The Books of Magic #61

Published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint in October 1999, The Books of Magic #61 serves as part of the long-running series created by Neil Gaiman. Following the success of the original four-issue miniseries, this ongoing title explored the maturation of Timothy Hunter as he navigated the complex and often dangerous intersections of myth, folklore, and modern reality. The series sought to ground the high-concept magical elements of the DC Universe in a more introspective, character-driven narrative framework that was characteristic of the mature-readers line at the time.

This issue was scripted by Peter Gross, a veteran writer and artist whose long tenure on the series allowed for significant visual and narrative continuity. The creative direction aimed to balance the whimsical potential of urban fantasy with the grittier, darker tones associated with Vertigo's editorial voice. Upon release, the series was well-regarded for its atmospheric storytelling and for sustaining a consistent vision as it transitioned through various creative phases, remaining a staple for collectors interested in late 20th-century speculative fiction comics.