The Storyteller Witches HC

Jim Henson’s Story Teller: Witches, features stories Inspired by folklore from around the world and all told in the spirit of Jim Henson’s beloved beloved television series.  This hardcover collects the watercolor story of “The Magic Swan Goose and the Lord of the Forest” from S.M. Vidaurri (Iron: Or, the War After), Spera artist Kyla Vanderklugt’s haunting tale of the Snow Witch, Matthew Dow Smith’s Phantom Isle, a  tale of a man shipwrecked on an island of witches, and the unproduced The Storyteller teleplay from The Jim Henson Company Archives, adapted by Jeff Stokely (Six-Gun Gorilla). Features an all-new cover illustration by Sonny Liew (The Shadow Hero) and the never-before-seen, unproduced The Storyteller teleplay from The Jim Henson Company Archives.

This Trade is something that you will either love or hate.  The style is artistically beautiful, but moderately tough to read.  The first story in the collection is filled with lavish fairy tale art, with looping, spiraling, ascending and descending text that could give even the hardiest reader vertigo. That being said, the script is good, and the art breath taking.  The next story is much the same, you will need to turn the comic on it’s side because the Snow Witch story is done in landscape format.  Again the art is touching and inspired, the text a rich story that abbreviates the original tale somewhat, but still gives the reader a rich insight in the the Japanese myth.

Phantom Isle is told in a more traditional fashion, reminiscent of older Charlton or Marvel horror comics that preceded the super hero generations.  The inks are a little on the rough side, but the colors set the tone of the story.  The old man at the start of the story is just plain creepy, but endearing.  It’s an old story, and neither the artist or writer took any chances with this one.  I would describe this story as adequate for the collection, but nothing special.

Vasilissa is the unproduced script from the show, and adaption for it features some lustrous artwork that is in my opinion the best of the issue.  Baba Yaga in the role of the witch is a treat.  The script works well, giving it that classic fairy tale feel.  This one is definitely the prize of the collection.  Fans of Storyteller and fairy tales in general, will love this collection.  The average comic reader will, however find this collection a little dull and hard to follow at times.  All in all, this isn’t for everyone, but it’s excellent for the genre.

For more information about Jim Henson’s Storyteller: The Witches or other great titles from Boom! studios visit their website:  BOOM! Studios.

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