Mage: The Hero Defined #15

Mage: The Hero Defined #15, released in 1999, serves as the concluding chapter of Matt Wagner’s second major epic in his long-running Mage saga. The series explores the life of Kevin Matchstick, a reluctant hero who discovers his role as a modern-day incarnation of King Arthur. This issue provides a definitive resolution to the emotional and mythic stakes established throughout the series, reflecting Wagner's interest in deconstructing the hero's journey within a gritty, contemporary American setting.

Matt Wagner both wrote and illustrated this issue, utilizing his signature high-contrast, angular aesthetic that became a hallmark of the independent comic scene in the 1990s. The design and narrative arc were crafted to emphasize themes of maturity and the transition from the chaotic, youthful battles of the first series, Mage: The Hero Discovered, into a more introspective and duty-bound perspective. It was well-received by fans of creator-owned comics for its thematic consistency and the deliberate, long-form storytelling that allowed Wagner to fully realize his Arthurian vision.