Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby is a highly collectible stuffed toy that was introduced by Ty Inc in 1995. It quickly became one of the most sought-after Beanie Babies due to its unique design and vibrant colors. The main idea behind Magic is its magical and mythical appearance, which captures the fascination of collectors and fans worldwide. Magic is a plush dragon approximately 9 inches tall, with a long tail and large wings. It is made of soft, high-quality materials that make it both cuddly and durable. What sets Magic apart from other Beanie Babies is its iridescent fabric and sparkly accents.
This is a little different in how it approaches magic. Garlic is a sentient vegetable that has been brought to life by a witch residing in the woods. She’s tasked with confronting a vampire that has come to town (since they’re not fans of garlic…) and helping to keep her friends safe. Garlic suffers from anxiety though and this is a big ask for someone who second-guesses herself a lot. It’s a delightful adventure though, and between the heart put into the story and the fun little jokes, I was smiling the whole way through.
It not only tackles a story revolving around growing up with magic but it adds in many other things that many of us have struggled with such as family expectations, living up to your potential, and more. While the themes of family dysfunction and the onset of sexual understanding make this skew a little older, the Tamakis really capture the details of not just summer, summer crushes, and summer communities, but also friendship and tween girls in general.
What sets Magic apart from other Beanie Babies is its iridescent fabric and sparkly accents. The dragon's body is covered in a shimmering fabric that changes colors depending on the angle and lighting. This feature adds an extra element of enchantment to the toy, making it especially desirable among collectors.
8 Graphic Novels About Magic That You Should Check Out
Any book on this list I loved at the time I read it, whether I had a chance to write a review or not. Obviously a re-read years later might reveal a problematic aspect I didn’t pick up on back then. Please let me know via my contact form if you find something yikes in a book I recommend.
Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed (Amazon / Goodreads)
“A brilliant and imaginative debut graphic novel that brings to life a fantastical Cairo where wishes are real. Author, illustrator, and translator Deena Mohamed presents a literary, feminist, Arab-centric graphic novel that marries magic and the socio-political realities of contemporary Egypt.
Shubeik Lubeik–a fairytale rhyme meaning ‘Your Wish is My Command’ in Arabic–is the story of three characters navigating a world where wishes are literally for sale; mired in bureaucracy and the familiar prejudices of our world, the more expensive the wish, the more powerful and therefore the more likely to work as intended. The novel’s three distinct parts tell the story of three first class wishes as used by Aziza, Nour, and Shokry, each grappling with the challenge inherent in trying to make your most deeply held desire come true.”
The Death-Defying Dr. Mirage by Jen Van Meter, art by Roberto de la Torre, colors by David Baron, lettering by Dave Lanphear (Amazon / Goodreads)
I fell in love with this book based on the gorgeous cover by Travel Foreman. It helped that Jen Van Meter was writing it, since her Hopeless Savages is one of my favorite books ever. It did not disappoint! A gorgeous story of love, loss, and the journey between them and back again. Dr. Shan Fong-Mirage and her husband Hwen Mirage were two parts of a whole – not in a dysfunctional way, they just that relationship where something just clicks when they’re together. When Hwen was killed, Shan was at a loss until she finds a way into the underworld and sets out to find him, no matter the dangers.
Fans of strong women in comics will find Shan’s character and de la Torre’s depiction of her so satisfying. Shan is undeniably female, and solid and real rather than posed for the (male gaze) viewer’s enjoyment. Many of his panels are composed like interesting photographs, and the coloring is perfect for the spooky atmosphere.
The sequel, Second Lives (Amazon / Goodreads), is just as satisfying. Shan and ghost-Hwen trip over some dark magic while tracking down a scroll to give Hwen more materiality, and they end up battling a juiced-up ghost to prevent Very Bad Things from happening. If you enjoy the first book, definitely get the second! (The second volume has, in addition to de la Torre, additional artist credits for Diego Bernard, Tom Palmer, Al Barrionuevo, and Brian Level in various issues.)
Spell on Wheels by Kate Leth, art by Megan Levens, colors by Marissa Louise, lettering by Nate Piekos (Amazon / Goodreads)
If you need a road trip comic about witches, this is perfect. (I’m not sure how anyone can NOT need a road trip comic about witches, honestly.) Jolene, Claire, and Andy are magical co-workers, housemates, and best friends. When their home is burgled of magical objects, they set out across New England in a convertible to track down their stuff and find out who’s behind the thefts. Along the way, as one does, they meet all kinds of interesting (and only sometimes dangerous) people (and not-people), solving problems with magic and the power of female friendship.
It’s not too deep (though there are references to a past abusive boyfriend), it’s fun, and there are plenty of great outfits and hairstyles in addition to gals being awesome. Everybody wins.
Heart in a Box by Kelly Thompson, illustrated by Meredith McClaren (Amazon / Goodreads)
Heart in a Box opens with a woman in a brutal fight, which ends in the death of her opponent, and a promise there’s an explanation for this. The explanation? Emma had a terrible breakup, and made a really bad decision. She made a magical/supernatural deal to keep herself from feeling so terrible. Which, it turns out, keeps her from feeling anything at all. What follows is her quest to reclaim her heart, which leads to some pretty dark places. I rooted for Emma all the way, even as she wrestled with her conscience about the fallout from her choices. Life isn’t always pretty. But by the end of the book, she’s grown, and I doubt she’ll make the same mistakes twice.
