Books of Magic

Con la severa ventaja que está obteniendo Marvel Comics dentro del cine, es un hecho que Warner Bros tiene que hacer algo para recuperar terreno, y realmente no se ve que vaya a hacerlo. Si bien tiene ya varias producciones esperando, hay otras que, o tiene en planes que no acaba de capitalizar, o simplemente no han querido explotar. Estas serían algunas de las posibilidades que se podrían usar para recuperar el terreno perdido.

1. Y: The Last Man: Una de las que se tiene en etapa de planeación, pero que no se ha deado avanzar. Es un proyecto muy prometedor.
2. Identity Crisis: Uno de los mejores argumentos que se han manejado dentro de la editorial, que podría ser una historia muy interesante.
3. Preacher: Ciertamente, no es para todo público, pero con toda la fuerza que tiene esta historia, seguramente atraería una buena cantidad de público.
4. Kingdom Come: Algo compleja en cuanto a su implementación, pero en cuanto se pudiera encontrar una forma de condensar la historia, se prestaría para ser un auténtico éxito.
5. Sandman: Esta sería una buena posibilidad para una animación adulta, aunque una buena adaptación en acción viva sería un gran atractivo.
6. The Dark Knight Returns: Ahora que se han atrevido a jugar un poco con los personajes clásicos, abordar la historia de un Batman enveecido sería muy enriquecedora.
7. Gotham Central: Otra historia de Batman, pero en donde él pasa a segundo plano, mientras que las estrellas son los agentes de la policía de Ciudad Gótica.
8. Los Nuevos Dioses: La nueva tecnología de CGI permitiría explorar toda la increíble mitología de Jack Kirby a su máximo.
9. Aves de Presa: Si, se intentó hacerlo en una serie de televisión, pero el concepto original en la pantalla grande tendría posibilidades.
10. Books of Magic: Prácticamente la idea original de la que surgió Harry Potter, sería la historia del joven mago para un público maduro.

UNWRITTEN #2

Tommy Taylor And The Bogus Identity, Part 2

Vertigo Comics

Das ist die letzte Review die ich heute Nacht schreibe und da ich schon etwas unkonzentriert bin, gibt’s nur ne kurze Besprechung.

Tom Taylor macht sich auf die Suche nach seinen „Wurzeln“ und besucht das Haus seines untergetauchten Vaters in der Schweiz. Am Weg dorthin trifft er auf eine mysteriöse Affäre seines Vaters und wird von einem gefährlichen Mann verfolgt…

Wie schon in der letzten Ausgabe wird auch in der #2 mit Fantasie/Magie als Teil der Realität gespielt. Während die erste Ausgabe noch sehr an Harry Potter erinnert hat, ist das hier ganz klar von Books of Magic beeinflusst wurden und Fans dieser Serie werdn sich auch hier sicherlich wohl fühlen.

Ich mag das Heft zwar auch doch fehlen mir noch die großen Momente die die Handlung etwas aufpeppen. Ein oder 2 Hinweise die verraten um was es eigentlich jetzt wirklich geht, wären auch nicht schlecht, doch stattdessen wird der Leser im TwinPeaks Stil nur mit obskuren Figuren und Situationen konfrontiert.

Ich finde auch seltsam das Tom sich nicht sonderlich von diesen Ereignissen beeindrucken lässt und immer die Suche nach seinem Vater in den Vordergrund stellt. Dass er Dinge wie diese “Treppen-Szene” nicht genauer hinterfragt, ärgert mich und lässt den Charakter bzw. sein Handeln unrealistisch aussehen.

3/5

The Books of Faerie: Auberon’s Tale
By Bronwyn Carlton with John Ney Rieber (writers), Peter Gross and Vince Locke with Mark Buckingham, Ryan Kelly, Hermann Mejia and Dick Giordano (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released November 1999

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $14.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563895021

Synopsis from publisher:

Discover how a young boy became the haughty King Auberon of Faerie in THE BOOKS OF FAERIE: AUBERON’S TALE, a VERTIGO trade paperback (suggested for mature readers) collecting the 3-issue miniseries of the same name and other tales of Auberon and his realm.

