Michael L. Peters' "Crescent City Magick: Welcome To New Orleans" is a beautifully illustrated urban fantasy tale that's not only rich in imagery but also in its dimensional characters. Even secondary characters, brief as their appearances might be, have unique voices and memorable designs, reflecting the vividness and colour of the setting, New Orleans. We also get a variety of supernatural presences, including the very easy-going and charming Julia (self-proclaimed witch), who keeps things on an even keel for the distressed but physically capable Clayton, hero-in-waking who's yet to understand that he's more than neck-deep in the irrational, paranormal world. Without giving anything away, we get a hefty amount of danger, good old-fashioned fisticuffs, a nice dose of horror, and an enjoyable 'team' relationship realistically forming, all wrapped up in the end with an air of expectancy, but one that's satisfying.

Peters as an illustrator has a deft and loving hand, whether it's for old or young characters, the muscular Clayton, or the fey-like charm of Julia. Besides his intricate illustrations, his sequential storytelling is a pleasure to take in, as he cuts no corners on panel detail. Imagery influenced by the best in Pre-Raphaelite, Celtic, and Art Nouveau styles--as an admirer of all these schools of art, I feel I've landed a visual treasure in "Crescent City Magick". Peters' storytelling with narrative and dialogue is spot-on as well, smooth and clear so that you're free to enjoy the tale being told. A satisfying addition to my and anyone's visual collection, here's hoping Peters will have the opportunity to do more!