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Mage #3.1
Mage, Vol. 5: The Hero Denied, Book Three Part 1
The fifth of six volumes collecting Matt Wagner's epic modern-day fantasy trilogy, MAGE, BOOK THREE: THE HERO DENIED is the long-awaited conclusion to the saga of the reborn Pendragon, Kevin Matchstick. Almost a decade has passed since the events of MAGE, BOOK TWO: THE HERO DEFINED. Now married to the witch Magda and father to two young children, Kevin strives to remain removed from the supernatural struggle that might threaten his family's safety. Unfortunately, dark and familiar forces conspire to flush him out of hiding, forcing the Pendragon to summon the power that is his legacy--and once again draw the mystic weapon Excalibur.
Matt Wagner's classic epic of comics fantasy was at the vanguard of the independent comics scene and continues to be an inspiration for many contemporary creators, longtime fans, and new readers alike. Nearing twenty years in the making, this is the first collected edition of MAGE: THE HERO DENIED and includes issues #0-8.
Matt Wagner's classic epic of comics fantasy was at the vanguard of the independent comics scene and continues to be an inspiration for many contemporary creators, longtime fans, and new readers alike. Nearing twenty years in the making, this is the first collected edition of MAGE: THE HERO DENIED and includes issues #0-8.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2018
About the author
Matt Wagner
961 books238 followersMatt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist. In addition to his creator-owned series' Mage and Grendel, he has also worked on comics featuring The Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre and Trinity, a DC Comics limited series featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 28, 2022
A great and nicely done different comic story. These are a fresh new approach to the concept of the superhero and a joy to experience. Great story and art. Very recommended
April 26, 2026
It’s 10 years on and Kevin is now married with children, living a normal life until...
Wagner ages his characters and has them shift their priorities – a good idea that makes us grow even more attached to Kevin and Magda, who until now have seemed too far removed from ordinary people.
Obviously, the situation cannot remain as it is, and having a family introduces new means of pressure for those who wish to target the Mage, something Wagner exploits with his usual flair.
Aside from the consistently high standard of artwork and storytelling, it is worth noting Brennan Wagner’s colouring, which improves with every volume.
Wagner ages his characters and has them shift their priorities – a good idea that makes us grow even more attached to Kevin and Magda, who until now have seemed too far removed from ordinary people.
Obviously, the situation cannot remain as it is, and having a family introduces new means of pressure for those who wish to target the Mage, something Wagner exploits with his usual flair.
Aside from the consistently high standard of artwork and storytelling, it is worth noting Brennan Wagner’s colouring, which improves with every volume.
April 2, 2019
I think most folks won't dig this, but the second half of the first Mage series way back in the mid-eighties was what got me into comics, and some random second-degree connections around Philly (and now Portland) always made me feel a sort of kinship with Matt (ok, that sounds a little stalkerish). After a ten year hiatus, I got back into reading comics around '97, and lo and behold, a second series of Mage comes out around the same time. After yet another even longer hiatus fo 20 years, I finally get into digital comics, randomly go to Portland Comic-con and stumble upon Matt with his son Brennan all grown up and now inking what will be the third series!
He describes the entire work as a "allegorical autobiography". The story behind the story is this guy managed to make a living doing what he loved: making comics with friends, some of which come and go, but along the way he started a family, which he supports, by doing comics, and passed it onto another generation. I'm super proud of him.
He describes the entire work as a "allegorical autobiography". The story behind the story is this guy managed to make a living doing what he loved: making comics with friends, some of which come and go, but along the way he started a family, which he supports, by doing comics, and passed it onto another generation. I'm super proud of him.
September 27, 2020
On one hand, it's sort of fun that these characters grow up and everything. On the other, watching a character become a suburban dad isn't my jam. Maybe this is one of those "If you had kids, you'd get it" sort of things. But I'm probably not gonna crank out a baby just to find out.
January 2, 2019
True Confession: The first time I attended Dragon*Con was after the first few issues of Mage: The Hero Defined came out. That whole weekend I cosplayed Kevin Matchstick. Not many people recognized me, but Matt Wagner himself autographed my baseball bat. It's still my most cherished nerd souvenir.
You can give me your Gaimans, Morrisons, and Alan Moores, but Matt Wagner remains one of my favorite comic creators ever. Like Eisner, Mignola, and McCloud, he's not simply an excellent writer/artist - he's a great cartoonist able to break a character down to their most iconic essentials and use the unique storytelling possibilities of the graphic medium to their full effect. As a result, Wagner's creations are as immediately, undeniably cool as Hellboy or The Spirit.
