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Wytches #1
Wytches #1
Across the globe, century after century, men and women were burned, drowned, hanged, tortured, imprisoned, persecuted, and murdered for witchcraft. None of them were witches. They died protecting a terrible and hidden truth: witches, real witches, are out there. They are ancient, elusive, and deadly creatures that are rarely seen and even more rarely survived.
30 pages, Comic
Published October 8, 2014
22 people are currently reading
3095 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,789 books5,199 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
April 11, 2023
taking a break from marvel since i’ve been dying to read this. i don’t know much about this comic, as i don’t want to spoil the fun, and so far it is.
i really like the artwork! at first i thought it was meh, but it grew on me about halfway through the chapter.
i’m excited to read more!
i really like the artwork! at first i thought it was meh, but it grew on me about halfway through the chapter.
i’m excited to read more!
October 8, 2014
This sounds like it should be the best comic of the month. Scott Snyder reteaming with his Batman: The Black Mirror artist Jock for a series called Wytches AND it’s launching just weeks before Halloween? And I did like Wytches #1, sort of, but I was hoping to LOVE this comic, and maybe that’s why it fell short - my expectations were too high.
The comic starts off with the actual dictionary definition for a witch printed on the page, followed by the same page with the definition scratched out. Snyder and Jock are telling you to forget all you know about witches - these are THEIR wytches, bitches!
The opening scene is strong too. Set in 1919, a woman is impossibly crammed inside a thin tree (how could she possibly have gotten into it?) calling for help. Her son shows up and… well, it reminded me very strongly of the ending to Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery.
So far, so good.
Then we’re in 2014 and we meet our heroine who looks like a young Barbara Gordon (a nod perhaps to The Black Mirror?) and is named Sailor.
That’s right - Sailor!
That might be the worst character name I’ve seen in quite some time. Sailor. Sailor! Took me right out of the narrative, it was that stupid!
So, Sailor’s getting a pep talk from her Matt Fraction-looking dad before she starts her first day in a new school. She supposedly did something terrible in the woods in her old school so her family moved away into a new house surrounded by even more woods because that’s a good idea. Her comics writer/artist dad and wheelchair-bound mother have a surreal encounter with a deer, and we see our first wytch.
It’s not a bad first issue, it’s just not a great one either. Following his enormous success with Batman, there’s an expectation with Snyder to produce great comics every time, so when he comes out with an average one, it’s a bit disappointing. The horror isn’t really very scary or original, especially the wytches who look like carnival attractions.
They’re not riding broomsticks with crooked belt-buckle hats but if you’ve read your share of Hellboy comics, you’re not gonna be impressed with what you see. Also Sailor’s not exactly an amazing or memorable character, and generally the book brought back memories of Snyder’s recent run on Swamp Thing rather than establish its own identity right away.
The art team is brilliant with Jock giving us some great dynamic shots for the action scenes and expressive character faces throughout, though the character designs, as already mentioned, are a bit lacking and contrived. Matt Hollingsworth’s colours are as gorgeous as ever and I love that he’s put his own style onto the comic.
For example, the last two pages of the issue show Jock’s uncoloured inks and then Hollingsworth’s colours applied to the inks, and there’s a massive difference and not just in the obvious way. Whenever the wytches are in the comic, there are splotches and stains in the background of the pages, as if representing the chaos they bring to the page or the underlying magic of their appearances. It’s an excellent creative choice by Hollingsworth.
First issues should ideally spur the reader on to the next issue and gee them up for the series but Wytches #1 doesn’t really accomplish this. If anything, given the talent involved, it lessens the anticipation of forthcoming issues if this is going to be the standard: competent but unoriginal. Wytches #1 is an ok horror comic then and not a bad start to a promising series. But if you want to see Snyder’s best horror comic, check out Severed for a much creepier read.
The comic starts off with the actual dictionary definition for a witch printed on the page, followed by the same page with the definition scratched out. Snyder and Jock are telling you to forget all you know about witches - these are THEIR wytches, bitches!
The opening scene is strong too. Set in 1919, a woman is impossibly crammed inside a thin tree (how could she possibly have gotten into it?) calling for help. Her son shows up and… well, it reminded me very strongly of the ending to Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery.
So far, so good.
Then we’re in 2014 and we meet our heroine who looks like a young Barbara Gordon (a nod perhaps to The Black Mirror?) and is named Sailor.
That’s right - Sailor!
