Books of Magic #11 // Review
This magical slice of life continues to bring the past into an all-new future for the young boy wizard in this heartfelt tale. Once again writer Kat Howard and artist Tom Fowler are joined by artist Brian Churilla to lay down the finishing touches onto this chapter. With a more quiet approach this time around, this chapter takes its time and lets readers become part of Tim's life along with him. Respect for the past but still taking chances. Changing different aspects make for an overall great series for any reader, whether new or old to the title.
Following the shocking return of Timothy's mother in the previous issue, this chapter focuses more on the smaller character moments rather than the overarching plot. Delivering a look into Tim Hunter's life and daily struggles. Readers witness as he attempts to mend old relationships with his mother and his best friend while obtaining undesirable results from each one. The future Merlin struggles to get his life straight as he denounces the use of magic. Perceiving it to continue to get in his way at every turn, only to cause even more problems for himself.
Yet again Brian Churilla finishes Tom Fowler's pencil layouts. While unfortunately losing the smaller quirks and nuances from Fowler's work from the beginning of this series. However, Churilla still brings the heart and charm to the series, albeit an approximation of its former aesthetic. Jordan Boyd lays the beautiful colorwork to keep the continuity between artists that much closer. With an absolutely gorgeous color pallet and the use of pink hues for flashbacks into the past, Boyd's colorwork is the real finishing touch on the issue.
With specs from the previous runs of the title littered throughout this series, older fans may see the writing on the wall more clearly. Yet Howard continues to defy expectations and deliver a tale truly her own while staying utterly true to Timothy Hunter's character and those who surround him. Her ability to produce these small quiet windows into Timothy's life is a fresh of breath air. As readers have a character that may reflect their own life, albeit in a far grander scale.
This series continues to deliver the heart with each new chapter and truly envelop the reader within the wonder and mystery of this magical world. With apparent correlations between the Young Merlin Timothy Hunter and the 'Boy Who Lived,' this series continues to completely separate itself from the prose and cinematic contemporary.
