Books of Magic #3 // Review
Kat Howard and Tom Fowler pit Timothy Hunter face to face against his prophesied future, as he must now learn to control his new found power. Unintentionally murdering a group of assailants leaves Timothy reeling from the reality behind his actions as it eats away at his psyche. In this fast-paced slice-of-life, Tim Hunter is given a new lease in life and in shops all around the country. With this fresh take on a beloved series, fans new and old rejoice as they join the young wizard on his road to becoming Merlin once again.
After the repercussions of his mistakes take a toll on his mind, Timothy must ally himself with a questionable adversary. An obligatory means to an end if he is to get a hold over his newly blossoming magical powers. Old secrets re-emerge into light and more mysteries take shape surrounding Tim’s world as the future comes crashing all around him. This epic page turner casts a tremendous shadow for what has yet to come marking a whole new chapter for Timothy Hunter.
Kat Howard continues her rebirth of Timothy, from his new found connection with Magic to his “mundane” daily school life, absolutely making this series her own. Completely embodying the frantic adolescent nature of the character and saving the young wizard from obscurity, Howard’s love for the character is undeniable and shines through with every issue. Timothy and his unique world continue the new yet familiar journey as Howard creates her own path for Timothy and this run.
The multitude of emotions that Tim can go through in any given issue are made eerily real by the unmistakable pencil work of Tom Fowler. His character detail still stands at this series’ crowning achievement by creating an even more believable atmosphere to get lost within. Riding alongside Timothy, the reader sees and feels what Tim feels, with a lesser artist this would be a much harder sell by relying so heavily upon high emotion. Fowler’s artwork is elevated by the brilliant colorwork of Jordan Boyd, adding the signature details the series is becoming synonymous with.
Howard and Fowler beautifully leave their mark on this series and within the Sandman Universe imprint as a whole. Yet another stunning issue by all accounts, building further anticipation for the issues soon to come as Timothy Hunter grows into the universe’s most powerful magician.
