I am Hexed #1
Self-Published 2018
Written by Kirsten Thompson
Illustrated by Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau
Lettered by Tylor Esposito
Witches have been a part of the political fabric of Washington D.C. since it was founded. It’s only since the 1960s that witches stood together and fought to take back the word “Hexed”. A movement was ignited when witches came out of the shadows and proudly showed off their broomsticks. Now with the struggle for equality ongoing, Charlotte Helm, a junior staff member for Senator Royce, has been thrust into the murky and dangerous waters of political games between witches and their adversaries.
There are times that I am so happy be known and recognised by creators who send me their books in the chance I'll do a review. I will also wholeheartedly admit that I make some snap judgements and while I wasn’t thrilled with the interiors and let that guide me until I sat down and really gave it a proper read through. The opening is great and I like the narration which leads to that television interview where a man sits and tries to justify his antiquated point of view. Anytime that a government feels as if there are those out there that are different they have this innate need to control it, why is that?, well because we’ve got a government full of old white men who spout family values while cheating on their wives (usually with men) but that's another story.
While this isn’t the Salem Witch Trials it does feel an awful lot like a modern day version. In this day and age you cannot just kill folks, much to some chagrin, so I do like the moments of mystery and intrigue that infused into the story. I am mixed that we meet a witch named Charlie because it makes me think of Charlie on Supernatural but that’s just how my messed up mind works. Her introduction though is superbly done and thinking about it there really isn’t any moment where we are introduced to someone new that isn’t superbly done. The structure of this and it’s pacing are so strong and well done that it’s a joy to read and the flow feels fast but then that’s okay it makes it feel like a small screen pilot episode.
I am really impressed with the characterisation here as well. We get this lovely sense of those we meet where first impressions are made so that we either want to see more of them or we don’t. This will undoubtedly change as the story progresses because this is the first issue and personalities aren’t fully formed yet. So the initial base here is crafted beautifully.
The interiors remind me of Cathy though much more detailed. It has a very all-ages feel to it which borders on a Sunday Newspaper Comic Strip. It isn’t really a style I care for too much but it most definitely fits the book and gives it that overall tone and feel it needs. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels is very nicely done and seeing Rachel the way we do shows a nice creativity and imagination. The colours are nicely done as well and the way that light sources are used to show shading and highlights along with the effects of the magic make for great moments.
Once Charlie gets in over her head as her client has some kind of past or present that she doesn’t quite know enough about. I can’t wait to see a Male witch though after it’s said they exist too it’s nice not to hear them referred to as Warlocks to boot. So as we see just how deep into this Charlie is and how unaware of her situation she is we have drawn into this past the point of no return. This is incredibly charming, cute and utterly fascinating and once you read it you’ll wonder how we’ve not seen this until now.
Self-Published 2018
Written by Kirsten Thompson
Illustrated by Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau
Lettered by Tylor Esposito
Witches have been a part of the political fabric of Washington D.C. since it was founded. It’s only since the 1960s that witches stood together and fought to take back the word “Hexed”. A movement was ignited when witches came out of the shadows and proudly showed off their broomsticks. Now with the struggle for equality ongoing, Charlotte Helm, a junior staff member for Senator Royce, has been thrust into the murky and dangerous waters of political games between witches and their adversaries.
There are times that I am so happy be known and recognised by creators who send me their books in the chance I'll do a review. I will also wholeheartedly admit that I make some snap judgements and while I wasn’t thrilled with the interiors and let that guide me until I sat down and really gave it a proper read through. The opening is great and I like the narration which leads to that television interview where a man sits and tries to justify his antiquated point of view. Anytime that a government feels as if there are those out there that are different they have this innate need to control it, why is that?, well because we’ve got a government full of old white men who spout family values while cheating on their wives (usually with men) but that's another story.
While this isn’t the Salem Witch Trials it does feel an awful lot like a modern day version. In this day and age you cannot just kill folks, much to some chagrin, so I do like the moments of mystery and intrigue that infused into the story. I am mixed that we meet a witch named Charlie because it makes me think of Charlie on Supernatural but that’s just how my messed up mind works. Her introduction though is superbly done and thinking about it there really isn’t any moment where we are introduced to someone new that isn’t superbly done. The structure of this and it’s pacing are so strong and well done that it’s a joy to read and the flow feels fast but then that’s okay it makes it feel like a small screen pilot episode.
I am really impressed with the characterisation here as well. We get this lovely sense of those we meet where first impressions are made so that we either want to see more of them or we don’t. This will undoubtedly change as the story progresses because this is the first issue and personalities aren’t fully formed yet. So the initial base here is crafted beautifully.
The interiors remind me of Cathy though much more detailed. It has a very all-ages feel to it which borders on a Sunday Newspaper Comic Strip. It isn’t really a style I care for too much but it most definitely fits the book and gives it that overall tone and feel it needs. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels is very nicely done and seeing Rachel the way we do shows a nice creativity and imagination. The colours are nicely done as well and the way that light sources are used to show shading and highlights along with the effects of the magic make for great moments.
Once Charlie gets in over her head as her client has some kind of past or present that she doesn’t quite know enough about. I can’t wait to see a Male witch though after it’s said they exist too it’s nice not to hear them referred to as Warlocks to boot. So as we see just how deep into this Charlie is and how unaware of her situation she is we have drawn into this past the point of no return. This is incredibly charming, cute and utterly fascinating and once you read it you’ll wonder how we’ve not seen this until now.
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