In the AUBERON’S TALE miniseries — written by Bronwyn Carlton (THE BOOKS OF FAERIE), with art by Peter Gross (THE BOOKS OF MAGIC, THE BOOKS OF FAERIE) and Vince Locke (WITCHCRAFT: LA TERREUR) — a group of nobles’ bold plan to overthrow a mad King is undermined when an odd twist of succession places the realm’s future in the hands of a small boy who has suddenly been proclaimed monarch. Also reprinted in this handsome collection are backup features from THE BOOKS OF MAGIC #57 and #58 (written by Carlton, with art by Ryan Kelly and Hermann Mejia) which detail stories of young King Auberon. Completing the volume is 1997’s THE BOOKS OF MAGIC ANNUAL #1 (written by John Ney Rieber with art by Mark Buckingham and Dick Giordano), which tells the story of Tim Hunter’s encounter with a lonely girl on a deserted island in the Realm of Faerie, a girl who helped secure Tim’s future as the greatest magician in the world.

Notes:

This publication reprints the comic book mini-series The Books of Faerie: Auberon’s Tale, as well as two back-up stories from The Books of Magic comic book series and The Books of Magic Annual #1. All material in this publication was written by Bronwyn Carlton and illustrated by Peter Gross and Vince Locke. The Books of Magic #57 was illustrated by Ryan Kelly. The Books of Magic #58 was illustrated by Hermann Mejia. The Books of Magic Annual #1, which was written by John Ney Rieber and illustrated by Mark Buckingham and Dick Giordano. The cover was illustrated by Peter Gross.

This is the second Books of Faerie mini-series. The third mini-series, The Books of Faerie: Molly’s Story, has yet to be collected or reprinted.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Faerie: Auberon’s Tale #1 (1998)
2. The Books of Faerie: Auberon’s Tale #2 (1998)
3. The Books of Faerie: Auberon’s Tale #3 (1998)
4. The Books of Magic #57 (1999) [The Books of Faerie story only]
5. The Books of Magic #58 (1999) [The Books of Faerie story only]
6. The Books of Magic Annual #1 (1997)

The Books of Faerie
By Bronwyn Carlton with John Ney Rieber (writers) and Peter Gross with Hermann Mejia (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released January 2005

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $19.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1401202632

Synopsis from publisher:

From the pages of “The Books of Magic”, this is the incredible story of how an orphan girl from 11th-century England became Queen Titania of Faerie. Also included is the tale of Tim Hunter’s first meeting with his true father, Tamlin, a denizen of Faerie.

Notes:

This publication reprints the comic book mini-series The Books of Faerie. All material in this publication was written by Bronwyn Carlton and illustrated by Peter Gross, except for Arcana Annual #1, which was written by John Ney Rieber. The cover was painted by Hermann Mejia.

Arcana Annual #1 is part of The Children’s Crusade, a cross-over event that was told through five ‘Annual’ issues and a two-issue mini-series titled The Children’s Crusade published by Vertigo in 1993. Aside from this issue, the event has yet to be collected or reprinted.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Faerie #1 (1997)
2. The Books of Faerie #2 (1997)
3. The Books of Faerie #3 (1997)
4. Arcana/The Books of Magic Annual #1 (1994)

The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime – Book 1
By Si Spencer (writer), Neil Gaiman (co-plotter) and Dean Ormston with Frank Quitely (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released March 2005

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $9.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1401204880

Synopsis from publisher:
Tim Hunter returns in this first collection of his new title, collecting the initial story arc from issues #1-5 as co-plotted by Neil Gaiman. This new take on the Hunter is loaded with dystopian undercurrents and psychological horror.

