The Books of Magic
by Neil Gaiman, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess, Paul Johnson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Charles Vess, Neil Gaiman, Paul Johnson, Scott HamptonIntroduction: 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.
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