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Mage
Mage, Book Two: The Hero Defined
Kevin Matchstick's path brings him into the company of other legendary heroes, reborn in the modern world under the most everyday guises. Trouble arises when their purpose and challenges seem to be drying up and the number of supernatural "nasties" rapidly diminishing. Have the forces of darkness been defeated, or is there a more sinister manipulation at work?
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
4 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Matt Wagner
965 books229 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 19, 2023
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, narrowly missed being 5 stars, the way Wagner harkens back to old myth an legend while still making it fresh is a treat. Recommended for anyone who likes myth and also likes superhero comics, this story is a fun blend of both.
August 19, 2023
Aunque es una obra de sus inicios tiene un montón de cosas aprovechables. Con ganas de leer el siguiente volumen.
November 3, 2015
Wagner at last continues his classic urban fantasy, and it's ... alright.
When I first read this, I have to admit that I was disappointed by the move away from the Arthurian tropes, which were one of the elements that made the first series so much fun for me. Sure, it's neat to see other heroes instead (and Wagner offers a great answer to the missing Arthurian mythos at the end). However, I also felt like this volume just wasn't as innovative as the original. It's got the same plot structure, the same boss-monster structure, and even some of the same story beats. I'm not even really sure how this is The Hero Defined instead of The Hero Discovered, when Kevin shows much of the same doubt.
With that said, it's still a worthwhile read. Wagner's art is beautiful, and his urban fantasy is fun. There are some good, memorable characters and even if the magic isn't quite as evocative as in the first volume, it's still interesting.
So, call it a fair continuation of a visionary series, and I look forward to seeing volume three, which sounds like it might really honest to goodness be near.
When I first read this, I have to admit that I was disappointed by the move away from the Arthurian tropes, which were one of the elements that made the first series so much fun for me. Sure, it's neat to see other heroes instead (and Wagner offers a great answer to the missing Arthurian mythos at the end). However, I also felt like this volume just wasn't as innovative as the original. It's got the same plot structure, the same boss-monster structure, and even some of the same story beats. I'm not even really sure how this is The Hero Defined instead of The Hero Discovered, when Kevin shows much of the same doubt.
With that said, it's still a worthwhile read. Wagner's art is beautiful, and his urban fantasy is fun. There are some good, memorable characters and even if the magic isn't quite as evocative as in the first volume, it's still interesting.
So, call it a fair continuation of a visionary series, and I look forward to seeing volume three, which sounds like it might really honest to goodness be near.
August 24, 2017
This second installment of the Mage trilogy sees creator Matt Wagner delivering some of his finest work as a writer/artist. The first Mage series was Wagner as a young, rapidly developing creator. By the time the second series was being done, Wagner had become a seasoned veteran.
His work here is focused and on point, an artist at the height of his powers. The story is wider in scope, the characters more fleshed out. It is Wagner at his best, telling a rollicking adenture tale as only he can.
Any comic fan should definitely check out Mage, a personal work by a legend in the field that succeeds on all levels.
I have loved both volumes of Mage, and am excited for the release of the long-awaited third volume in the Mage trilogy.
His work here is focused and on point, an artist at the height of his powers. The story is wider in scope, the characters more fleshed out. It is Wagner at his best, telling a rollicking adenture tale as only he can.
Any comic fan should definitely check out Mage, a personal work by a legend in the field that succeeds on all levels.
I have loved both volumes of Mage, and am excited for the release of the long-awaited third volume in the Mage trilogy.
March 20, 2018
Somewhere between a classic hero quest (drawing most obviously on Arthurian myth, but as Mirth points out near the end, these legends date back FAR before the fictional days of Merlin and Camelot) and autobiographical self-exploration, Mage isn't quite like any other comic. Matt Wagner reinterprets myths and timeless icons through a thoroughly modern, yet completely logical prism.
The real magic behind Mage, however, is the characters. Possibly because they ARE drawn from real life, Kevin, Wally, Joe and company sing more vibrantly than the cast of most other hero-quest comics. The comraderie between Kevin Matchstick, our hero, and Kirby Hero, his best bud and occasional sparring partner, is so believable. Their banter, their spats, it all sounds like two real people.
