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Hocus Pocus #1
Hocus Pocus #1: Mind Reading
Lobotomies! Psychic horses! FBI investigations!
Welcome to the fantastical first issue of ‘Hocus Pocus: Science, Magic & Mystery’. Filled with interactive stunts and tricks, this comic will read your mind!
Time travel to test the arcane abilities of the world-famous Victorian mind reader Washington Irving Bishop.
Prepare to have your extra-sensory abilities examined by parapsychologist J.B. Rhine, and come face to face with his seemingly telepathic horse.
Gasp as Alexander – ‘The Man Who Knows’ – tells you everything about yourself. Is he a Psychic Supremo or a Conniving Conjurer? You decide!
Welcome to the fantastical first issue of ‘Hocus Pocus: Science, Magic & Mystery’. Filled with interactive stunts and tricks, this comic will read your mind!
Time travel to test the arcane abilities of the world-famous Victorian mind reader Washington Irving Bishop.
Prepare to have your extra-sensory abilities examined by parapsychologist J.B. Rhine, and come face to face with his seemingly telepathic horse.
Gasp as Alexander – ‘The Man Who Knows’ – tells you everything about yourself. Is he a Psychic Supremo or a Conniving Conjurer? You decide!
28 pages, ebook
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 6, 2026
This is a review of the book published by Vanishing Inc which contains all five issues of the graphic series "Hocus Pocus". Richard Wiseman explains the history of the project in his introduction. He is a magician with an interest in the psychology of belief in the paranormal. He recruited Rik Worth to write the series and Jordan Collver to be the illustrator.
Each issue focused on different historical performers who claimed to have paranormal power. They have issues on mind reading, seances, ghosts, prophecy and Levitation. They feature famous characters like Kate and Margeret Fox from upstate New York. They were the original mediums who could make dead spirits ring bells and knocks on tables. They spawned an industry, despite being thoroughly debunked. Or Michel Gauquelin who proved by scientific study in the 1950s that astrology was true, except that it was junk science.
This is a debunking book, although the debunking is done in a calm and friendly tone, almost as if they feel it is a shame that this stuff isn't true.
There is not much new here to readers who follow this field, but this is a well-done graphic book which takes advantage of the features that exist in a graphic book to get a point across.
Each issue focused on different historical performers who claimed to have paranormal power. They have issues on mind reading, seances, ghosts, prophecy and Levitation. They feature famous characters like Kate and Margeret Fox from upstate New York. They were the original mediums who could make dead spirits ring bells and knocks on tables. They spawned an industry, despite being thoroughly debunked. Or Michel Gauquelin who proved by scientific study in the 1950s that astrology was true, except that it was junk science.
This is a debunking book, although the debunking is done in a calm and friendly tone, almost as if they feel it is a shame that this stuff isn't true.
There is not much new here to readers who follow this field, but this is a well-done graphic book which takes advantage of the features that exist in a graphic book to get a point across.
June 5, 2022
Hocus Pocus, by Richard Wiseman, Rik Worth, and Jordan Collver
https://hocuspocuscomic.squarespace.com/
I sought this series out after it received a 2022 Eisner nomination for “Best Limited Series”. Hocus Pocus is a superb representation of both the breadth and quality that exists in the art form of graphic story-telling. High praise to Professors Wiseman, Worth, and Collver. They chose a most clever and entertaining way to share their love and appreciation for the history of stage magic and the paranormal. This series is a delight packed with gems. 5 stars.
https://hocuspocuscomic.squarespace.com/
I sought this series out after it received a 2022 Eisner nomination for “Best Limited Series”. Hocus Pocus is a superb representation of both the breadth and quality that exists in the art form of graphic story-telling. High praise to Professors Wiseman, Worth, and Collver. They chose a most clever and entertaining way to share their love and appreciation for the history of stage magic and the paranormal. This series is a delight packed with gems. 5 stars.
May 20, 2024
I'm going through the collected anthology of all 5 volumes plus additional content compiled and published by Vanishing Inc. As a performing magician and a lifelong comic reader, this book is amazing! Wiseman is also famous for his work on the science of magic and the paranormal. I've read a few of his papers during my research days. I also haven't read a comic as interactive as this either. Overall, a great comic that is informative, beautiful and enjoyable. The perfect trio. Got nominated for an Esiner too!
March 1, 2023
This is a review for the new book, which combines the 5 issues of Hocus Pocus into one volume. Great book, very well made and illustrated, entertaining with a ton of information too. The creators of this series did an excellent job of maximizing the unique aspects of a graphic novel and making this work really well. Highly recommend this one if you have any interest in magic, variety, or the paranormal.
April 15, 2023
Fun, if a little jumpy.
Art is fantastic.
Art is fantastic.
June 20, 2023
Read as part of the anthology. A fun selection of tales about famous magicians with clever games to play.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews