Some problems even magic can’t solve.
Creative Staff:
Story: Kelly Thompson
Art and Colors: Veronica Fish and Andy Fish
Letters: Jack Morelli
What They Say:
Sabrina has long felt the pull her two worlds, witch and mortal, but she’s always had her devoted aunts Hilda and Zelda on her side to help guide her through that gauntlet. But when a spell suggests she can no longer trust even them, where will Sabrina turn as a series of supernatural murders fall upon the town of Greendale?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Who do you turn to when the people you trust most in life might not be who they seem?
That’s the dilemma Sabrina faces in this new story arc. Her entire life, her aunts Hilda and Zelda have been her rocks. They’ve loved her, protected her, taught her, and fulfilled the roles of both parent and aunt to their beloved niece, but now, as Sabrina begins spreading her wings as both a young woman and a witch, she learns that they are behind the curse that turns Radka and her brother Ren into a Wendigo on nights when the moon is full. Why did they do that? And how can Sabrina undo their spell and keep her promise to Radka?
Answers don’t come easy when you’re a teenager. It’s one of the most transitional periods in a person’s life, when they first taste freedom, and learn the responsibility that comes along with it. Sabrina promised Radka that she would solve the curse and keep the curse’s existence from Ren, who, for some reason, doesn’t know of his and his sister’s transformation. Our favorite witch thinks that she might have an answer, but discovers that every action has its consequences, intended and otherwise.
It’s been a while since I’ve wandered through Greendale, and it’s great to see my old buddies again. I adored the previous Sabrina series by Thompson and Veronica and Andy Fish, and I’m very pleased to say that they haven’t skipped a beat. They slipped right back into Sabrina’s world and give us the same wonderful mix of magic and coming of age growing pains.
This new series also dives deeper into the witch world, with Sabrina gaining a new mentor with the Witch’s Council Member Della, who keeps a rad secret chamber under her Christmas shop. Della gives Sabrina sage advice and teaches her the witch card game Savoir Faire, which seems to be a mix of Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and the Tarot. It’s a sliver of a glimpse into the culture of witches, and I hope we get to see more, as it adds color and verisimilitude to the world and the story.
As always, Kelly Thompson has a real flair for language. She’s able to limn her characters in just a few words and give them life. Of course, that’s just one half (one third?) of the equation, with Veronica and Andy Fish completing the rest.
I could go on for days about how much I love the art in this series. The line work is clean and economical, able to convey emotion and subtext with a few pencil strokes. The colors are also wonderful, adding clarity and emotional context to the panels. I don’t think you could conjure a better team for this comic.
In Summary:
It’s great being back in Greendale and experiencing new adventures with Sabrina and her friends. The writing and art are top-notch in this series, and if you’re looking for something fun, with great character work, and more than a bit of magic, this is your huckleberry. Dr. J gives this an…
Grade: A
Age Rating: N/A
Released By: Archie Comics
Release Date: April 29th, 2020
MSRP: $3.99
