Comic Review: Witchblood #1

Vault Comics

Writer: Matthew Erman

Artists: Lisa Sterle & Gab Contreras

Letterer: Jim Campbell

Witchblood #1 introduces readers to Yonna, a super cool motorcycle-riding witch with a free spirit. Matthew Erman writes Vault’s latest series with art by Lisa Sterle and Gab Contreras. Jim Campbell handles the letters for Witchblood #1.

The new series has a neat setting, taking place in the Southwest as Yonna rides to a little diner off the highway. Yonna has an unfortunate run-in with a reckless driver that damages her motorcycle. As she looks for a mechanic (And a way to pay for the repairs), she runs into a few shady individuals. The dialogue is pretty campy, which goes with the Southwest aesthetic. Witches, vampires, and hunters all go great with this setting. Everything in Witchblood #1 reads like a cheesy B-Movie, and the series’ inspiration from franchises like Buffy is clear.

Yonna is a fun protagonist. She is brash, fearless, and full of charm. Erman gives her a great sense of humor, and all of these traits make her endearing. The supporting characters don’t get much time to develop in this issue, but they are all interesting in their own right too. It doesn’t feel like we know exactly where this series is going, but the stakes are at least somewhat established.

Lisa Sterle’s art is fantastic, giving Yonna a wonderfully expressive set of faces throughout the issue. Everyone is easy to read, which is great for allowing the art to tell the story when it needs to. Each character’s design is fantastic, with Yonna especially standing out. The designs match the personalities, allowing for the art to set the tone for this fun series.

The Western setting looks great thanks to Sterle’s art and Contreras colors. Every panel is vibrant, with hot reds and yellows to both set the tone and breathe life into the art. Throughout the issue, there are some fantastic moments that feel a bit more magical due to some of the bright colors that Contreras uses. While the desert demands oranges and yellows for the setting, Contreras inserts a consistent purple and pink throughout the issue to keep the magic going throughout. Campbell’s lettering is fantastic. It adds tons of atmosphere while still adding a voice to every character. The end result is a gorgeous issue that makes the most out of every panel.

Witchblood #1 is a wonderful debut that is full of great vibes. The campy atmosphere and colorful art make this a must-read for anyone who wants a break from gritty comic books.