Manga Review - 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Magic Within, Vol. 1' by Tania del Rio (Writer, Penciller, Letterer), Jim Amash (Inker), Jeff Powell (Letterer)

I've finally given 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Magic Within, Vol. 1' by Tania del Rio a go.

It's as much a zany, kinda shallow, high school love triangle drama fest, mid-2000s manga-wannabe from America as I expected. Yet it is still very much like the Archie comics, structurally and thematically. Romance, and the love-triangle-turned-love-square, are at the forefront of every issue/chapter, but there is more to it than that, and it isn't as simple and straightforward as you might think. It isn't too annoying or twee. Sabrina is still Sabrina - a selfish, self-absorbed, moody, hormonal yet charming teen - as are the other characters (Salem is a hoot as always, and he is a cute little manga mascot here).

It is strangely endearing. Reading 'The Magic Within' made me feel like a kid from the 2000s again, watching western cartoons and anime. It is superbly magical - Sabrina almost spends as much time casting spells as she does obsessing over boys, almost being the magic keyword - and busy, so busy that practically every page is crowded with a lot of panels, and a lot going on. But it flows pretty well, and I liked following these characters down the choppy yet overall steady and easygoing river that is this manga.

My favourite chapter has to be the second one, 'Blue Ribbon Blues', where Sabrina, her best friend Llandra, and her second love interest Shinji (her first is Harvey, as if it needed to be asked) do a broom-making test and challenge at their Charm School. There's a deep, dark forest, a moon, a kitsune forest sprite, a giant tarantula, and it's about Sabrina learning lessons and thinking with her head, and it's the only story present where she rides a broom! A special broom she went through danger to make! It will cut back to and parallel Harvey's basketball game in the mortal realm, which Sabrina doesn't want to miss. It's magical, otherworldly, funny, charming, and sweet.

There's enough depth in 'The Magic Within' that it doesn't come across as too gimmicky for its time. Harvey and Shinji even save each other and bond in the sixth chapter, 'Cabin Fever', despite their affections for Sabrina and the mutual jealousy that springs from that. The eight chapter, 'Caught on Tape', is another favourite of mine; so enchanting and foreboding, with foreshadowing of more serious, plot related things to come. It's lovely to see Sabrina and Aunt Hilda bond, as well. In fact, the two share a lot of special, touching family moments together.

The manga is just a fun, witch drama and soap opera.

Besides Harvey, there is another non-witch character, Gwen, who first appears in the fourth chapter, actually called 'The Magic Within' (which is also the comic's exclusively Halloween-themed issue). I really like her. She knows about Sabrina's magical secret, and is plus-sized, which is a rarity worthy of the highest esteem. But I wish she could have appeared more. She slowly disappears near the end.

It's a shame. Sabrina needs more female friends who aren't romantic rivals. Speaking of, the mean girl Amy ends up being pointless, doesn't she? Judging from 'Blue Ribbon Blues', I'd thought she and Sabrina would become friends afterwards (another reason to adore that issue). Whatever they shared there goes absolutely nowhere.

The tenth and final issue of the volume, 'Model Behavior', stars Josie and the Pussycats - hooray! And it's where Shinji's love-hate jerkish personality reaches a meaningful, developmental point; the beginnings of why he is the way he is. The shallow, impulsive, irresponsible pretty warlock boy is, in fact, a tragic figure...

'Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Magic Within, Vol. 1' - a fun, hilarious, and bewitch-y guilty pleasure Archie manga. I'd recommend it to 'Sabrina' fans, sure.

For more 'Sabrina' content, read my review of 'Sabrina The Teen-Age Witch: 60 Magical Stories', which furthermore contains links to my other 'Sabrina' reviews.

(I find it odd that the 'Sabrina' manga issues included in 'Sabrina The Teen-Age Witch: 60 Magical Stories' are in colour, but in the volumes they originated from they are in black and white, befitting the manga style.)

I may like every version of Sabrina Spellman, the Teenage Witch, that exists. Well, except for the majority of 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' (both the comic and TV series) and her early Archie Comics appearances, and the whole of 'Sabrina's Secret Life' (screw that abomination of a cartoon). She manages to be likeable, and relatable, everywhere. One of the most iconic female characters in the pop culture sphere.

Final Score: 3.5/5