Witch Graphic Story: The witch is a widely popular character in literature and media, often depicted as a magical, female figure with supernatural powers. Graphic stories, also known as comics or graphic novels, provide a visual narrative that combines illustrations and text. In a witch graphic story, the witch is the central character around whom the story revolves. These stories often explore themes such as magic, fantasy, and the occult. The witch may be portrayed as a heroic figure, using her powers for good and battling against evil, or as a villain who wreaks havoc in the lives of others. The visual nature of graphic storytelling allows artists to create stunning and imaginative illustrations of witches.
Tell us about you. What's your background, and what other books have you created?
I've been creating stories in comics since I was five, and started doing so professionally about 15 years ago. I've been an illustrator for books and advertising for a little while, too. I moved to New York for a few years and published a few graphic novels there, including Brazen, a series of portraits of incredible women. And then I moved back to my hometown, Paris!
It always appeared to me as the most instinctive way of telling a story, as well as the most complete no restrictions of setting, scenery, costumes, special effects. This story was made to be turned into a graphic novel, it has all the ingredients for it crazy action scenes, terrible villains, and colourful characters.
The visual nature of graphic storytelling allows artists to create stunning and imaginative illustrations of witches. From their iconic pointed hats and flowing robes to their mystical symbols and spells, witches in graphic stories come to life through vibrant artwork and dynamic panel layouts. Witch graphic stories can be found in various genres, including fantasy, horror, and even superhero comics.
How I transformed Roald Dahl's The Witches into a graphic novel
The Witches is one of Roald Dahl's most iconic stories - and now it's been turned into a graphic novel! We spoke to Pénélope Bagieu about how she adapted such a classic tale.
Photo: Simone Eusebio
Tell us about you. What's your background, and what other books have you created?
I've been creating stories in comics since I was five, and started doing so professionally about 15 years ago. I've been an illustrator for books and advertising for a little while, too. I moved to New York for a few years and published a few graphic novels there, including Brazen, a series of portraits of incredible women. And then I moved back to my hometown, Paris!
How did you become interested in creating graphic novels?
It always appeared to me as the most instinctive way of telling a story, as well as the most complete: no restrictions of setting, scenery, costumes, special effects. it's like directing a movie where everything is free (except for your long hours of drawing!) and you get to be everybody: filmmaker, screenwriter, and all of the actors.
It must have been so exciting to be asked to create the graphic novel version of such a famous story. How did you feel when you started drawing it?
I was so impatient! There were some specific scenes I couldn't wait to draw, especially those that had terrified me when I was eight. This story was made to be turned into a graphic novel, it has all the ingredients for it: crazy action scenes, terrible villains, and colourful characters.
What characters did you enjoy creating the most?
Probably the two heroines of the story: The Grand High Witch and Grandmamma. The two of them are so fascinating and charismatic, in opposite ways. I love this duality and the way they fight each other. But of course my absolute favourite character is truly Grandmamma, because she's super cool.
Was The Witches challenging to recreate, given that Quentin Blake's illustrations and the film version of the book with Anjelica Huston are so well known?
I figured this would be challenging when I started thinking about the little thumbnails of the story, but oddly, it wasn't at all. The characters I created, although based on the original ones, are definitely my own. Grandmamma is my Grandmamma. The Grand High Witch is the one I had in my nightmares. The minute I really defined who my protagonists would be, they immediately gained their own unique appearance, voice, expressions, way to walk and so on. It was never a new version of existing characters to me.
What do you love about graphic novels? And what do you think children love about them?
I love the fact that they can deal with any possible subject - even the most delicate ones - in a very poetic way sometimes. The connection you have as a reader with a drawn, moving, expressive character is like no other. There's more to it than just text and images; a third dimension appears and the story gets real, even the most fantastic one. To me, that's magic.
What books did you love as a child?
To be honest, my favourite author really was Roald Dahl. His books brought me the joy of reading for the first time, of falling into a vortex without being able to put the book down. I loved re-reading his books over and over again, drawing the characters I imagined, and telling the stories to my friends. It led me to both loving reading stories, and telling them. And The Witches has always been my favourite!
The Witches Graphic Novel by Roald Dahl and Pénélope Bagieu is out now in hardback (published by Scholastic).
Roald Dahl Story Day, the global celebration of Roald Dahl stories, is celebrated on September 13th. For more information on what's happening, go to the website here.
Photo: Simone Eusebio
They may feature witches from different cultural backgrounds, drawing inspiration from folklore and mythology. The witch's backstory and origin are often explored, shedding light on how she acquired her magical abilities and the challenges she faces in using them responsibly. The plot of a witch graphic story can range from individual adventures to epic quests involving other supernatural beings. The witch's struggles with her own powers, moral dilemmas, and personal growth are common narrative elements. Conflict with other witches, supernatural creatures, or those who seek to exploit her powers are also recurring themes. Readers of witch graphic stories are drawn to the combination of captivating visuals and engaging storytelling. The medium allows for a unique experience, immersing readers in a world of magic and enchantment. From light-hearted tales filled with humor to dark and gritty narratives, witch graphic stories offer a diverse range of storytelling possibilities. In conclusion, witch graphic stories provide a visually stunning and immersive exploration of the world of witches. Through vibrant illustrations and compelling storytelling, these stories offer a unique perspective on the power and mystique of witches in literature and media. Whether portrayed as heroes or villains, witches in graphic stories captivate readers with their magical abilities and captivating narratives..
Reviews for "Beyond the Page: Collaborative Storytelling in a Graphic Witch Story"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - While I appreciated the unique art style in this witch graphic story, I found the plot to be convoluted and hard to follow. The narrative jumped around too much, making it difficult to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, taking away from the overall reading experience. Unfortunately, this was not a graphic story that I enjoyed.
2. John - 1 star - I was highly disappointed in this witch graphic story. The artwork was lackluster and uninspired, lacking any depth or creativity. The story itself was also overly cliché, following predictable tropes without bringing anything new or interesting to the genre. I found myself eager to finish the book just to be done with it, as it failed to capture my attention or engage me as a reader.
3. Emily - 2 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to create a unique and imaginative world in this witch graphic story, the execution fell flat for me. The plot was confusing and disjointed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story and its characters. I also found the pacing to be inconsistent, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled by this graphic story.
4. Mike - 1 star - I regret wasting my time on this witch graphic story. The artwork was amateurish, with poorly rendered characters and messy panels. The storyline was equally disappointing, with a lackluster plot that failed to captivate or engage me as a reader. The dialogue felt clunky and unnatural, further detracting from the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this graphic story to anyone.