A comic book amulet is a unique and fascinating object that combines the world of comic books with the power of charms and talismans. These amulets are typically made by encapsulating comic book panels or characters in resin, creating a wearable piece of art. Comics have been a popular form of storytelling for decades, captivating readers with their colorful illustrations and gripping narratives. Comic book amulets take this beloved art form and elevate it to a new level, allowing fans to not only enjoy their favorite characters on the pages but also wear them as an accessory. The process of creating a comic book amulet involves carefully selecting specific panels or images from a comic book and sealing them within a clear resin or epoxy. This protects the chosen artwork and gives it a shiny, polished look.
This protects the chosen artwork and gives it a shiny, polished look. The result is a small, portable piece of comic book history that can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, or even a keychain. One of the main appeals of comic book amulets is the ability to showcase your favorite characters and scenes from iconic stories.
Comic Book Review: ‘Amulet,’ Volumes 1 to 8
Amulet , written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. 8 vols. New York: Scholastic | Graphix, 2008 – 2018 .
Amulet may be both the best and the worst thing to happen to children’s comics in the last ten years.
We have here before us one of the most ambitions, beautiful, and arresting graphic novel series for young readers that anyone has ever made. Although it starts with a bang and immediately sucks the reader in, by the time it reaches its not-conclusion in the most recent volumes, the story has petered out, suggesting that its fledgling creator was not quite as prepared to tackle this epic story as he at first appeared to be.
Kazu Kibuishi has few titles to his name; in fact, he’s known for Amulet and almost nothing else. Nonetheless, he was the editor of the Flight anthology, which is still just about the best thing that’s ever happened to comics. Over time, Flight morphed into Explorer, an anthology aimed explicitly at young readers. At a time when so much of fiction for children and youth is designed for political indoctrination, Kibuishi appears to be a man concerned for what children actually need—good, solid stories full of heroes and villains and serious decisions that transcend the fads and fashions and worries of the moment.
Amulet transcends itself.
That being said, in spite of what are apparently the best intentions, he appears in Amulet to have bitten off more than he can chew.
When Amulet made its debut in 2008, it shot to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, and for good reason. With a unique art style that finds a happy medium between careful detail and the overly simplified “CalArts” style, Kibuishi presents a tale for children that pulls no punches and reads like horror: The first volume opens with a young girl, Emily, watching helplessly as her father falls to his death. Two years later, she moves with her family into the decrepit house once owned by her eccentric great-grandfather; there, she finds a magical amulet, and shortly thereafter, a tentacled abomination grabs her mother and hauls her through a door in the basement. Emily and her brother Navin chase the monster into a parallel world called Alledia, a world full of robots, Rube Goldberg machines, and deadly monsters. Emily’s amulet grants her telekinetic abilities, but it also talks to her, playing games with her mind and constantly tempting her to sell her soul for power.
Emily gets all tempted and stuff.
Although intense for children, that’s seriously good stuff. The first volume of Amulet will leave your fingernails ragged and make your butt sore from sitting on the edge of your seat.
Although unable to equal the raw intensity of Book 1, the subsequent volumes are mostly pretty good. Starting off as a brooding horror, Amulet later settles into a more conventional epic fantasy with steampunk trappings. Emily, Navin, and their mom meet a wide array of characters including elves and furries, all while getting caught in the middle of a war involving kaiju and humongous mecha. Emily gains greater and greater power while also coming increasingly under the influence of the sinister voice that speaks to her through her magical stone.
Difficult subjects for children.
The great flaw of Amulet is that Kazu Kibuishi is clearly a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction. He has obviously consumed a large number of popular works in these genres, but like other enthusiasts (I am thinking particularly of Christopher Paolini’s Aragon or the late Monty Oum’s RWBY ), he has consumed more works than he has digested. Kibuishi borrows elements form Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, The Last Airbender, and probably a host of other sources, but has not given sufficient thought to how these various elements might fit together.
Throughout the series, a careful reader will notice problems in consistency. For example, midway through the series, we learn that the elvish empire has destroyed a city called Frontera. A couple of volumes later, a handful of protagonists use their wiles to finagle their way onto a commercial airship headed for Frontera—because Kibuishi did not, apparently, consider how a major war and the total destruction of a city might disrupt commercial air traffic.
