The past is always knocking at the door, trying to break through, into today.
The Books of Magic #1 is an issue of the series The Books of Magic (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1990.
Appearing in "The Invisible Labyrinth"
Featured Characters:
- Timothy Hunter (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Trenchcoat Brigade (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Brotherhood of the Cold Flame (Mentioned only)
Other Characters:
- Lucifer Morningstar (Flashback only)
- Archangels
- Calculha (Flashback only)
- Merlin (Flashback only)
- Jason Blood (Flashback only)
- Kent Nelson (Flashback only)
- Inza Cramer-Nelson (Flashback only)
- Giovanni Zatara (Flashback only)
- Sargon the Sorcerer (Flashback only)
- Yo-yo the Owl (First appearance)
Locations:
- Atlantis (Flashback only)
- Silver City (Cameo)
- United Kingdom (Flashback and main story)
- England
- Winchester
- England
- United States of America (Flashback only)
Items:
- Helmet of Fate (Flashback only)
- Ruby of Life (Flashback only)
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Invisible Labyrinth"
The Phantom Stranger, John Constantine, Doctor Occult, and Mister E convene to discuss Timothy Hunter, a British youth with unprecedented potential in magic. While E favors preemptive killing, and Constantine total inaction, they are outvoted by Occult and the Stranger, who insist that Timothy be offered a proper education. The quartet make such an offer to Timothy, who instantly dismisses them - until his yo-yo is transformed into a live owl by Occult. Impressed, Timothy agrees to be shown the mystics' world.
With the Stranger his first instructor, Timothy witnesses the Creation; the War in Heaven; the fall of Atlantis; magic as understood by cavemen, then by ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks. A brief encounter with the legendary Merlin and medieval witch-hunts additionally teach Timothy some of magic's worst drawbacks: it often forces acolytes to know futures they cannot change, and it cannot always coexist with man's suspicious, capricious nature.
Finally, the Stranger introduces Timothy to Doctor Fate, Zatara, and Sargon the Sorcerer - three mystics who had successfully adapted to the modern, science-centered world, but nevertheless met less-than-pleasant ends, as is often the price of magic. Timothy emerges from this first leg of his education disturbed, but still eager to learn more - an eagerness Constantine is more than willing to indulge.
Notes
- No special notes.
Trivia
- No trivia.
See Also
Recommended Reading
Links and References
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