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.

The Storyteller Witches 2

When an old woodcutter and his young apprentice are caught in a blizzard, a mysterious woman dressed in white appears and freezes the woodcutter to death before eating his soul. She spares the apprentice if he vows never to tell of what he has seen, but keeping his word may not be so easy when he falls in love.

Writer:

Kyla Vanderklugt

Artist:

Kyla Vanderklugt

Publisher:

BOOM! - Archaia

Once again, it seems that Boom! have managed to knock it out of the park. The Storyteller Witches Issue 2 is a change of setting and art style from Issue 1, this time being a story based on Japanese mythology. Though the art isn't quite as expressive as Issue 1 which made the text and art seamlessly blend into one, its still a wonderful art style with some absolutely crisp and beautiful artwork.

A truly spooky panel from Storyteller Witches #2

When you combine this with the comic format and layout (which is very different to most monthly comics) it combines to make something truly special. It also has something that Issue 1 missed out on, which was having a scene that reminded you of just why Fairytales, when presented in their unsanitised 'Disneyfied' form, still terrify today. That scene also makes the later developments of the issue feel more earned and the final resolution sweeter.

Again, the only real complaint I could find to argue is that its pretty easy to figure out how the story will resolve itself and that perhaps as a stand alone issue it could stand to be a bit longer. But when it comes with such gorgeous artwork, I'll frankly take what I can get.

 Images courtesy of BOOM! Studios

Jim Henson's The Storyteller Witches #2 is available from Comixology or your local comic retailer.

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.

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.