That might be the worst character name I’ve seen in quite some time. Sailor. Sailor! Took me right out of the narrative, it was that stupid!
So, Sailor’s getting a pep talk from her Matt Fraction-looking dad before she starts her first day in a new school. She supposedly did something terrible in the woods in her old school so her family moved away into a new house surrounded by even more woods because that’s a good idea. Her comics writer/artist dad and wheelchair-bound mother have a surreal encounter with a deer, and we see our first wytch.
It’s not a bad first issue, it’s just not a great one either. Following his enormous success with Batman, there’s an expectation with Snyder to produce great comics every time, so when he comes out with an average one, it’s a bit disappointing. The horror isn’t really very scary or original, especially the wytches who look like carnival attractions.
They’re not riding broomsticks with crooked belt-buckle hats but if you’ve read your share of Hellboy comics, you’re not gonna be impressed with what you see. Also Sailor’s not exactly an amazing or memorable character, and generally the book brought back memories of Snyder’s recent run on Swamp Thing rather than establish its own identity right away.
The art team is brilliant with Jock giving us some great dynamic shots for the action scenes and expressive character faces throughout, though the character designs, as already mentioned, are a bit lacking and contrived. Matt Hollingsworth’s colours are as gorgeous as ever and I love that he’s put his own style onto the comic.
For example, the last two pages of the issue show Jock’s uncoloured inks and then Hollingsworth’s colours applied to the inks, and there’s a massive difference and not just in the obvious way. Whenever the wytches are in the comic, there are splotches and stains in the background of the pages, as if representing the chaos they bring to the page or the underlying magic of their appearances. It’s an excellent creative choice by Hollingsworth.
First issues should ideally spur the reader on to the next issue and gee them up for the series but Wytches #1 doesn’t really accomplish this. If anything, given the talent involved, it lessens the anticipation of forthcoming issues if this is going to be the standard: competent but unoriginal. Wytches #1 is an ok horror comic then and not a bad start to a promising series. But if you want to see Snyder’s best horror comic, check out Severed for a much creepier read.
January 15, 2026
Scott Snyder's 6-issue graphic novel series Wytches is, perhaps, one of the most terrifying horror graphic novel series I have ever read about the uniquely paralytic fear that I'm sure most parents have in regards to raising and protecting their children. Am I doing everything I can to keep them safe? Am I instilling them with what they need to know to survive in life? Am I filling them with the same paralytic fear that will traumatize them forever? Am I a good parent? I guess nobody can adequately answer these questions until the actual rubber hits the road, and even then it's a crap-shoot...
July 4, 2015
Interesantan početak ali me ipak nije zaludeo kao neke druge grafičke novele.
Realno tri i po zvezdice, ali zaokružujem na četiri.
Grafika je odlično urađena - boje su stvarno fantastične. Sviđa mi se i ideja i skroz drugačije veštice. Odlična je i ta skoro pa stalna creepy atmosfera. Međutim likovi na prvu loptu nisu nešto dopadljivi, tempo radnje je nekako neujednačen a i sama novela je prekratka (svi nedostaci očigledno proizilaze iz toga)...
Sve u svemu ipak je ovo solidan početak.
Realno tri i po zvezdice, ali zaokružujem na četiri.
Grafika je odlično urađena - boje su stvarno fantastične. Sviđa mi se i ideja i skroz drugačije veštice. Odlična je i ta skoro pa stalna creepy atmosfera. Međutim likovi na prvu loptu nisu nešto dopadljivi, tempo radnje je nekako neujednačen a i sama novela je prekratka (svi nedostaci očigledno proizilaze iz toga)...
Sve u svemu ipak je ovo solidan početak.
November 2, 2016
So for my halloween read, I'm pulling Wytches from my comics shelf. Published two years ago, Wytches is about, well, witches hiding in the woods. We see the story through Sail, who one time encountered a witch tree-engulfing a girl who has been bullying Sail since childhood.
Written by Scott Snyder amd drawn by Jock, this would easily be a blockbuster series. But sadly it isn't. It may be a personal preference since all the creepy stuff are there, but I'm not really sold by them.
What I am saying is, there are some creepier stuff out there in comics, take Alan Moore's Neonomicon or Junji Ito's Uzumaki.
Written by Scott Snyder amd drawn by Jock, this would easily be a blockbuster series. But sadly it isn't. It may be a personal preference since all the creepy stuff are there, but I'm not really sold by them.
