Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Graphic Novel Review - 'Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Volume 1' by Various

A 'Red Sonja' anthology comic collection with the most gorgeous black, white and red colours. Really, all the artwork looks fantastic; there is not a single dud. And they tell some excellent, gruesome, and bloody brilliant epic tales.

My favourite mini-stories with the She-Devil are 'The Sorcerer of Shangara!', 'Seeing Red', 'Proelium Finalis', 'Edible', 'Small Tales', and 'The Iron Queen'. Then there's that speedrun of Gail Simone's entire arc for Sonja, with Walter Geovani's art (but when the hell did she have a baby?!).

I like nearly all of these epic, bloodstained, feminist and even funny medieval yarns. A few are kind of weird and end disjointedly and unsatisfactorily. I just wish there was more to the collection, and less of the cover gallery at the end, which is overabundant in every 'Red Sonja' comic volume ever. Could have used more overt LBGTQ+ content, as well.

Red Sonja as a character, as a durable icon, as a marching symbol of rebellion and bravery, is what is meant by the saying, "the stuff of legend". She's a merciless, menacing, overpowering, untouchable, unstoppable deadly force as a barbarian warrior, who is also cunning and caring when she needs to be. She has the brightest red in her hair, her blood, the blood on her weapons, sometimes on her lips, and in her heart. You, and by that I mean I, truly want to believe she is an immortal legend - in-story and one who transcends comics and pulp fiction - because of the awesomeness of her. She's a mythical hero worth admiring and idolising. There is so much complexity, and so many layers to her. She lends herself strikingly well to stories with feminist social commentary; she has more to offer than blades and boobs (*sigh*). Forget her forever impractical chainmail that isn't armour (when she's usually practical about everything else!), but do remember her love of pubs and booze. And sex and rabblerousing.

Red Sonja is, and always will be, her own hero and person, independent from anyone else. Even when she teams up with others, and in IP crossover events. Conan the Barbarian doesn't even exist to her anymore, and hasn't for decades.

Everyone she meets - every life, even the lives she ends up taking - is equal to her. Class, status, hierarchy, bureaucracy, power (im)balance, the corruption of politics, they do not matter to her. She serves nobody but herself. She lives her own life on her own terms. Whatever her religious proclivities varies from comic to comic, though seeing as most of them do establish gods actually existing in her world, her attitude towards certain deities depends on if they are "good" or "bad" gods. But regardless, Red Sonja will help any innocent who needs help (usually for coin or the promise of a tavern afterwards, but still, her moral compass works above capital), and will slay whatever threat to innocents' safety needs slaying. It is that simple to her.

'Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Volume 1' showcases many of these attributes of Red Sonja. It is the writers' and artists' tribute to the Red Devil. As a grand heroine who is indicative of the violence, death, tragedy, brutality, cruelty, and battles and wars throughout human history - the atrocities of man - but who manages to shine through all of that and become a symbol of humanity's hope, resilience and endurance. To overshadow that overshadowing. And to demonstrate that someone's capacity for kindness is not as deeply buried as they'd thought, no matter the pain, tragedy, hardship and darkness in their life.

Sonja is not a paradox (not a time paradox, either, but that's another matter entirely). She is not a literal devil. She is not a demon. She is human, trying her very best to survive in a cruel world, for herself, and for other people.

My favourite quotes in the treasure trove that is 'Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Volume 1':



'"'You ever meet a brainwashed person who was funny?"'


'"The role of the jester has always been to speak truth to power. [...] But to rule? [...] You must speak 
power in place of truth."'


'[...] The feeling that they are of service to some greatness they don't understand. [...] And the simplistic beauty of life under an uncast spell.'


'Whatever the BATTLEGROUND--whatever the foe... [...] I shall NEVER FALTER! [...] The world of men will not shrink or fail... [...] For it is led by a woman.'


'"[...] You don't want to be me, kid. Heroes are all alone. But you, you've got a chance to grow up with a family that loves you, with a village, a home. I think you should take it. [...] But if you do decide to become a hero... at least learn to use a weapon."'


'She is no royal figurehead. She is ill-suited to lead armies from behind, or to buy loyalty with speech or with gold. [...] She is a warrior. [...] She is the she-devil. [...] She is Red Sonja. [...] So will she ever be.'



