The Books of Magic Omnibus is a collection of comic books that were originally published by DC Comics in the 1990s. It was written by Neil Gaiman, who is well-known for his work on the Sandman series. The story follows a young boy named Timothy Hunter, who discovers that he has the potential to become the most powerful magician in the world. Throughout the series, he is guided by four mystical beings known as the Trenchcoat Brigade – John Constantine, the Phantom Stranger, Doctor Occult, and Mister E. Timothy is taken on a journey through various magical realms and encounters numerous characters from DC's supernatural universe, such as Zatanna, the Justice League Dark, and even the Endless. Along the way, he learns about his own destiny and the responsibilities that come with his powers.
by Peter Gross (Author, Illustrator), John Ney Rieber (Author)
Neil Gaiman kicked off this series and this collects the complete saga of Tim Hunter in chronological order for the first time, with many never-before-collected tales and a brand new forward by writer John Ney Reiber and introduction by series writer and artist Peter Gross. II is that I am not the same person that I was when I first picked this tome up, and as I move forward in my life I know that I will take the imprint of this story with me wherever I go.
Along the way, he learns about his own destiny and the responsibilities that come with his powers. One of the remarkable elements of The Books of Magic Omnibus is its exploration of the nature of magic and storytelling. Gaiman incorporates many myths, legends, and fairy tales into the narrative, presenting a rich tapestry of magical elements.
REVIEW: The Books of Magic Omnibus Vol. 2 (The Sandman Universe Classics)
An omnibus tends to take awhile to get through, but in the Sandman Universe that can only be a good thing. Please read this at your own pace and savor the fact that “The Books of Magic Omnibus Vol. II” puts Peter Gross back in the director’s chair with assistance from other groundbreaking artists, not stopping short of the series’ creator Neil Gaiman. Where the first volume was more masculine – by giving an introduction to Timothy Hunter, his father, and giving way to action sequences as magicians like Mr. E & John Constantine debated on who to guide him in a psuedo-paternal sense, the second volume is more focused on the feminine as Timothy loses his love in Molly, Titania’s story is expanded on in multiple Faerie shorts, and Tim’s stepmother (along with her stepson) end up playing an integral role in the war Tim has against himself.
This is a Vertigo book from the 90’s : so there is a load of philosophy, mythology, and campfire-style storytelling all rolled into one. Pepper this with the sarcastic humor and cold real life situations (miscarriages, adultery, molested children that grow into sex workers . and here you have what made die-hard readers like myself want to jump off a building when Vertigo closed it’s doors in the late 2010’s – vertigo be damned ! As it is an omnibus, this book could be read in a sitting or it could be spread out and read in months or even years. It took me two years, with the first volume included, to finally get through Gross’ run and I have to say – this has been quite the magical experience. And it has been nice to have Tim and the rest of his Universe as travel companion’s throughout my journey in various stages of life through when I picked up the first volume to when I put down this one.
The real beauty of “The Books of Magic Vol. II” is that I am not the same person that I was when I first picked this tome up, and as I move forward in my life I know that I will take the imprint of this story with me wherever I go. And there is the beauty of the printing press, which has now been converted to digital distribution : this story can be shared. And there’s no excuse to not pick it up.
If you love the Sandman Universe, this is a can’t miss. And if you never heard of The Endless or Lucifer and you just love mythology, then prepare to get lost in Gross’ tale of Tim. But if you care about none of that and just want a good read? Well, “The Books of Magic Omnibus Vol. II” is just for you.
Score: 4/5
by Peter Gross (Author, Illustrator), John Ney Rieber (Author)
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Closeout Price! Collects Books of Magic #1-32 & 14 more issues of various titles, 1990-97. Highly Recommended. By Peter Gross. Art by John Bolton, Charles Vess et al. What do two dead boys and a normal 13-year-old have in common? The ability to save the world. Charles and Edwin are dead. They’re also detectives. Tim Hunter is alive. He could be the world’s greatest mage…once he masters magic. And that’s just the beginning. Neil Gaiman kicked off this series and this collects the complete saga of Tim Hunter in chronological order for the first time, with many never-before-collected tales and a brand new forward by writer John Ney Reiber and introduction by series writer and artist Peter Gross. DC Comics, 2020.
The series not only explores the magical world but also examines the power of stories themselves. The artwork in The Books of Magic Omnibus is equally impressive. It features contributions from talented artists such as John Bolton, Scott Hampton, and Charles Vess, each bringing their unique style to the different chapters of Timothy's journey. The vivid illustrations bring to life the fantastical settings and characters, adding depth to the narrative. The Books of Magic Omnibus has been praised for its complex storytelling, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes. It has become a cult classic among fans of both Neil Gaiman's work and the DC supernatural universe. The collection provides a comprehensive and captivating experience for readers, showcasing the breadth and depth of the magical realms within the DC universe..
Reviews for "Escape to a World of Possibility with The Book of Magic Omnibus"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Books of Magic Omnibus" after reading rave reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. The story felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive plot. The protagonist, Tim Hunter, was an unlikable character with shallow development. Additionally, the artwork was lackluster and failed to capture the magical elements of the narrative. Overall, I found this omnibus to be a letdown and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "The Books of Magic Omnibus" was one of the most tedious reads I've encountered. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The world-building felt forced and overwhelming, leaving me confused and uninterested in the magical realm the author was trying to create. The artwork was underwhelming and failed to bring any life to the characters or scenes. This omnibus was a complete waste of time and I was ultimately disappointed by its lackluster execution.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "The Books of Magic Omnibus" to be highly overrated. The story failed to capture my attention and I was often left feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations. The artwork, while competent, did little to enhance the reading experience. The plot lacked depth and didn't explore the magical elements in a satisfying way. Ultimately, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied by this omnibus.