Comic book witches have been a popular subject in the world of comics for many years. These powerful and enchanting characters have captivated readers with their magical abilities and often complex backstories. Witches in comic books come in many forms, from traditional portrayals of witches with pointy hats and broomsticks to more modern and edgy interpretations. They can be heroes or villains, using their magic for good or evil purposes. Some well-known comic book witches include characters like Scarlet Witch from Marvel Comics and Zatanna from DC Comics. One of the reasons comic book witches have become such a popular subject is because of the unique and visually stunning way that their spells and magic are depicted.
7 of the Best Witches in Comics
Jessica Plummer has lived her whole life in New York City, but she prefers to think of it as Metropolis. Her day job is in books, her side hustle is in books, and she writes books on the side (including a short story in Sword Stone Table from Vintage). She loves running, knitting, and thinking about superheroes, and knows an unnecessary amount of things about Donald Duck. Follow her on Twitter at @jess_plummer.
It’s October, and that means it’s the season of the witch! Well, okay, every month is the season of the witch for many of you — and for comics. The funnybooks abound with witches both good and wicked (and sometimes both at the same time), and I’ve rounded up a few of my faves for you.
Witches occupy an interesting place in comics history. As I’ve talked about before, the Comics Code Authority, the comic book industry’s internal censorship board, came down particularly hard against horror comics, as they were seen as being especially harmful to children — well, and other publishers were trying to drive the wildly popular EC Comics, who specialized in horror, out of business.
From 1954 to 1971, the Code explicitly banned “the walking dead, torture, vampires and vampirism, ghouls, cannibalism, and werewolfism.” Witches aren’t on that list, and in fact, every witch but one listed below debuted in the ’60s when the Code was at its strongest. Still, the scariness of witches, both in art and writing, was way toned down for a decade and a half — and I do have to wonder if the prevalence of witches in comics was in part because creators couldn’t use any other horror elements to frighten the kiddies.
Or maybe people have just always liked witches. Who can say?
Without further ado, here are seven of the best witches in comics:
Comic book witches
I favored Snapdragon to win this year’s Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids (though, um, another book ended up winning). Of all the recent comics about witches that I’ve reviewed here, Snapdragon strikes me as the most sure-handed and persuasive, as well as the richest. It shares with most of the other “witch” books a progressive, inclusive, queer-positive ethos and Bildungsroman structure. Snapdragon, though, brings even more to the table, without ever overcramming or pushing too hard. Unsurprisingly, the book has a utopian, welcoming, vibe, but author Kat Leyh stirs in so much complicated humanness that the results never seem pollyannish or schematic. What we get is a winningly complex cast of characters, queer and trans representation that is central to the story while being gloriously unflustered and direct, spooky supernatural details that resolve into unexpected affirmations, and, above all, vivid and confident cartooning – one terrific, nuanced page after another. I was just a few pages in when I realized that I was in the hands of a master comics artist.
The book has guts. Its first panel delivers a closeup of hungry birds tearing into carrion (roadkill), then zooms out to Snapdragon, or Snap, barreling through the woods on her bike. “Our town has a witch,” Snap’s opening captions tell us. “She fed her eye to the devil. She eats roadkill. And casts spells with the bones…” So, by way of opening, Leyh leans into the creep factor:
But Snap, a fierce young girl, isn’t having it; the town’s rumors of a witch are “bull,” she thinks. “Witches ain’t real,” her skeptical thoughts go, as she brings her bike skidding to a halt in front of the witch’s (?) home. But soon enough Snap has joined forces with this supposed witch, a quirky old woman named Jacks who cares for animals but also salvages and sells the bones of roadkill to collectors and museums. Is Jacks a witch? Does she wield real magic? The book remains coy about this until halfway through, but Snap quickly bonds with Jacks, who welcomes Snap into her work, mentors her in animal anatomy and care, and becomes a sort of avuncular (materteral?) queer role model.
That bond helps Snap claim her own implied queerness – that, and Snap’s friendship with Lou/Lulu, an implicitly trans schoolmate labeled as a boy but anxious to claim her girlness. All the book’s relationships are worked out with care, including the crucial one between Snap and her overworked but wise single mom, Vi. Leyh’s characterization is slyly intersectional, including sensitivity to class (Lu and Snap are neighbors in a mobile home park, a detail conveyed with knowing matter-of-factness). Almost every character has more to give than at first appears – the sole exception being Vi’s toxic ex-boyfriend, a heavy whose sudden reappearance at the climax is the book’s one surrender to convenience. Everything else feels truly earned.
