quetzelish's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a bit conflicted with this one because it is definitely closer to a 3.5 than a 4. Volume one of Scarlet Witch is very much a diamond in the rough. It has all the elements of being a really interesting (both visually and story wise) book but it falls flat on clarity and pacing.
I'm going to start with the art because this is another book whose artist changes from issue to issue which has always made for a jarring experience. But it does work in this volume, as each artist takes on a different location and if they return to it, the previous artist and returns as well. It gives a visual clarity to locations and events which I really appreciate. Unfortunately, all the art not done by Dillon (who's art is always very realistic and clear) feels muddy, beautiful to look at but hard to follow. Which may be the point. Everything is fractured and unclear, themes that run throughout the book. I just wish that it was easier to figure out what was happening panel to panel in those sections. Books with magic in theme should be striking and colorful (which this is) but also clear so we, the readers, can figure out what to focus on and to follow the action behind the spells (which this volume lacked, but not fully).
The best issue of the volume is definitly the final one. It's a one and done story that uses the art style to its advantage and tells not only a solid story, but does it in a really odd but cool manner. But thay only shows how oddly bad the story was for the rest of the volume. Its so uneven, sometimes setting up the idea that witchcraft is broken but then going on an adventure with a second rate villain that feels forced into the book. And maybe this is all because the scarlet witch is a post here. She has no discernable personality, rarely showing emotions beyond "grrr" or struggling with spell. Again, the most emotion she shows is when Dillon draws her. We see the intricacies of her facial expressions and that helps a lot. But it's obvious this volume is just starting to build to something so hopefully it will get better from here. As it stands, this is a beautiful but very uneven entry into scarlet witch's catalogue of comics.
I'm going to start with the art because this is another book whose artist changes from issue to issue which has always made for a jarring experience. But it does work in this volume, as each artist takes on a different location and if they return to it, the previous artist and returns as well. It gives a visual clarity to locations and events which I really appreciate. Unfortunately, all the art not done by Dillon (who's art is always very realistic and clear) feels muddy, beautiful to look at but hard to follow. Which may be the point. Everything is fractured and unclear, themes that run throughout the book. I just wish that it was easier to figure out what was happening panel to panel in those sections. Books with magic in theme should be striking and colorful (which this is) but also clear so we, the readers, can figure out what to focus on and to follow the action behind the spells (which this volume lacked, but not fully).
The best issue of the volume is definitly the final one. It's a one and done story that uses the art style to its advantage and tells not only a solid story, but does it in a really odd but cool manner. But thay only shows how oddly bad the story was for the rest of the volume. Its so uneven, sometimes setting up the idea that witchcraft is broken but then going on an adventure with a second rate villain that feels forced into the book. And maybe this is all because the scarlet witch is a post here. She has no discernable personality, rarely showing emotions beyond "grrr" or struggling with spell. Again, the most emotion she shows is when Dillon draws her. We see the intricacies of her facial expressions and that helps a lot. But it's obvious this volume is just starting to build to something so hopefully it will get better from here. As it stands, this is a beautiful but very uneven entry into scarlet witch's catalogue of comics.
maybeimbornwithit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
justabookholic's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Not to pit fandoms against one another but in terms of success rates and general pedestrian casualty, Wanda Maximoff wipes the floor with John Constantine (strictly in terms of solo runs, full-cast arcs not included). The comic was relatively interesting and a quick read but I wouldn't say I'm hooked. Will be continuing on but more out of tepid curiosity than desperate intrigue.
The Scarlet Witch tries to atone for past sins by traveling the world with her dead witch turned ghost companion (Agatha Harkness) with the goal of "fixing" witchcraft. Someone is breaking the fabric of magic and Wanda scours the globe in the pursuit of finding and stopping her unknown foe. Forgotten histories, both general and personal, are uncovered as Wanda learns more about her family.
Not to pit fandoms against one another but in terms of success rates and general pedestrian casualty, Wanda Maximoff wipes the floor with John Constantine (strictly in terms of solo runs, full-cast arcs not included). The comic was relatively interesting and a quick read but I wouldn't say I'm hooked. Will be continuing on but more out of tepid curiosity than desperate intrigue.
The Scarlet Witch tries to atone for past sins by traveling the world with her dead witch turned ghost companion (Agatha Harkness) with the goal of "fixing" witchcraft. Someone is breaking the fabric of magic and Wanda scours the globe in the pursuit of finding and stopping her unknown foe. Forgotten histories, both general and personal, are uncovered as Wanda learns more about her family.
joetwed's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
baxtervallens's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
betanine's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The story does show how power dynamics and revenge are so poisonous to our souls. I enjoyed reading this graphic novel, but it hasn’t pulled me into being a fan yet. I may borrow the next volunteer from the library and see where it goes.
honguan's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
orpheoustr's review against another edition
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mlindner's review against another edition
3.0
Got to say, the opening to this really pissed me off when it basically reduced the French Revolution to the actions of some demon thing. That erasure of so many people's agency was completely ignorant and uncalled for.
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