Since I quit haunting comic shops several years ago, I completely missed it when The Hero Denied finally started publication. I honestly didn't think it ever would, but after reading the first half I can see the reason for the wait and why it was worth it. Kevin Matchstick has grown over the last decade and is in a much different place as a married man with a family to take care of. So when the "nasties" start coming after him again, the stakes are that much higher. It also helps that in this final arc, the villains seem a hundred times more competent and dangerous than the iterations in the first two volumes.
Now for another cliffhanger and a long-ass wait to read the conclusion. I find myself anticipating this even more than I looked forward to the end of Hellboy in Hell. If only Wagner would go back and continue the Grendel saga, my comics life would be complete.
You can give me your Gaimans, Morrisons, and Alan Moores, but Matt Wagner remains one of my favorite comic creators ever. Like Eisner, Mignola, and McCloud, he's not simply an excellent writer/artist - he's a great cartoonist able to break a character down to their most iconic essentials and use the unique storytelling possibilities of the graphic medium to their full effect. As a result, Wagner's creations are as immediately, undeniably cool as Hellboy or The Spirit.
Since I quit haunting comic shops several years ago, I completely missed it when The Hero Denied finally started publication. I honestly didn't think it ever would, but after reading the first half I can see the reason for the wait and why it was worth it. Kevin Matchstick has grown over the last decade and is in a much different place as a married man with a family to take care of. So when the "nasties" start coming after him again, the stakes are that much higher. It also helps that in this final arc, the villains seem a hundred times more competent and dangerous than the iterations in the first two volumes.
Now for another cliffhanger and a long-ass wait to read the conclusion. I find myself anticipating this even more than I looked forward to the end of Hellboy in Hell. If only Wagner would go back and continue the Grendel saga, my comics life would be complete.
August 7, 2018
Back in the late 1980s Mage was a breath of fresh air in the comic book scene. Airbrush in comics? Nice. Fun characters and interesting layout? Yes, please. Even the story was ok, although the Arthur legend(s) are well, well all cliche by now (and then).
Well over a decade later came the second part of the trilogy which was ghastly bad. Horrible writing, no sense of style to the art and characters that were tear-out-the-pages bad.
And now, again a decade later...this absolute mess. Even worse, lazy, lazy art....disturbingly bad computer colours and the story is sooooooooooooo boring one hopes for a paper cut when turning the page...while drooling at the thought that hopefully at least ONE of the annoying, annoying kids will get brutally mauled.
Truly one of the worst comics I have ever laid eyes on...was the Matt Wagner of the 80s a different person?
Well over a decade later came the second part of the trilogy which was ghastly bad. Horrible writing, no sense of style to the art and characters that were tear-out-the-pages bad.
And now, again a decade later...this absolute mess. Even worse, lazy, lazy art....disturbingly bad computer colours and the story is sooooooooooooo boring one hopes for a paper cut when turning the page...while drooling at the thought that hopefully at least ONE of the annoying, annoying kids will get brutally mauled.
Truly one of the worst comics I have ever laid eyes on...was the Matt Wagner of the 80s a different person?
April 4, 2020
A fitting end. I loved how his art style progressed throughout the whole series, and I loved that his son ended up thinking the last book for him. The storyline in this one was just as solid as all of them have been, probably more so than book too, but probably not up to the level of book one. However, it felt like a great ending with two big asterisks. The first of the positive know about the role of the Mage, which felt wonderful despite it being a repeat. The second is the twist at the very end which I don't want to spoil but I felt like was a cop out. I know he's an old man and looking for a happy family ending, but it would have been a stronger book with that finality.
April 23, 2019
Mage Volume 5
Exciting and varied volume in this magical comic series
The Pendragon has settled down into a suburban family life with Magda but, as one might expect, this peaceful life is soon under attack from various mystical beings. Many new characters are introduced and some from previous volumes return.
The artwork is fun, colourful and well-executed and I probably enjoyed this volume more than all the previous ones. There’s more to come in Volume 6.
Exciting and varied volume in this magical comic series
The Pendragon has settled down into a suburban family life with Magda but, as one might expect, this peaceful life is soon under attack from various mystical beings. Many new characters are introduced and some from previous volumes return.
