Welcome to the first page of the short story Real Magic! It was first published in 1998 in issue #7 of the anthology comic Mythography (Bardic Press). It was written by David (my then-boyfriend, now husband) and drawn by me. “Jenkins” is my maiden name.
I have a lot of fondness for this story, partly because it remains the only story David and I have collaborated on (though of course David contributes in innumerable behind-the-scenes ways to Galaxion), and partly because it remains the only fantasy comic I’ve ever done. Almost everything I do, work-for-hire or otherwise, seems to end up with some kind of sci-fi twist, so this was a real departure for me. I even tried my best to draw it in a different style– one that I’m sure will look familiar to many of you. Go ahead, shout it out in the comments!
This story will run for six weeks, every Tuesday as usual. If you’d like to read some of the regular story, you can start at the beginning, or why not try one of the completed short stories? Look for new pages of Galaxion to return September 1st!
Is the magic teacher at all inspired by the mage from Last Unicorn?
Yup! His look was based on Schmendrick the Magician. I loved the Rankin-Bass style when I was a kid, starting with the animated version of The Hobbit, which despite all the flak it gets from Tolkien purists, I can’t help but have a soft spot for.
I love all the paper dropping out of Gavin’s pockets. The old saying “He’s forgotten more than you’ll ever know about [*insert occupation/hobby/subject here*].” probably applies to him.
I almost want to say it’s Rogues of Clwyd-Rhan style… but I don’t think it really is.
“… and watch the earl with the king’s men.”
I’m probably one of the first who thinks that would be the name of a 50′s doowop band.
They’d have to go invisible, because the kid’s too young for (k)nightclubs, and Gavin won’t be allowed back in until he pays for all the glasses he broke after the… accident.
@Reynard: I’ll say thanks, since Tara is absolutely sure that all the paper dropping out of Gavin’s pockets is a product of the script, rather than her embellishment.
@Mujaki: I think that would be the Duke of Earl and the King’s Men. I was thinking that with that particular option, the real education wouldn’t be in what they see but rather what they hear.