Notes:

This is the ninth publication collecting The Books of Magic series of comic books, specifically collecting the first issues of The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime comic book series. All material in this publication was written by Si Spencer, with additional plotting by Neil Gaiman, and illustrated by Dean Ormston. The cover was painted by Frank Quitely.

The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime continued until issue #15. Spencer, Gaiman and Ormston remained on as the creative team. Duncan Fegredo illustrated issues #6 and #10. Steve Yeowell provided additional artwork for issues #11 and #12. These issues have yet to be collected or reprinted.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #1 (2004)
2. The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #2 (2004)
3. The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #3 (2004)
4. The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #4 (2004)
5. The Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #5 (2005)

The Books of Magic Vol. 7: Death After Death
By John Ney Rieber (writer), Peter Gross and Jill Thompson with Temujin, Richard Case and Michael Wm. Kaluta (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released November 2001

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $19.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563897407

Synopsis from publisher:
Since learning that he would become a wizard of infinite power, young Tim Hunter has been cursed with a life of loss and death. Tired of the misery that has become his adolescence, the fourteen year-old mage releases all of his magic unto the universe. But as a war between Heaven and Hell erupts over the newly released power, Tim learns that his impulsive action may lead to the end of all Creation. Now the completely powerless sorcerer must find a way to outmaneuver and manipulate an assortment of angels, demons, and deities in order to regain his magic or watch as all of existence ceases to be.

Notes:

This is the eighth publication collecting The Books of Magic series of comic books. All material in this publication was written by John Ney Rieber and illustrated by Peter Gross. Jill Thompson illustrated issue #42. Temujin provided inks for issues #46 to #49. Richard Case provided additional inks for issue #48. The cover was painted by Michael Wm. Kaluta.

The Books of Magic comic book series continued on until issue #75 in 2000. With issue #51, Peter Gross took over the series as writer and artist, with Temujin frequently providing inks. Additional art was provided by Linda Medley for issue #55, Ryan Kelly for issue #62 and #68, Michael Lark also for issue #68. Issue #63 had a temporary team of writer Peter Hogan and artist Gary Amaro. Vince Locke inked issue #69. Ryan Kelly inked issue #70. Jon Ridgway illustrated issue #72. These issues have yet to be reprinted or collected.

In late 1997, while The Books of Magic comic book series was still running, a 2-issue cross-over mini-series titled Hellblazer / The Books of Magic was released. These issues have yet to be reprinted or collected.

In 2004, a new series was released called The Books of Magic: Life During Wartime, which has been partially reprinted.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magic #42 (1997)
2. The Books of Magic #43 (1997)
3. The Books of Magic #44 (1998)
4. The Books of Magic #45 (1998)
5. The Books of Magic #46 (1998)
6. The Books of Magic #47 (1998)
7. The Books of Magic #48 (1998)
8. The Books of Magic #49 (1998)
9. The Books of Magic #50 (1998)

The Books of Magic Vol. 5: Girl In The Box
By John Ney Rieber (writer), Peter Gross and Peter Snejbjerg with Michael Wm. Kaluta (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released August 1999

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $14.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563895390

Synopsis from publisher:
Possessing infinite magical powers, Tim Hunter will become the Earth’s greatest sorcerer. But as the fourteen-year-old boy begins his ascension to powerful mage, he must navigate the everyday travails of adolescence. Looking to escape his personal troubles, Tim runs away to America only to find his problems multiplying. Allying himself with a shape-shifting succubus in the form of a female model, the young wizard learns lessons of treachery and friendship as he contends with a seductive mermaid who is lost in the desert and Cupid and Psyche, two disillusioned gods.