Snapdragon is the kind of book that, described in the abstract, might seem to be playing with loaded dice. In less sure hands, its story could have come across as pat and programmatic, a matter of good intentions as opposed to gutsy storytelling. But, oh, Leyh is absolutely on point here; her mix of irrepressible cartooning and narrative subtlety, of bounce and insinuation, is a wonder to behold. Snap and Jacks are great characters, and in good company. Their world feels real and vital. Leyh infuses their story with grace, understanding, and nonstop energy. I’ve read this book multiple times and expect to read it again. I’d read sequels, if Leyh wanted to offer any. And I’ll follow her whatever she does.
17 Wickedly Great Witches In Comics & Graphic Novels
Whether you enjoy foodie fiction, LGBT+ fantasy stories, or dragon, werewolf, vampire, and witch comic books, there is something for everyone on this reading list.
Watch as young witches come of age and find their powers. Others solve mysteries with their cute familiars.
There are comic book witches who gently nudge others to overcome their fears and those who battle stereotypes and gender norms.
Below, find just a few of our favorite witch comics sure to enchant, inspire, and maybe even make you cackle.
Be sure to let us know your favorite witch graphic novels for all ages in the comments. Let’s get started!
Afterward, check out the best novels about witches.
Cackle around the world with your favorite witches in comics and graphic novels.Grab your top movies and graphic novels with witches here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
- Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.
Table of Contents
One of the reasons comic book witches have become such a popular subject is because of the unique and visually stunning way that their spells and magic are depicted. Artists often take advantage of the medium to create stunning and imaginative visuals, with intricate spell designs, glowing energy, and swirling magical effects. Comic book witches also often have complex and interesting storylines.
17 Best Witches in Comics
Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione
At the prestigious Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy, cooking prowess and magical ability go hand in hand.
Now attending her senior year, Basil Eyres is determined to be the top student. In fact, she needs to secure the top spot or she’ll lose her scholarship and be in a huge amount of debt.
Her focus is about to be thrown, however, thanks to the arrival of Arabella Oregano – daughter of the world-famous chef Ametrine Oregano.
Arabella also needs to be number one in order to meet her mother’s high standards, so Basil has to get over the pesky crush she has on Arabella and beat her in every competition.
The cuteness of these queer comic book witches is off the charts. Anyone who has ever felt the pressure to succeed in high school will have a lot to relate to here.
Each colorful character jumps off the page, and the world they live in is vibrant and creative. All of the food they prepare will have you ravenous by the end.
When it comes to witches in comics with LGBTQ+ characters, Basil and Oregano is truly a recipe for success!
Read Basil and Oregano: Amazon | Goodreads
Tidesong by Wendy Xu
If you’ve ever wanted to disappear into a fantastical world similar to the ones in Studio Ghibli movies, then Tidesong might be one of your new favorite graphic novels about witches!
Sent to live with her Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lam in order to improve her magic, young witch Sophie is going to need some serious help in order to get into the Royal Magic Academy.
Unfortunately, all her relatives seem to want her to do is chores, so she takes matters into her own hands and attempts some magic without them – with unexpected results.
Sophie has accidentally entangled her magic with the magic of Lir, a water dragon who is now trapped on land and has no memory of his origins.
He’s really good at magic though, which is perfect for Sophie and her chances of passing her exams. But can she really use Lir like that, even if she can’t do it without him?
This charming, cozy story will have you falling in love with witches in comics as Sophie learns some valuable lessons along her journey.
Plus, it’s a great selection if you are looking for fantasy books with dragons.
Read Tidesong: Amazon | Goodreads
Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama
Translated by Stephen Kohler
Sometimes witches in comics have a difficult road to success, and that’s the case for young Coco.
Having grown up in a world filled with magic and fantastical creatures, Coco has a single dream: to become a witch.
There’s just one problem – only those who are born with magical abilities are allowed to become magic users, and Coco isn’t one of them.
