The Books of Magic #55

Issue #55 of Vertigo's long-running Books of Magic series arrives in December 1998 with a cover by MW Kaluta that radiates an almost dreamlike serenity — a grand, softly glowing courtyard populated by a remarkable gathering of figures: a dark-haired young man holding a flaming staff, a long-bearded elder in flowing robes, fairies, small fantastical creatures, and ordinary-looking people ascending steps toward an ornate archway, all bathed in warm rose and gold light. The subtitle "A Perfect World" lends the scene an air of both wonder and quiet unease, hinting at something almost too idyllic to trust. Inside, Peter Gross and Linda Medley bring their collaborative vision to "A Fully Articulated Knowing," making this a richly layered entry in Tim Hunter's ongoing magical odyssey.