A near-perfect holy grail of 'Red Sonja' tales. Recommended to fans of the fiery red heroine with the blade - the battle master (never a mistress, or a maiden, or a vixen, or a queen) of blood, debauchery, and justice and never giving up, never giving a shit. She is the warrior of hearts, in an ever-flowing river of ways.

Final Score: 4/5

Monday, 27 October 2025

Top 63 Feminist Halloween Comics 2025




I love feminist Halloween and horror comics, let's do this!:





1. Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee - see my review here.


2. Harleen (Harleen #1-3) by Stjepan Šejić - see my review here.


3. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker (Writer), Wendy Xu (Artist) - see my review here.


4. Power & Magic: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology by Joamette Gil (Editor), Various - see my review here.


5. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner - see my review of the first book here, and the second book here.


6. Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne - see my review of the first book here, and the second book here.


7. Kim Reaper by Sarah Graley - see my review of the first volume here, and the second volume here.


8. Muted by Miranda Mundt - see my review of the first volume here, and the second volume here.




10. My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris - see my review of the first volume here.


11. Lady Killer by Joëlle Jones (Writer/Artist), Jamie S. Rich (Co-Writer) - see my review of the first volume here.


12. Spell on Wheels by Kate Leth (Writer), Megan Levens (Artist), Marissa Louise (Colorist), Jen Bartel (Cover Artist), Nate Piekos (Letterer) - see my review of the first volume here.


13. Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries - see my review of the first volume here, and the second volume here.


14. Meesh the Bad Demon by Michelle Lam - see my review of the first book here, and the second book here.


15. Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome - see my review of the first volume here, and the second volume here.


16. Doughnuts and Doom by Balazs Lorinczi - see my review here.


17. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell (Writer), Faith Erin Hicks (Artist) - see my review here.


18. Hellaween by Moss Lawton - see my review of the first book here.


19. Death (Death of the Endless #1-2) (The Deluxe Edition) by Neil Gaiman (Writer), Various Artists - see my review here.


20. Angela: Queen of Hel: Journey to the Funderworld by Marguerite Bennett (Writer), Kim Jacinto (Artist), Stephanie Hans (Artist) - see my review here.




22. Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola (Writer), Emily Carroll (Artist) - see my review here.


23. Coraline by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell (Adaptor/Artist) - see my review here.


24. Misfit City by Kirsten Smith (Writer), Kurt Lustgarten (Writer), Naomi Franquiz (Artist) - see my review of the first volume here.


25. Snapdragon by Kat Leyh - see my review here.




27. Northranger by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist) - see my review here.


28. Poison Ivy, Vol. 1: The Virtuous Cycle by G. Willow Wilson (Writer), Marcio Takara (Artist), Brian Level (Penciler), Stefano Guadiano (Inker), Jay Leisten (Inker), Arif Prianto (Colourist), Hassan Ostmane-Elhadu (Letterer) - see my review here.


29. Ghostbusters: Answer the Call by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Corin Howell (Artist) - see my review here.


30. Pocket Peaches by Dora Wang - see my review of the first volume here.


31. Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo - see my review here.


32. Hollow by Shannon Watters (Writer), Branden Boyer-White (Writer), Berenice Nelle (Artist) - see my review of the first book here.


33. Mall Goth by Kate Leth, Diana Sousa (Colourist), Robin Crank (Letterer) - see my review here.


34. Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol - see my review here.


35. Saint Catherine by by Anna Meyer - see my review here.


36. A Guest in the House by E.M. Carroll - see my review here.


37. The Ojja-Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio (Writer), Jenn St-Onge (Artist) - see my review here.


38. Poison Ivy: Thorns by Kody Keplinger (Writer), Sara Kipin (Artist) - see my review here.


39. Exorsisters by Ian Boothby (Writer), Gisèle Lagacé (Artist), Pete Pantazis (Artist), Various - see my review of the first volume here.


40. Pizza Witch by Sarah Graley, Stef Purenins - see my review here.


41. Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks - see my review here.


