Matt Wagner’s Mage To Conclude After 35 Years With Mage: The Hero Denied #15
by Olly MacNamee
Matt Wagner’s current Mage series, Mage: The Hero Denied published by Image Comics, will conclude with issue #15 and wrap up a saga that has been 35 years in the making. Not only that, but the final issue will also feature a stunning 8 page gatefold spread to mark the occasion.
Firs published by Comico during the 80’s indie boom, Mage tells the semi-autobiographical tale of Kevin Matchstick, the modern-day incarnation of the legendary Pendragon, wielder of the mystic weapon, Excalibur, which has itself been transformed into a supernatural baseball bat. Mage: The Hero Denied is the final volume in a three volume story that has had something of a fragmented publishing history to say the least. The first volume’s comics were published through 1984 to 1987 before picking up the story again in 1997! This final series started back in 2017.
Here’s what Wagner had to say about the whole saga and his very personal creation:
Mage has been an utterly unique and rewarding experience for me. I’d like to thank both my new and longtime readers, especially those dedicated fans who have stuck with MAGE through the long gaps between the various books of the trilogy. Your continued interest and passion for this story have always served to inspire me. And I’d also like to thank the entire Image Comics crew in their unfailing support and enthusiasm for seeing this project through to completion.
Mage: The Hero Denied #15 will be available as an oversized issue on Wednesday 27th February 2019 from Image Comics.
