Mage Volume 2: The Hero Defined (Mage (Image)) (v. 2) [Paperback]

Matt Wagner (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2006 | Series: Mage (Image) (Book 2)

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?

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Image Comics (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158240609X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582406091
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,491,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wherein Kevin Matchstick thinks he's all that, only to find out that he has more lessons to learn, March 1, 2008

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H. Bala "Me Too Can Read" (Just moved to posh Marina Del Rey, CA - where if you drop a quarter, why, you just keep on walking) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mage Volume 2: The Hero Defined (Mage (Image)) (v. 2) (Paperback)

Plot SPOILERS all over the place! And, definitely, do NOT read this if you haven't yet gone thru MAGE: THE HERO DISCOVERED.

To start off, I dig King Arthur stories. As far as novels featuring him go, I've a personal short list (Tim Power's The Drawing of the Dark (Del Rey Impact), Molly Cochran and Warren Murphy's The Forever King, Stephen R. Lawhead's Avalon The Return of King Arthur, and Jane Lindskold's Changer, even if, in this last one, Arthur's only a supporting character). And, then, in the realm of comic books, there's Camelot 3000 (DC Comics Series), which isn't all that. And Matt Wagner's MAGE, which is. It's no coincidence that the series protagonist, Kevin Matchstick, closely resembles his creator Matt Wagner. MAGE has always been the project closest to Matt's heart. In a way, MAGE is an autobiographical work, as much of Kevin's journey is an allegory to some of the things Matt had gone thru, personally, professionally, and artistically.

Apologies, but I feel the need to go into MAGE: THE HERO DISCOVERED a bit. THE HERO DISCOVERED, coming out in 1984 and comprised of 15 issues, is the first arc of a projected three series (THE HERO DISCOVERED, THE HERO DEFINED, and, someday, THE HERO DENIED), and it's a damn fabulous read. Admittedly, it starts out kind of rough but it does keep on getting better as the series progresses. Writer/illustrator Matt Wagner imagines a magical, menacing world lurking just beneath our humdrum reality. Given, Wagner draws quite a bit from global myths and folklore, but the end product still comes out fresh and enchanting and relatable. Yes, there's a lot of exposition (as tons of soul searching go on), but it's all relevant to the story. The story's nicely paced. And the action sequences, when they do crop up, are big time, gnarly stuff. Then there's the richness of the characterization, the fact that you become drawn to the characters. Who hasn't felt alienated, lost, and unsure? That's Kevin Matchstick at the start of this series. As MAGE: THE HERO DISCOVERED went on, it memorably marked not only the development of Kevin as a hero, but also of Matt Wagner as a storyteller. Loss, acceptance, and growth are felt and seen here. Not to mention, a reluctant hero, an offbeat magical mentor, a big bad evil with nasty lackeys, Edsel and Sean Knight, and a very cool magic bat. MAGE: THE HERO DISCOVERED is a very fine urban fantasy, and needs to be read before cracking open the pages to this one.

Moving on now, to MAGE: THE HERO DEFINED.

It's been some years now since the events of MAGE: THE HERO DISCOVERED, when the stubborn and directionless Kevin Matchstick learned, to his shock, that he's King Arthur reborn. Nowadays Kevin travels the world, heeding the "call" and slaying supernatural monsters with his magic baseball bat, Excalibur. In his wanderings, he's bumped into others like himself, fellow avatars of mythological characters (the Dragonslayer, the Presbyter, the Monkey King, etc.). In the "Second Interlude" story, which kicks off this particular trade collection, Kevin meets an avatar who would become his close friend and ally. Kevin, while tracking a manitou in the Grand Canyon, encounters Joe Phat, the reincarnation of the Coyote, of Native American fables. Not only is Joe Phat a superspeedster, but, given time, he can seal or repair most physical damages. Joe also has a keen sense of smell which can unerringly detect mystical tomfoolery. Kevin and Joe decide to roll together.

(By the way, the first Interlude story was collected in Mage: The Hero Discovered, Vol. 3 and briefly tells of Kevin's little adventure in France.)

