Special double-length Combat Corner!
SPOILER WARNING! Some major plot details are discussed in the following editorial.
For decades, The Chronicles of Narnia has engaged millions of readers both young and old, but with a new story for a new generation can Harry Potter outdo Aslan for the crown of Fantasy King? Let the game begin!
ROUND 1: RUMBLE OF THE REALMS
HARRY POTTER: The Wizarding World is home to many creatures such as dragons, hippogriffs, and pixies, but none are as fascinating as the witches and wizards that make up the magical realm! All magic aside, the world itself is little more than a secret sector of the muggle world.
NARNIA: The World of Narnia, however, is far more fairylike at first sight. Covered by a blanket of snow during the hundred-year winter, the forested land is even more beautiful when the ice melts and the talking animals – yes, talking – come out to play.
Round 1 chronicles Narnia’s first gain!
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 0
NARNIA – 1
ROUND 2: GATEWAY GRUDGE MATCH
HARRY POTTER : To board the Hogwarts Express wizards run really fast at the brick-solid barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 at King’s Cross to enter Platform 9¾. It could be a painful experience though, should a meddlesome house-elf named Dobby seal the entrance and leave you for dead with the Dursleys.
NARNIA: Although there are many ways to enter Narnia, none are as famous as the wardrobe in the Professor’s house. A stroll inside unveils a seamless transition into the wondrous world, cushioned by the fur coats which line the closet.
Narnia painlessly scores another point, but it’s early in the match. Will Mr. Potter catch up?
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 0
NARNIA – 2
ROUND 3: HEROIC HOSTILITY
HARRY POTTER: Harry Potter is the only wizard to have ever survived the killing curse, inflicted by the same menace that murdered his parents. Up to now he has managed to battle a basilisk and live to tell the tale, win the Triwizard Tournament, AND escape the wrath of Voldemort – five times. Who else has that on their resume?
NARNIA: The eldest of his siblings, Peter Pevensie rises to nobility in Narnia after being knighted for killing Maugrim the wolf. He also led the army that conquered the White Witch and put an end to the Long Winter!
Few people have ever commanded an army and won. Fewer people have survived the killing curse. In fact, there’s only one. Harry receives a hero’s reward!
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 1
NARNIA – 2
ROUND 4: DREAM TEAM
HARRY POTTER: Where would Harry be without Ron and Hermione? Together, they combine the leadership, skill and brainpower a trio needs to defeat the Dark Lord and stick together.
NARNIA: King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant are the four Pevensie children who are, as you may have guessed, also kings and queens of Narnia! Furthermore, they don’t need magic to win their battles, as long as Lucy has her bottle of healing cordial, and Peter wields his sword and shield.
Four heads are better than three! Royalty rules this round and Narnia manages to stay one step ahead of Potter…
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 1
NARNIA – 3
ROUND 5: EVIL ENCOUNTER
HARRY POTTER: There is such widespread fear of the Dark Lord that few wizards can bare to utter his name. Instead, they call him “You-Know-Who” and his supporters are affectionately called Death Eaters. Voldemort’s ultimate goal is to purify the wizard race, and kill Harry Potter.
NARNIA: The self-ordained Queen of Narnia is really the murderous White Witch, Jadis, who will kill anyone she deems to be a traitor to her throne. The Witch uses her magic to curse Narnia into a perpetual winter without Christmas and her wand turns animals and people to stone.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is more fearsome than the White Witch. The Death Eaters make Narnia eat death!
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 2
NARNIA – 3
ROUND 6: WAR OF THE WISE ONES
HARRY POTTER: Not only is Albus Dumbledore famous for serving as Headmaster of Hogwarts for many years, but he is also the only wizard that Voldemort fears. Dumbledore is easily one of the most powerful wizards until his death in Half-Blood Prince, and it doesn’t look like the wise one will return anytime soon.
NARNIA: On the other hand, Aslan is the Godlike creator of Narnia and the main character of the series. In The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe the White Witch crucifies him on the Stone Table, but lo and behold the Great Lion rises from the dead the very next day!
Dumbledore isn’t dumb, but he didn’t create the Wizarding World, as Aslan created Narnia. Narnia stays in the lead…
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 2
NARNIA – 4
ROUND 7: PROPHECY PUNCH
HARRY POTTER: Professor Trelawney isn’t the sharpest quill in the drawer, but she did make a prophecy that rings true. In Order of the Phoenix, Harry learns that in the end either he must kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill him “for neither can live while the other survives.” How’s that for a cliffhanger!
NARNIA: A Narnian prediction claims that two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve will defeat the White Witch and effectively end the Long Winter. So when Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy come to Narnia, the prophecy is fulfilled.
Narnia’s prophecy reveals the outcome of the war, but Harry’s is left open-ended to keep the reader guessing and to win Round 7!
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 3
NARNIA – 4
ROUND 8: MOVIE MAYHEM
HARRY POTTER: The first four of seven Harry Potter books have already been adapted for the big screen and released around the world, casting their spell on audiences everywhere. Collectively, the Potter film franchise has grossed over $3.5 billion with the fifth film slated for release in 2007.
NARNIA: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was released in December 2005, earning more than $620 million at the box office worldwide. It’s still no match for any HP movie, but it’s good enough to warrant a sequel in 2007.
The boy wizard works his movie magic to tie the game! It all comes down to the final round…
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 4
NARNIA – 4
ROUND 9: BOOK BATTLE
HARRY POTTER: Author J.K. Rowling has successfully managed to do what so many parents have tried for ages: get kids to read again. But the Harry Potter books aren’t just for kids. Adults, teens, and everyone in between have also grown to love this magnificent series filled with wonder and a pure message of love. More than 300 million Potter books have been sold to date.
NARNIA: The Chronicles of Narnia series, written by C.S. Lewis, has sold over 100 million copies since the first book was published, nowhere near as many as Potter. The stories are celebrated as classics and have continued to be read and reread for more than 50 years nonetheless.
J.K. Rowling leads Harry Potter to a close victory!
SCORE: HARRY POTTER – 5
NARNIA – 4
ROUND UP: This may be “The Last Battle” for The Chronicles of Narnia. Even though both fantasy series are treasured by readers of all ages, Harry Potter has connected with a wider audience around the muggle world, providing hope that good can overcome evil. Until then, Narnia must take its place in “The Silver Chair” because Potter is worth galleons in gold.
Web Links:
www.harrypotter.com
www.narnia.com