That particular detail is forgivable, but the series goes completely off the rails at the end of Volume 7. Although the entire series had represented this alien world of Alledia as steampunkish in technology, at the end of the seventh book, the heroes are suddenly boarding a spaceship.
When I read that, I thought Kibuishi was making a major mistake. That he took two full years to release the eighth volume deepened my suspicions that he had written himself into a corner he couldn’t get out of. Nonetheless, I crossed my fingers and held out hope that he knew what he was doing.
He didn’t know what he was doing. I am virtually alone in this (simply look at the glowing reviews on Amazon ), but the eighth and penultimate volume of this series is an unbelievable letdown.
This series has over seven volumes established a particular character as a major villain. The heroine deals with that villain anticlimactically. The series has promised us a major war between a ruthless invading force and a ragged band of rebels. The war ends anticlimactically without a major battle. The characters who blasted off into space were trained mech pilots on their way to pilot mechs in a last stand against implacable invaders. Instead of fighting from their mechs, they spend most of the volume visiting a farm while riding dirt bikes.
There’s a major fight in which many people die—and it happens entirely off the page. That is an astounding blunder for a series that has until now been full to the gills with heavy action.
I honestly don’t know what to make of this. In spite of some plot holes and rammed-together fantasy tropes, Kibuishi seemed, up this point, pretty good at avoiding the kinds of elementary mistakes he blunders into in the eighth book. He promises at the end that Book 9 will finish off the series—though he took a long time to release Book 8, and it’s anybody’s guess when the final volume will appear.
One thing Amulet has regardless of the story is gorgeous, carefully detailed artwork, although that is largely due to Photoshop rather than Kibuishi’s line work. Still, multiple full-page or two-page spreads are arresting with their sweeping views of rugged landscapes, airships, and fantastical cities. The art alone makes Amulet worth it.
Also, in spite of my criticism, this is the kind of series that will make you neglect your obligations: I sat down with all eight books and plowed through the whole thing, forgetting other duties in the meantime. Even the weak penultimate volume still offers a fair amount of entertainment, though it resolves several conflicts without sufficient drama. I will undoubtedly devour the ninth and final volume when it appears, whether I like it or not.
I do recommend this series, but it’s shaping up to have a poorer conclusion than I’d hoped for.
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Whether it's Spider-Man swinging through the city or Batman brooding in the darkness, these amulets allow fans to express their love for these characters in a unique and personal way. Beyond their visual appeal, comic book amulets can also hold symbolic and sentimental value. For some, wearing an amulet featuring a particular character or panel can act as a reminder of a significant moment or storyline in their own lives. It can evoke feelings of nostalgia or serve as a form of inspiration and motivation. Comic book amulets are not only limited to mainstream superhero comics. They also encompass a wide range of genres such as manga, graphic novels, and independent comics. This means that there is a comic book amulet available for every type of fan, regardless of their preferred style or storytelling medium. In conclusion, comic book amulets are a creative and engaging way to celebrate and showcase your love for comic books. They combine the visual allure of comic art with the symbolism and personal connection of wearing a charm or talisman. Whether you're a dedicated fan or simply appreciate the artistic beauty of comic book illustrations, these amulets offer a unique and meaningful accessory to add to your collection..
Reviews for "The Comix Book Amulet as a Cultural Phenomenon: Popularity and Impact"
1. John Doe - 1/5
I was really disappointed with "Comix book amulet". The plot was confusing and seemed to jump around without any clear direction. The characters were also poorly developed and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I found this book utterly unsatisfying and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Jane Smith - 2/5
"Comix book amulet" had a lot of potential, but it fell short for me. The artwork was decent, but the storyline was lacking. I found it difficult to follow along and often felt lost amidst the chaotic and disjointed narrative. The characters also lacked depth and were stereotypical, without any real growth or development. While there were a few moments that caught my attention, overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book.
3. Mark Johnson - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Comix book amulet" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The artwork was the only redeeming factor, as the story itself lacked substance and failed to engage me. The pacing was uneven, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. The dialogue felt clunky and forced, making it hard to feel invested in the characters' conversations. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Laura Thompson - 1/5
I really disliked "Comix book amulet". The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The artwork was also subpar, with inconsistent quality throughout. I found the characters to be uninteresting and one-dimensional, lacking any real personality or depth. Overall, this book was a letdown and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.