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shane_tiernan's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a long time ago and now, since I have a bunch more of the comics, I decided to read the whole series. This is some pretty heavy reading for comic. Not a ton of action but lots of words. Fortunately the words are interesting and the art was pretty neat sometimes. The most shocking thing about this was Mr. Gaiman's picture on the back - what a dashing young man. Lately I've been seeing videos of him looking like a grizzled old man who just woke up, so there's quite a difference.
This first graphic novel is "pure Gaiman". Legends and magic and song, characters who aren't what they seem to be and characters you always thought about as "campy" or "silly" made interesting and serious. Definitely looking forward to more.
This first graphic novel is "pure Gaiman". Legends and magic and song, characters who aren't what they seem to be and characters you always thought about as "campy" or "silly" made interesting and serious. Definitely looking forward to more.
booksnorkel's review against another edition
3.0
This book was different. For a little bit I thought it was going to be a metaphor for writing? Perhaps it is partially and perhaps it's also it's own thing. The style was different. Looked more like the AHA 'Take on Me' music video where there are illustrations over photos. Not bad just different. I really hated how the boy looked just so flippin doofy- the glasses, and the mouth just flippin doofy. Close your mouth kid. I did like that John Constantine was in it, that was cool, and probably a whole lot of other comic characters that I just am not as 'in the know' about were in it too.
I don't know if I would read the rest of this series. I guess it would depend on how many there are and if it's finished. I would get the rest from the library.
I don't know if I would read the rest of this series. I guess it would depend on how many there are and if it's finished. I would get the rest from the library.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Like all of Gaiman's work, this book is both mysterious and mind-bending. This book is often cited as an inspiration for Harry Potter and while it was published a full 4 years before Rowling's magnum opus, that connection is tenuous the best.
Instead, this graphic novel takes us on a tour through the magic of the DC universe while telling the story of Tim, a young man who has the choice to become the greatest magician the universe has ever seen. He is shown the past, the present, the lands of fairy and a possible future. His choice in the end is very Gaimanlike.
Worth reading.
Instead, this graphic novel takes us on a tour through the magic of the DC universe while telling the story of Tim, a young man who has the choice to become the greatest magician the universe has ever seen. He is shown the past, the present, the lands of fairy and a possible future. His choice in the end is very Gaimanlike.
Worth reading.
cquinnsnaps's review against another edition
5.0
Great for those that love Neil Gaiman's graphic novels. Firmly plants his extended universe in the DC/Vertigo cannon. Great explanations/expansions of his magical world building.
afoutres's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
leeakolb's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites.
A kid in England discovers that he has a magical destiny and is shown magic. No not Harry Potter. Tim predates Harry by quite a bit.
This is one I've read over and over again.
A kid in England discovers that he has a magical destiny and is shown magic. No not Harry Potter. Tim predates Harry by quite a bit.
This is one I've read over and over again.
anastasiaadamov's review against another edition
3.0
I like the setting and the story idea but didn't really like how it was presented graphically.
koshpeli's review against another edition
2.0
I know people love this book, but I feel like it’s only enjoyable if you’ve read a lot of DC/Vertigo Comics but also never read any Neil Gaiman books. There are a ton of characters that are relatively obscure DC/Vertigo characters but in this book, there are all stock Gaiman: they have been known by many names, they exist in many world s and are here but also not, dead but also alive, they have powers, but never use them. If I knew their history, they might be interesting or distinguishable but in the book they are not.
The plot follows many themes that have appeared in many Gaiman books. Perhaps this and Sandman started those themes so this might be fun to read if you are a die-hard Gaiman fan. For the reader looking for a fun read about magic in the real world and the rules of Fairy and that wonderful Gaiman cosmology, I’d suggest Neverwhere or Stardust. And if you want a story about a boy who has to choose between good and evil, magic and the mundane, I recommend Good Omens.
I will say the art is gorgeous and I did enjoy that part.
The plot follows many themes that have appeared in many Gaiman books. Perhaps this and Sandman started those themes so this might be fun to read if you are a die-hard Gaiman fan. For the reader looking for a fun read about magic in the real world and the rules of Fairy and that wonderful Gaiman cosmology, I’d suggest Neverwhere or Stardust. And if you want a story about a boy who has to choose between good and evil, magic and the mundane, I recommend Good Omens.
I will say the art is gorgeous and I did enjoy that part.
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
5 for the artwork
3 because the whole thing felt like the exposition to something without anything happening. If I should have to read something first, or if there are follow-up stories to make this more understandable, the book should reference it. I've read "Sandman," and sure, there were a lot of characters that appeared, but it felt like a book full of references and possibilities, rather than a journey. I didn't feel like Tim Hunter grew as a person, made any actual choices, or changed in any drastic way. He just learned a bunch of stuff. Also, all 4 of his guides may as well have been the same person. They didn't feel or look significantly different, and their separate motivations were a bit jumbled and unclear.
VERY pretty artwork, though. Gaiman always builds a fantastic world, but his characters are mostly a bit 2 dimensional.
I guess there are more books in this series, and if the artwork keeps up being as beautiful, and the world-building is as cool, I'll probably read them, despite the thin-ness of the plot and story.
3 because the whole thing felt like the exposition to something without anything happening. If I should have to read something first, or if there are follow-up stories to make this more understandable, the book should reference it. I've read "Sandman," and sure, there were a lot of characters that appeared, but it felt like a book full of references and possibilities, rather than a journey. I didn't feel like Tim Hunter grew as a person, made any actual choices, or changed in any drastic way. He just learned a bunch of stuff. Also, all 4 of his guides may as well have been the same person. They didn't feel or look significantly different, and their separate motivations were a bit jumbled and unclear.
VERY pretty artwork, though. Gaiman always builds a fantastic world, but his characters are mostly a bit 2 dimensional.
I guess there are more books in this series, and if the artwork keeps up being as beautiful, and the world-building is as cool, I'll probably read them, despite the thin-ness of the plot and story.