Skip to main content

Mage: The Hero Discovered


Summary: Kevin is regular guy going about his day when he happens upon an individual he mistakes for a homeless man, but in reality, he meets a Mage (a magician), named Mirth.  Later, as Kevin is riding in an isolated subway car, he is startled to find himself being attacked by three bald-headed men with pale complexions, eyes with no pupils, and pointy spikes for elbows. In utter confusion and bewilderment of his current situation and because of his opponents makeover, Kevin decides to escape his plight by jumping out of the window of the moving subway.  As luck would have it, Kevin may have alluded his transgressors, but only to wind up in the direct path of an oncoming subway train. Surprisingly, Kevin survives being run over by the subway!  Dusting himself off, he desperately tries to wrap his brain about what's happening and longingly seeks the solace of his apartment home.  However, when he gets there, Kevin finds Mirth awaiting him in his living room.  Despite Kevin's adamant request for Mirth to leave, Mirth instead begins to explain who he is, what Kevin just experienced, the Grackleflints he just fought on the subway, and, more importantly, the importance of following him so that Kevin can discover the Hero laden within him.  Kevin is hesitant to believe Mirth and most definitely hesitant to become any type of Hero.  Yet, he knows he can't just simply ignore what he just experienced, as well as his sudden increase of strength and invulnerability.  Begrudgingly, Kevin decides to follow Mirth, but with the proverbial one foot out the door.  Thus, begins the sojourn of self discovery for Kevin, the Hero just recently discovered.

Reference: Matt Wagner (2017). Mage: The Hero Discovered. Image Comics. Portland, OR.

Why I Picked It Up: When I was in high school, I stumbled upon a promo poster for this comic book underneath an empty school desk. Being an aficionado of comics and looking for something a bit different than the usual superhero story line, I naturally was intrigued.  Liking what I saw, I decided that I would look for it at my local comic book store on my next visit.

Why I Finished It: As I had mentioned earlier, I had become a little tired of the typical superhero tales published by Marvel and DC and I longed for something more.  Mage was exactly what I had been seeking.  Kevin, the protagonist, wasn't dressed in any elaborate costume, his physique didn't look steroid induced, and the story line quickly hooked my attention. Wagner's "avant-garde" drawing style was also a welcomed change and quite easy to follow.  Facial expressions and action sequences were somewhat vague, but they didn't interfere with plot line comprehension. Then to have each issue begin with a quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet, a tragic play based on the actions of a reluctant and hesitant protagonist, well . . . that was the clincher.

 Recommendations: This is an ideal story for people, who like me, are tired of the standard superhero plot lines.  People who are tired of investing their money in indefinite series' that go on and on, with no end in site.  People who want to try independent comic book authors.  Mostly, though, for people who enjoy a little King Arthur mixed with Hamlet, with touches of mythology.  This is a story that I believe would please all comic book fans. I know I enjoyed reading every page of the series from the comfort of my living room sofa.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Module 2: Corduroy

Summary:   Corduroy is a department store teddy bear who searches for a button that he can use on his overalls.  He searches for the button because he thinks that the button will make him complete and attractive to buy.  Earlier a young girl wanted to buy him, but her mother said that they hadn't any more money and besides the bear was missing a button.  Unfortunately, Corduroy is prevented from obtaining a button and finds himself placed back on the toy shelf by the store's overnight security guard.  The next day, Corduroy is excited to see that the girl came back and used her own money to buy Corduroy and was also able to give Corduroy a new button. Reference: Freeman, D. (1976) Corduroy . New York, NY. Puffin Books. Impression: Corduroy is a children's book that touches the heart.  The way Corduroy is drawn by Don Freeman's, with simple yet endearing qualities, helps the reader to remember their own personal teddy bears or favorite stuffed ani...
Post a Comment
Read more

Module 1: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Summary: Mr. Morris Lessmore loves books and enjoys reading his books whenever possible.  But, as the story begins, he and his books are caught up in a wind storm.  He and his books end up scattered all over the town.  Surprisingly, Mr. Morris soon sees a woman flying in the air with the aid of some flying books.  One of the books she is caring is dropped off with Mr. Morris.   The flying book then takes Mr. Morris to a library filled with animated books flying around inside the building.  The books welcome him into the library and invite him to stay and live with them.  Mr. Morris gladly stays for many years, reading the books, sharing the books with the community, and even writing his own book. When he is finished writing his own book, Mr. Morris knows it is time for him to leave and, so, lets his own book fly away.  As it flies away his book finds a young girl who follows Mr. Morris' book to the library of flying books. Reference: J...
Post a Comment
Read more
Summary: We are thrust back in time to the late 1960's in Houston, Texas, where racism still has a strong hold on many of its citizens. Our two main characters have an inter-racial friendship, a friendship that many on both sides of the community do not approve of. Jack is one of the local TV station's news reporters, while Larry is a college instructor, as well as an equal-rights activists. In the beginning the characters are acquaintances, but they soon realize the importance of developing a friendship between each other. Jack sees Larry as someone who can help him do his work as a reporter covering the racial issues of the city, and Larry sees Jack as someone who can bring media attention to their cause. Besides those reasons, both Jack and Larry see their friendship as an example of racial harmony, of co-existence between the races. They both are equal rights advocates, so their friendship would help further their cause. Unfortunately, the occurrences at one of the stag...
Post a Comment
Read more