42. Les Normaux by Janine Janssen, S. Al Sabado - see my review of the first volume here.


43. Bite Me! A Vampire Farce by Dylan Meconis - see my review here.


44. Creepy Cat by Cotton Valent - see my review of the first volume here.


45. Fangs by Sarah Andersen - see my review here.


46. Raven (Teen Titans, Volume V) by Marv Wolfman (Writer), Alisson Borges (Artist), Diogenes Neves (Artist), Ruy José (Artist) - see my review here.


47. Batwoman: Haunted Tides - see my Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III reviews here and here.


48. The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan - see my review here.


49. Evil-ish by Kennedy Tarrell - see my review here.


50. Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia (Writer), Gabriel Picolo (Artist) - see my review here.


51. Witchcraft: A Graphic History: Stories of wise women, healers and magic by Lindsay Squire (Writer), Lisa Salsi (Artist) - see my review here.


52. Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley - see my review here.


53. The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin - see my review here.


54. The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley by Melissa Marr (Writer), Jenn St-Onge (Artist), Lea Caballero (Co-Artist), Jeremy Lawson (Colourist), Lucas Gattoni (Letterer) - see my review here.


55. Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter by Brea Grant (Writer), Yishan Li (Artist) - see my review here.


56. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark: Timescream by David Avallone (Writer), Dave Acosta (Artist, Contributor) - see my review of the first volume here.


57. Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault - see my review here.


58. Wolfpitch by Balazs Lorinczi - see my review here.


59. Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw (Original Author), Liz Marsham (Adapter), Ishmael Canales (Artist), Alessio Petilo (Artist), Werner Sanchez (Colourist), Taylor Esposito (Letterer) - see my review here.


60. The History of Everything by Victoria Evans - see my review here.


61. The Witching Hours by Hannah Myers (Contributor, Editor), Various - see my review here.


62. Monster Crush by Erin Ellie Franey - see my review here.


63. When I Arrived at the Castle by E.M. Carroll - see my review here.





Why am I only now just noticing that quite a lot of my reviews were written on Friday the 13th....

Happy Halloween 2025!




Sunday, 26 October 2025

Top 25 Halloween Films 2025




Five years and goddess knows how many full moon nights later, I'm still a wimp. But I'm grisly, ghoulishly glad to announce that I have become braver (I had to, really) and have expanded my filmography since my last list. I have new and improved (?) tastes, and additions to my horror movie collection, and in a new order - recently rewatched for this Halloween.

Here it is, my personal, subjective and opinionated list of films that are horror, Halloween themed, or in general could be considered scary or spooky, and some can be described as social commentary and (T)he scares come from how real and true they are in modern society - and humanity.

Oh, what the hell, here's another sample of my ramblings from my old list that remains relevant:

What is the nature - the root - of fear?

Yeah, most of the films on this list are feminist, and their protagonists are female. Some of them are aware of straight, white, cisgender privilege; and of puritanical extremes and the Madonna/Whore dichotomy. Not all of them are, however - those are films that I can enjoy regardless. I don't watch anything for budgets blown on gore and ultraviolence - and the voyeuristic torture and deaths of women - that's for sure. As well as being disgusting, these horror tropes are too easy, and lazy; thus why they are so overused. I want movies that are smarter, more substantial, and have more emotional range and resonance than that.

NOW is Artemis Crescent's new personal, enjoyed Favourite Halloween Films list below:





1. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)


2. Love Witch (2016)


3. Coraline (2009)


4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)


5. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)


6. Corpse Bride (2005)


7. ParaNorman (2012)


8. Black Swan (2010)


9. Ghostbusters (aka Ghostbusters: Answer the Call) (2016)


10. Mary Shelley (2017)


11. Carrie (1976)


12. Interview with the Vampire (1994)


13. Crimson Peak (2015)


14. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)


15. Dracula's Daughter (1936)


16. Jennifer's Body (2009)


17. Till Death (2021)


18. Ginger Snaps (2000)


19. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)


20. Daphne & Velma (2018)


21. Black Christmas (2019) (the original 1974 film is an honourable mention - yes I have finally seen it, and it is very good)


22. The Craft: Legacy (2020)


23. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)


24. Lisa Frankenstein (2024)


25. Near Dark (1987)





Get Out (2017) is an honourable mention.

Happy Halloween.