The quirks and habits of the cast, from Isis' schedules to Joe Phat's love of food, ground them, while the presence of Sprigginflints, gargoyles, succubi and bogarts lifts the narrative with dramatic adventures, stirring mysteries and poignant character dilemmas. In the end, Mage is a successful series because if you appreciate it for the excitement of high adventure, drama and action, it gives you all that you could hope for. If you're more the type who wants character drama, personal growth or life dilemmas, Mage offers those things just as convincingly. We've all had a best friend whom we love like a brother, but sometimes just can't stand to be around. And we've all allowed arrogance to blind us to truths. And we've all had to descend into the pits of hell to save a loved one.
Wagner is a hell of a cartoonist. Mage sometimes appears scratchy or unfinished, but there is a real life in his figures. The pages flow easily, the action hits hard and the characters emote well.
In fact, I have only one complaint about The Hero Defined. A classic story like this should have more care put into the package. Pages 78 and 79 are reversed, and page 220 repeats on page 223. Those are minor distractions, but a work of art like Mage deserves a more professional presentation.
The real magic behind Mage, however, is the characters. Possibly because they ARE drawn from real life, Kevin, Wally, Joe and company sing more vibrantly than the cast of most other hero-quest comics. The comraderie between Kevin Matchstick, our hero, and Kirby Hero, his best bud and occasional sparring partner, is so believable. Their banter, their spats, it all sounds like two real people.
The quirks and habits of the cast, from Isis' schedules to Joe Phat's love of food, ground them, while the presence of Sprigginflints, gargoyles, succubi and bogarts lifts the narrative with dramatic adventures, stirring mysteries and poignant character dilemmas. In the end, Mage is a successful series because if you appreciate it for the excitement of high adventure, drama and action, it gives you all that you could hope for. If you're more the type who wants character drama, personal growth or life dilemmas, Mage offers those things just as convincingly. We've all had a best friend whom we love like a brother, but sometimes just can't stand to be around. And we've all allowed arrogance to blind us to truths. And we've all had to descend into the pits of hell to save a loved one.
Wagner is a hell of a cartoonist. Mage sometimes appears scratchy or unfinished, but there is a real life in his figures. The pages flow easily, the action hits hard and the characters emote well.
In fact, I have only one complaint about The Hero Defined. A classic story like this should have more care put into the package. Pages 78 and 79 are reversed, and page 220 repeats on page 223. Those are minor distractions, but a work of art like Mage deserves a more professional presentation.
March 27, 2020
This was more of a re-read. I found this when I was in high school and first really getting turned on to comics by a friend. This series hit the blended mythologies idea that has always struck a chord with me (see the cartoon Gargoyles that was also going strong around the same time).
Reading it again now (within quick succession of the first series as well) shows a lot of really interesting character growth and complicated interactions of subtle internal and external conflicts (mostly around Kevin and Kirby). The big reveal about the Mage character and the possibility of an ur-myth make an interesting set-up for the finish to the overall trilogy (though the fact that Wally can never remember the third stage of the mage seems to hint that Matt Wagner always wanted it to be a trilogy but never really knew where it was going; glad that it is finished now and I can see where it is all going to end up).
Reading it again now (within quick succession of the first series as well) shows a lot of really interesting character growth and complicated interactions of subtle internal and external conflicts (mostly around Kevin and Kirby). The big reveal about the Mage character and the possibility of an ur-myth make an interesting set-up for the finish to the overall trilogy (though the fact that Wally can never remember the third stage of the mage seems to hint that Matt Wagner always wanted it to be a trilogy but never really knew where it was going; glad that it is finished now and I can see where it is all going to end up).
March 26, 2018
In this urban monster hunter story, the heroes are the avatars of archetypes. We follow a Pendragon who teams up with a Hercules and a Coyote. There's a lot of fun to be had in the premise, and I appreciate Excalibur as a baseball bat. Mostly this is a tough guy story about being tough. That can be engaging for a while, but like Coyote, I lost patience with it and felt like wandering off by the end of things.
Still, this book does have a payoff for folks who enjoy the concept of avatars and archetypes at the end. No spoilers, but if you appreciate the Epic of Gilgamesh, you'll find a fun reference here.
I'd recommend this book to readers of urban fantasy who prefer crunchy fights to character driven stories.
