DC, or Detective Comics, is a comic book publisher that has a rich mythos of magical characters and stories. From its inception, DC has included magic as a key element of its universe, with numerous characters and storylines exploring the mystic arts. One of the most prominent magical characters in DC is Doctor Fate. First introduced in 1940, Doctor Fate is the mantle taken up by various individuals throughout the years. The character possesses great mystical knowledge and wields the powerful Helmet of Fate, which grants the wearer immense magical abilities. Doctor Fate's stories often delve into themes of fate, destiny, and the struggle between order and chaos.
A big part of the reason is that Books of Magic was always intended to be an exercise in esoteric geek knowledge. The miniseries was designed as a way to reintroduce readers to all the DC-universe characters with magic-based powers—like the Spectre or Amethyst Princess of Gemworld—following one of its periodic shakeups. Each of Gaiman's four books follows Tim through the past, present, and future of the mystical universe as he visits various realms and meets different magical figures. In this way, The Books of Magic functions as more of an encyclopedia than a story, while Rowling's books offer an elaborate plot complete with original characters.
After battling baddies in the present, the character shows up as a kind of cosmic fool at the end of time, still mysterious and still as cool as ever while the universe around him experiences heat death. At first just created to start a new comic series to introduce the reader to all the countless magical and occult comic book characters like John Constantine not only featured in his own series Hellblazer, but also played by Keanu Reeves in his movie debut and available as a streaming series on Netflix , the Phantom Stranger, Zatana and the Spectre and many more that already inhabited the DC universe.
Doctor Fate's stories often delve into themes of fate, destiny, and the struggle between order and chaos. Another notable magical character in the DC universe is Zatanna. Zatanna is a stage magician who also happens to be a powerful sorceress.
The Movie DC Needs To Make Is An Underrated Neil Gaiman Masterwork
The Books of Magic would be the perfect way to introduce the concept of magic to the new DC Universe.
By Nathan Kamal | Updated 7 months ago
The Books of Magic
DC Studios is preparing to take a bold new step in the very crowded world of comic book movies, with co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran recently announcing an ambitious slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. However, nowhere on that list was the underrated Neil Gaiman classic The Books of Magic. While Gaiman’s Sandman finally made it to Netflix in an astonishing serial adaptation, his teen wizard Timothy Hunter is exactly what DC Studios needs to expand its universe.
The Books of Magic was originally a four-issue miniseries written by Neil Gaiman and published in 1990, later followed by a number of ongoing series on DC’s “mature” Vertigo Comics imprint. It centers on a young boy named Timothy Hunter, whose ordinary life is upended when he encounters four mysterious magic users who inform him that he may potentially become the greatest and most powerful magician in existence, but that he has to make the choice to enter into the dangerous world of sorcery. In each issue, Hunter is guided through a different aspect of DC’s world of magic by a different figure, essentially giving readers a tour through the same.
James Gunn could not ask for a better set-up to introduce the concept of magic in the DC Universe; The Books of Magic is basically a prime of concepts like King Arthur’s Camelot, characters like Zatanna and John Constantine, and a fan-friendly “chosen one” of magic. It is literally designed to explain DC’s version of magic, with a protagonist perfect for acting as an audience surrogate.
It also helps that audiences might be looking for an alternative to Harry Potter with the cultural baggage of J.K. Rowling and her never-ending self-pity party. The Books of Magic predates Harry Potter by years, though Neil Gaiman has been on the record as saying he does not believe the other series about a bespectacled teen boy with magic powers and an owl buddy was ripping him off. If DC wants to figure out a way to transfer fan loyalty for the archetype onto a new, non-controversial IP, it could do a whole lot worse than The Books of Magic.
However, The Books of Magic stands on its own as a story and does not necessarily need Harry Potter’s leavings. The original series saw Timothy Hunter learn all about his potential future as a godlike magician, who might end up becoming a tremendous force for good or a world-ending malevolent threat. That alone could make for a good first film, which could also introduce DC’s extensive roster of magic-themed characters to the new DC Universe.
James Gunn’s Gods and Monsters wave of films and shows pretty clearly indicates his fondness for some of the more obscure and odd aspects of the DC Universe, most exemplified by the announcement of a Creature Commandos animated series. If the creative head of DC Studios is interested in bringing in Frankenstein to fight Nazis in World War II, it’s probably safe to say he could be interested in some of the weirder aspects of The Books of Magic.
The upcoming movie The Flash seems positioned as the final nail in the coffin of the Snyderverse, with Ezra Miller’s time travel shenanigans potentially resetting the continuity of the franchise. There could not be a better time to bring in the magical aspect of the DC Universe and The Books of Magic is the perfect way to do it, allowing James Gunn to unveil a hidden world to audiences while maybe even bringing Keanu Reeves back into the fold as John Constantine.
So far, the only magic we have really seen in the DC Universe has been in the Shazam movies and Dwayne Johnson’s debacle of a Black Adam movie. The Books of Magic has both a greater depth of themes than either Shazam or Black Adam and a whole lot less confusing backstory to try to explain to newcomers. All you need is to get on board with the idea that a kid suddenly discovers he has an almost inconceivably vast and terrifying destiny, which pretty much everyone is already used to. DC Studios, don’t screw this one up.
It also helps that audiences might be looking for an alternative to Harry Potter with the cultural baggage of J.K. Rowling and her never-ending self-pity party. The Books of Magic predates Harry Potter by years, though Neil Gaiman has been on the record as saying he does not believe the other series about a bespectacled teen boy with magic powers and an owl buddy was ripping him off. If DC wants to figure out a way to transfer fan loyalty for the archetype onto a new, non-controversial IP, it could do a whole lot worse than The Books of Magic.
Her magical abilities stem from her unique ability to cast spells by speaking in reverse. Zatanna often teams up with other magical heroes, such as Batman and the Justice League Dark, to battle mystical threats. DC also features other magical characters like John Constantine, the Hellblazer. Constantine is a chain-smoking, trench coat-wearing occult detective who is constantly embroiled in the supernatural. His stories often involve battling demons, dark magic, and the forces of evil. Constantine's morally ambiguous nature and gritty stories have earned him a dedicated following. Furthermore, DC has published various story arcs that prominently feature magic, such as "The Books of Magic" and "The Spectre." These stories explore the vast and intricate magical realms within the DC universe, giving readers a glimpse into the supernatural side of its characters. In conclusion, DC has a rich collection of magical characters and stories that have captivated readers for decades. Characters like Doctor Fate, Zatanna, and John Constantine have become iconic figures within the DC universe and have inspired numerous comic book storylines and adaptations in other media. The inclusion of magic in DC's mythos adds a unique and exciting element to its superhero narratives..
Reviews for "Exploring the Historic Origins of DC's Magical Icons"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I recently picked up one of the DC books related to magic, and I was extremely disappointed. The storyline was confusing and convoluted, making it hard to follow. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be a complete letdown and a waste of my time.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As a fan of DC comics, I was excited to dive into the world of magic within the DC universe. However, I found the portrayal of magic in these books to be underwhelming. The magic system was poorly explained and often felt inconsistent. The plotlines heavily relied on magic as a deus ex machina, which took away from the excitement and tension. Overall, I felt that the DC books related to magic failed to capture the essence and wonder of the magical world and left much to be desired.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - I've always been a fan of DC comics, but the books related to magic didn't deliver the same level of quality I was accustomed to. The storytelling felt disjointed and lacked proper pacing, which made it difficult to become invested in the plot. The magical elements seemed forced and poorly integrated into the overall narrative. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed with the DC books related to magic.