The Magician (French TV series)



"Ace Cooper: In magic there is always a trick."

"Cosmo: Man, I love this job!"

The Magician was a French animated television series produced by Xilam and distributed by Gaumont. The series aired in 1999 on Fox when it aired Fox Kids programs on Saturday mornings.

The series takes place near the beginning of the third millennium in the fictional city of Electro City. Technology has advanced, and a new wave of criminals are willing to take advantage of it, including Black Jack, one of the city's most dangerous criminals.

The only man who can face these criminals is Ace Cooper, aka The Magician. He works as a stage magician, which allows him to hide that he also possesses real magic. In his crime-fighting, Ace is helped by Cosmo, his teenage magician's assistant, and Lieutenant Vega, an old friend from the police. Ace is also sometimes helped by Mona Malone, his romantic interest in the series, but their relationship is often strained because she is also the daughter of Black Jack.

The series is not well known and has a small fanbase. There were two seasons made; but, for unknown reasons, while the second season aired in other countries (probably including France), it never aired on Fox Kids.

Not to be confused with the 1973-1974 live action series starring Bill Bixby.

This series provides examples of:

 * By the Power of Grayskull - Ace Cooper always said, "Magic force! Reveal the power within!" to change in his alter ego, The Magician.
 * Conveniently an Orphan - Was made clear with Ace since he was raised in an orphanage and we have no clue of what happened to his parents. It's hinted that Cosmo use to live with at least his father before living with Ace, but it's never clear if his parents are actually alive or dead
 * Dating Catwoman
 * Death Dealer - Although nonlethal, Ace does this.
 * Evil Twin - In the episode Twin Brothers, a man who looks identical to Ace (well, his nose was different, but he got a nose job to fix it) tries to kill Ace so he can take over his life. This can also be tied with Identical Stranger
 * Inside a Computer System - It happens during the episode "Virtual Fatality."
 * Magicians Are Wizards - The "hiding in plain sight" variety.
 * Magician Detective - This is Ace's main job in the show.
 * Police Are Useless - The police, especially Captain Fredricks, tend to be this a lot. Many times, they've arrested Ace Cooper or blamed him for the crime of the episode.
 * Teen Genius - Cosmo
 * Theme Naming - Ace Cooper, Blackjack, his dragons Spade and Diamond.
 * Villain Exit Stage Left - This will always happen with the major villain Black Jack, but also with the two other big villains Faceless, and Sonny Boy.