Another sample of writing from my 2020 list that, depressingly, also remains relevant:



Real life and the ever-increasing uncertainty of the future looming ahead of us may be frightening and depressing - far more than anything that films show us - but remember, we can get through this. We can survive through these times. Together. Humans have done so before and by hell and back we can do it again, and keep on doing it. Nothing is set in stone; nothing will last forever. Be there for each other. Support each other. Remember, you are not alone. We are all in this together, every single one of us. So let us love and care for one another - and help one another. Whatever comes, remember love, and you will be ready for anything. For love never dies, no matter what anyone tries.

To all, have a good night.



And this, from my 2022 post:



Nothing is going right. I want to stay positive, but I don't want to deny reality either. That's not a healthy or safe way to live, either.

How we as a species are meant to survive when we have suddenly, aggressively refused to progress... and why we can't just love, care and respect each other already - it's madness. It's all scarier than any horror film or imagined creature ever thought up by man, woman, enby, and child of all genders and ethnicities.



Finally, from my 2024 post:



I love this time of year. I love Halloween. I love the atmosphere. The wonderful, magical, rich, pumpkin-y, spicy, pumpkin spice, orange-leaves-and-cafés atmosphere. I love dressing up, especially as a witch! It's cheering me up. It's helping my mental health [...] It's healing.

[...]

PLEASE remember to take care. Take care of yourselves and others. NEVER STOP CARING. NEVER FORGET MORALITY AND YOUR CONSCIENCE. Remember love and kindness. And change, and creativity, and new things. Never be afraid of progress, and change for the better. The betterment and safety of others.

Staying nice, polite, kind, caring, empathetic and understanding in the face of all evil and hopelessness is a true magical power.



Happy, spooky Samhain and All Hallows' Eve, everyone.



Scribble #142

Dear denizens of humanity and the mortal realm,

Disembodied tidings!

Happy Halloween from us witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, gargoyles, skeletons, zombies, blobs, slimes, demons, and other monsters, be they from Frankenstein, the lagoon, the bayou, the graveyard, the pumpkin patch, under your bed, in hiding, out in the open, hiding in plain sight, or from anywhere in the whole world.

We don't need magical spells or crystals or rituals to protect us, on this night when the veil between worlds is thinnest.

We are here, and proud all year round. We are here for your children, and for everyone, in solidarity, and promised safety and care. And for your sweets and treats!

We promise never to harm anyone, and to only scare people in fun, thrilling, and even educational ways! Never fear the unknown and what you don't understand again! Embrace the weird and wonderful!

Happy holidays, everyone!

Trick and treat.

Sincerely and spectrally, the Lilac Moon Witch from Beyond the Midnight Veil.

P.S. Boo.



Up next in Spooky Storytime: Cinnamonrella! And Lilith and Carmilla Save Eve (and in doing so destroy the patriarchy).



Scribble #141

A Call for Help, A Cry for Action. A Cry to Humanity, A Call to Justice



Support healthcare.

Support all healthcare workers.

Who have dedicated their lives to saving lives.

We, and our loved ones, will be dead without them.

Doctors, nurses, surgeons, scientists, chemists, vaxxers, researchers, midwives, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals and experts.

They care for us, why should we not care for them?

Help them to continue to save lives.

Make them a priority for human progress.

Make them a priority for the human race.

Support healthcare.

It saves lives. Including yours.



Graphic Novel Review - 'Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen' by Shea Ernshaw (Original Author), Liz Marsham (Adapter), Ishmael Canales (Artist), Alessio Petilo (Artist), Werner Sanchez (Colourist), Taylor Esposito (Letterer)

'I am now Sally Skellington.

The Pumpkin Queen.'



A beautifully illustrated and lyrical adaptation of Shea Ernshaw's novel, 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen', a sequel to 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and part of that franchise's ever-expanding universe and lore.

It is about Sally - the dear, dear ragdoll, queen, wife, daughter, diplomat, and witchy, crafty seamstress and scientist. This is strictly her story, stitched together to fit her character, her dimensions, and rightfully so, given her complexities. Plus she is my absolute, resolute favourite.

My thoughts on the 2025 graphic novel are more or less the same as in my review of the 2022 novel, which can be read here. It is a well written adventure and treat, even though, bizarrely, not that many of Halloween Town's gruesome and ghoulish residents are shown and depicted here, and no land besides Halloween Town and Dream Town receives much attention, and the samples of prose taken from the source material, however beautifully written, can get excessive for this mostly visual medium.

