Spinning out of the events of Imperial, Wiccan and Hulkling have been transported to Earth, injured and nearly powerless. That’s where Wiccan: Witches Road #1 begins, with the most alarming element being that Wiccan has lost his powers. Given the TV show from last year and the subtitle of this series, one might be able to guess where it’s all going, but with writer Wyatt Kennedy’s strong dialogue, it’s a story Wiccan fans won’t want to miss.
Wiccan: Witches Road #1 has strong bones thanks to both heroes being weakened and no longer so super. Wiccan’s magic abilities aren’t working at the start, and Hulkling is so hurt he can’t even walk. Thus, Wiccan must go into survival mode, which may seem impossible for them, but Kennedy reminds us he learned a thing or two from fellow young Avengers. Add in the fact that the large and super-strong Hulkling is the one needing protecting, and there’s a nice fish out of water vibe to the tale.
The general plot is supernatural enough to pique your interest as well. In fact, the story is almost like The Blair Witch Project, in that these heroes are in the middle of nowhere, and when they encounter living things, they’re highly dangerous. This isn’t your usual Marvel weird supernatural tale either, especially in the last third. Kennedy leans into the weirdness of old-school fairy tales in the last third of the issue, revealing that anything can happen.
A tough road ahead.
Credit: Marvel
As mentioned in the introduction, the dialogue is great. Kennedy has a strong sense of voice, and the banter between our heroes is great. At times, it looks like a good deal of dialogue with slower sections, but I found myself reading each word balloon with glee. It helps that the romantic relationship between Hulkling and Wiccan is quite strong, with the two clearly bonded in a way we rarely see with most married heroes.
The art by Andy Pereira, with colors by Bryan Valenza, takes on a darker tone, with the edges of the panels blending into the black of the soil beneath our character’s feet or the edges of the woods. There’s a sense of danger thanks to these little touches. The characters themselves are quite animated with good character acting. When the action kicks into gear, the art team leans into speed lines and stretches the page, adding a good sense of speed.
Wiccan: Witches Road #1 is a strong, moody debut that mixes heartfelt character work with creeping supernatural tension, elevating Wiccan and Hulkling through vulnerability, atmosphere, and deeply personable writing. If this first chapter is any indication, this series is shaping up to be a can’t-miss entry for fans of magic, romance, and Marvel’s Young Avengers legacy.
You must be logged in to post a comment.