THE BOOKS OF MAGIC

written by Neil Gaiman

art by John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess,

and Paul Johnson

published by DC Comics

ISBN-10: 1563890828

ISBN-13: 978-1563890826

reviewed by Adam Armstrong

5.9.09

Look folks, nothing up my sleeves or in my head.

Twelve-year-old Timothy Hunter has the potential to be the greatest magician of all time. While out skate boarding one day he runs into The Trenchcoat Brigade (The Phantom Stranger, John Constantine, Dr. Occult, and Mister E) who want to teach him about magic. The Phantom Stranger takes him back in time to teach him the beginnings and metamorphoses of magic. Constantine takes Tim around and shows him the present day magicians. Dr. Occult/Rose takes Tim into other current realms. And finally Mister E takes Tim into the possible future all the way up to the end of time. Once he has seen everything, Tim has to decide for himself whether or not he wants it. Along the way we find that friends and enemies both want him dead.

Such a thought-provoking look at the questions we still ask ourselves: What are the things that are nearby us but we cannot see? The four time periods and the four different artists separate the four books. The most interesting book was the last one where Tim and Mister E travel to the end of time, a topic that has interested me for some time. What an amazing interpretation of the end. Vintage Gaiman, and to overstate the obvious, John Bolton rules.

Pick up a copy: 5 out of 5