Writer – Jeph Loeb, Ian Churchill
Artist – Ian Churchill
Inker – Norm Rapmund
Colours – Richard Horie, Tanya Horie
Letters – Richard Starkings

The first issue of The Coven’s second volume opens up on a funeral for team member Kama, better known as Pentacle and the woman that Black Mass loved. No reason is given nor is any backstory shown but for those who read the previous books, they should recall that Pentacle was injured in the fight against the Pentad. There are mixed feelings from the various members of the team, some hating Pentacle for betraying them and wishing her the worst in whatever comes after life and those who genuinely care for her and yet, there is hardly any time for those gathered round to express their feelings as they come under attack by some Crypt Ninjas. The fight is a desperate one as the heroes are not prepared for it and by the time it is all over, Phenomena has discovered a new use for her powers and Spellcaster who tried out an attack spell on them finds that it would transport them into a strange locale instead, that being the home of Supreme who really does not want them there. With the same creative team onboard, this fresh start for the team is both that and more of the same that readers have experienced in the past. There is little narrative to go along with what they read, no recaps or explanations of anything, instead those who pick up the book just trying to piece it all together as it goes along. This was, if anything, one of the best issues to be released as of yet and it was packed full of action, family drama and personal doubts. Spellcaster no longer has a reason to stick around as she has gotten her vengeance and plans to leave the first chance she is given while the rest of the team have been thinking about their place in the grand scheme of things. Jeph Loeb who is joined by Ian Churchill once again, tell a tale of a fractured group of superpowered beings and it makes one wonder just where this is all headed and if they can work through their differences and their personal demons. With a cliff-hanger that means far more action in the next issue, it definitely looks like there is no rest for the weary when it comes to The Coven.

3 out of 5