Graphic Novel Review – Wytches Vol 1 by Scott Snyder and Jock (3.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Horror
Length: 144 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 24, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1632153807
Stand Alone or Series: 1st volume in the Wytches series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

“Everything you thought you knew about witches is wrong. They are much darker, and they are much more horrifying. Wytches takes the mythology of witches to a far creepier, bone-chilling place than readers have dared venture before.

When the Rooks family moves to the remote town of Litchfield, NH to escape a haunting trauma, they’re hopeful about starting over. But something evil is waiting for them in the woods just beyond town. Watching from the trees. Ancient…and hungry. Collects Wytches #1-6.”

This was a decent start to a new graphic novel series that is very similar in tone to the Locke and Key series. The Locke and Key series has more fantasy elements to it and overall I liked it a lot better. This is definitely horror and has a lot of gruesome violence and evil people in it.

I thought the illustration style was really interesting; they explain at the end of the graphic novel how it was done. Basically it looks like water colors were splashed all over the original drawings. The illustration gives the story a fuzzy and slightly disturbing feel which matches the story well. Although I found it interesting it wasn’t my favorite style of art. I just thought it took too much definition away from the pictures and made the story harder to follow.

The story itself is pretty gruesome and deals with people who are pledged to these evil witches who are paid in flesh and blood. Many of the characters are evil and despicable and the story itself has a heavy tone of madness to it.

I think I would have enjoyed the story more if it hadn’t been so very predictable. The deal with the townsfolk and the witches at the end made me roll my eyes. Of course that’s what was happening…so very very predictable.

Overall this is a good start to a new horror graphic novel series. It’s pretty adult and very gruesome at points. The art style is interesting but I thought it made the story harder to follow so it wasn’t my favorite. The story is okay but pretty predictable. I probably won’t be reading anymore of the series. I would recommend Locke and Key instead if you are looking for a good fantasy horror graphic novel series. However, if you enjoy paranormal horror go ahead and check this out and see if it’s your thing.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– Paranormal Reading Challenge