I have to add also that I adore Jack and Sally's relationship - they are one of my favourite Disney couples, and one of my favourite fictional couples period - and how the newlyweds are drawn together in this graphic novel, such as whenever they kiss, and those last triumphant kisses…they take my breath away.

Just like Jack does. I have always had a strange attraction to Jack Skellington that I will not explain myself for. I'm sure I'm not alone in my love for that lean, dark, gentlemanly, whimsical, winsome, curious, alluring, charismatic and personality-filled skeleton, however.

Ethereal, lush, wistful, exciting, introspective, self-reflective, poignant, shadowy and romantic, though simply adapted and not too potent - it certainly isn't too scary or macabre - the graphic novel version of 'Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen', by Liz Marsham, Ishmael Canales and Alessio Petilo, is a creative delight for Halloween, for all ages. Appropriately, it has a dark, dreamy mystique to it. I read it the day after I watched the original movie for the hundredth time, and it seems I can't get enough of either.

Happy Halloween 2025, everyone!

Long live Sally Skellington the Pumpkin Queen! Her own queen, unlike any other!

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Muted: Volume 2' by Miranda Mundt

'Muted: Volume 2' - what a wonderful and wonderfully dark sequel to the first volume of the webtoon series - both published physically in the same year - that explores further and delves deeper into the trauma and psychological issues of Camille, as well as a few other characters.

I love the art. It is beautiful, cute, colourful and a little cartoony, and it manages to work even in the darkest, bloodiest and most traumatic scenes. How flowers, and their sprouting and blooming, are illustrated - symbolising Camille's growth and healing of both her powers and her character - is especially, breathtakingly gorgeous.

I adore the characters now more than ever, too. Camille still has her head on her shoulders and isn't turning towards the dark side, at least intentionally, thank goddesses, and you'll be rooting for her (and her roots!) the whole way.

Poor Camille, and her poor cousin Avaline...

Dendro the plant demon is so cute! I didn't think much of her in the previous volume, but here she really shines and entices, and is enchantingly, excitingly developed. How she's grown! Into herself, the story, and other witches' lives.

It is here where I am starting to see the 'polyamorous sapphic romance' that 'Muted' has been labelled as, and what the blurb of the first volume says. And I'm rooting for that, too! I get it, and so far I am behind it. The poly relationship between Camille, Nyra and Dendro - nothing could be more adorable and precious, honestly.

The worldbuilding - and its epic fantasy world aspect - of 'Muted' is receiving extra exploration and development. Though with that said, I'd say the only real flaw of 'Volume 2' is its sole focus on Camille's Severin witch family, lead by her evil matriarch aunt Athalie. The other witch families don't appear, except for Nyra Dupre, and a couple of her cousins who appear for two pages at the beginning and whom I've already forgotten about. Any other witch family members only appear in a single flashback spot. How disappointing - I miss Harriet, Rowena, Jazmin, and Jaquille and the other Leroux fam! Then there's the villain witch/demon from the Eloi family, who I won't reveal more of due to spoilers. Hera and Hel, even Silvia of the Severins, who plays a vital role in the first volume and is crucial to Camille's life, isn't in the second much. Neither are any witch familiars.

There are not many characters present in 'Volume 2', which can be a good thing, as it leaves room for the main cast to be focused on and developed freely. However, if it is at the expense of the side characters, it can, ironically, make the worldbuilding feel small and limited. It is a downside towards creating a fantasy world and have it revolve around the main characters and their point of view and problems.

But the 'Muted' series so far is a beautiful and excellent witchy and sapphic work of art. And once again, almost no male characters.

How 'Muted' deals with trauma and abuse, and especially abusive family dynamics, is bravely, harrowingly, and sensitively executed, and is as much vital representation as everything else in the series. It says what needs to be said about abusive people and systems, and how they operate like a mechanism that is broken but stubbornly persists, damning the health and safety of everyone involved - physically, emotionally and mentally. It can be a source of comfort to some readers, for awareness, reassurance and support. It offers therapeutical advice. It is a supernatural story that is glaringly, painfully human and realistic, with realistic scenarios.

