The Last Witch #1by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Saoirse, born with a witch mark, is an outcast to all but her family and her friend Padraig. Her twelfth birthday falls on Imbolc, and she's determined (with sick younger brother in tow) to go beyond the hedge in the forest to find the witch's tower (not that she believes the Cailleach is real).This will be a two book series when it's all done (about ten issues), and this one is a bit longer at about 40 pages. We get a great feel for the characters, and we get enough world-building to know we're in a small village with superstitions / beliefs about "witches". (Now, keep in mind this is Gaelic mythology, so it's not "witches" like you might be thinking.) We even get a flashback of Saoirse's mom before she died, which shows us love and acceptance for Saoirse, as well as the important belief about promises. This issue does end on a cliffhanger, but it feels far too early, but I am eager to read more. Saoirse's relationship with Padraig is as friends (though here Nan suggests it could be becoming something more), but he falls too strongly into the "boys will be boys" tropes for me to like him. Was it necessary to have him say something is too scary "for a girl"? Even if she gets to point out he earned an embarrassing nickname because he was so scared he soiled himself? The first is sexist, and the second is something that happened regardless of gender. Padraig making negative comments about her family is a bit cruel, but is more clearly parroting the attitude of the village and what he's been raised in, even as he actually enjoys being around Saoirse -- so it helps frame the worldview she's grown up in and that has shaped her. Her father provides rules and love, but the way he interacts with her at home shines a light on them not being all that well off. It seems he's protecting her from something he may know more about that she does, but he could just be being a protective dad. Her younger brother is nailed perfectly -- he's sick with a cold but still wants to go on an adventure. She's scared, but he trusts her, and it's clear he loves her even when he's being a bit of a brat (as one would expect). This allows Saoirse to show some responsibility and kindness even as she's breaking rules and putting them at risk. Nan makes a grand entrance, and has the exact attitude one would expect (and I love) from the old woman who knows how to make healing teas and such. She's worldly, strong, wise, and knows how to word things to support. She definitely vies for the place of "favorite character". The art is wonderful, with a playfulness to the characters' expressions. There's also a real sense of the characters being in their world; it all meshes and has the right amount of realism. I'm quite impressed with all the snow and how tangible it seems. Overall, I really enjoyed this comic. Written: January 3, 2021
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