What I am saying is, there are some creepier stuff out there in comics, take Alan Moore's Neonomicon or Junji Ito's Uzumaki.
October 12, 2014
Great start! Going to read it as it gets released, but I have a feeling this will read a lot better as graphic novel. I'll be getting that when it releases for sure! Another great series from Scott Snyder
October 13, 2014
I just wasn't into it. The store went would flashback in weird ways and was confusing. I get graphic novels, and never get confused, but this had me saying "huh?" too many times. The art work didn't blow me away. I might read a few more, see if the story gets better.
October 8, 2014
Can't wait to see where this story goes! This is the first comic I am reading issue by issue instead of TP. Exciting!
August 4, 2015
Well I wish I had bought the other ones in the series while I was at the store instead of just this first one. Very interesting start, I'm intrigued to see what will happen!
September 13, 2016
Solidan uvod u priču, videćemo kako će se razvijati.
February 21, 2015
I really, really, REALLY liked this first issue of Wytches. Its starts terrifying and never lets the reader go. The art is great. I will definitely be following this one up!
September 18, 2022
Great start!
December 2, 2014
I went into the comic book store for an issue that wasn't out yet, and decided to look around. I liked the cover, so I bought this and Issue #2. And, I'm happy that I did!
The writing/story:
The main character, Sailor (Sail) Rook and her family have just moved to a new town, after some unknown (at the beginning) stuff went down where they used to live. She's a high school student and the reason her family had to move. It has to do with a classmate going missing, and her being accused of murder. I know, drama! And while that may not be the most unique start to a comic, overall it's an OK start.
I like the extra mystery and timeline aspects of the story. We see another "witch" (I'm assuming) from 1919, and see some inner workings of this culture with her being pledged. What does that mean in this series, I don't know, but it looks like she's owned or claimed by someone or something.
We see Sail being called out as a Pledge as well, but nothing more about that word or what it means. Yet.
The characters:
Sailor (Sail) Rook seems like a pretty typical teenager, well, if you forget about her family moving because she's accused of murder. She thinks she made her classmate disappear, and since the title of this comic book series is WYTCHES I'm assuming she actually did do something to her classmate. Since, she's the main character and all. We'll see.
Her dad, Charles, is awesome. He's artsy and weird, and I already really love him. I think (as long as he doesn't get killed or anything like that), he'll be really helpful to Sail as she learns what and who she is. That or he gets killed off super early to make Sail more angsty, we'll see.
We don't see much of Lucy, Sail's mom. We do see that she's in a wheelchair, so there's most likely a story there. But, who knows.
The art:
Art is done by Jock, coloring by Matt Hollingsworth, and while I like the art in general, the coloring is freaking phenomenal to me. I love it! It reminds me of water colors, and it's just really pretty. But there's also some really dark, disturbing panels, and I just love how it's still beautiful (in a really creepy way) and it just seems to work overall. For me, anyway, I love the prettiness.
Anyway, I really think WYTCHES has a decent start with Issue #1, and that Scott Snyder has done a good job at wanting me to read more. I already bought Issue #2, and I'm curious as to where the story will end up going.
I'm planning on scanning in a panel or two to add to this, so there's some artwork to this review, but you can Google it for now.
The writing/story:
The main character, Sailor (Sail) Rook and her family have just moved to a new town, after some unknown (at the beginning) stuff went down where they used to live. She's a high school student and the reason her family had to move. It has to do with a classmate going missing, and her being accused of murder. I know, drama! And while that may not be the most unique start to a comic, overall it's an OK start.
I like the extra mystery and timeline aspects of the story. We see another "witch" (I'm assuming) from 1919, and see some inner workings of this culture with her being pledged. What does that mean in this series, I don't know, but it looks like she's owned or claimed by someone or something.
We see Sail being called out as a Pledge as well, but nothing more about that word or what it means. Yet.
The characters:
Sailor (Sail) Rook seems like a pretty typical teenager, well, if you forget about her family moving because she's accused of murder. She thinks she made her classmate disappear, and since the title of this comic book series is WYTCHES I'm assuming she actually did do something to her classmate. Since, she's the main character and all. We'll see.
Her dad, Charles, is awesome. He's artsy and weird, and I already really love him. I think (as long as he doesn't get killed or anything like that), he'll be really helpful to Sail as she learns what and who she is. That or he gets killed off super early to make Sail more angsty, we'll see.
