vkm13's review
4.0
This book was an odd one to me, because it clearly had two parts, written by two writer. Even though Jeff Lemire's name is on the front cover, the first part of this volume contains the end Peter Milligan's run on the series ... and it's really not that good. While I like I, Vampire and Justice League Dark seperately, their cross-over was really not very good. I actually think Justice League Dark's part of it was worse, since at least the I, Vampire characters had some development in the muddle.
So why does this book get 4 stars? Because as soon as Jeff Lemire takes over, suddenly the pieces fall into place and the series has a direction again. Also, John Constantine is a much stronger lead character than Madame Xanadu.
The Books of Magic storyline is very well written, with all the characters getting a chance to shine. This is a team-up where the team is held together by very loose ties and Lemire uses that to his advantage quite well. The plot is also good and the stacks feel high.
So a mediocre book turns into a great book and leaves me wanting to know what happens next. Good job, Jeff Lemire.
So why does this book get 4 stars? Because as soon as Jeff Lemire takes over, suddenly the pieces fall into place and the series has a direction again. Also, John Constantine is a much stronger lead character than Madame Xanadu.
The Books of Magic storyline is very well written, with all the characters getting a chance to shine. This is a team-up where the team is held together by very loose ties and Lemire uses that to his advantage quite well. The plot is also good and the stacks feel high.
So a mediocre book turns into a great book and leaves me wanting to know what happens next. Good job, Jeff Lemire.
subhamroxx's review
4.0
This was actually pretty cool and is long for sure but so worth it.
It starts with the team getting to go after Cain and the supposed return of Andrew Benett and that was an interesting story and I loved the way it came together but the main story is John forming a team after Trevor insists him for an ARGUS mission in exchange for a black room thing and he does form the team but we follow the nightmares they have to face like Felix faust and then whatever this Dr mist is and betrayals and more twists and Blackbriar thorne, Black Boris and all and the ultimate revelation of Nick necro and his connections to John and Zatanna and everything and the big fight finally happening and his connections with Tim Hunter and the big war of magic starting then!
Its a lot to take in and read but I like the way lemire gives it a pulse pounding conclusion in the end but my problem is too much exposition and it can become a lot sometimes so there is that but aside from that the art was awesome all the way through and I love the compositions and the history and all, art complimenting writing. Its a good read and doesn't require much past knowledge but fans of Sandman universe will enjoy this! A good read for sure!
It starts with the team getting to go after Cain and the supposed return of Andrew Benett and that was an interesting story and I loved the way it came together but the main story is John forming a team after Trevor insists him for an ARGUS mission in exchange for a black room thing and he does form the team but we follow the nightmares they have to face like Felix faust and then whatever this Dr mist is and betrayals and more twists and Blackbriar thorne, Black Boris and all and the ultimate revelation of Nick necro and his connections to John and Zatanna and everything and the big fight finally happening and his connections with Tim Hunter and the big war of magic starting then!
Its a lot to take in and read but I like the way lemire gives it a pulse pounding conclusion in the end but my problem is too much exposition and it can become a lot sometimes so there is that but aside from that the art was awesome all the way through and I love the compositions and the history and all, art complimenting writing. Its a good read and doesn't require much past knowledge but fans of Sandman universe will enjoy this! A good read for sure!
runningbeard's review
2.0
Pretty standard hero schlock I'd expect from Justice Society not Constantine and co.
On the bright side, Mikel Janin has some pretty pages.
On the bright side, Mikel Janin has some pretty pages.
lobodepapel's review
4.0
Lo malo de este tomo es que para tener la historia completa tienes que leer también iVampire 7 y 8 (que son buenos números) ya que la primer parte esta entrelazada con lo que pasa allá.
Ya después, como en muchas historias, hay objetos que corrompen almas. Depende de la historia son anillos únicos, promesas, hechizos y demás. En este caso son los míticos Libros de la Magia y el hecho de estar destinados para una sola persona.
Sobra decir que me gusta mucho este grupo misfits hechiceros.
Ya después, como en muchas historias, hay objetos que corrompen almas. Depende de la historia son anillos únicos, promesas, hechizos y demás. En este caso son los míticos Libros de la Magia y el hecho de estar destinados para una sola persona.
Sobra decir que me gusta mucho este grupo misfits hechiceros.
mackle13's review
3.0
I liked the story line showing the early days of the relationship between John and Zatanna and how it tied into this story. For me, that alone was worth the read.
I also like how John maintains being a focus of the stories - while being a bit more vanilla than the Hellblazer series.
My main complaint is that too many characters pop in and out, and it's like you're meant to know more about the larger universe than I do to really be invested in some of their stories.
Oh, also Tim always did whine a bit much...
I also like how John maintains being a focus of the stories - while being a bit more vanilla than the Hellblazer series.
My main complaint is that too many characters pop in and out, and it's like you're meant to know more about the larger universe than I do to really be invested in some of their stories.
Oh, also Tim always did whine a bit much...
calistareads's review
4.0
I am enjoying this series. There are tie-ins to SHADE and Frankenstein shows up. He's quite the character. I had fun seeing him. He's elegant and battle hungry, interesting.
