Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Jock
Publisher: Image
When is something scary? Sure, some stories make you scared while watching, reading or playing them, but very few manage to keep that feeling afterwards. I tend to classify something as scary when it becomes a small still voice on the back my neck whispering a cold breath of words to me when I go to sleep. With Wytches #1, storytellers Scott Snyder and Jock managed to put that voice there, and the voice whispered to me “look outside, there’s something on that tree”.
Snyder is famous for transforming his personal fears in stories, but I don’t think he had gone this far before. When you pick up Wytches #1, make sure to read his essay on the back of the book, and you’ll understand why the story works so well. This is him picking something scary from the real world and putting on the book, he is opening his mind and inviting you in to see the world through his eyes. I’m fascinated by monsters and horror in general, but outside of “The Blair Witch Project”, I don’t think I’ve ever been afraid of witches, and this books’ main accomplishment is changing that. Forget the hats-with-a-pointy-end, forget “Twitches” and “American Horror Story”, this vision of witches, or should I say, wytches, is much more dark and bestial and unpredictable.
But let’s talk story for a moment. On issue #1, we follow Sailor Rooks, a young girl that deals with anxiety, and her family as they reboot their life on a new town. Sailor is dealing with some heavy stuff, and for the sake of spoilers, I won’t go into details, but let’s say there’s a moment of powerful impact from her past that still keeps her awake at night. Her father is a struggling graphic novel author and her mother has some sort of disability that forces her to use a wheelchair. Aside from the opening, the entire first issue revolves around them, building their characters and making sure you understand who’s driving this narrative. It’s done rather brilliantly, and by the end of Sailor’s first interaction with her father, you’re 100% on board with them.
In between the lines of the character development done throughout the issue, there’s quite a lot of mythology. We understand a couple of things about the Wytches, and we understand some more about how humans interact with them. It’s just the tip of the iceberg though, and you’ll leave the issue with that awesome feeling of wanting more. There are two keys for horror to succeed, the first is transforming a common fear in a story – in this case, the fear that you’re always watched and judged – and the second is to create an atmosphere, without it, the story just falls flat. Wytches #1 more than succeeds on creating an atmosphere, and the words I can find to describe are eerie, creepy and dark. This is a book that doesn’t shy away from the ugly stuff, be it bullying or killing.
Speaking of killing, it’s all brought to life by Jock’s superb art. He’s at home here, this is the kind of thing you always wanted Jock to draw, and he more than rises to the occasion. The scary visuals are made even more terrifying by his work. It’s sort out of place, lacking precision and distorted, which means it perfectly fits this kind of story. I love how his art is Wytches #1’s best weapon to make sure you understand Sailor’s struggles, and there are subtle choices he makes that transform the panels into windows to the main character’s mind. Then there are the big, loud and bloody moments where he just kills it. From page one, Jock creates unforgettable visuals that elevate the dread you feel.
Wytches #1 is the bridge between H.P. Lovecraft and John Carpenter. It’s that larger-than-life creature showing you its slasher side. This was arguably one of the most anticipated comics of the year, and it’s my pleasure to say it starts very, very well. And if I may, try to read this book at night, with as much darkness as possible, then I’m sure you’ll also hear that small still voice on the back your neck saying “I’m watching you. Can you see me?”
