Mysterius The Unfathomable #2 (OF 6)

CSI...but with Magic! House...but with Magic! Dr. Who...but with Magic!

I imagine that the two second Holywood pitch would go something like that. Thankfully like any good comic book it is much more than just a pitch.

This series follows Mysterius, a slightly past his prime magician for hire. The setting is a world similar to ours but where real magic exists, and real magicians often pose as stage magicians. He makes his living being hired by rich people to solve their magical problems. Moving from seances to helping a rich man remove a curse that has caused the names of all the hookers he has visited to appear on his skin.

It is Mysterius' approach to magic that I find most appealing. There are no "Hoary Hordes" or "Gods of Chaos and Order". It is just there, like how an account would look at a bunch of tax forms. There is almost a disdain for having to bother doing this work at all. He seems like he would rather be spending time with the ladies, having a drink, or ragging on David Blaine-esque street magicians. Parker has created a well-rounded and entertaining character. Since he is a bit past his prime we get flashbacks to past adventures, and the feeling that there is more to his story then he lets on.

Tom Fowler's art is a MAD magazine fan's dream. A little Jack Davis, a little Mort Drucker, and alot of humor. The characters have a ton of visual charm and he knows how to draw sexy witches.

Mystery, Adventure, Laughs, and Witch Orgies. Make Mine Mysterius.