Time for an upgrade.
Creative Staff:
Story: Kelly Thompson
Art and Colors: Veronica Fish and Andy Fish
Letters: Jack Morelli
What They Say:
Sabrina’s worlds collide as the town of Greendale becomes engulfed in a literal witch hunt—putting Sabrina’s family and her secrets right in the crosshairs. But the monsters plaguing the town are not exactly what they seem and it’s up to Sabrina to save the town from itself, while clearing the name of witches everywhere. But what will be the price? Sabrina’s got everything riding on her “fresh start” in Greendale but doing the right thing might mean losing all she’s come to hold most dear.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, I know I’m a month and a half late with this, but, in my defense, I did have pneumonia and I was looking down the barrel of a nasty hurricane. Plus, there were witches. At least I think they were witches. They weren’t very forthcoming.
Anyway, y’all are way too hung up on “deadlines” and “productivity” and “me doing my damn job.” Y’all need to chill.
The important thing is I’m back, and if you thought I wasn’t going to see what happened next to our favorite teenage witch, you’re sadly mistaken. When last we left Sabrina, things were heating up. Greendale had been getting progressively weirder what with twins fusing themselves into a Wendigo, a science nerd turning himself into a kraken, and—perhaps most terrifying of all—teenage hormones going into overdrive as Sabrina finds herself attracted to two very different boys. I tell you, it’s been a long time since I was a teenager, but I’d gladly take a kraken any day over that level of angst.
But those are the symptoms, not the illness. Sabrina’s aunts Hilda and Zelda performed a magic locating spell and went off, armed to the teeth, into the forest. So far, they haven’t returned, and Sabrina (and even Salem, although he’s loath to admit it) is worried.
Instead of waiting around the house, driving herself crazy with worry, Sabrina goes to school. On the way, she passes an angry mob outside the Mayor’s office, urging him to do something about a witch named Della who lives in the forest. Sabrina also runs into Harvey, who mentions in passing the town’s history with witchcraft. She wants to hear more, but he has to book it to gym class, so she makes plans to meet with him that evening, hoping the local lore will help her understand what’s been going on and, maybe, figure out what’s going on with her aunts. There’s only one problem: she’s already got a date planned with Ren, the boy she kissed last night.
Oh, to be young again. No thank you.
Despite the social awkwardness of planning two dates the same night, Sabrina does glean some useful information from Harvey. She returns home and casts the magic-locating spell her aunts used the previous night, and then she does something awesome. I won’t say what she did, because I want you to buy and support this book, but it’s fantastic.
Once again, Kelly Thompson does a great job of weaving the story together, introducing subplots and potential conflicts down the road, while at the same time moving the main story forward. Her Sabrina is a delightful character—intelligent, brave, but also young and foolish in believable ways that make her even more endearing. That same care and attention is also lavished on the supporting cast, who are all multi-dimensional and flawed and very likable.
And the art! As always, Veronica and Andy Fish do a superb job with the art. The storytelling and pacing are spot on, and I’m always amazed at the way they draw facial expressions and body language. It’s slightly cartoony, but in a way that absolutely sells the emotional beats the panels and pages strive to achieve.
They really go all out with the color in this issue. Just as in the previous three, they use color very effectively to provide the right emotional tenor to the scenes, but when Sabrina casts some heavy-duty magic near the end, the team goes all out and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
In Summary:
We’ve only got one more issue to go with this series, and I’m already missing it. I’m hoping that we’ll get more from this creative team, as they’ve done a bang-up job establishing this iteration of the characters and Greendale and created a truly fun and engaging story. If you haven’t read this comic yet, do yourself a favor and pick up the previous three issues. You won’t be disappointed.
Grade: A+
Age Rating: N/A
Released By: Archie Comics
Release Date: 31 July, 2019 (I know…I know….)
MSRP: $3.99
