The Books of Magic

The Books of Magic
by Neil Gaiman, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess, Paul Johnson

The Books of Magic
List Price: $19.99
Our Price: $9.95
You Save: $10.04 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.00 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Charles Vess, Neil Gaiman, Paul Johnson, Scott Hampton
Introduction: Roger Zelazny
Illustrator: John Bolton
Edition: Paperback
Published: 1993-04-14
ISBN: 1563890828
Number of pages: 200
Publisher: Vertigo

Book Reviews of The Books of Magic

Book Review: Harry Potter Missionaries Beware!
Summary: 5 Stars

It is my opinion that (except maybe secret wars and infinity gauntlet) this is the ultimate example of the Graphic Novel. Not only does it portray superpowers doing various things, it is told from a perspective presumably similar to the reader, that of a 12 or 13 year old boy. While belief in Magic may have declined over the years, I remember fondly wishing I could be a magician around that age, and imagine that a fair number of youngsters (and maybe oldsters too) entertain that notion. This book plays exactly to that fantasy.

Admittedly, the universe for the tale is DC, one familiar to fans of superman, batman, etc. While it wasn't until recent years (mostly with vertigo) that Magicians began to take the fore, the four main mages have been characters in universe for some time. They are *cough* Mr E, Constantine, Doc Occult and the Stranger. While they vary in power (constantine refusing generally to evince any at all) they are all interesting folks, and have unique, yet accessible paradigms to introduce young Tim Hunter to. Constantine in particular, is written in the most sympathetic fashion available, far more likeable than in his own title, Hellblazer.

It's a bit like a Magical Mystery Tour: The Stranger starts with Creation, walk forwards through time until the present, when John introduced Tim to a large number of major magicians (in dc). Doc Occult then takes him to fairyland (a theme dc seems to have given up on), and Mr E walks him through the future. In the meantime, as Tim is rumored to be the most powerful Mage of the age, all sorts of people are trying to kill him.

Written by Gaiman, the dialogue is particularly memorable, and the art is stellar. I couldn't help but sneer several years later when mr Potter started to gain popularity. Funny how this went unnoticed. Not funny ha-ha. The other kind.

Comic Strips Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Neil Gaiman Sampler
Neil Gaiman's Phage: Shadow Death ImageNeil Gaiman's Phage: Shadow Death
by Neil Gaiman
Big Entertainment Inc; Published: 1996; Unknown Binding; Book
Blueberry Girl ImageBlueberry Girl
by Neil Gaiman
HarperCollins; Published: 2009-03-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.23
Price in other shops: $17.99
The Mammoth Book of Sorcerer's Tales: The Ultimate Collection of Magical Fantasy from Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, Patricia McKillip, Theodore Sturgeon and Many More ImageThe Mammoth Book of Sorcerer's Tales: The Ultimate Collection of Magical Fantasy from Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, Patricia McKillip, Theodore Sturgeon and Many More
Carroll & Graf; Published: 2004-10-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.51
Price in other shops: $12.95
The Apocalypse Reader ImageThe Apocalypse Reader
Running Press; Published: 2007-05-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.33
Price in other shops: $15.95
Smoke and Mirrors ImageSmoke and Mirrors
by Neil Gaiman
Headline Book Publishing; Published: 2000-05-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.91
Price in other shops: $16.50
Violent Cases ImageViolent Cases
by Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean
Dark Horse; Published: 2004-01-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.34
Price in other shops: $14.95
The Books of Magic ImageThe Books of Magic
by Neil Gaiman, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess, Paul Johnson
Vertigo; Published: 1993-04-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops: $19.99
The Dream Hunters (Sandman, Book 11) ImageThe Dream Hunters (Sandman, Book 11)
by Neil Gaiman, Yoshitaka Amano
Vertigo; Published: 2000-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.44
Price in other shops: $19.99
Mr. Punch ImageMr. Punch
by Neil Gaiman
Vertigo; Published: 1995-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.28
Price in other shops: $19.99
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions ImageSmoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions
by Neil Gaiman
Avon; Published: 2005-08-30; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.71
Price in other shops: $7.99
Similar Books and other products
Books of Magic, The: Death After Death - Book 7 (Books of Magic) ImageBooks of Magic, The: Death After Death - Book 7 (Books of Magic)
by John Ney Rieber, Peter Gross, John Bolton
Vertigo; Published: 2001-11-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.25
Price in other shops: $19.95
Swamp Thing Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing ImageSwamp Thing Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing
by Alan Moore
Vertigo; Published: 1998-02-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.50
Price in other shops: $19.99
The Sandman Vol. 10: The Wake ImageThe Sandman Vol. 10: The Wake
by Neil Gaiman, Neil Gaiman, Mikal Gilmore
Vertigo; Published: 1997-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.60
Price in other shops: $19.99
Marvel 1602 ImageMarvel 1602
by Neil Gaiman
Marvel Comics; Published: 2006-03-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.85
Price in other shops: $19.99
InterWorld ImageInterWorld
by Neil Gaiman
Eos; Published: 2007-07-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.47
Price in other shops: $16.99
Eternals ImageEternals
by Neil Gaiman
Marvel Comics; Published: 2008-07-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.49
Price in other shops: $24.99
Death: The High Cost of Living ImageDeath: The High Cost of Living
by Neil Gaiman
Vertigo; Published: 1994-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.90
Price in other shops: $12.99
Transformations (Books of Magic, Vol. 4) ImageTransformations (Books of Magic, Vol. 4)
by John Ney Rieber
Vertigo; Published: 1998-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.65
Price in other shops: $14.95
Books of Magic, The: Bindings - Book 1 (DC Comics Vertigo) ImageBooks of Magic, The: Bindings - Book 1 (DC Comics Vertigo)
by Jane Yolen, John Ney Rieber
Vertigo; Published: 1995-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.40
Price in other shops: $14.95
Summonings: Books of Magic, Vol. 2 ImageSummonings: Books of Magic, Vol. 2
by John Ney Rieber, Peter Gross
Vertigo; Published: 1996-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.62
Price in other shops: $19.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories