It's a miracle I managed to receive this Magical GirlTM webcomic series in paperback, but I did it. I tracked it down, I performed the spell, and severely dented my bank account to do it correctly, i.e. in online shopping, but now I, Artemis Crescent, Fantasy Feminist and Internet Witch, have my own physical copy of 'Agents of the Realm: Semester 1: Volume 1'.
And it is glorious.
It is far from perfect. Some scene transitions and character introductions are rushed, abrupt, and confusing, and some plot details, developments, and revelations either don't connect well, are not clearly explained, or are sprung from nowhere. The comic and story as a whole doesn't always flow organically. Maybe this is to do with how it was originally a webcomic, with different formatting.
However, it doesn't excuse things such as a character or two, and info regarding another character or two, such as them apparently having a parttime job, seeming to be completely forgotten about after they are introduced. Explored and developed in further reading of the series?
The transformation sequences, and the action scenes and monster battles, are few and far between, and too brief and easily won.
The comic also weirdly doesn't always put question marks at the end of questions in its dialogue balloons.
But in the name of the moon and the realms, is 'Agents of the Realm' epic. Realm knight/warrior Cosmic Power, Make Up, was it clearly created with passion.
At its most basic component, its gemstone of an idea, it is about magical girls as college students, and not one aspect of that premise is wasted or poorly thought out. It is also about other agents of a different realm than Earth - from the past, and in spirit.
It has very interesting ideas. Not all of them we haven't seen in other Magical GirlTM series' before, like the "dark" and "subversive" ones, but it's powerful, emotional and enjoyable stuff nonetheless.
Most importantly, it was created with artistic intent - and diverse, inclusive intent. Nearly every character in 'Agents of the Realm' is a POC and LBGTQ+, and it is femme as f%$^! Feminine in a nonconventional sense (these "magical" young women are so normal!), and feminist. Not every magical girl is skinny, either. Author Mildred Louis's Foreword at the beginning of the self-published paperback edition of the comic is a must-read.
Representation matters. It is everything.
Not every character is "likeable", either. Everyone has flaws and hang-ups. Everyone has shifting moods, doubts, and fears. Because magical or not, they are human. This is another artistic choice I applaud.
Additionally, I like that each character has their own colour for the font in their dialogue. It gives them an extra uniqueness and personal shine, and makes the comic less confusing about who is supposed to be talking.
'Agents of the Realm' is like 'Sailor Moon' (there are affectionate references - the love for the genre is palpable!), 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', 'W.I.T.C.H.', 'Zodiac Starforce', and 'magnifiqueNOIR'. It is the magical girl genre for teens and older.
I love how much love the enchanting genre has received over the years, the decades - is continuing to receive - worldwide, and through different mediums. Its effect on the pop culture sphere, its openminded and diverse fandom, and thereby its impact concerning diverse rep, especially for POC and LBGTQ+ people, cannot be denied.
Okay, now's the time to confess: I wanted to read 'Agents of the Realm' (physical ownership, preferably) because it is referenced in 'The Magical Girl's Guide to Life: Find Your Inner Power, Fight Everyday Evil, and Save the Day with Self-Care'. Many magical girl references, and my recommended Magical GirlTM series', are in my review of that particular self-help book.
'Agents of the Realm: Semester 1: Volume 1' - I might not ever read the second volume (I might not be able to, no matter what magical power I possess, and how much money I procure), but it is a worthy Magical GirlTM item for my collection.
I adore magical girls, and always have - since childhood, and up to my thirties - in case that wasn't clear to anyone who knows me.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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