Customer Reviews

Magician Apprentice - Volume 1 (v. 1)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think the novel Magician is one of the best examples of modern Fantasy - a classic. So seeing this trade paperback graphic novel version I was compelled to have a read. Now, I'm in my late 40's so have moved on a little from graphic novels (yes, yes I know they are not just for kids) but still think they can provide an interesting alternative vision of a book (David Gemmell's being a good case in point).
Here we have a graphic novel that is very true to the original story, but (as other reviewers have pointed out) the artwork changes half way through and we move from tall and lean figures to child-like almost manga types. The quality and enjoyment drops as soon as the artwork changes -a real shame.
So readable but a real opportunity lost maybe worth re-reading the novel again instead!

Magician is my favorite book, so of course I HAD to have this! It follows the story very well, doesnt look like they've change anything to fit the adaption better. The first half of the books artwork was absolutely amazing, and very detailed, the second half however is completely different art and looks to me like it was rushed and is low quality work (compared to the first half anyway) and that's why I rated it 4/5. Other than that, I was just as into the story as if I were reading the actual book. A MUST have for any Feist fan!

Magician: Apprentice is a great novel, and this publication brings a portion of the book to the comic format. The story is, of course, wonderful. Some parts were abbreviated, cut or changed due to the new format, but, with one exception, that is to be expected. The exception is that the conflict that propels the whole book, the Riftwar itself, was abbreviated to the extreme (in both volumes one and two.) The comic doesn't seem to convey the full sense of why the main characters are doing what they do.
The art for the first three issues is really amazing and almost on par with the spectacular art found in "The Hedge Knight" graphic novel. I wrote "almost on par" because sometimes the characters' eyes look a little odd; almost like they're undead. Still, I'm nitpicking, as the art for issues 1-3 is really good. They changed art teams for issues 4-6, and I was not very keen on the new look. I may be in the minority, though, as they kept the new art team for Magician's Apprentice: Volume Two. I guess it's just a matter of personal taste.

I remember playing the computer game by Sierra 'Betrayel at Krondor' when i was a little kid. Halfway through reading this book it dawned on me that this trade is based in the same universe as that game. Also there is a huge series of novels taking place in this universe written by Raymond Feist. The story sets up a really great plot to follow. The adventure basically starts off with pug and Thomas young kids, being picked for a trade. Through the tale they grow a bit (not much age wise) and the book ends with them getting sent off on a mission to warn others of an oncoming threat. The hero of the tale (the magician's apprentice of the title) is a young boy named Pug. Obviously, in these kinds of stories he turns out to be a better magician then the first impressions people had on him. He's no super mage by the end of this trade by any means, but still an apprentice learning his craft. Which is good, since they don't try to tell too much of a story in such a short amount of space. Having not read any of the novels that this book is based on I can't really compare and contrast, however this story as a comic is a wonderful read and certainly worth the money spent. And if you're thinking this is some sort of cheesy harry potter esque tale, you can breathe a sigh of relief as this is aimed at a much more mature audience. The artwork and style fits the story perfectly, and the word play is also well written. None of the cheesy middle age style speak that tends to dumb down and take away from the story, that some other comics written for this time period have a tendency to do. 5 stars from me

An absolutely terrific publication. If you've read Raymond Feist novels and a comic enthusiast from "way back" you will be enthralled and surprisingly pleased with this book. The illustrations are first rate . Don't leave it lying around until you've finished reading it otherwise you'll lose it to other avid readers!

Though I am new to Graphic Novels I had to pick this up because I am a HUGE Feist fan. The illustration is amazing and really brings the story and the characters to life. I definitely recommend the series and these new graphic novels.