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Mike Carey
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Unwritten Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity Paperback – January 12, 2010

by Mike Carey (Author), Peter Gross (Illustrator)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 155 ratings
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Tom Taylor's life was screwed from go. His father created the Tommy Taylor fantasy series, boy-wizard novels with popularity on par with Harry Potter. The problem is Dad modeled the fictional epic so closely to Tom's real life that fans are constantly comparing him to his counterpart, turning him into the lamest variety of Z-level celebrity. In the final novel, it's even implied that the fictional Tommy will crossover into the real world, giving delusional fans more excuses to harass Tom.

When an enormous scandal reveals that Tom might really be a boy-wizard made flesh, Tom comes into contact with a very mysterious, very deadly group that's secretly kept tabs on him all his life. Now, to protect his own life and discover the truth behind his origins, Tom will travel the world, eventually finding himself at locations all featured on a very special map -- one kept by the deadly group that charts places throughout world history where fictions have impacted and tangibly shaped reality, those stories ranging from famous literary works to folktales to pop culture. And in the process of figuring out what it all means, Tom will find himself having to figure out a huge conspiracy mystery that spans the entirety of the history of fiction.
Previous page
  1. Part of Series
    The Unwritten
  2. Print length
    144 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Vertigo
  5. Publication date
    January 12, 2010
  6. Dimensions
    6.69 x 0.24 x 10.16 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1401225659
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1401225650
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A taut thriller that slyly plays off the real-world mania for imaginary ones like that of Harry Potter, Carey's new series undercuts the mythology of such all-pervasive media-hyped creations while at the same time hinting at a brilliantly imagined one of its own. Tom Taylor is the son of Wilson Taylor and the unwilling namesake of the protagonist in his dad's wildly popular 13-book fantasy series. The Tommy Taylor cottage industry of movies, video games, and geek-ridden conventions is given an extra dash of drama by Wilson's having mysteriously disappeared years before, leaving a cynical Tom (who inherited none of his millions) to eke out a grubby living at paid appearances. Carey's story (solidly illustrated by Gross) picks up speed fast when Tom realizes some elements of Wilson's stories might not be made up. By the time the first story is done, Carey has not only created a brisk and addictive story, sketched with crafty allusions to classic literature, but also neatly subverted the celebrity-worship manias of fantasy fandom and questioned the very nature of storytelling itself. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Tom Taylor makes a respectable celebrity living as the presumed former model for the boy hero of his father Wilson’s 13 fantasy novels, which enjoy a Harry Potterish fandom. He’d as soon not be so identified with the character, though, especially when fans insist he must still possess his fictional doppelgänger’s magic. When it’s announced that he isn’t Wilson Taylor’s biological child, after all, any relief he might get is complicated by having to dodge lynch mobs of former worshipers. Then, when he survives, unscathed, a would-be murder-by-bomb, the tables of his public identity resume their original setting. So he absconds to the Villa Diodati in Switzerland, where Mary Shelley dreamed up Frankenstein and he lived until his father’s disappearance when Tom was 12. Thereafter, things get very interesting, indeed. Appending an explanatory flashback featuring Rudyard Kipling, scripter Carey and artist Gross confidently launch The Unwritten with a first arc that boasts the most breathtaking gut-punch ending since that of The Fugue (2008), the dumbfounding first arc of Michael Alan Nelson’s unpredictable Fall of Cthulhu. --Ray Olson

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vertigo; First Edition (January 12, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401225659
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401225650
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.69 x 0.24 x 10.16 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 155 ratings

About the author

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Mike Carey

Mike Carey

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Mike Carey got into writing through comic books, where his horror/fantasy series Lucifer garnered numerous international awards and was nominated for five Eisners. From there he moved into novels and screenplays, while still maintaining a presence in the comics world (he is currently writing two of Marvel's flagship titles, X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four). His movie Frost Flowers, an erotic ghost story, is currently in production with Hadaly/Bluestar Pictures. He lives in London, England, about as far as you can get from the centre of the city and still have access to the London Underground train network. His wife, Linda, writes fantasy for young readers under the pseudonym A.J. Lake. They have three children and an implausibly beautiful cat.

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
155 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

DesertGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, interesting, for readers of all types.
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
If you aren't someone that generally purchases comics, or graphic novels because you feel as if instead of a solid story you're mostly just looking at graphic panels from page to page, I would recommend giving this volume a try.

There is a story here, it's unique and if you're someone who loves to read the literary inferences will please you (and not just Harry Potter, there are many many more). The summation of the plot above and by other reviewers is a good indication as to where this goes; Tom Taylor, the son of an infamous author whose insanely popular boy wizard has taken the world by storm gets thrust into the thick of an otherworldly mystery involving secret details hidden in works of literature, a mysterious map, a sect of very dangerous people who will do anything to keep this mystery and fictional characters breathing and being in the actual physical world. Sound interesting and exciting? I thought so and I was pleased with the overall presentation. The book itself is a solid introduction, not many extras to speak of, but a great way to jump into the story line and a firm grasp for what's ahead.

This premise is really quite clever and I think this would make a fine film, if not a franchise. The art is fine and while some remark it is text heavy, I think this story is not your typical panel action type of comic and you can expect it to remain text heavy through out further volumes.

Give this a try, you might find you enjoy comics/graphic novels. Now with them being available for the color tablets, it's even easier to collect them.