I first came across Thompson from her comics blogging, and I’m so thrilled to see her pursuing this path with her writing. She’s very talented. McClaren’s art may not be for everyone. It’s a bit complicated. But it makes you love the characters, since it’s clear she loves them so much herself. They all have great hair, too.
Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley, with art assistance from Jason Fischer, colors by Nathan Fairbairn, letters by Dustin Harbin (Amazon / Goodreads)
O’Malley is famous for Scott Pilgrim, and truth be told I was expecting something pretty similar. But Seconds is its own thing, so good on him for that. Katie is a chef whose second restaurant should be opening soon… but then things start to get bumpy. So when she’s offered the chance to make one past choice differently, she goes for it. But things start to get strange.
There’s a lot of funny in this book, but also a lot of strange magic and plenty of emotion. Life is hard, people! Katie doesn’t always make the best choices. She’s impulsive and has a temper, and she’s a little self-centered. But she’s not a bad person, and I was rooting for her the whole time through the twists and turns and “what if” changes the magic brings about.
The series Hex11, story and art by Lisa K. Weber, script by Kelly Sue Milano, colors by Samantha Carrasco (Get Issue #1 digitally for free or buy HEX11 digitally or in print directly from the creators / Amazon / Goodreads)
A fascinating blend of magic with a sci-fi-esque dystopian setting. Witch in training Eleanor is running an errand for her teacher one evening when she sees a demon attacking someone in an alley. She shouldn’t get involved. But she totally gets involved. Unfortunately for her, the demon is a mercenary and the victim is a smuggler, so things get real complicated real quick.
I like how dangerous the magic in this world – and how cool it looks, not gonna lie! Elanor is impetuous but not to the point of carelessness, so you can still root for her. Her teacher is hilarious. The creepy assassin is pitch perfect. Everyone has interesting hair.
Two volumes have been printed, covering issues 1-12, and issues 13-15 are available digitally. The story has not yet concluded.
The series For Goodness’ Sake by K. Lynn Smith (Buy PDFs and print books from the creator / Goodreads)
I love how K. Lynn Smith draws people, and this grumpy/sunshine paranormal road trip graphic novel series hit all the right notes for me. Rayne seems to be a hippie chick on a wander, but she’s got a lot more going on than it initially appears. Thatcher is running not just from other people, but from his own guilt, but he’ll be damned (more) if he’ll admit it. I thought the resolution moment towards the end was simple and perfect. And darkly funny.
Bonus: Thatcher is bi, and a bit slutty about it (love this), and that has literally nothing to do with him being cursed.
This series is complete in three volumes, or one omnibus edition.
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Specialities include visitations, disappearances, compulsions, manifestations, transformations and removal of uninvited guests. We can be diplomatic or more persuasive as the situation requires. Extensive and varied contacts within the police force, gifted groups, and the non-human community. Horse, dog, cat and rodent whispering undertaken. However, there is an extensive waiting list. Please note: no chihuahuas.
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The PDF includes all but two of the stories that are online as part of the webcomic, as of February 2023.
And that’s the list!
Another distinctive feature of Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby is its unique color combinations. It is available in different color variations, including purple with pink wings, green with blue wings, and blue with green wings. Each color combination is carefully chosen to create a striking and eye-catching appearance. The bright hues and contrasting shades make Magic stand out among other Beanie Babies, making it a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts. Due to its popularity, Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby has become highly sought-after and valuable in the collectibles market. Some rare and limited editions of Magic have sold for thousands of dollars at auctions and online marketplaces. The high demand for this Beanie Baby is partly due to its limited production run, which further adds to its exclusivity and allure. Collectors of Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby often display their prized possession alongside other Beanie Babies or related memorabilia. The toy's captivating design and mystical theme make it a centerpiece in many collections or toy displays. Some collectors even create custom packaging or display cases to showcase the dragon's magical appearance. In conclusion, Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby remains a beloved and highly sought-after collectible in the Beanie Baby community. Its unique design, vibrant colors, and enchanting features make it a must-have for collectors and fans worldwide. Whether you are a serious collector or just a fan of stuffed animals, Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby is sure to bring a touch of magic to your collection..
Reviews for "The Cultural Impact of Magic the Dragon Beanie Baby"
1. Allison - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with Magic the dragon beanie baby. The quality of the plush was not great, as it felt thin and cheap. The colors on the dragon were also not as vibrant as they appeared in the online photos. Additionally, the stuffing inside felt lumpy and uneven. Overall, I expected better from a beanie baby and would not recommend this product.
2. Thomas - 1/5 stars - This beanie baby was a complete waste of money. It arrived with several visible defects, including loose stitching and misaligned eyes. The overall craftsmanship was very poor and it was obvious that it was rushed during production. It's a shame because I was really excited to add Magic the dragon to my collection, but this experience has definitely turned me off from purchasing any more beanie babies in the future.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found Magic the dragon beanie baby to be quite underwhelming. The plush material was rough and scratchy, making it uncomfortable to touch and cuddle with. The dragon's wings were also poorly attached and kept falling off easily. While I appreciate the effort put into the design, the execution fell short. I would not recommend this particular beanie baby to others.