We don't see much of Lucy, Sail's mom. We do see that she's in a wheelchair, so there's most likely a story there. But, who knows.
The art:
Art is done by Jock, coloring by Matt Hollingsworth, and while I like the art in general, the coloring is freaking phenomenal to me. I love it! It reminds me of water colors, and it's just really pretty. But there's also some really dark, disturbing panels, and I just love how it's still beautiful (in a really creepy way) and it just seems to work overall. For me, anyway, I love the prettiness.
Anyway, I really think WYTCHES has a decent start with Issue #1, and that Scott Snyder has done a good job at wanting me to read more. I already bought Issue #2, and I'm curious as to where the story will end up going.
I'm planning on scanning in a panel or two to add to this, so there's some artwork to this review, but you can Google it for now.
June 28, 2015
5/5 RATING!!
I'm not going to write a full review on this, but this first issue was freaking awesome! I can't wait to see what happens!
I'm not going to write a full review on this, but this first issue was freaking awesome! I can't wait to see what happens!
September 25, 2023
The art in this book was what immediately captured me. That and the fact it was called "wytches" because let's face it who doesn't love a nasty witch?
*NOTE : I'm not a graphic novel reader and this may have hindered my opinion.
I found myself getting confused about the storyline up until about halfway. I didn't really enjoy it until after chapter 4 and then the story became coherent (to me) and I 'got it'. I reckon this is a ME problem more than anything
*NOTE : I'm not a graphic novel reader and this may have hindered my opinion.
I found myself getting confused about the storyline up until about halfway. I didn't really enjoy it until after chapter 4 and then the story became coherent (to me) and I 'got it'. I reckon this is a ME problem more than anything
May 18, 2020
This definitely walks the line between 'oh this intrigues me' and 'oh this makes me want to vomit', very, very delicately.
I love main characters that showcase anxiety in very visible ways and Sailor is a kick-ass anxiety ridden mess whom I already love with all of my heart.
What a dark, dark tale that hearkens back to the idea of witches like Hansel and Gretel, those that eat people, hunt people and use people if it benefits them.
I love main characters that showcase anxiety in very visible ways and Sailor is a kick-ass anxiety ridden mess whom I already love with all of my heart.
What a dark, dark tale that hearkens back to the idea of witches like Hansel and Gretel, those that eat people, hunt people and use people if it benefits them.
October 21, 2021
"Witch (wich) sust. [ME wicche < OE wicce, fem, de wicco, hechicero. Similar al MA wicke, que usa su magia.]"
Like 4/5
Like 4/5
May 24, 2023
*shudders* well Wytches is definitely up there for creepiest book I’ve ever read. The art was stunning and gruesome. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. But if you are into horror graphic novels this is definitely your kinda book. I found the story a little confusing at times but I see where it was going.
January 9, 2024
The art style unfortunately didn't work for me
November 17, 2022
Tan flojo que no me apetece seguir leyendo el resto de números.
January 30, 2023
Solid start--love the art. Looking forward to continuing.
September 18, 2020
I had never read a graphic novel before. It was a little different, I liked the story
July 11, 2018
This graphic was excellent, but honestly so frightening that I'm not sure I could handle reading any more.
March 24, 2022
Pretty neat. It surprised me, because it turned out to be a comic book. Some of the images were hard to understand. A bit cut up in the story telling, and little bit Hansel and Gretel.
July 2, 2015
4 Stars, Borrow it
Self Purchase, Humble Bundle
A teenager (Sail?) and her parents move to a new town. (Mom in a wheelchair by the way). In the previous town a girl who bullied Sail disappeared and Sail is apparantly blamed. In this first issue it’s getting to know everyone.
The art is fantastic, I’m definitely loving the colors. I like the story line so far, its creepy and I’m not sure where it’s going to go. I think I may try a few more issues on comixology to see if it continues to be good.
Description (Booklikes): Across the globe, century after century, men and women were burned, drowned, hanged, tortured, imprisoned, persecuted, and murdered for witchcraft. None of them were witches. They died protecting a terrible and hidden truth: witches, real witches, are out there. They are ancient, elusive, and deadly creatures that are rarely seen and even more rarely survived.
October 9, 2014
A pledge is a pledge..
December 27, 2015
I'm not a horror person, but Snyder manages to weave the horror into a compelling storyline of family and grappling with mood disorders.
December 21, 2014
A great kickoff to this series.
July 14, 2015
Promising and I really, really like the art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews