A comiXologist recommends:
Wytches #6

by: Jen Keith

Have you ever turned the lights off as you go upstairs? You’re at safe at home, but that doesn’t stop you from sprinting up those stairs. Maybe you look over your shoulder just to be sure nothing is waiting at the bottom. Of course you’re not afraid of the dark, you tell yourself.

It’s what could be IN the dark that you’re not sure of.

Wytches is Scott Snyder’s answer to what’s lurking there.

It follows the story of the Rooks family, forced by hard times into a new home that was meant to be their relief. It’s not. Creatures are in the woods, and they can give you your heart’s desire if you’re willing to pledge someone to get it. Beyond the monsters (human and creature alike), it’s about the love a father has for his daughter, Sailor, despite her anxiety and his fear. It’s horror with a lot of heart.

Wytches doesn’t just try to scare you. Snyder refers to it as a very personal project, filled with concepts close to his own life – things like the question of what wouldn’t a parent do for their child. At the end of every issue is an essay from Snyder; sometimes it’s a story, personal musings, or fan letters. I didn’t make it a habit of reading back matter until I started reading Wytches, but the book is made so much better by Synder’s insight and motivations.

Jock’s art brings the nightmare to life, able to swing the mood from sweet family scene to bloodcurdlingly terrifying. Shout out to colorist Matt Hollingsworth who perfectly matches the thick ink work. There’s this great effect laid over the pages that reminds me of when you rub your eyes really hard and you see all of those colored spots floating around in the darkness. It fits the atmosphere so well.

If you like horror and Scott Snyder writing it, I recommend The Wake. Snyder’s ability to take what could just be a good monster story and inject it with meaning shines in both of these series.

Issue #6 is the finale of this arc, the culmination of Charlie Rooks’ attempts to save his daughter, but there is more yet to come. Until then, I pledge you to start reading Wytches if you haven’t already. Pledged is pledged.

[Check out Wytches #6 on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and thinks that ‘chit chit’ might be the scariest sound effect ever now because of this series.