Greetings Skybound Insiders! Are you looking for your next exciting reading experience? Excellence #1 is currently available to read for free as an Insiders reward! Yes, that’s right, completely free. This makes it the perfect time to sample writer Brandon Thomas and artist Khary Randolph’s critically acclaimed thriller Excellence. If you still need convincing, here are 5 reasons to check out Excellence #1.
1 – Harry Potter Meets Black Panther
In the best way possible, the world of Excellence feels like a fusion of Harry Potter and Black Panther. As the rest of the world goes about their lives, a secret society known as Aegis is pulling the strings, controlling events around the globe. Aegis is an organization of black magicians who operate in the shadows.
The series follows Spencer Dales, a young magic user who is struggling to find his way. Dales’ father is a high-ranking member of Aegis who fears his son isn’t living up to his potential. When a family tragedy strikes, it forces father and son to question the rules that have governed their bloodline for generations.
2 – The World of Aegis
The lore behind Aegis will instantly hook you. This secret society is no Hogwarts, and the magicians don’t always play nice. Aegis is secretly manipulating the world. But how do they decide the planet’s destiny? When magic users are controlling society, what happens to free will?
Membership in Aegis is passed down through bloodlines. However, tensions arise when it appears that Spencer Dales might not have the magic potential his father has. What does that mean for a family who defines themselves by their magic status? Plus, like most clandestine groups, Aegis has a few sinister secrets.
3 – The Talented Creative Team
Brandon Thomas and Khary Randolph fire on all cylinders. The creative duo accomplishes so much world-building and character development in just the first issue. (Imagine how awesome the rest of the series is.)
Thomas writes an engaging script, drawing you into Spencer’s personal struggles. You feel the emotional intensity as Spencer tries to reach his father, and the warmth of his relationship with his grandmother. The personal relationships are genuine, as are the immediately emotional high stakes.
Khary Randolph’s artwork will electrify your senses. Each illustration matches the emotional intensity of the script, upping the stakes. Just look at the page where a 10-year-old Spencer struggles to keep his rage in check. There’s so much emotion captured in just one panel. Plus, the magic sequences are visually imaginative. Randolph’s bold pencils are perfect for the world of Excellence, and I can’t wait to explore more of it. Be sure to check out our interview with the artist!
4 – Compelling Themes
Excellence #1 is about more than just magic and secret societies. The comic serves as a thought-provoking social commentary on power and privilege. The story also features a complex father-son relationship between Spencer Dales and his father Raymond. Dales wants his father to see his worth, while Raymond is worried his son will ruin the family legacy. These conflicts all come to a head as Dales comes of age in a world of magic.
5 – It’s Free!
If all that wasn’t enough for you, then this is a good time to remind you that Excellence #1 is available to read ABSOLUTELY FREE! Why on Earth would we offer the first issue for free? Because we love our Skybound Insiders, and we want to make sure you’re entertained. Plus, it’s a really good series that will hook you from the first page. While the first issue is available for free, the adventure doesn’t stop there. If you want to continue reading Excellence, the complete series is available in two trade paperback collections. Both volumes are available in our Skybound Store!
Trust us, you’re going to LOVE this one.