The artwork is fun, colourful and well-executed and I probably enjoyed this volume more than all the previous ones. There’s more to come in Volume 6.
December 9, 2020
Wagner returns to his opus, telling the final leg of Kevin Matchstick's journey. Kevin is middle-aged now, a parent and husband. But he has unfinished business from his youth and that business isn't going to leave him in peace, and honestly, he's not entirely ready to put it behind him. It's a story of a man torn between two responsibilities - by not resolving one, he's putting the other at risk. Great work by Wagner, as always.
December 20, 2023
Retired You Say? Not by a Long Shot…
Matchstick’s back. Older, perhaps a little wiser? Well, perhaps not. He and Magda were married, had kids, and were hidden until the nasties decided to run into him. Umber Sprite, now of an Amazonian persuasion, sets out to find the Fisher King. But first, must flick off that pesky flea of a Pendragon such as Matchstick. She’ll find out the hard way once he sets his sights on her as his wife and son were gone.
Matchstick’s back. Older, perhaps a little wiser? Well, perhaps not. He and Magda were married, had kids, and were hidden until the nasties decided to run into him. Umber Sprite, now of an Amazonian persuasion, sets out to find the Fisher King. But first, must flick off that pesky flea of a Pendragon such as Matchstick. She’ll find out the hard way once he sets his sights on her as his wife and son were gone.
August 12, 2023
Sad to say I'm enjoying this less than Hero Defined. It has the same level of competency, but it also feels like a retread of the previous entry. The action scenes, which were the best parts of Hero Defined, are also less prominent. I'll still go into the last volume with an open mind.
November 2, 2018
I remember reading all the Mage books when the originally came out. This is a great continuation of the original story.
December 30, 2018
A 30-year story approaches its conclusion, and does so in style.
April 30, 2020
Ultimately a good end to the series
October 27, 2021
A touching conclusion to Kevin Matchstick's story. Hope Wagner chooses to revisit this world sometime in the future.
May 16, 2023
Older, struggling for wiser, a mere step from completion.
November 16, 2018
Once again, we return to follow Kevin Matchstick as he journeys through life, struggling to deal with the conflicting desires and goals of the real world, and of the mystical one.
Kevin is older, quieter, married. He has children now. Many of the early stories focus on his family, and his relationships with his children. He employees a much greater amount of subtlety in his interactions than he did in the previous two arcs. And yet, he's still Kevin Matchstick, the Pendragon, the monster hunter, forever seeking the Fisher King, forever searching for the guidance of the Mage whom he's keenly aware is coming. Forever, just a little bit lost. The story feels very familiar, yet there is a sinister subtlety which grows as the story progresses.
In some ways, this series feels more similar to The Hero Discovered than to The Hero Defined. The art work has a similar softer roughness that the first arc displayed, rather than the more polished look of the second arc. This is not to say that it's not more refined though, the characters and the settings are carefully rendered and lovingly presented. My comments are more directed to the feel of the stylistic choice.
This is of course, volume 5, the first half of the 3rd arc. It builds, it asks, it even threatens, but it does not answer. Answers must await the end of the series in volume 6 (due in early 2019). Like the earlier two arcs, this is the first half, where the stage is set, the characters are explored, but the major confrontations and revelations are yet to come.
I've waited years and years to see this arc, often wondering if it would ever be written. It feels different than I expected, and yet, it feels "right". It shows the progression of Kevin's life. It explores the passage of time that we all must face, set against the backdrop of the hidden mystical battle that taken up so much of Kevin's life. Time passes for us all. Even the Pendragon. As I am nearly of an age with Wagner, I deeply appreciate him presenting the retrospections of an aging hero so clearly.
I recommend this book highly. It's one of my favorite story arcs ever presented in graphic novel format, but I must caution prospective readers, this really is book 5 of a 6 part series. While Wagner has worked hard to make it accessible to newer readers, you really will get a lot more out of it if you've read Mage: The Hero Discovered and Mage: The Hero Defined first.
It's fantastic to see Wagner's subtle grasp of mythology and his intricately human (and flawed) heroes written large across the page once again.
I paid retail price for the Kindle version of this book, my thoughts on it are my own. They were neither solicited by, nor compensated for, by either the author or the publisher.
Kevin is older, quieter, married. He has children now. Many of the early stories focus on his family, and his relationships with his children. He employees a much greater amount of subtlety in his interactions than he did in the previous two arcs. And yet, he's still Kevin Matchstick, the Pendragon, the monster hunter, forever seeking the Fisher King, forever searching for the guidance of the Mage whom he's keenly aware is coming. Forever, just a little bit lost. The story feels very familiar, yet there is a sinister subtlety which grows as the story progresses.