The character I really enjoy in this series is Madame Xanadu. She is not with the gang much in this one, but she is trying to figure out what is going on and to fix it all. She is powerful in her own way. She does end up at the climax of the story with everyone else taking on the big bad - Felix Faustis and company.
I'm growing to enjoy these characters. I'm missing the guy with the psychedelic jacket as he is missing from this story. We do get another new character - Black Orchid - who works for ARGUS. Zantana and Deadmen are great characters and I like getting to know them. I thought John Constantine was better in this volume than the first one. He wasn't so horrible. He is unpredictable and a really big jerk, but he is slowly, very slowly growing on me.
Batgirl shows up during the opening Vampire number. I wasn't too crazy about the vampires. I like the story of the Search for the books of Magic. It was a nice story arc. It left us on one hell of a cliff hanger. I mean, really, did it need to do that. I guess I need to go ahead and order the next one up.
This series keeps getting better for me. I look forward to reading more.
The character I really enjoy in this series is Madame Xanadu. She is not with the gang much in this one, but she is trying to figure out what is going on and to fix it all. She is powerful in her own way. She does end up at the climax of the story with everyone else taking on the big bad - Felix Faustis and company.
I'm growing to enjoy these characters. I'm missing the guy with the psychedelic jacket as he is missing from this story. We do get another new character - Black Orchid - who works for ARGUS. Zantana and Deadmen are great characters and I like getting to know them. I thought John Constantine was better in this volume than the first one. He wasn't so horrible. He is unpredictable and a really big jerk, but he is slowly, very slowly growing on me.
Batgirl shows up during the opening Vampire number. I wasn't too crazy about the vampires. I like the story of the Search for the books of Magic. It was a nice story arc. It left us on one hell of a cliff hanger. I mean, really, did it need to do that. I guess I need to go ahead and order the next one up.
This series keeps getting better for me. I look forward to reading more.
nancyotoole's review
3.0
The Books of Magic is the second volume in the Justice League Dark Series. It contains two issues of a crossover event called Rise of the Vampires, and The Books of Magic arcs written by Jeff Lemire. Interestingly, I had complete opposite reactions to each of the story lines.
Now I'm not hugely fond of crossover events. They can be a lot of fun if you happen to be reading all of the comics anyway, but when you're not, it can feel like you're only getting part of the story. Rise of the Vampires suffers from this dramatically. It's filled with big action sequences that we get no background information on, and characters who randomly appear just because (although the interactions with Batgirl are amusing). To be honest, I feel like the only reasons these two issues are even included here because they feature the exit of a member of the team, which is also really sloppily handled and doesn't have the emotional impact that the writers were clearly going for. I was really tempted just to put this collection down by the time I was done with both issues.
But boy am I glad that I didn't. The Books of Magic, written by Jeff Lemire, is the strongest arc in the series yet. While In the Dark struggled to balance the large cast of characters and the overall plot, The Books of Magic sidesteps this by focusing on the character of Constantine, and an enemy from his past. Each member of the team still makes an appearance and plays a role, but the comic is clearly stronger for it's decision to tell a more focused story. The Books of Magic borrows elements from the Vertigo series of the same name, but you don't have to be familiar with it to understand what's going on (I wasn't, and I did just fine). I also quite enjoyed the artwork in these chapters.
If you enjoyed the first volume of Justice League Dark, In the Dark, I would recommend moving forward with The Books of Magic. Yes, you need to wade through two messy issues to get to the good stuff, but it's worth it once it gets going. I know I will be reading Vol 3, The Death of Magic, once I'm able to get my hands on it.
Now I'm not hugely fond of crossover events. They can be a lot of fun if you happen to be reading all of the comics anyway, but when you're not, it can feel like you're only getting part of the story. Rise of the Vampires suffers from this dramatically. It's filled with big action sequences that we get no background information on, and characters who randomly appear just because (although the interactions with Batgirl are amusing). To be honest, I feel like the only reasons these two issues are even included here because they feature the exit of a member of the team, which is also really sloppily handled and doesn't have the emotional impact that the writers were clearly going for. I was really tempted just to put this collection down by the time I was done with both issues.
But boy am I glad that I didn't. The Books of Magic, written by Jeff Lemire, is the strongest arc in the series yet. While In the Dark struggled to balance the large cast of characters and the overall plot, The Books of Magic sidesteps this by focusing on the character of Constantine, and an enemy from his past. Each member of the team still makes an appearance and plays a role, but the comic is clearly stronger for it's decision to tell a more focused story. The Books of Magic borrows elements from the Vertigo series of the same name, but you don't have to be familiar with it to understand what's going on (I wasn't, and I did just fine). I also quite enjoyed the artwork in these chapters.
If you enjoyed the first volume of Justice League Dark, In the Dark, I would recommend moving forward with The Books of Magic. Yes, you need to wade through two messy issues to get to the good stuff, but it's worth it once it gets going. I know I will be reading Vol 3, The Death of Magic, once I'm able to get my hands on it.