Kevin Matchstick

Kevin Lindbergh Matchstick is one of independent comics' most iconic heroic figures — a reluctant everyman who slowly awakens to the staggering truth that he is the reincarnation of the legendary King Arthur, destined to wield a mystical baseball bat as his modern-day Excalibur. Created by writer and artist Matt Wagner, Kevin made his landmark debut in Mage: The Hero Discovered #1 in 1984, published originally through Comico Comics before later volumes arrived under other banners including Dynamite. That first issue is a cornerstone of the independent comics boom of the 1980s, making it a prized find for collectors who care about the era when creator-owned storytelling reshaped the industry.

Across three ambitious series — Mage: The Hero Discovered, Mage: The Hero Defined, and Mage: The Hero Denied — Wagner tells a sweeping mythological saga that weaves together Arthurian legend, Sumerian mythology, and deeply personal coming-of-age themes. Kevin carries echoes of past incarnations including Gilgamesh and other legendary champions, giving him a layered dual identity that grows more complex with each volume. His powers range from raw superhuman strength and invulnerability to the channeling of magical energy through his enchanted bat, the Mage Staff, making him a formidable force against the supernatural monsters and dark forces that dog his every step.

As a member of the loosely assembled Avatars, Kevin stands alongside other mythically charged individuals, and his journey touches on friendship, loss, fatherhood, and the crushing weight of destiny. The emotional depth Wagner builds across decades of storytelling gives the Mage trilogy a literary weight rarely found in superhero comics, and Kevin's arc across all three volumes is considered one of the most complete and satisfying long-form narratives in comics history.

For collectors, the Mage books represent a genuine trophy hunt. First printings of Mage: The Hero Discovered #1 from Comico are increasingly scarce in high grade and carry serious demand among Bronze and Copper Age enthusiasts. Complete run collectors prize the full trilogy as a unified masterpiece, while fans of creator-owned comics hold Wagner's work as essential shelf material. Whether you're chasing raw first prints or slabbed high-grade copies, Kevin Matchstick's books punch well above their weight in the back-issue market.