Potions Inc. is a title from Mad Cave Studios with a trade ready. So what does Battlecats’ publisher have to offer here? Well because I’m a little concerned people will get turned away from the first issue, I’ll go into something else. As it turns out, there’s a lot about the premise that doesn’t show up in that issue. But maybe there’s something more going on.
Potions Inc. Background
Potions Inc. is writer Erik Burnham’s first non-licensed work after some success at IDW with the likes of Ghostbusters. Much like Battlecats this series comes from the creative team’s collaborative fantasy world. It’s apparent that everyone was having such a fun time creating everything with all of the material. I mean, the creators made business cards for what might be a big development.
I actually called the number on here and it plays a recording from one of the main characters. It’s essentially an ad with a potion offer for a release date coinciding with the first issue’s release date. Afterwards there was an option to leave a message after the recording, acting like a legitimate business. According to Erik, one of the main characters is looking for deals on roasted red garlic. On concept and principle, there is a lot going into this project. It’s all rather interesting, especially if this can be a game (tabletop or alternate reality).
So Much Potential…
There’s a lot of potential, especially in the supplementary materials. Like what those real life bits have me thinking, like that phone number with an answering machine. Do the Jones set up shop running a business on Earth for over 30 years when it’s over? What made the family potion maker Asteria and her brother Ran relax stay? Or is there more to this; I don’t have the equipment to play ARGs and I’m not sure if I’m just blowing a product out of proportions.
Potions Inc. and Growing Pains
And now for the stuff I was worried about; because for all of this title’s potential, it’s first issue isn’t the best impression. The rest of the story’s outline really isn’t that much better. Potions Inc. at its core is about a wannabe adventurer feeling stuck at his family’s business. Despite Randelgast Jones’s unique ability to cast magic without a wand or potions, he’s not very good at it. He also really doesn’t like his merchant job. Basically he’s a generic main character template: dull, mopey, and basically a plot device.
Then there’re his gifted twin siblings, Asterus and Asteria, easily the most fun in Potions Inc. Their lively personalities and sibling banter make the most mundane segments memorable. It helps that their colorful designs stand out against the rainy setting of Seattle. Speaking of unique designs it’s nice to see Geneva Garcia’s pigmentation disorder being considered normal. And… that’s all I can say about her. Her arc involving her relationship with her father from the sibling’s wizard world is pretty by-the-book.
Honestly, I found the antagonist’s situation to be the most enjoyable. A scholar who was ready to help his world by channelling Earth’s magical energy to his world. Pretty good stuff that’s debate worthy. Especially since his obsessions leave him and his granddaughter in a bad state.
It’s Not Even About A Business
So yeah, Potions Inc. is really a family drama and has little to do with the title business. In fact the execution in transitions is really choppy. Like how Geneva’s dad tells her child self about Primaterra in the introduction. The reader doesn’t know who these characters are without skipping ahead or reading background knowledge. Besides what’s the point of talking about a fantasy world when the story is barely about it?
Not to mention there’s how the plot moves. I know that intuition is a kind of magic in-series, but why does Ran’s feel like he’s filling out a checklist? He just happens to find a MacGuffin that kickstarts the events? Isn’t something that important supposed to be protected? The same applies to following a feeling to a cafe to move everything forward. It’s like the plot is literally driving everything using Ran as trigger.
Okay I can give Ran’s arc in having greater magic on Earth a plus. It makes his final decision to set up the title store feel on point. Besides Seattle in 1992 is a place of major industrial developments. But that also means that what happens next has way more going for it than what already happened.
Potions Inc.: Great Marketing, But Dull Origin
Potions Inc. is where the marketing and concept mean more to people than the final product. While the artwork by Stelladia is certainly eye-catching in a few scenes, the characters and transitions are lacking. Well almost all of them, I still like the twins. But I shouldn’t have to feel like a story about a fantasy world feels jarring. Especially since it’s not even about that place. I think the creative team fell into the pitfalls a lot of writers/creators do. Know what the concept is in your head and feel confident that the audience will pick up on it. I know I’ve done that a few times. Frankly some of this would’ve been better as a game.
Thanks for coming to the end, and as always remember to look between the panels.