Comic Review: Season of the Bruja #1

Publisher: Oni Press

Writer: Aaron Durán

Artist: Sara Soler

Letterer: Jaime Martinez

As more Latinx stories are being told, we are seeing more ways that forgotten and even abused cultures are being reclaimed. Of course, this extends to the comic book medium as well, and we are finally starting to get comics that aren’t just told by white men. The latest book to embrace Mexican culture is Season of the Bruja, a supernatural miniseries created by writer Aaron Durán, artist Sara Soler, and letterer Jaime Martinez. 

Season of the Bruja #1 introduces the reader to Althalia Cabrera, as well as her family and friends. Althalia is a bruja, a magic user taught by her abuela. She now uses her magic to help others, and in this debut, she uses it to help a boy possessed by a demon. Aaron Durán utilizes an action packed cold open to show off what the characters are capable of while also establishing a few stakes. Althalia is an instantly likable character who puts others in front of herself despite how reckless it might be.

Althalia isn’t the only character that is easy to connect to in this. Durán does an excellent job at fleshing out the supporting cast, especially Althalia’s abuela in only a few pages. Readers will find themselves invested quickly in both the characters and the story.

The lovely art and colors by Sara Soler certainly help as well. Every character is wildly expressive throughout the issue. Whether it’s a short moment of humor to break up the action or a frantic panel, Soler ensures that every character looks their best from panel to panel. The bright colors inject tons of life into the pages, especially when there is something supernatural going on. Every character has personality thanks to the combination of Durán and Soler’s storytelling.

As enjoyable as Season of the Bruja #1 is, it does fall short when it comes to the flow of the action. During intense scenes with a lot going on, the action isn’t as easy to follow as it could be. Either the panels don’t show the action in the most useful way or there is just too much going on in the gutter space between the panels. Sometimes readers will need a second look at a page to fully feel like they understand what happened. While it does take the reader out of the story for just a moment, it doesn’t ruin the experience by any means. 

Despite a small nitpick or two, Season of the Bruja #1 is an enjoyable read that embraces Mexican culture in a way that we don’t often see in this medium. The delightful protagonist and bright colors make this a book worth checking out for anyone who might be into the themes explored by Durán and Soler.