Carter Beats the Devil, Glen David Gold (Hyperion)
A massively entertaining novel about the great 20s/30s magician Charles Carter, accused of assassinating Warren G. Harding, killing his beloved wife by accident, etc. Some quibbles: Carter kinda mutates into an invincible secret agent by the end. Gold should have actually tried some lockpicking: the idea that you are going to open a padlock underwater with a watch spring is rather...odd. At least you're going to have to have some torque, for god's sake. This is not great lit. But it is great entertainment. And there are wonderful celebrations of stage magic.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Michael Chabon
This, on the other hand, *is* great literature, and even though it focuses on the beginning of the comic book industry, magic and escapologyy provide the basic metaphor and momentum, for understanding "the Jewish experience," eastern Europe, and particular characters as well. The best work of fiction I have rad in years, this book is utterly engaging and deeply absorbing.

Escapo, Paul Pope (Horse)
Pope is a wildly creative artist (see "One-Trick Rip-Off," below). And one of the most interesting things is that though the art is radical, the spirit has transcended post-modern irony and conceptual play back into the central human concerns of basic values, death, love. The idea of Escapo, a rad contemporary Houdini escaping mad technological constructions, is cool. His sudden fear and intense love are cool too. This book is a bit thin, and could have used more continuity. But it is ingenious and moving.

Jar of Fools, Jason Lutes (Drawn and Quarterly)

A sweet, sad and literary gn, about a depressive cast of homeless castoffs: magicians, escape artists, and grifters, their elusive central pains and their small heroisms. The art is modest, but perfect for the mood. I kind of think in a way it's too self-conscious in its sympathy with the underdog. But I did read it all, fast, fascinated, and moved.