I recommend these as well:

American Vampire Volume 1  American Vampire Vol. 1 (Scott Snyder and Stephen King re-imagine the first Vampire, really great writing and a wonderful art, also adult.)
Sweet Tooth Volume 1  Sweet Tooth Vol. 1: Out of the Woods (a really great post-apocalyptic story that just came to an end so if you're looking for something that just won't go on infinitely pick this up, it's fantastic, the art isn't as advanced but the story will leave you satisfied)
15 people found this helpful
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sanoe.net
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2010
Verified Purchase
Tom Taylor is a man who makes a living off his father's legacy that made him a character in a beloved series akin to Harry Potter. When it is implied that he's not who he says he is, he has to leave the country and he ends up in an even weirder situation where the real and the written seem to be merging.

The concept for Unwritten has a very classic Twilight Zone feel in that things that seem logical aren't and waht seems illogical just might be. There is also a lurking conspiracy behind the weirdness.

The story by Mike Carey has a lot of potential. While I didn't feel like I got to become invested in Tom's plight, the mystery was enough to keep me reading. Is the vampire guy real? Is Tom who he thinks he is? What happened to Wilson Taylor? The questions are somewhat answered although they only generate more questions but I like that kind of stuff so it was enjoyable to me.

Art by Peter Gross is serviceable although not particularly striking. The chapter cover art by Yuko Shimizu was quite distinctive. I almost wished her work was used as part of the story.

The end is a bit confusing and it makes me wonder if the next installment will continue with Tom Taylor or if it'll leap into another "Unwritten" victim, so to speak.

Either way, I'm curious to see where this is going.
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K. W. Schreiter
5.0 out of 5 stars 2009's top new comic: complex and entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2010
Verified Purchase
This attractively priced trade paperback collects the first five issues of 2009's top new comic "The Unwritten" published by Vertigo/DC. The creators are Mike Carey and Peter Gross, previous collaborators on the "Lucifer" series. Tommy Taylor is the heroic star of a series of bestselling novels, reminiscent of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter character. Tom Taylor is also the flesh and blood son of the novels' author, Wilson Taylor. The first issue opens at a Tommy Taylor convention, with Tommy signing autographs for fans and answering questions about the mysterious disappearance of his father. A question from the audience casts suspicion on Tommy's true identity and ignites a media storm that extends far beyond Harry Potter allusions. The complex and ambitious plot interweaves elements of mystery, fantasy and adventure with social, historical and political themes. The violent issue #4 was my least favorite of these issues, leaving Tommy in a precarious situation that is continued in the next volume. Issue #5 is an outstanding historical fiction one-shot story featuring Rudyard Kipling and the origins of the mysterious and sinister cabal. This issue earned a 2009 Eisner nomination for best single issue, and the series was also nominated for best new series ("Captain America" #601 and "Chew" won these awards, respectively). Creative layouts include pages of computer screens loaded with information from newspapers, online forums, etc. I took a chance on the oversized $1 first issue on its premiere Wednesday and have bought each subsequent new issue of the series since then.
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The Cimmerian
3.0 out of 5 stars This book promises much... would it deliver through?
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Starts a little slow, but the story gains speed quickly in the second half.
I'm not sell on Tommy's story yet; I find it a littlebit generic and boring, but I think it's getting there.

The second part though is very interesting and the book ends in a high enough note.
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Top reviews from other countries

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maggigrigri
5.0 out of 5 stars Un peu sombre mais une très bonne intrigue!
Reviewed in France on October 28, 2011
Verified Purchase
En lisant le résumé j'avais peur de tomber sur un scénario banal et des idées déjà vues, mais non!
Du suspense, une histoire originale.
Parfois un peu sombre, on plonge dans l'horreur, il faut aimer.
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Haphapablap
5.0 out of 5 stars Harry Potter for adults
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2010
Verified Purchase
This first volume of Carey and Gross's work sets the scene for what could be a rival to 'Preacher', 'The Sandman' and 'Fables' (which it is closest in nature to).

Telling the story of Tommy Taylor - a man who has lived off of the royalties of his father's books - featuring Tommy himself as a wizard at school with two friends fighting a dark lord. Or so he believes. Within the first two issues, his life is turned upside down as revelations regarding his and his fathers past surface. His livelihood threatened, and after an accident that makes people believe he is the 'real' Tommy Taylor and general messiah, he goes in search of his past.

Urban fantasy and horror which, with each subsequent volume gets better and better, Carey's prose is as usual excellent and the artwork sets of the quirky nature of the tale.

Strongly recommended. I just hope that the publishers of the comic listen to the fans and keep it going unlike the also excellent 'Crossing Midnight'.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting hook
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
A strong first volume that definitely leaves you wanting more. Great art particularly in terms of illustrating the sometimes lenghty prose. The kipling story at the end
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F.S.
2.0 out of 5 stars Very predicatble story.
Reviewed in Germany on December 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
Moreover, the drawer/author seems to be a fan of Harry Potter: similar figures - two boys, one girl - and the main character actually wears the same glasses.
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B. B. Claussen
5.0 out of 5 stars And that is all I have to say about these brilliantly drawn highly addictive books
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
What a story ! And that is all I have to say about these brilliantly drawn highly addictive books. More, please!
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