The Books of Magic, Neil Gaiman

From Neil Gaiman, the bestselling novelist and creator of the world-renowned comics title The Sandman, comes a mesmerizing tale of the dangers and opportunities of youth, and its endless possibilities. 

Illustrated by four of comics' most accomplished artists, John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson, THE BOOKS OF MAGIC collects all four issues of the original miniseries that introduced the character of Timothy Hunter and set the stage for his continuing adventures. 

Timothy Hunter could be the most powerful magician in the world, but does he really want to be? Guided through the magical world starting at the begining of time by a group of DC Universe magicians, often refered to as the Trenchcoat Brigade (John Constantine, Phantom Stranger, Mister E, and Doctor Occult), they attempt to aid Timothy in his decision whether or not to embrace his gift. However, by the time Timothy makes a choice, it may have already been made for him.

The Books of Magic marks my second foray into the world of Graphic Novels, and I think my newness to the DC world as a whole made this one a hopelessly confusing read. In my current state I'd never get anywhere near as much out of this as a long-time DC fan would.

It's not really a story...it starts out that way, but if anything it's more a conveyor belt run through the Magic of the DC Universe, a sort of showcase of characters that I was largely unfamiliar with. Obviously this was a case of poor choice on my part, and I'm not qualified to criticise the book as it was my own stupid fault for not paying more attention to what I was buying. If you're looking for coherent narrative...this isn't really going to be for you. There is a storyline..in parts at least...should young Tim become a wizard? or not? (I keep hearing Hagrid booming "Yer a wizard Harry!"). For the most part though this is just a collection of showcases and meditations...too loosely bound for my liking. The artwork though, I've got to say, is absolutely beautiful :)

Personally? Not for me..I'm a chronically linear soul. For those of you who love your Magic and Fantasy looser and more conceptual? Go for it! It's honestly worth having on your shelf just for the artwork alone..

The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman

"A wizard attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. Fearful for his safety, the wizard kept him imprisoned in a glass bottle for decades. After his escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. 

On the way, Morpheus encounters Lucifer and demons from Hell, the Justice League, and John Constantine, the Hellblazer. This book also includes the story "The Sound of Her Wings" which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl, Death."

Preludes and Noctures was my first ever full Graphic Novel read, and on the whole I enjoyed it. Obviously it's intelligent and well-written, as how could Gaiman ever do otherwise? but the format, which I've frequently struggled with and given up on in the past is a real stumbling block for me.

"Think of reading a graphic novel like you'd watch a film", my colleague suggested. And whilst that might sound elementary, it helped. Reading for me is such a personal and creative process, but when someone lays everything out for me pictorially that process is completely changed. It's unrecognisable. There's absolutely no work for me to do, and I did need to learn to just sit back and "watch" as I read through it.

The story is fabulous, imaginative and inventive, an original twist on age-old myth. Horror, legend and humour blend together wonderfully. The artwork is stunning, kind of...messy art, you know? Dirty art...gritty. A million miles from shiny, colourful Marvel-esque musculature. It's a real assault on the senses. A hugely different reading experience to the kind I'm used to. And it was fun.

Would I read further into this series? Definitely. Will I become a fully fledged convert to the graphic novel format? No..far from it. I watch very few films, and even less television...my preference is to read because at that point it's my imagination that colours and fleshes out that of the author, and the two combine in a completely unique experience and that's the process that lights fires in my brain. Graphic novels take that away from me, and whilst I could enjoy a really good comic once in a great while, as I do films, it's not going to impact on my daily escape into non-graphical fiction.

A very entertaining diversion though. And definitely one I'd recommend to anyone else who enjoys Gaiman's novels.

Fantastically Graphic?

I'm taking a pause from the wonderful Black Prism today to try something new. I've never been much of one for graphic novels, I love the concept but I struggle with them...just..too little text. Very out of my comfort zone. But a work colleague has convinced me to re-double my efforts and have a go at Neil Gaiman's Sandman series.

I love Gaiman's novels...so I should be on safe ground? If I can just get my head around...reading pictures...

One of the problems I have is that I tend to read quite fast, and with such small amounts of text I fly through on autopilot, and then have no idea what's going on because I've not been paying attention to the artwork. But, time to try harder?

Preludes and Nocturnes for me tonight...wish me luck..