even Parliament, the Circle rules with an iron fist, using its power to strip people of their sight, voices, and autonomy. When the Circle condemns Dorothy's husband to hell, she wields her grief like a weapon and gives on a mission of vengeance. The Circle and their demon will pay, and she doesn't care what dark magic she needs to use to get revenge.
Everything about this is bleak, plunging you into a world of darkness where every beautiful panel makes you feel the sludge of a toxic fog settling inside your lungs. Seriously, the artwork made me think I could run by finger across the cobbled streets and pull it away with globs of slime. I never anticipated that the right picture could transform two words into the crack of bones, but now I want more.
In a lot of ways, The Order of the Circle feels like a prologue, setting up the players and teasing some interesting lore, so I can see how some might feel unfulfilled. But the end teases another installment, and I'm happy to slowly peel back the secrets behind this dystopian London and the resistance rising against tyrannical magic users. Honestly, I think this bite-sized beauty was exactly what I needed as an into in graphic novels in general, so I'll happily wait for the second in the series.
If you like nightmares creeping into fantasy, a little bit of gore and body horror, immersive world-building, and badass women, you can't go wrong with The Order of the Circle.
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