For most people in the US, their first chance to see Cyril was not at a theater or on television; they were probably sitting in front of their computer when a friend sent a clip of an innovative young magician using a shadow to make two chopsticks separate, or putting his hand through an aquarium, or taking a bite out of a hamburger just pulled into three dimensions from a photo. Michael Weber interviewed Cyril onstage at MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas, August 21, 2007. While Michael and Cyril had previously spoken on the phone and corresponded via email, it as the first time the two ever met in person.

In our very first issue, MAGIC featured the magic of Boston. Two issues after that, we visited Atlanta. Now, a mere 194 issues later, we turn to yet another city and bring you a glimpse into the thriving magic life of Houston, Texas. (Everything’s bigger in Texas… including the gaps between stories!)

David Minkin has become a successful full-time magician, won first place in the IBM close-up competition, andlanded a job as writer and performer on the MTV show, Room 401. All this, and more, in just the past two years.

A clown’s head disappears from his shoulders and turns up, winking, in a box next to him. One magician does Cups & Balls, another floats a lady, and a third turns a mouse into a cat. They’re not alive, but pieces of living history, incredible automata from 100 years ago.

In the news this month: The end of NBC’s Phenomenon and spend “A Moment With…” the grand prize winner, Mike Super. Also, get a first-hand look at Nintendo’s new video game that teaches players magic tricks, and read about the new batch of mainstream books that prominently feature magic and magicians. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek at the new truTV series featuring Ryan Oakes and Apollo Robbins, and a look at the Kalanag exhibit in New York before it ends.

Twelve items are covered this month by Gabe Fajuri, Peter Duffie, Jason England, Brad Henderson, and John Lovick:

• Here I Go Again! DVDs with Bill Malone
• Welded by Brent Geris and Brian Hebert
• Honest Cheat by Alan Bursky
• Bootlegs & B-Sides Vol. 1 DVD by Sean Fields
• The Roadrunner Cull DVD with Kostya Kimlat
• The Essential Stewart James Edited by Allan Slaight
• Trespass DVD by Dan Army
• Half & Half DVDs, Vols. 1 and 2 by Doug Brewer
• The Master Deck by Marc Oberon
• Covert Coins DVD by Charlie Justice
• Pure Filth by David Regal

This month you’ll see that Talk About Tricks continues its redesign. Josh offers more than trick descriptions; each item features an interview with the contributor so you can better understand the structure, origin, psychology, and subtleties of the routines being taught — which enhances the learning experience. And, for January, the entire column is devoted to the creations of Tyler Wilson, a stand-up comedian and professional magician, whose humor permeates his magic and his writing.

David Kaye has a very special and surprising guest this month. Max Maven shares stories, tips, ideas, and tricks from the days when he was a young magician performing for children’s birthday parties.

How many different ways can you cut a girl inside a box? This seems to be the endless challenge facing every illusionist. This month, David Starr gives us Separation Anxiety, a straightforward concept that has a strong benefit... it uses real hands which remain visible throughout the entire performance of the illusion.

Some feel January is a month to look back. Geatan does so in two ways: First, he re-explores the Heads & Tails concept from a couple months ago, but with completely different props. Then he shares his thoughts about the wonderful experience he had at the recent Los Angeles Conference on Magic History and the performance of the Legendary Hooker Card Rise.

Diagnosis: Hot Flashes
“I am a close-up magician who is now making a transition to stage magic. I am interested in fire-eating, fire-spinning, and using pyrotechnics and flash powders in my show to create more excitement. I’ve heard that these can be dangerous, though. What do you recommend?”

This suggestion is perhaps puzzling: “With all its sleights and mechanical props, what else could magic possibly be?” The author’s answer is that it could also be an art. The goal this month is to help open up this other possibility for your magical work — the possibility of art.