Notes:

This is the sixth publication collecting The Books of Magic series of comic books. All material in this publication was written by John Ney Rieber and illustrated by Peter Gross. Peter Snejbjerg provided additional inks on issues #29 and #30, and illustrated issue #31 and #32. The cover was painted by Michael Wm. Kaluta.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magic #26 (1996)
2. The Books of Magic #27 (1996)
3. The Books of Magic #28 (1996)
4. The Books of Magic #29 (1996)
5. The Books of Magic #30 (1996)
6. The Books of Magic #31 (1996)
7. The Books of Magic #32 (1997)

The Books of Magic Vol. 4: Transformations
By John Ney Rieber (writer), Peter Gross with Michael Wm. Kaluta (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released September 1998

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $14.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563894173

Synopsis from publisher:
The son of a manipulative sorceress and a mystical falconer, Tim Hunter is destined to become the most powerful mage in the world. But as the young Londoner comes to terms with his abilities and future, he must deal with demons and wizards looking to claim his power. In the fourth volume of this enrapturing series, Tim’s magical adventures continue as he has a remarkable encounter with Death, transforms himself into a cat, faces off against an ancient enchantress and celebrates his fourteenth birthday.

Notes:

This is the fifth publication collecting The Books of Magic series of comic books. All material in this publication was written by John Ney Rieber and illustrated by Peter Gross. The cover was painted by Michael Wm. Kaluta.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magic #21 (1996)
2. The Books of Magic #22 (1996)
3. The Books of Magic #23 (1996)
4. The Books of Magic #24 (1996)
5. The Books of Magic #25 (1996)

The Books of Magic Vol. 2: Summonings
By John Ney Rieber (writer), Peter Gross, Gary Amaro, Peter Snejbjerg and Dick Giordano with Michael Wm. Kaluta (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released May 1996

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $19.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563892650

Synopsis from publisher:
Timothy Hunter, age 13, may become one of the most powerful magicians of all time. But that’s only one of his problems. In the five tales collected here, Tim contends with a heartless sorcerer and a teenage succubus, tea in Hell with a rogue angel and his junkfood-demon nemesis, a murderous Victorian cyborg, a family reunion with an insanely jealous Faerie Queen, and, perhaps worst of all, a first date.

Notes:

This is the third publication collecting The Books of Magic series of comic books. It also reprints a portion of the Vertigo Rave anthology comic book. All material in this publication was written by John Ney Rieber and illustrated by Gary Amaro and Peter Gross, except for issues #5, #12 and #13, which were illustrated by Peter Snejbjerg and issues #6, #7 and #8, which were illustrated by Peter Gross. Vertigo Rave #1 was illustrated by Gary Amaro and Dick Giordano. The cover was painted by Michael Wm. Kaluta.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magic #5 (1994)
2. The Books of Magic #6 (1994)
3. The Books of Magic #7 (1994)
4. The Books of Magic #8 (1994)
5. Vertigo Rave #1 (1994) [Books of Magic story only]
6. The Books of Magic #9 (1995)
7. The Books of Magic #10 (1995)
8. The Books of Magic #11 (1995)
9. The Books of Magic #12 (1995)
10. The Books of Magic #13 (1995)

The Books of Magic Vol. 1: Bindings
By John Ney Rieber (writer), Gary Amaro and Peter Gross with Charles Vess (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released March 1995

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $14.95
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563891875

Synopsis from publisher:
Tim Hunter, destined to become Earth’s greatest sorcerer, defends the realm of Faerie from the deadly manticore while trying to maintain a normal childhood life. Is his real father the one-armed drunk in the front room or is he the man who can turn into a hawk? Is his mother dead and buried or is she Titania, Queen of Faerie? Plus Death herself weighs in on the subject of identity.

