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The Magic If
If your career was at a standstill...
If you were close to hitting the big time...
Would you sacrifice everything to get there?
In an era of ubiquitous and obsessive media celebrity, stage magician Wynter Steele is faced with this very question. Will he take his career to "the big time," or will he keep the status quo to save his relationship?
Frustrated with his magic career, Wynter Steele obsessively runs routines and hustles for gigs to hit the big time. When stunt magician Blaine Danvers arrives in town, Wynter will risk everything to best him. But Wynter's friends and boyfriend may have other ideas...
“As a comic book connoisseur and lover of the graphic novel & all things super, this gay hero is giving us everything we need for our comic fix. Creative, unique and super cool illustrations. And gay. Very. Very. Very. Gay.“
– Julie Goldman, Comedian/ Actor/ Lady Gentleman
"It's been a while since publisher Headless Shakespeare Press has produced a new book, so this was certainly a good way to return to the medium...[.] Most magic may be smoke and mirrors, but when you strip away the illusions here you're left with a solid core with real substance."
— Greg McElhatton, icomics Reviews
"There's no devil in The Magic If, no supernatural happenings. Only very human urges and passions. Writer Craig Hurd-McKenney and artist Gervasio have crafted a moving portrait."
— Francois Peneaud, The Gay Comics List
"Hurd-McKenney's sweet tale belies the kind of serious questions
about art, life and magic that both Houdini and David Blaine have inspired."
— Suzette Chan, Sequential Tart
keywords: LGBTQ + stage magic + obsession
If you were close to hitting the big time...
Would you sacrifice everything to get there?
In an era of ubiquitous and obsessive media celebrity, stage magician Wynter Steele is faced with this very question. Will he take his career to "the big time," or will he keep the status quo to save his relationship?
Frustrated with his magic career, Wynter Steele obsessively runs routines and hustles for gigs to hit the big time. When stunt magician Blaine Danvers arrives in town, Wynter will risk everything to best him. But Wynter's friends and boyfriend may have other ideas...
“As a comic book connoisseur and lover of the graphic novel & all things super, this gay hero is giving us everything we need for our comic fix. Creative, unique and super cool illustrations. And gay. Very. Very. Very. Gay.“
– Julie Goldman, Comedian/ Actor/ Lady Gentleman
"It's been a while since publisher Headless Shakespeare Press has produced a new book, so this was certainly a good way to return to the medium...[.] Most magic may be smoke and mirrors, but when you strip away the illusions here you're left with a solid core with real substance."
— Greg McElhatton, icomics Reviews
"There's no devil in The Magic If, no supernatural happenings. Only very human urges and passions. Writer Craig Hurd-McKenney and artist Gervasio have crafted a moving portrait."
— Francois Peneaud, The Gay Comics List
"Hurd-McKenney's sweet tale belies the kind of serious questions
about art, life and magic that both Houdini and David Blaine have inspired."
— Suzette Chan, Sequential Tart
keywords: LGBTQ + stage magic + obsession
44 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
1 person want to read
About the author
Craig Hurd-McKenney
16 books41 followersCraig Hurd-McKenney lives in Seattle, Washington with his husbro and dogs.
He doesn't like heights, mean people or defeatists. He does like dogs, laughing, and TWIN PEAKS.
Upcoming Work:
STATION GRAND (Oni Press)
CURSE OF DARK SHADOWS (Hermes Press)
[REDACTED2] (REDACTED2)
Previous Work:
BORIS KARLOFF'S GOLD KEY MYSTERIES #1 (Gold Key Comics)
Some Strange Disturbances 1-3 (Headless Shakespeare Press)
The Brontes: Infernal Angria (Headless Shakespeare Press)
He doesn't like heights, mean people or defeatists. He does like dogs, laughing, and TWIN PEAKS.
Upcoming Work:
STATION GRAND (Oni Press)
CURSE OF DARK SHADOWS (Hermes Press)
[REDACTED2] (REDACTED2)
Previous Work:
BORIS KARLOFF'S GOLD KEY MYSTERIES #1 (Gold Key Comics)
Some Strange Disturbances 1-3 (Headless Shakespeare Press)
The Brontes: Infernal Angria (Headless Shakespeare Press)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 16, 2019
The Magic If (Nov. 2018)
Written by Craig Hurd-McKenney
Art by Gervasio, Carlos Aon, and new material by Melisa Jones
Genres: Drama, Graphic Novels, LGBTQ
Imagine passionately, if not obsessively, pursuing the career you love only for the new IT guy to arrive in town, taking away every bit of the limelight and leaving you in the dark.
This is what happens to magician Wynter Steele when stunt magician Blaine Danvers saunters into his town. Wynter is fed up with the gimmicks Danvers employs to grow his success, and he wants nothing more than to better Danvers--at any cost.
I loved everything about this graphic novel, from the slick smooth touch of the cover and the cover design itself to the art and the story--especially the story.
This novel is much more than a story of an overly obsessed magician. Through the 47-page story, we journey through a man's self-exploration, of who he is as a person, as a boyfriend to his mate Danny (who is a great foil for Wynter), and as a magician. It's a coming-of-self story, a love story, and a dramatic story that examines what can happen when you run on full chaotic emotions and don't take the time to come to grips with your life and self. I enjoyed reading Hurd-McKenney's story and how he gives you just enough material to immerse yourself into the story and explore the intricacies of Wynter, Danny, and the themes of love, self-exploration, and commitment (to self, to your life, to those you connect with). For example, and not to give anything away, the story is sectioned into parts based on the seasons. When you read (and I urge you to buy now!) the ending of Part I (Summer) and then move into Part II (Fall), there is the opportunity for you as reader to imagine the scenes that must've transpired between the seasons. Loved being able to do that.
Would recommend THE MAGIC IF to anyone who loves good storytelling and art.
Written by Craig Hurd-McKenney
Art by Gervasio, Carlos Aon, and new material by Melisa Jones
Genres: Drama, Graphic Novels, LGBTQ
Imagine passionately, if not obsessively, pursuing the career you love only for the new IT guy to arrive in town, taking away every bit of the limelight and leaving you in the dark.
This is what happens to magician Wynter Steele when stunt magician Blaine Danvers saunters into his town. Wynter is fed up with the gimmicks Danvers employs to grow his success, and he wants nothing more than to better Danvers--at any cost.
I loved everything about this graphic novel, from the slick smooth touch of the cover and the cover design itself to the art and the story--especially the story.
This novel is much more than a story of an overly obsessed magician. Through the 47-page story, we journey through a man's self-exploration, of who he is as a person, as a boyfriend to his mate Danny (who is a great foil for Wynter), and as a magician. It's a coming-of-self story, a love story, and a dramatic story that examines what can happen when you run on full chaotic emotions and don't take the time to come to grips with your life and self. I enjoyed reading Hurd-McKenney's story and how he gives you just enough material to immerse yourself into the story and explore the intricacies of Wynter, Danny, and the themes of love, self-exploration, and commitment (to self, to your life, to those you connect with). For example, and not to give anything away, the story is sectioned into parts based on the seasons. When you read (and I urge you to buy now!) the ending of Part I (Summer) and then move into Part II (Fall), there is the opportunity for you as reader to imagine the scenes that must've transpired between the seasons. Loved being able to do that.
Would recommend THE MAGIC IF to anyone who loves good storytelling and art.
Displaying 1 of 1 review