In some ways, this series feels more similar to The Hero Discovered than to The Hero Defined. The art work has a similar softer roughness that the first arc displayed, rather than the more polished look of the second arc. This is not to say that it's not more refined though, the characters and the settings are carefully rendered and lovingly presented. My comments are more directed to the feel of the stylistic choice.
This is of course, volume 5, the first half of the 3rd arc. It builds, it asks, it even threatens, but it does not answer. Answers must await the end of the series in volume 6 (due in early 2019). Like the earlier two arcs, this is the first half, where the stage is set, the characters are explored, but the major confrontations and revelations are yet to come.
I've waited years and years to see this arc, often wondering if it would ever be written. It feels different than I expected, and yet, it feels "right". It shows the progression of Kevin's life. It explores the passage of time that we all must face, set against the backdrop of the hidden mystical battle that taken up so much of Kevin's life. Time passes for us all. Even the Pendragon. As I am nearly of an age with Wagner, I deeply appreciate him presenting the retrospections of an aging hero so clearly.
I recommend this book highly. It's one of my favorite story arcs ever presented in graphic novel format, but I must caution prospective readers, this really is book 5 of a 6 part series. While Wagner has worked hard to make it accessible to newer readers, you really will get a lot more out of it if you've read Mage: The Hero Discovered and Mage: The Hero Defined first.
It's fantastic to see Wagner's subtle grasp of mythology and his intricately human (and flawed) heroes written large across the page once again.
I paid retail price for the Kindle version of this book, my thoughts on it are my own. They were neither solicited by, nor compensated for, by either the author or the publisher.
September 13, 2018
Mage is one of those developmental/liminal pop culture touchstones for me, as it introduced me to comics, allegorical autobiography and Joseph Campbell/Jung.
So, can a comic that's been going on for almost 30 years (in creative spurts) hold up? Not in this case, at least so far.
The first series had the benefit of showing a young and spry artist finding his voice and coming to his own--the second, someone at peak prowess and creative control showing leadership and mastery.
This third volume? I'm not entirely sure yet. What seemed so fun and fresh at the time, is not coming of as...self-indulgent. Another white guy winging about aging. We are half-way through and minimal plot development or new characters to be had.
This story is MUCH more insular and indulgent than the previous series.
The world building is much more limited and family focused. I'm afraid we are not going to get a satisfactory conclusion regarding the Fisher King resolution of both the Arthur and Gilgamesh plot points (as right now--neither of them seem to making much sense right now).
I'm just not expecting the big revelatory pep talk that happened at the ending of each of the series and a loud ending other than "life goes on" and "you're not as important as you think you are".
Disappointing so far.
So, can a comic that's been going on for almost 30 years (in creative spurts) hold up? Not in this case, at least so far.
The first series had the benefit of showing a young and spry artist finding his voice and coming to his own--the second, someone at peak prowess and creative control showing leadership and mastery.
This third volume? I'm not entirely sure yet. What seemed so fun and fresh at the time, is not coming of as...self-indulgent. Another white guy winging about aging. We are half-way through and minimal plot development or new characters to be had.
This story is MUCH more insular and indulgent than the previous series.
The world building is much more limited and family focused. I'm afraid we are not going to get a satisfactory conclusion regarding the Fisher King resolution of both the Arthur and Gilgamesh plot points (as right now--neither of them seem to making much sense right now).
I'm just not expecting the big revelatory pep talk that happened at the ending of each of the series and a loud ending other than "life goes on" and "you're not as important as you think you are".
Disappointing so far.
April 4, 2020
A fitting end. I loved how his art style progressed throughout the whole series, and I loved that his son ended up thinking the last book for him. The storyline in this one was just as solid as all of them have been, probably more so than book too, but probably not up to the level of book one. However, it felt like a great ending with two big asterisks. The first of the positive know about the role of the Mage, which felt wonderful despite it being a repeat. The second is the twist at the very end which I don't want to spoil but I felt like was a cop out. I know he's an old man and looking for a happy family ending, but it would have been a stronger book with that finality.
April 28, 2020
The more this series goes on, the more it feels like an unnecessary continuation. It means well and is earnestly told, but it just doesn’t have the hook it ought to. Alas.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews