Supermutant Magic Academy is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. The book was published in 2015 and gained popularity for its unique blend of humor, fantasy, and coming-of-age themes. Set in a magical boarding school, the story follows a group of superpowered teenagers as they navigate through the ups and downs of high school life. The students at the academy are a diverse mix of supernatural beings, including vampires, shapeshifters, and witches. Despite their extraordinary abilities, they struggle with the same problems as any regular teenagers. The novel is structured as a series of vignettes, with each chapter focusing on a different character or a particular event.
The Magic Mirror
A cosmic radiation storm approaches the planet, but Don is confident because Dr. Smith had been assigned the task of installing cosmic arrestors. However, Judy tells him she has seen them still lying on a pile of equipment. Don confronts Smith and insists he begin the job before it is too late. Meanwhile, Penny is missing and the adults fan out to find her before the storm strikes. Penny, out for a walk, has come across a large, ornate mirror. Smith finds her just as the storm strikes and they take shelter underneath, unaware that the cosmic radiation is having some effect on the mirror. After the storm has passed, John finds the pair at the mirror, but Smith insists he not investigate, saying it is only worthless trash. In fact, Smith suspects the mirror’s frame is made of platinum.
The next day, Smith sets out to strip the mirror of its platinum coating, but Don insists he finish installing the cosmic arrestors. Smith complies but quickly abandons the task. Meanwhile, Penny and Judy have gone to the mirror and have set it up to view their reflections. Smith sees them in the distance and mutters for them to get away from his mirror—it is his platinum. The girls are examining themselves in the mirror but end up quarreling over Judy's comment that Penny is not interested in the things a girl her age should be. Penny ends up very upset and both girls say things they regret. Penny tearfully insists that she will stay the way she is forever.
Later, Penny goes back to the mirror in search of Debbie who has discovered a small bell somewhere. Penny asks Debbie to show her where she found the bell, so Debbie walks to the mirror and points, but Penny doesn't understand. Soon, however, Penny falls through the mirror and finds herself in a dark, mysterious world. There she meets a nameless boy about her own age who invites her to stay and have fun. He tells her he heard what she said about staying as she was forever, and entices her by promising that if she stays with him, she will never grow up or have to change. Penny tries to leave but is unable to do so. She eventually resigns herself to her fate but she soon discovers that the boy's idea of having fun—playing hide and seek with a monster and spying on the outer world through mirrors—does not interest her at all. Penny insists on returning home, but the boy says there is no way back, even when Penny asserts there must be, for the bloop entered and returned.
Dr. Smith actually witnessed Penny enter the mirror but disbelieved his own senses, sure that he was suffering from hallucinations. Later, though, he returns to destroy the mirror, the root of his problems, but he too falls through into the other world. He refuses to believe any of what he sees is real until he is attacked by the mirror monster. He grabs a rifle and flees toward the exit. There he lets off a random shot that hits a pool of water where his image is reflected and he is able to pass through to the outer world. Penny quickly understands what happened and begs the boy to go with her as the monster approaches closer and closer. At the last second, she shoots at her own image in the pool and passes back into the real world. Left behind, the boy only says that he cannot follow her… he has no reflection. Outside the mirror, as Penny stands in horror while Smith destroys the mirror, we hear the tinkling of a bell.
The novel is structured as a series of vignettes, with each chapter focusing on a different character or a particular event. Through these snippets of the students' lives, Tamaki explores topics such as identity, love, friendship, and self-discovery. She cleverly uses humor and satire to highlight the absurdities and complexities of adolescence.
Notes: [ ]
- Angela Cartwright posted online about this episode: "I always thought this episode 'The Magic Mirror' had a creepy quality to it. To this day, I have to admit, it occasionally crosses my mind."
- The title card shows the Jupiter 2 surrounded on practically all sides by outcroppings of rock. How the ship managed to crash land in this position strains credibility.
- Michael J. Pollard played the part of the "boy."
- Although Pollard looked young he was actually in his mid-twenties when he played the part. He was born on May 30, 1939, in Passaic, New Jersey, USA.
- Pollard was one of the few actors to have appeared on both classic Sci -Fi shows "Lost In Space" and "Star Trek". Pollard starred in the Star Trek episode, "Miri," and played Jahn.