Notes:

This is the second publication reprinting The Books of Magic series of comic books. This publication reprints the first four issues of the ongoing series. All material in this publication was written by John Ney Rieber and illustrated by Gary Amaro and Peter Gross. The cover was painted by Charles Vess. The publication includes an introduction by Jane Yolen.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magic #1 (1994)
2. The Books of Magic #2 (1994)
3. The Books of Magic #3 (1994)
4. The Books of Magic #4 (1994)

Bonus Material:

1. Introduction by Jane Yolen

The Books of Magic
By Neil Gaiman (writer) and John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released April 1993

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $19.99
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563890828

Synopsis from publisher:
A quartet of fallen mystics dubbed the “Trenchcoat Brigade” is introduced in this first collection of the adventures of Timothy Hunter. John Constanine, the Phantom Stranger, Dr. Occult and Mister E take Hunter on a tour of the magical realms. Along the way he’s introduced to Vertigo’s greatest practitioners of magic and must choose whether or not to join their ranks.

Notes:

This is the first publication reprinting The Books of Magic series of comic books. This publication reprints the original mini-series. All material in this publication was written by Neil Gaiman. Each of the four chapters (issues) is illustrated by a different artist: John Bolton, who also provided the cover for this publication, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson. There is also an introduction by Roger Zelazny.

Reprints:

1. The Books of Magic #1 (1990)
2. The Books of Magic #2 (1990)
3. The Books of Magic #3 (1991)
4. The Books of Magic #4 (1991)

Bonus Material:

1. Introduction by Roger Zelazny

I hadn’t read a graphic novel in what seems like ages, so it was really nice to kick of Dewey’s Graphic Novel Challenge with Neil Gaiman’s Books of Magic. It’s one that has been sitting on my shelf now along with a few other graphic novels just waiting to be read…but unfortunately, they always get looked over. But today I wanted a break from normal reading, so I broke this one out and I was so happy with it.

The Books of Magic follows Timothy Hunter, a young boy who is skateboarding one day when four men in trench coats approach him. Needless to say, he’s a bit suspicious of these men, but they offer something to him that few teenage boys could refuse…an honest magic trick – they turn his yo-yo into an owl. With that, they ask him if he is interested in becoming a magician; a true magician, not one who deals only in illusions. It is his choice to make, but they feel that he could be one of the world’s greatest and most powerful magician’s ever. If he chooses magic, he must leave the world he knows and not look back. In order to make this choice, they bring him through the history of magic.

Timothy is first taken back in time to the days of the first practicioners of magic. He visits ancient Egypt, Atlantis, he meets Merlin, angels and demons, the Salem witch trials and more. He then spends time traveling around the world in it’s current day meeting the modern practioners of magic and slowly learning that their is a price on his head as it leaks out in the magic community just how much power this one boy could hold. After this adventurous volume we follow Timothy into the land of Faerie where he’s nearly tricked into slavery at a fairy market, thrown into the clutches of Baba Yaga and meets the beautiful queen Titania. There’s also a guest appearance by Dream from The Sandman in this section! And finally, Timothy travels into the future, first in the near future continuing til the end of time where he meets Death from The Sandman. Throughout all of this, he must sort out his feelings of what is magic? What does it cost? And is it worth it to me?

The story is wonderfully written by Neil Gaiman. I read all 190 pages of it in one sitting unable to put it down. He writes comics just as well as he does novels and the art was just amazing for the book. The artist for the first book (the past) was John Bolton, the second book (the present) was Scott Hampton, the third (Faerie) was Charles Vess, and the final book (the future) was Paul Johnson. I’ve seen collaborations between Bolton and Gaiman and Vess and Gaiman before but the other two artists were new to me. Of course I’m extremely partial to Charles Vess’ work as he’s one of my favorite living artists and that book was just beautiful. It was perfect that he illustrated the section that took place in Faerie and I’m sure it wouldn’t have been done any other way. There was also a wonderful introduction by Roger Zelazny at the beginning of the book who is obviously another fan of Gaiman’s.

I’ve heard that there are some other books out there that tie into this one…In a very strange coincidence, Debi happened to review one of them today! It’s called The Books of Faerie. I’ll definitely have to check that one out as I’d like to read more about Tim Hunter’s experiences.

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