By Amanda
Today Archaia released the first of four issues of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller comic, stories which all feature witches. S.M. Vidaurri wrote, illustrated, and lettered Tale One. Once upon a time, a witch was banished into the forest from a faraway town. Many years later, a king cuts down the largest tree from the forest and fashions a crown from its branches. The crown becomes cursed, and it is up to the princess to save her little brother.
A mystical jackalope—I mean, Lord of the Forest—and the young princess lead the action of this gorgeous comic. While the storytelling is not innovative, these four comics serve more as collectors’ art books than traditional comics. The folktale style narrative of “Witches Tale One” uses a typical plotline, tone, happy ending, and lesson. But this is not a criticism.
First, buy this book for the art. The $3.99 price tag is worth every penny. Archaia included ads on only the last two pages, so the reader gets to immerse him- or herself in the world Vidaurri creates. When you pick up the issue, the paper feels heavy and of high quality. The art too engages, with details drawn into every corner, the lettering incorporated as a part of the artwork, and no two pages alike in layout. The art style and coloring feels reminiscent of folktales, which builds further on the tone of the book.
Second, buy this book to share. I would give this series to my children (if I had any), and will treasure having these issues in my collection. Unlike many other comics that you read once and will probably never pick up again, the artwork and tale of “Witches Tale One” make it a volume worth revisiting. Little girls especially will be able to relate to the strong female character and the inversion of the traditional witch character.
I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of Grimm’s fairy tales.
What did you pick up on this New Comic Book Day? What titles would you like us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
A mystical jackalope—I mean, Lord of the Forest—and the young princess lead the action of this gorgeous comic. While the storytelling is not innovative, these four comics serve more as collectors’ art books than traditional comics. The folktale style narrative of “Witches Tale One” uses a typical plotline, tone, happy ending, and lesson. But this is not a criticism.
First, buy this book for the art. The $3.99 price tag is worth every penny. Archaia included ads on only the last two pages, so the reader gets to immerse him- or herself in the world Vidaurri creates. When you pick up the issue, the paper feels heavy and of high quality. The art too engages, with details drawn into every corner, the lettering incorporated as a part of the artwork, and no two pages alike in layout. The art style and coloring feels reminiscent of folktales, which builds further on the tone of the book.
Second, buy this book to share. I would give this series to my children (if I had any), and will treasure having these issues in my collection. Unlike many other comics that you read once and will probably never pick up again, the artwork and tale of “Witches Tale One” make it a volume worth revisiting. Little girls especially will be able to relate to the strong female character and the inversion of the traditional witch character.
I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of Grimm’s fairy tales.
What did you pick up on this New Comic Book Day? What titles would you like us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comments below!