It's not too long before Kevin and Joe runs into the easy-going Kirby Hero (a.k.a. the Olympian, the avatar of Hercules). Kirby's been mandated by his father to complete 12 laborious tasks, but Kirby still finds some time to hang out with Kevin and Joe.

Quick plot segue: Years ago, before Mirth the World Mage vanished, he told Kevin that a second Mage will appear to instruct him further. Now, in comes Wally Ut, an old, loony transient who proclaims himself that second Mage. Kevin doesn't buy it and rebuffs him. But Wally Ut is undaunted and persists in pestering Kevin.

In a world seemingly suffering a drought of supernatural nasties, even the heroes have begun squabbling amongst each other, even over who gets dibs on slaying a monster. But Kevin doesn't believe that the monsters are dying out. He thinks there's a malevolent entity behind this scarcity, and aims to find out who. Earlier, Kevin, Kirby, and Joe happened to have shared a vision, in which a shadowy titan perches on top of a mountain. Kevin thinks this vision is somehow related to whatever the hell's going on. Who would've guessed that Canada has the answers Kevin's looking for? And that the Land of the Maple Leaf boasts a gateway to the Nether Realms?

Time has changed Kevin Matchstick. Years of having accepted his destiny and of wielding his power have made him confident and maybe even a bit too arrogant. Oh, he's still mule-headed, and he's definitely gotten more bossy. In fact, Kevin's gotten so comfortable in his hero role that he's built up a reputation for always needing to be in control. So, no, he isn't the same rudderless, unsure dude we knew in THE HERO DISCOVERED. Here, he's actually not as likable (Joe Phat and Kirby Hero come off as more engaging characters). In fact, part of the storyline deals with how Kevin's cocksure sense of destiny eventually costs him, but big. Turns out, he still has many more lessons to learn.

But, on the plus side, dude falls in love.

Plenty of carnage served up here, as the avatars stomp on various magical nasties, including harpies and spriggin-flints. As ever, I enjoy seeing the bat in action. The new big bad is introduced as the Pale Incanter (who actually seems pretty impressive until we find out his identity). I enjoy the sense of camaraderie Wagner writes for his three heroes. Kevin, Joe, and Kirby seem to be more like three regular buddies who like to hang out together (even with the frequent bickerings between Kevin and Kirby), rather than three embodiments of myth heroes. I also dug the friendly giant and his commanding wife, the witch. Oh, and as with the final issue of THE HERO DISCOVERED, the final issue of THE HERO DEFINED presents a gatefold page.

While being pretty good, MAGE: THE HERO DEFINED isn't as great a read as THE HERO DISCOVERED, doesn't connect as deeply with the reader. Maybe it's because, in the original arc, Kevin was a wounded soul and you felt for and identified with him as he suffered his losses. Here, he's a jerk at times and kind of deserved what he got (Basically, much of the story arc centers on Kevin re-discovering humility). Ultimately, THE HERO DEFINED leaves us with a sense of unfulfillment, as the story ends with things left up in the air, with the final battle yet to be engaged. Even though its last page unveils a fairly joyous event. I guess the middle section of a trilogy will always come off as the worst. But you shouldn't pass this up. Yes, the story takes its sweet time to develop, but there's the reward of some nice reveals all along the way. And, again, plenty of monster bashing. I don't know how, but Wagner somehow juggles all the various inserted myths and manages to come out with a cohesive and integrated epic. Wagner's still very much an expert storyteller, and he's worth the cost of this trade paperback. His art, deceptively simple-looking, effortlessly conveys the narrative, even if he does sometimes tend to go cartoony (mostly with the characters' eyes).

This trade, at a thick 436 pages, collects the 15 issues making up the MAGE: THE HERO DEFINED arc (and also includes the "Second Interlude" story, remember?). Wagner also throws in some extra stuff in the back, such as the cover art to the single issues and the four earlier trade editions (which had originally reprinted the 15 issues, before this mammoth version came out). There are also a few pages of Wagner's character designs and a sample page of artwork, first rendered in pencil, then in ink.

MAGE: THE HERO DEFINED came out in 1997, so it's been some time now. So, here I am, tapping my fingers and frequently glancing at my watch. Waiting on MAGE: THE HERO DENIED. And waiting.

As it turns out, magic isn't just green, after all.