How to become a mage? – review of the comic book “The Books of Magic”

Neil Gaiman is a talented artist who has many brilliant songs to his credit, such as the Sandman series or Studium w Szmaragdzie. Will the The Books of Magic be as delightful and original as other books by the same author?

Discovering secret magical worlds

The Books of Magic is primarily a story about the initiation of the main character who enters a world filled with magic. Timothy Hunter is an ordinary kid who loves to skateboard. One day, four men in cloaks show up to give him the choice of whether he wants to live in a safe and ordinary world, or whether he would like to enter a reality full of magic. There are four chapters in this heading, and each one focuses on Tim’s journey with one of the four “mantle brigade members.” The first of them, the Spectral Visitor, shows him the birth of the universe. Whereas John Constantine introduces him to other wizards, Mister E takes him to the future, and Doctor Occult shows him magical lands. This is where the story is so atypical, because it gives the impression that there is no plot in it. We just watch other worlds alien creatures, and all other elements fall into the background (including attempts to murder Tim). The most important thing is initiation and choosing the right path by the main character. It cannot be denied that this story gives the impression of only a very long prologue. Is it wrong? Not at all, because of it The Books of Magic are memorable; they focus primarily on the presentation of the represented world and the laws that govern it.

Boy on a skateboard

Little can be said about the main character. In the end, he begins initiations, and thus, above all, asks questions, shows some initiative from time to time, although he is rather a passive, and thus bland participant in events. His guides, however, are much more interesting. They differ significantly from each other – skills and approach to the world. Particularly intriguing is Mister E, who has been blinded by his own father and is the only one who has doubts about Tim. Nevertheless, the characters of the hare and the hedgehog, or perhaps rather of Monsieur Redlaw and Monsieur Leveret, captivated me the most. It is a pity they showed up so briefly, but their polite exchange was incredibly fun. Anyway, it is worth emphasizing that in the The Books of Magic there are many heroes who express themselves in an unusual way. This is accentuated, for example, by the use of an unusual font.

The subtle beauty of magic

The graphic design is a real masterpiece, because as many as four cartoonists are responsible for it. Each chapter is a different style that adds a new dimension to the story. For example, an action taking place in the future or in the present, thanks to the efforts of cartoonists, seems extremely magical and oneiric. The only thing I really didn’t like was the face of the main character in the third chapter. Charles Vess has great talent and has created beautiful, intriguing creatures, but he has also managed to slightly disfigure Timothy. I have no objections to the issue. I can only add that at the end of the volume there is a nice appendix containing sketches of two cartoonists.

Is it worth choosing magic?

The Books of Magic is a fascinating journey into the magical world. Together with the main character, we get to know the past and the future. We meet intriguing magicians or wander through fairy-tale lands. I will definitely remember this adventure and I will gladly come back to it, if only to admire the work of as many as four talented cartoonists. Once again, I have nothing else to do but admire the ingenuity of Neil Gaiman and encourage everyone to reach for this position.