The Storyteller Witches 1

When her brother is kidnapped by a witch, a young princess must venture into the mysterious forest beyond the castle. There, the Lord of the Forest, an armour clad spirit who watches over the wilderness, comes to her aid, but the princess must rely on her wits to discover who she can trust before her family is cursed forever.

Writer:

S.M. Vidaurri

Artist:

S.M. Vidaurri

Publisher:

BOOM! - Archaia

As a reviewer I admit to certain fallibilities. When you can sometimes end up reading 100 or so comics in less than a month and certainly hundreds a year, your mind tends to shunt out anything that isn't at least some way different or unique. Even when you can admit something is conventionally well written or crafted, you can baulk at reading the same 'white dude finds himself' plot that most indie comics seem to be offering up at the moment.

Interior art from the issue

So this month I've been spoiled. Not only have there been a profusion of new ideas, but the artwork for the comics themselves has redefined the term jawdropping when applied to this particular medium. The comic has a somewhat dubious connection to Jim Henderson and his work, but as its so beautiful and primarily a story for all ages, I can ignore that. The Storyteller Witches series seems to be not only creating great comics, but making use of the comic layout in a way that feels like its closer to something you would hang in a gallery than sell for less than a cup of tea at a train station.

People with some actual art education feel free to point out if its inaccurate, but I guess part of its effect is seems that Vidaurri has painted the comic with watercolours. For a comic, with a story that's more modern fairy tale rather than a spandex beat 'em up, it suits the tone completely and means that anyone reading it couldn't help but be enchanted by it.

I suppose the only people I wouldn't recommend this to is people who like their comics 'grim' and 'adult'*. But even then I'm convinced this would win them over, its lightness of touch and sheer joy of crafting a simple but effective tale being enough to overcome such put on cynicism.

If you have young children, buy this for them and I think you will have found your new bedtime story. For the rest of us, we will just have to do with being content to unleash our inner one.

Images courtesy of Boom! Studios

Jim Henderson's The Storyteller Witches #1 is available from Comixology or your local comic

 retailer.

*as in not really adult, but what teenagers think is.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.