Review – The Scale Trade #1 (Magma Comix)

May 3, 2024

2–3 minutes

Publisher: Magma Comix
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Megan Huang
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Release Date: 1st May 2024

Rounding out the impressive launch slate of titles from Magma Comix, Steve Orlando and Megan Huang’s The Scale Trade is on sale this week, delivering a surprisingly nuanced fantasy-meets-reality story set in a world where dragons are very much real. However, in this particular version of the world, dragons not only exist but are an endangered and highly sought-after species, and it’s up to the Dragon Conversation Agency (DCA) to police the “Scale Trade” which sees these majestic creatures being picked apart and sold on the black market.

So far so interesting, and a vibrant fantasy tale with a environmental and conversationist slant definitely isn’t the worst idea in the world. However, while these aspects of the story are certainly delivered well, the real meat of the tale comes in the form of young idealist named Triton who signs up with the DCA and finds himself paired with Agent Neil Cutter, a world-weary vet who has been living on the dark side monitoring the Scale Trade for years.

Huang’s lively, colourful and slightly cartoony artwork initially suggests a slightly more whimsical take on this high-concept premise, but it soon becomes apparent – as Triton and Cutter stumble onto a suspected operation where dragons are being killed and processed – that this is a far darker story than I think a lot of readers may have been expecting. Indeed, as Triton’s incandescent fury at what he’s witnessing leads to a wildly violent outburst and Cutter immediately following suit, Huang brings this shocking shift in tone to the page with a real flair.

The final pages offer up an interesting wrinkle to the proceedings as Triton’s love for Dragons perhaps goes a step too far, potentially placing both he and new his partner in serious danger. I’m honestly not sure I’ve ever read a bad Steve Orlando comic, and watching him work seamlessly alongside Huang on this surprisingly dark tale that feels like Training Day with dragons is an absolute joy. Another brilliantly executed idea from the folks at Magma Comix, who are rapidly becoming a must-read publisher.

Rating: 4/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]