'Muted: Volume 2' certainly reinvigorated my faith in humanity, and assured me that I am not, in fact, insane for wanting to remain a decent, caring, kind, loving, and good person; no matter that we are all currently paying the price for apathy, rights and freedoms taken for granted, reactionary politics reinstating bigotry all across the board, capitalism, and governments' and corporations' many, many abuses of power, and are thus suffering in the hell that is the 2020s.

For all the darkness in 'Muted', it helps my depression somewhat in knowing there are still good people in the world. Like its author, Miranda Mundt.

May light drive away every darkness, shadow and evil known to humankind yet.

Link to my 'Muted: Volume 1' review.

Final Score: 4/5

Sunday, 19 October 2025

Scribble #140

Big Witch and her Pumpkin



Does size matter?

Does the size of a pumpkin measure up to its creator's potential? Is its potency proportionate to its witch's power? According to what we've been taught by our Hecate Grand Mistress, how much space a pumpkin takes up is equivocal to the successful spell it took to get it there, cast by the witch with the well of power within themself.

What I never understood is, is it conjuring, enchanting, bewitching, charm casting, or hexing a fruit? (Or is it a vegetable? No, pumpkins are flowering plants and contains seeds, so they're a fruit.) Why use a pumpkin as a conduit for inner power at all? Why a fruit or a vegetable? Why not something else, like a cake or a pie? A pumpkin pie? Wait, why this pumpkin obsession? Is it just another form of big orange power play and navel-gazing, that in fact has nothing to do with the craft? How much is spellcasting to do with innate magic, ley lines, and praying to your goddess?

Oop, getting sidetracked again.

I blink. My cat Cress is rubbing against my ankle, bringing me back to earth.

Back to my pumpkin in my hands, amidst the giant pumpkins in the patch. In the autumn harvest under the harvest moon.

Some of the squashes around me are absolutely enormous. I try not to sigh, but it's hard.

A witch from the Demeter Coven is going to win again, aren't they? They always do, every year, largely thanks to their divine advantage. It's not fair, really. The Wheel of the Year - of the eight sabbat seasons, of birth and growth and death and rebirth - is a repetitive, unchanging cycle. A curse.

Well, if someone's power potential can be measured by their growth and size, I must be multiple tarots' worth. I am a big girl, a big witch. A broad, chubby charm caster, tall even without my pointy hat, and I'll say I'm proud of it, without having to show off my magic to anyone to validate my existence.

My pumpkin is the smallest out of everyone else's.

I have nothing to prove. I'm proud of my pumpkin.

Why should I not be? My dinky jack-o'-lantern, that fits cosily in-between my palms. In a field full of orange and ignis fatuus, of flinting and glinting and twinkling, my squash barely shines to accompany the moonlight, but I cradle it like a kitten.

Oh, kittens. I bend down and pick up Cress with one arm, and hold my little pumpkin with the other. Time to turn on the charm.

If you look closely, you'll see that carved into the pumpkin is the shape of Hecate, Goddess of Witchcraft and Necromancy and Undeath, of breaking the mould, as the Triple Moon Goddess, with her hound. The tiny candle gleaming within is pink, because it's mine and mine alone.

I stand just like her.

I'll stand proud. Proud of my cat. Proud of my creation. Proud of my magic that helped it grow and glow, no matter how loud the cackling and crowing of other witches might be; no matter how loud their babbling, and the bubbling in their oversized cauldrons. Some are orange instead of black to fit the occasion.

Quaint.

Who cares who wins, in this Grandest Witch's Pumpkin Patch competition? Not me. What does it mean to win anything, anyway? Who truly wins in the end, at the dawn of a new day, everyday, in this never-ending Wheel we live in?

For once, I'm not daydreaming and losing my train of thought. I'm lucid, my eyes forward and aware of the lights, the stars and the moon, Cress purring on my right arm and my gourd warming my left.

Whatever happens tonight, I'll love myself. And I'll have a tasty treat as a reward to myself afterwards, too. Nothing going to waste at this harvest.

I care not for contests. Only for anyone and anything, no matter their size.

No magic is small.

Big witch, big heart.



Scribble #139

Scoup!



