Top Shelf Productions have announced they will release “The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic” this October. Written by Alan Moore and the late Steve Moore (no relation), with art by Kevin O’Neill, John Coulthart, Steve Parkhouse, Rick Veitch, and Ben Wickey, the long-gestating book offers a history of magic, instructional essays, and activity pages, with “forbidden knowledge sure to tantalize even the most disillusioned of adults into believing in magic once again.” It derives its name from the occult society the Moores belonged to, the Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels.
The book has been in the works “for nearly two decades,” with its own Wikipedia page dating back to 2008. It now marks the final comics project from Alan Moore, 70, who confirmed he had retired from the medium with 2019’s “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest,” as well the last by Steve Moore, who died in 2014 (aged 64), and Kevin O’Neill, who passed away in 2022 (aged 69).
Chris Staros, Top Shelf’s editor-in-chief, says “One of the great honors of my publishing career has been to work with Alan Moore on so many monumental projects, like ‘From Hell’ and ‘Lost Girls.’ ‘The Moon and the Serpent Bumper Book of Magic’ represents an amazing capstone, created by Alan and Steve, and brilliantly brought to life by five unforgettable artists. It’s been a privilege to watch those magical minds spend years building this grimoire, and I’m proud to join Knockabout [the book’s publisher in the UK] in finally sharing it with the world.”
“The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic” will be released in hardcover on October 15, and retail at 352 pages for $49.99. Head to the link to check out an interior preview, featuring prose, illustrations and comics, in the meantime.
