The Wizard's Tale

Okay, so we all know Superheroes dominate the world of comic books. We can't deny that. But they are by no means the only genre -- horror comics were huge at one point, as were romances, westerns, science fiction and crime comics, all of which survive in one form or another to day.But one genre which has always been oddly neglected in the realm of comics is pure, epic fantasy. I mean the Tolkien-esque, swords and sorcery style of storytelling. It has existed, to be sure, but it's never been big.Kurt Busiek tried to remedy that in this woefully underrated graphic novel. The tale of an evil wizard who, frankly, isn't very good at being evil, is a wonderful story with a lot of humor, a lot of magic and a lot of heart. The artwork is beautiful and, if given the proper push, this is the sort of story that could bring fantasy into mainstream comics in a big way.Busiek is one of the best writers the artform knows. "Marvels" and "Astro City" are masterpieces of superhero fiction. "Shockrockets" was a great science fiction tale. Now check out Busiek's take on fantasy -- you won't be disappointed.

This book is a refreshing change from...well, either manga or your "usual" Marvel-type graphic novels. A light-hearted but engaging story of a befuddled magician, his "apprentice" and their adventures. The cover art caught my eye with its intricate details, playful coloring and style. The same style carries throughout the book, making for a wonderful blend of art and word. Suitable for younger readers as well as afficianados of the genre.