- This is one of the few episodes where Will and the Robot are NEVER seen.
- This is one of the few times Dr. Smith wears this particular suit. Later, in "All That Glitters" this suit is given to Ohan, and is never seen again.
- OOPS MOMENT! Dr. Smith marches off from the Jupiter 2 to deal with the alien mirror, leaving Debbie the Bloop behind. When he arrives at the mirror, Debbie is there ahead of him and not out of breath.
- We are not told what happened to the young man inside the mirror.
- This Episode was repeated on Thames Television on February 28th 1969.
- This Episode was repeated on Granada Television on March 20th 1969.
- One reviewer said that this was a b ittersweet episode of Lost in Space that has the always watchable Michael J Pollard, especially adept at portraying weirdos, guest starring as a mischievous boy who lives in a dimension on the other side of an alien mirror found by Penny. Pollard is so youthful and playful here, he really plays his part like a child stuck in the body of a young man, eternally trapped in the body of a teenager, never to grow old but longing for companionship.
- This episode mirrors 'Alice Through the Looking Glass.' At the beginning, the child Penny, doesn't want to have to mess with all that feminine 'goop' and try to be a young lady. However, at the end of the episode, Penny has transformed, and has decided to take upon the feminine "goop" and become a young lady.
- Why do Penny and Doctor Smith take shelter from an electrical storm by hiding under a large metal object?
- At one point, John refers to Debbie as a “he.”
- Why aren’t John and Maureen more concerned when Smith declares he’s going to GET PENNY in such an evil, vindictive tone of voice?
- Where is Will throughout this entire episode? Billy Mummy was filming "War of the Robots," while Angela Cartwright filmed "The Magic Mirror."
- Where is the Robot throughout this entire episode? The Robot was filming "War of the Robots," with Billy Mumy.
- Without the Robot to abuse, Doctor Smith turns his aggressions on Penny’s pet, Debbie. Smith piles insults on the poor little Bloop and even smacks her hand a few times.
Midnite Reviews
One of the strengths of Supermutant Magic Academy is its quirky and relatable characters. Each student has their distinct personality and struggles, making them feel real and engaging. Their interactions with each other and the teachers provide insightful and often hilarious commentary on the challenges of growing up. Tamaki's artwork is another standout feature of the graphic novel. Her illustrations are expressive, whimsical, and full of detail. The visual storytelling adds depth to the narrative, capturing the emotions and nuances of the characters' experiences. In addition to its entertaining and often humorous tone, Supermutant Magic Academy also offers thought-provoking moments. Tamaki raises existential questions about life, mortality, and the nature of power through the struggles and aspirations of her characters. Overall, Supermutant Magic Academy is an enchanting and captivating graphic novel that transcends the conventions of both fantasy and coming-of-age genres. Jillian Tamaki's storytelling talent and unique artistic style make this book a must-read for fans of both graphic novels and young adult literature..
Reviews for "Mastering the art of spellcasting at Supermutant magic academy"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "Supermutant Magic Academy". The concept seemed really interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, and the humor didn't land for me. I found myself struggling to get through the book, and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the ending. Overall, it just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Chris - 1 star - I couldn't stand "Supermutant Magic Academy". The artwork was unappealing and messy, making it hard to follow the story. The narrative felt disjointed and lacked coherence, leaving me confused and frustrated. Many of the jokes fell flat and the dialogue was uninspiring. I had high hopes for this graphic novel but it left me feeling let down and uninterested in exploring anything else by the author.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Supermutant Magic Academy" to be quite underwhelming. The premise had potential but the execution was lacking. The characters were uninteresting and the storylines felt forced. Additionally, the artwork, while unique, was not visually appealing to me. I found myself struggling to connect with the story and the overall experience was forgettable. I wouldn't recommend this book to others who are looking for a captivating and engaging read.
4. Mark - 1 star - "Supermutant Magic Academy" was a complete waste of time and money for me. The humor felt forced and juvenile, lacking any sort of sophistication. The storylines were scattered and uninteresting, making it hard to care about the characters or their development. The artwork was messy and didn't add anything to the overall experience. I regret picking up this graphic novel and would advise others to stay away unless they're looking for a shallow and forgettable read.