Graphic Novel Review - 'The Witching Hours' by Hannah Myers (Contributor, Editor), Various

This is a very weird anthology comic.

I only bought it because I love witchy stuff. And 'The Witching Hours' delivers on that promise, with the weirdest, often macabre and abstract, short stories that even I could never have imagined. A few are downright horrific and skin-crawling! Nearly all of them end abruptly and half-finished.

Equal to the bizarre, differentiating creative writing exercises is the varying art styles accompanying them. The only commonality these stories share are the colours black, white, grey, and bright aquamarine.

Darn it, Diana! I like 'The Witching Hours', no matter how confusing or unsatisfying and short some of the stories are. They are original, creative, challenging, defiant, unique, understated, humble yet proud, and even charming and beautiful in their own way. It goes on my witchy, wooden bookshelf, full of the most creative, unconventional, modern witchy tales.

Such eclectic tastes, and Morrigan-ic morsels, to be found in this collection. The fable/folkloric likes of Baba Yaga and Hecate would be proud.

Cooked together, humbly and unpretentiously, by eleven independent Canadian female and nonbinary artists, 'The Witching Hours' is also full of LBGTQA+ content. It is very similar to 'Power & Magic: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology', and 'Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales', 'Over My Dead Body', 'Witchy', 'Unfamiliar', and 'Witchcraft: A Graphic History: Stories of wise women, healers and magic'. Heck, fans of 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' can find something to enjoy in it, as well.

A cabalistic, occultic, obscure, rare little onyx and smoky quartz jewel of an anthology comic, that's even a little educational towards the end, I recommend 'The Witching Hours' for all witches and witch fans to try out. There's bound to be at least one story they'll like.

I'll end on a note from Hannah Myers, contributor and editor of the book:


'Nowadays, young women are exposed to the concepts of witchcraft and wicca through pop culture and modern books. I think a lot of young women are drawn to the ideals of being one with and using nature and magic to take control and have power over their destiny. I certainly was.

The stories I've assembled not only add to, but broaden the canon of the witch while simultaneously confronting their troubled history. Beyond the theme, it was important to me to include a range of genres and styles within the book to reveal the number of different ways the theme could be approached as well as showcase the talent of these wonderful artists. I am incredibly impressed with the work these artists have done and am so excited to share it all with you.'


Final Score: 3.5/5