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Books of Magic, The:

Dylan Horrocks Era (2001-2003)

Some felt that The Books of Magic struggled to establish itself as distinct from Harry Potter series. Although Timothy Hunter had debuted earlier, Harry Potter was better known. In fact, the two series were very different in tone; The Books of Magic was labeled “for mature readers,” after all. Still, DC had licensed novels starring Timothy Hunter, in an attempt to capitalize on the simularity.

When the series was relaunched with the 2001 mini-series The Names of Magic, written by Dylan Horrocks and illustrated by Richard Case, the series seemed to go in a different direction. Timothy Hunter seemed older and his stories a bit more mature. The change of title indicated this new approach.

The Names of Magic was followed by an ongoing series, titled Hunter: The Age of Magic, by the same creative team. Many saw this title as an attempt to create brand awareness for “Hunter,” in order to avoid the somewhat generic “Books of Magic” title. This new series lasted 25 issues, after which the Books of Magic would again be relaunched with a new title and another redefined central concept.

The Names of Magic

The Names of Magic #1

“Chapter One: Invocation”

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

first issue; cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; 23 pages; $2.50; cover-dated Feb 2001

The Names of Magic #2

“Chapter Two: Trust” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Mar 2001
The Names of Magic #3

“Chapter Three: Secrets” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Apr 2001
The Names of Magic #4

“Chapter Four: Flight” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated May 2001
The Names of Magic #5

“Chapter Five: Truth” -- 23 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

final issue; cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated June 2001

The Names of Magic

collects The Names of Magic #1-5; cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; 128 pages; $14.95; cover-dated Apr 2002

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The Lake of Fire

Hunter: The Age of Magic #1

“The Lake of Fire, Part One: The Lake of Tears” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

first issue; cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Sept 2001

Hunter: The Age of Magic #2

“The Lake of Fire, Part Two: The House of Leaves” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Richard Case

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Oct 2001
Hunter: The Age of Magic #3

“The Lake of Fire, Part Three: The White School” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Bob Wiacek and Steve Bird

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Nov 2001
Hunter: The Age of Magic #4

“The Lake of Fire, Part Four: The City of the Dead” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Dec 2001
Hunter: The Age of Magic #5

“The Lake of Fire, Part Five: The Hidden House” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Jan 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #6

“The Lake of Fire, Part Six: The Lake of Fire” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by John Bolton; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Feb 2002

The Evil Gene

Hunter: The Age of Magic #7

“Going Home” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Chris McLoughin; inks by Chris McLoughin

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Mar 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #8

“The Evil Gene, Part One” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Apr 2002

Additional Images:

Hunter: The Age of Magic #9

“The Divine Power of Love: The Evil Gene, Part Two” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated May 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #10

“The Gift of Love: The Evil Gene, Part Three” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated June 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #11

“The Evil Gene, Part Four: A Plague of Angels” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated July 2002

The Rest

Hunter: The Age of Magic #12

“Ghost in the Shelf” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Aug 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #13

“A Declaration of War” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case and Chris McLoughlin; inks by Steve Bird and David R. Roach

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.50; cover-dated Sept 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #14

“War” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case and Chris McLoughlin; inks by Steve Bird and David R. Roach

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Oct 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #15

“Love & Death” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Nov 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #16

“The Kiss of Death” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Jon Foster; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Dec 2002
Hunter: The Age of Magic #17

“Human Behavior” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Jan 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #18

“The Garden” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Feb 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #19

“Janosh-El” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Mar 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #20

“Underwater” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Apr 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #21

“Undo” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird
  • incorrectly credits Richard Case with inks too

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated May 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #22

“The Art of Magic” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated June 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #23

“The Art of Love” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated July 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #24

“Waking Albion” -- 22 pages

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird

cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Aug 2003
Hunter: The Age of Magic #25

“All is Full of Love”

  • written by Dylan Horrocks; pencils by Richard Case; inks by Steve Bird
  • inks are incorrectly attributed to Chris Bachalo
  • John Constantine appears

final issue; cover by Chris Bachalo; published by DC Comics / Vertigo; $2.75; cover-dated Sept 2003

Additional Images:


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