Books of Magic #1

Writer: Kat Howard Artist: Tom Fowler Publisher: Vertigo Release Date: October 24, 2018 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 24 User Reviews: 15
7.8Critic Rating
7.4User Rating

From the SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1, it's the return of Neil Gaiman's magical morality fable in an all-new series written by Kat Howard (Roses and Rot, An Unkindness of Magicians) and drawn by Tom Fowler (DOOM PATROL)!
Timothy Hunter may be destined tobecome the most powerful magician in the universe, but he's still a London teenager, and having magical abilities complicates things more than it helps. It's not like he can use magic to pass his exams, stop being bullied or convince his cute friend to date him. And while Tim's trying to live his life, there are cultists who want to kill him, believing his power will eventually corrupt him into bec more

  • 10
    Pop Culture Uncovered - belleburr Oct 24, 2018

    Overall I'm wonderfully surprised that The Sandman Universe: The Books of Magic has been resurrected in such a delightful way. Read Full Review

  • 10
    AIPT - David Brooke Oct 24, 2018

    A great first issue that I can't wait to delve back into with issue #2. If you're a lover of magic in fiction or magic in real life, you must read Books of Magic. You'll be transported into this strange and dangerous world and won't want to leave. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - Rick Lopez Nov 11, 2018

    Kat Howards complete understanding of what makes fans feel such an affinity with this character is perfectly on display. Fowler's art brings the precise tone and look this series has long deserved. With a promising start at their feet, this duo looks to create an amazing coming of age tale for new and old readers alike Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicsverse - Maite Molina Oct 24, 2018

    BOOKS OF MAGIC #1 establishes a solid foundation for the adventures of Timothy Hunter to come, one that seems to be setting up an unforgettable journey. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Bin - Deejay Dayton Oct 25, 2018

    Aside from that one point, this is an enjoyable re-launch for the character. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Allen Thomas Oct 24, 2018

    Books of Magic is already shaping up to be something awesome. There are so many directions this story could take and I wonder how things will turn out. We see some very important characters early on, a marker that this story is likely to transform into something monumental. The Sandman Universe comics are all interesting; Books of Magic is going to do its own magic in re-establishing this part of the DCU. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Multiversity Comics - Michael Mazzacane Oct 25, 2018

    "Books of Magic" gets off to a strong self-aware start as the education of Timothy Hunter, greatest or worst magician ever depending on the point of view, continues. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Weird Science - Chris Oct 24, 2018

    Perhaps the most accessible-to-newcomers of the Sandman Universe line... and luckily, a whole lot of fun to boot!  Twenty pages in, and I already feel invested in Tim Hunter... and am looking forward to the next chapter. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Oct 30, 2018

    Tom Fowler does a great job here of making this feel similar to what came before but with his own take on it and I love the way it has a real world and mundane kind of approach with just enough life to tantalize. But I'm also just thrilled that Kat Howard went and made this hugely accessible, touching on the past but also not going overboard in the weirdness just yet or the style of storytelling. I'm very excited by the potential of all of this. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Oct 26, 2018

    It's a great character and a great concept - here's hoping this series proves to be a worthy successor! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Big Comic Page - Indiana “Indy” Marlow Oct 25, 2018

    While many recent DC and Marvel arcs and events have been undeniably enjoyable – DC Metal, Secret Empire and Convergence, to name but a few – they always left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, feeling at times like an excuse to strong-arm readers into buy more comics for the sake of it. And while this isnt necessarily the case all the time, the stories dont always lead on correctly with the rotating crew of artists and writers missing a beat here and there. This is definitely not the case with DC Vertigo, and rather than one large piece of art like most crossovers this has quickly becoming something else entirely. A tapestry of perfect collaboration between expertly chosen artists and writers coming together to provide many different perspectives on the same whole. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Tony Farina Oct 25, 2018

    Overall, this has a ton of potential. Because of magic, we get a chance to have Tim break into the rest of the DC universe, which is something I hope for. Constantine is already a cross over hero/villain/whatever, so it is hopeful that Tim will join him on an adventure or two. It is a quick read, so slow down and enjoy the art and then, after that pretty great last page, put your order in for issue two. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Oct 26, 2018

    It's a bit slow for those who already know Tim Hunter's story but it's a solid introduction for newcomers and the artwork is amazing. Definitely worth picking up. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Oct 24, 2018

    The first issue of Books of Magic starts a little slow, but it crafting an interesting story, especially in the first few pages. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Oct 24, 2018

    What stands out about this book compared to the other three books in the line is how quick a read it is. It's a very conventional story, a boy's coming of age as he tries to unlock the mystery around him. Tim Hunter is a compelling lead character, and the story has some great character driven moments. Unlike the other three books, it doesn't feel like there's some grand mystery to be unlocked. Read Full Review

  • 7.6
    Comic Watch - Steve Batley Oct 28, 2018

    Kat Howard and company succeed in pulling a completely different rabbit out of the hat. A highly promising start, with a seeming reboot or the telling of another version of Tim in a refreshing new light. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Oct 24, 2018

    Books of Magic #1 works with too many familiar tropes, but at least it does them well. Read Full Review

  • 7.2
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - David DeCorte Oct 24, 2018

    BOOKS OF MAGIC #1 sets up the story, but doesn't have much momentum until the last pages. It's a good start, and hopefully it keeps moving in that direction. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge Oct 24, 2018

    Though not perfect, Books of Magic #1 is still a solid, tonally sound new effort from the "Sandman Universe," one that brings back a major player in the Vertigo Comics roster and works hard to make his reintroduction instantly accessible for people who may have never heard of Tim Hunter before now. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Epicstream - Brian McCormick Oct 25, 2018

    Unless you are entirely new to the series, save your money and hop on with Issue #2 instead. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    ComicBook.com - Christian Hoffer Oct 24, 2018

    It's not that The Books of Magic #1 is a bad comic; it's well-paced, the art is solid -- especially the opening pages that recap the original Gaiman-written series in a medieval tapestry inspired style -- and the dialogue sounds realistic. However, it's painfully unoriginal and takes no risks or chances either in plot or layout. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    ComicBuzz - Tee LaFrance Todd Nov 6, 2018

    A big let down, I wish I could forget this book and have a start over with a new first issue of The Books of Magic next month. Timothy Hunter, Neil Gaiman, and the DC Universe deserve better storytelling. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    SciFiPulse - Patrick Hayes Oct 28, 2018

    This series cannot expect to last long with visuals like this for new readers or stories that fail to do anything original for veteran fans. This pushes all the buttons one would expect of a secretive teenage magic user in modern day England. It will have to do something completely different from J.K. Rowling's blockbuster to come out of its shadows. It will also have to have much better visuals. I'll go one more issue, Vertigo, but my hopes are not high after this reboot. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Geekery Magazine - Lucas Fashina Oct 24, 2018

    As for the artTom Fowler'svisuals are gloomy and foreboding, yet still conveys the mixed up life of the of young fella. As a suggestion is do not read this book while you are tired. While very detailed, the style changes up a little too much for me taste. My biggest dislike is the faces, most of the characters looked 40 or middle aged even though they were supposed to be in High School. Design criticism notwithstanding, I am very excited for the future possibilities of this book. Read Full Review

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