My mother always schooled and scolded me about my use of language, and that I should never swear. So I'll say that I was too irate to scoup across the ballroom that fine afternoon. My dress was stiff and itchy - why did I need to wear the monstrous thing at rehearsals? - and the elderberry in my hair making me smell nice and juicy, barely covering up my sweat, was all that was keeping me from storming off, really swearing my head off.

So I thought to just tell mother that I had a fever - partly true thanks to the dress - and like the most honest party guest in the world, I voiced my ailment - also known as an innuendo for boredom - to my dance instructor, and did a leaver, my head not off but held high, all poised. With my gloved hands I pushed the heavy doors open and swanned out, and then pulled the elderberry out of my hair and ate it.

How's that for ladylike?

And who the fuck decided that should be one word?



Thursday, 16 October 2025

Graphic Novel Review - 'Millie of the Manor' by Karina Evans (Writer), Andrea Bell (Artist)

For a kids' graphic novel in 2025 that's short, low stakes, nice, cute, modern, and realistic, read 'Millie of the Manor'.

It's not so simple and saccharine, nor is it so coy, as it features a young female protagonist with social anxiety. It affects her badly in her day-to-day life - the thought of other people looking at her and judging her terrifies her; she prefers no attention and expectations be put on her, thus she has trouble making friends at school, and can barely resist the temptation to merely miss out on exciting events with her peers. She goes to therapy for it.

With its "murder mystery" game setup, it quickly becomes apparent that 'Millie of the Manor' (the protag's name is actually Amy - Millie Morgan is a scientist character she plays in another girl's murder mystery birthday party) is like a grade school version of the movie, 'Clue'. But it is ultimately about friendship, group effort, gaining new experiences, coming out of your shell, dealing with social anxiety and anxiety attacks, overcoming fear of judgement, and play.

Simple, fun play. Play acting, the works. But don't immerse yourself in it too much and reject reality, and your true, awesome self.

There are no high stakes, no dark twists; just playing, and dealing with existing in a society and community. And finding your people, who like you for who you are. Who are nice to you, understand you, support you, and see you, and your strengths.

Friends embrace you. They lift you up. They make you like yourself, and want to build yourself up. They should not tear you down, and make you feel mocked, ashamed, worthless, small, and insignificant. They should not make you want to shrink into yourself.

I hope young Amy becomes a real, professional detective someday. Like in her 'Sherlock Holmes' books, her special interest.

I wanted to read 'Millie of the Manor' because of 'Crumble', another 2025 middle grade graphic novel, which is by the same artist, Andrea Bell. That's it. I'm glad the cute kiddie artwork is not all it has to offer, however. Though said artwork does make the adults look the same age as the kids a lot of the time. It's a very weird artistic flaw.

'Millie of the Manor' - it's 'Cluedo' (the board game) for young children, and first time graphic novel readers. A sweet, sensitive, caring, heartfelt, optimistic little story, that incorporates its mental health representation simply yet effectively. Like its main character, it is fine as it is. It needs nothing more to it, and it is not to be dismissed as less.

I recommend it.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang' by Stan Yan

If you would like your children's graphic novels to be on the daring, dark, full-on horror side of the moon, I'd recommend 'The Ojja-Wojja'. But for a lighter option, that barely qualifies as horror, and won't be scary for anyone over the age of eleven, but still has grit and dare, let me introduce you to 'The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang'.

Things 'The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang' reminds me of: 'Living with Viola''Age 16''Anya's Ghost''Saint Catherine', any cartoon about an unlucky kid, and every movie and television episode about deadly premonitions.

It's also the first of two new graphic novels I've read in a row where the young Asian female protagonist has a picture of, and shrine to, her deceased maternal grandmother in her family's home; the second is
 'Angelica and the Bear Prince'. Just thought it'd be interesting, and poignant, to point out.

Cartoony and expressive artwork, great, funny and memorable characters, cleverly written suspense and foreshadowing, a family theme, an arts and creativity theme, preteen angst, a first crush, a complicated and growing mother-and-daughter relationship, POC and LBGTQ+ rep (the female best friend to Eugenia Wang, Keisha, has two dads), thrills and fears, hilarity and haunts, school and PE, and a cute dog - 'The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang' is an enjoyable treat.

For something a little different and unpredictable, give it a go.

Final Score: 4/5