Still, this book does have a payoff for folks who enjoy the concept of avatars and archetypes at the end. No spoilers, but if you appreciate the Epic of Gilgamesh, you'll find a fun reference here.
I'd recommend this book to readers of urban fantasy who prefer crunchy fights to character driven stories.
February 24, 2019
Mage holds a special part in my heart, as it was the first comic I read outside of old Spider-Man and Superman books. I came across a tradepaperback from The Hero Discovered and fell in love with the art and story. I was probably about 15--and I had never seen anything like it.
It looked better than any other comic I had read, and it much more literate that anything I'd come across. It had monologues with deft dialogue that resonated with me--about find inspiration and direction in ones life. It came at the right place, and the right time.
I read the second volume while in college.
This was no seering fiery salvo of intent; but a well-paced and structured story with great world building.
It looked better than any other comic I had read, and it much more literate that anything I'd come across. It had monologues with deft dialogue that resonated with me--about find inspiration and direction in ones life. It came at the right place, and the right time.
I read the second volume while in college.
This was no seering fiery salvo of intent; but a well-paced and structured story with great world building.
September 1, 2017
I have a much greater appreciation for volume 2 of Wagner's Mage than I did when it first came out. A huge fan of the first volume, the second felt somehow less -- less menacing, less serious, less attractive, more muddled, more cartoony ...
Rereading it now, though, I get a better feel for this next step in the Hero's Journey for Kevin Matchstick, et al. Wagner's evolving writing and artistic style do the job well, and what struck me as a weird tangent from the original intent now feels like it fits much better.
I'm definitely I glad I reread it, leading into the third volume of the tale starting to be published. Good stuff.
Rereading it now, though, I get a better feel for this next step in the Hero's Journey for Kevin Matchstick, et al. Wagner's evolving writing and artistic style do the job well, and what struck me as a weird tangent from the original intent now feels like it fits much better.
I'm definitely I glad I reread it, leading into the third volume of the tale starting to be published. Good stuff.
April 9, 2019
Quite good continuation of this saga but...
Although this series is quite enjoyable, occasionally witty, now with a touch of romance thrown in, the whole endeavour is still too wordy for my liking. There’s a lot of (too much?) explanation around the fighting and development of the characters. The artwork is generally good but nothing special. It’s worth a look but don’t expect too much.
April 28, 2020
Read this back when it first came out and it wasn’t bad, just a little underwhelming. The years since have not helped it, alas. More power to those who enjoy it, but this always felt like a passion project Wagner should have left in the drawer.
August 19, 2017
A reread to refresh before the third series comes out.
July 10, 2019
A re-read and subsequent re-rating is needed on Mage Vol 2. I disliked it when it was released and felt disappointed by it. A new evaluation is needed to see if that early opinion still holds muster.
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November 7, 2019Artwork: Excellent. Story: Excellent. There is always something to laugh- out- loud about this book(.Staff think I'm crazy.) An adventure continues and laughs too. A fun read.
October 27, 2021
An amazing supporting cast in this one. Really expands the world introduced in the first book. Also enjoyed seeing Matt Wagner grow as an artist and writer.
May 15, 2023
The hero's quest becomes hijacked by Romance. Never trust a triad of witches?
December 3, 2016
a pivotal work from mid 2000 creator owned and made a contemporary adult classic derived from a prominent comic book creator that is a nice change of pace from his other work touches and is largely based on occult and spiritual as well as some adult themes and has good character design interesting and thoughtful sequences well written dialogue an urban magick graphic novel set on mostly three travellors on their own spiritual quest but doesn't defer or forget to be casual and light hearted draws the reader well in at the beginning an has some very good comuc book issues written from a bit of an older generation than mine but definitely interesting and imaginative all made by the creator of this work which is pretty fucking cool
December 18, 2009
Man, but I love this series. Wagner manages to make a meeting of reincarnated versions of King Arthur, Hiawatha, Hercules, the Monkey King, Roland, and Merlin play out in a deep character piece while still filling every page with the magic and action it implies. Beautiful art with a maturity and confidence in both art and story. Wagner allows his story to play out as it needs to, not spelling out his themes until the very end. Great work.
July 24, 2013
The second chapter in this unfinished trilogy feels a little long winded at times, and definitely bears the mark of the late '90s in feel and references, but it's still a great read overall.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews