WITCHES #1 REVIEW

[Mitch Brown]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/4images/details.php?image_id=7705" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/witches1t.jpg" align="left" alt="Witches #1"></a>Reviewer: Mitch Brown, mitchbrown@comixfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Average
Story Title: The Gathering

Haven't we seen this before?

Writer: Brian Patrick Walsh
Artist: Mike Deodato Jr.
Colors: Cream Animation
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: John Miesegaes
Executive Editor: Axel Alonso
Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

I swear, I am such a sucker.

Over the years Marvel has made many attempts at bringing life to the much maligned “occult” side of the Marvel Universe. Dr. Strange, Hellstorm, Ghost Rider, Blade, Morbius, Hellcat. Cult favorite characters one and all, but with the exception of the brief Rise of the Midnight Sons in the 90s, most of never see the light of day for more than a few issues before cancellation hits.

Every few years though, someone at Marvel concedes to letting someone take a few of those occult characters out of the toy box and have a play around. And just about every time that they do, history repeats itself and the toys end up hastily stuffed straight back in the box never to be heard from again until some other writer on a different series needs a mystical dues ex machine to dump into one of their stories (Dr Strange any one?).

But you know what? I absolutely love that dark side of the Marvel Universe. There’s a goldmine of untapped potential in some of these characters, but in recent memory only Warren Ellis’ old Hellstorm series has managed to show what can actually be done with the mystic side Marvel U when someone decides to think outside the “superhero with magic powers” box. Of course, Ellis hardly ever writes for Marvel any more and, sadly, titles like Hellstorm are nowhere to be seen. Despite that, every time Marvel lets the “dark” side out to play, I can’t help but ignore history and give it a shot.

Enter the “New Marvel”, complete with Marvel Knights and MAX imprints that just scream out to provide a home for Strange, Druid, Blade and the Kale family. Under either of those imprints, Marvel could afford to allow writers to be a more creative with the direction of these characters and give them the edge that the fringes of the Marvel Universe needs. Hell, DC managed to do it. Swamp Thing, Hellblazer and of course that quaint little book about those weird Goths with the “D” names – The Sandman or something like that.

Which brings us around to Witches, Marvel’s first new “supernatural” title in recent memory.

Witches centers around the magical trio of Jennifer Kale, Satana and Dr. Strange’s pupil Topaz - some of the hottest (in more ways than one) magic users in the Marvel Universe. When Jennifer’s brother accidentally opens the Tome of Zhered-Na, a book of unimaginable power that apparently should never, ever be opened (honestly, why do mages make things like this in the Marvel U? You think they would’ve learnt their lesson after the Darkhold), Dr. Strange stops in at the local occult recruitment agency to find himself an unlikely team of babes-on-broomsticks to close the book on this evil power from beyond.

That’s right, instead of Hellblazer we get Strange’s Angels. Seriously, this story could have been done by replacing Dr. Strange with Nick Fury, terrorists stealing some weapon in the Middle East for the Tome, and inserting Black Widow, Emma Frost and maybe She-Hulk to provide the midriff and cleavage action for the covers.

Besides the plot though, Witches #1 isn’t all bad. Despite some very clunky and unrealistic dialogue that, in all honesty, seems like its trying far too hard to be hip, Brian Walsh provides some strong characterization for the lead characters. Admittedly, we’re working with some very cast-in-stone stereotypes in the protagonists. Along with the all-knowing, all-powerful Dr. Strange we have Topaz, the “good girl” student who can do no wrong; Jennifer Kale is our smartmouth, sassy heroine; and Satana looks to just be the malicious bitch of the group. But at least they’re not totally interchangeable.

As always, Mike Deodato Jr. artwork is fantastic. Deodato is one of the best talents in the Marvel stable and his style really does lend itself to the sinister atmosphere of Dr Strange’s Sanctum. His Strange is one of the best I have seen, even though his cape seems to have that same, physics-defying ability of Macfarlane’s Spawn. I’m not complaining though, it looks fantastic. Jennifer, Satana and Topaz are rendered beautifully, looking as curvy and sexy as intended. Not only can he draw people, Deodato actually gives us rich and detailed backdrops (sadly lacking form many comic artists’ repertoires), evidenced by the opening shot of the New York Public Library (which unfortunately has more personality than most of the humans in this comic anyway!).

In good conscience I could only truly recommend this to die-heard fans of Charmed or Deodato Jr. completists. So far in this series, the story has done nothing to grab my attention, and my initial excitement at seeing Dr. Strange back on a comic book page has long since died away. Perhaps things will pick up in the issues to come but I’m not going to be holding my breath.

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Buy issues of Witches online now at X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=773&amp;cat=WITCHES)

[Nick Costanzo]

I bought it, and was bored to tears. More T&A, clawing around desperately for a plot. I wont be buying #2.

[Anand Khatri]

Wow, thats bad. Thank goodness I didn't pick it up.

[Inferno]

Well, I happened to like it. If you have an urge to read it, go for it. Don't let a review hinder that. A review, while a very thought out review is still an opinion. An opinion you may not share.

[Zeb Aslam]

I thought it was okay quite frankly. I'm kind of like you Mitch...always holding out hope that Marvel will finally come up with something that will allow them to create the MU version of DC's many, many mystical titles...but alas! Still, this wasn't that bad...not great, but not bad either. If nothing else, I thought the Deodato artwork was some his best work I've seen in a long time. Hopefully it'll go in a new direction next issue...maybe provide some new insights into the characters, oherwise this'll just be another average Marvel title with the potential to be much better.

[dopplegager]

I bought because I read a preview somewhere and I thought that it sounded pretty good. I won't say that I'm dissapointed but it wasnt what I was expecting. A lot of the book seemed forced. SOme of the characters where introduced like we had seen them before Strange being the only one I had seen. I'll give the next issue or two a chance to pick up the pace and tighten up or I won't be picking it up again.

[Carnage-DVS]

Found it to be utter crap. Don't waste your cash on it.

[Michael P.]

geez. so harsh. the art was GOOD! dont listen to Carnage-DVS. it was JUST the first issue, the one that explains everythin and introduces characters.

[James Groves]

This was awful.

I too was looking forward to a Vertigo styled story, but the lack of depth to the plot, weak characterisaton, the forced sexuality, unrealistic dialogue and inaccessabilty of the script left me totally bored.

The only saving grace was the artwork, which is excellent. Dark, realistic and generally very strong throughout the issue. One thing though which is evient is that he likes drawing partially naked, semi clad women. Whatever the circumstance, but hey thats ok;)

I'd give it 4/5 out of 10

Art 3.5 Writing 1

[Mitch Brown]

You know, I wouldn't be too adverse to seeing Deodato take on a Doc Strange title in the future...with the right writer.

The best portrayal of Strange I think I've seen yet is Gaiman's in 1602...

Gaiman + Deodato on Doc Strange..mmmmmmm.

[James Groves]

I'D drink to that!

Gaiman & Deodato:cheers:

[Anand Khatri]

Gaiman and Deodato...:chin:

Not a bad idea. Not bad at all. :)

[Steven Paul]

Ouch....i've been looking forward to this book for a long time. Though the first issue was far from perfect (...well the art was almost perfect), I did enjoy the story and I'm looking forward to the next.

[Ryan Day]

Originally posted by Caprcrn78
Well, I happened to like it. If you have an urge to read it, go for it. Don't let a review hinder that. A review, while a very thought out review is still an opinion. An opinion you may not share.

That's what you think. Flaunt Mitch's recommendations too many times and he'll come to your house to give you such a slapping.

Seriously, though: I don't think any but the most weak-willed individual would pass on a book they really wanted just because of a bad review. There are certainly good things you could take away from the review: namely, that it's got good Deodato artwork, and that maybe it's your thing if you're just desparate for the next Charlie's Angels.


Originally posted by Zeb Aslam
I thought it was okay quite frankly. I'm kind of like you Mitch...always holding out hope that Marvel will finally come up with something that will allow them to create the MU version of DC's many, many mystical titles...but alas!

I haven't read Witches, but one of the problems I've generally found with a lot of Marvel's supernatural books is that they're too reluctant to break from the superhero mode. More often than not, you end up with superheroes with supernatural origins.

I actually enjoyed the early issues of Marvel's Midnight Sons in the 90s, but I don't think it was even a half-dozen issues before Sabretooth was showing up in Darkholde, while Morbius and Ghost Rider simply turned into grim anti-heroes.

[Dylan McKay]

For those looking for a Marvel supernatural book, apparantly Aguirre-Sacasa's pitch for Nightcrawler involves him dealing more with the type of threats you'd see in Hellblazer than typical Marvel supervillains. This may work, rather than have mystical characters, bring the mystical to an established character.

[Carnage-DVS]

Ok, then listen to the amount of people telling you not to buy it, and the amount of people telling you to buy it.

[Anand Khatri]

It just depends on the persons taste of comics. Some people like crap, and others don't. ;) JUST KIDDING! The art was good though.

[Queen Artemisn]

Being a female comic book fan, I'm always willing to check out books starring female characters. It's the whole relating to the characters thing I'm sure. Anyway, to make a long story short, I was extremely disappointed in this book. In fact, I read it twice just to make sure I wasn't missing anything- unfortunately, I wasn't.

This book had a ton of potential. Instead the story is so forced and rushed that you loose interest real quick. It's such a shame. Oh, well, I won't be picking up #2.

[John Gleason]

I enjoyed the issue and can't wait until the next one.

[Mitch Brown]

Originally posted by Nalyd Psycho
For those looking for a Marvel supernatural book, apparantly Aguirre-Sacasa's pitch for Nightcrawler involves him dealing more with the type of threats you'd see in Hellblazer than typical Marvel supervillains. This may work, rather than have mystical characters, bring the mystical to an established character.

that sounds intriguing...

(please may there not be any mention of Azazel though....)

[Mencius]

The art was beautiful. The story was nothing special, but that does not mean it was bad. Admittedly there was no real depth or substance; admittedly the story seemed to completely follow a template that we have all seen before, without the slightest inkling of creativity or originality. Nonetheless I thought that it was fun. Sometimes a comic does not require originality or depth to be an enjoyable read. I found Witches to be an enjoyable read. If you are looking for anything more then this then you will be disappointed, but if are just looking for mindless fun then it is not such a bad read.

['zel-J]

Originally posted by Mitch Brown

(please may there not be any mention of Azazel though....)

"The Draco" was merely a cunning plot by the estate of Isaac Asimov to make Asimov's George & Azazel stories seem deep and meaningful in comparison ;)

(But I like the small demon with magical powers that dazzle!)

[Nathan J. Wilson]

Hmm... The cover jumped out at me... :D

But this review pretty much confirmed my ideas about the content. Cheers! :)

[Lord_magneto]

heh, i was pretty sure i wasn´t going to buy this, and then i saw the "charmed" reference, and i knew: Never, nope - no book that is even remotely similar to "charmed" could possibly be worth my money, and if that wasn't a big enough turn-off, someone actually said to pick it up if you want mind-less fun. no need to tell me twice, i don't come near this book.

[Michael P.]

woah, its not like charmed! i mean yeah its three witches, but there not sisters, one doesnt freeze things, one doesnt move things wit her minds and one doesnt have premonitions! i love charmed!