It seems like she’ll have to spend her days working as a regular dressmaker, until the traveling magician Qifrey enters her life.
Qifrey knows how to perform magic in a way Coco’s never seen before, and soon she’s on an unexpected adventure into a world she could only dream of before.
With multiple volumes available in this series, Witch Hat Atelier is a treasure trove of witch comics just waiting for you to discover them.
Read Witch Hat Atelier: Amazon | Goodreads
Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo
There is a night when the boundary between the living and the dead is at its thinnest; that night is Samhain, and it’s around that fateful time that Abby’s sister, Noreen, disappeared.
However, everyone at the Younwity Hidden Institute of Witchcraft seems to be too distracted with preparations for the Samhain Festival celebrations to notice.
They’re sure the Coven will find Noreen, so there’s no need to worry. But Abby does worry, and she will take matters into her own hands to solve this mystery.
Things get even more serious when Abby finds out that Noreen might not be the first young witch to disappear in this way.
With a delightful mix of dark academia, cute familiars, and supernatural intrigue, Over My Dead Body is one of the best witch graphic novels for young adults.
Abby is one of the most relatable comic book witches, and she and her investigative friends make for an engaging team of protagonists.
Let’s also not forget the gorgeous and highly detailed panels from author/illustrator Sweeney Boo.
Read Over My Dead Body: Amazon | Goodreads
W.I.T.C.H. by Elisabetta Gnone
These incredibly popular witch comics have all the energy of Disney mixed with the drama of adolescence in a pseudo-manga style.
Earth is under threat from the evil that lurks in the dark world of Metamoor. Now that twelve portals have been opened, it’s up to a special group of young girls to band together and stop them.
Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin have been given the powers of the elements – they are the new Guardians. Together they are … W.I.T.C.H.!
Beginning with Part 1: The Twelve Portals, Volume 1, this is one of the longest-running witch comic book series, starting in April 2001 and concluding in October 2012.
For many young readers, this was the beginning of their witches in comics journey. Let yourself get carried along for the ride!
Read W.I.T.C.H.: Amazon | Goodreads
The Accursed Vampire by Madeline McGrane
Dragoslav, or Drago, is a 500+ years old non-binary vampire in the body of a child. Many, many years ago, they were cursed by a witch.
Drago must do whatever the witch asks or risk her wrath and be turned into a worm for eternity.
Fortunately, Drago hasn’t heard from the witch in decades and currently spends their days hanging out and being mischievous with their fellow vampire buddies, Eztli and Quintus.
That is until the witch’s familiar shows up with instructions. Drago must retrieve her grimoire and bring it back to her.
The catch? The grimoire is being guarded by Ayesha, a seemingly friendly witch, and her partner Sara, who is a vampire.
But is Ayesha really their friend? If so, Drago, Eztli, and Quintus don’t want to betray her and Sara’s trust.
Or, like so many witch comic books, is she tricking the three young vampires for her own nefarious reasons?
Read The Accursed Vampire: Amazon | Goodreads
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, art by Robert Hack
If you’re looking for some of the creepiest witch comics, this satanic take on the iconic Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a great place to start.
Edward Spellman broke Witch Law when he married Diana, a mortal woman. But Edward has always done what he wants.
On their daughter, Sabrina’s first birthday, she is promised to Satan – a promise that will come to fruition on her 16th birthday.
Sabrina has always known she is destined for great service to the dark lord, but as her 16th birthday approaches, she is torn in her devotion to him and to her human boyfriend, Harvey.
Now unknown dark forces have arrived in Greendale to wreak havoc on Sabrina’s life and those closest to her.
Will Sabrina fight back and leave her mark as one of the most iconic witches in comics, or will she give up everything she’s ever known to be with the mortal she loves?
Read Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Amazon | Goodreads
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
Everyone in town knows that the old lady who collects roadkill is a witch. They say she eats them and performs spells with the bones.
Snap knows that’s all nonsense, but she needs to find out what happened to her dog, Good Boy.
Fortunately, Good Boy is alive and well, albeit missing a leg from a nasty traffic accident. And it turns out the old lady, whose name is Jacks, wears Crocs and just sells bone sculptures online.
But maybe Jacks does have a little magic up her sleeve; the kind that might help a misfit like Snap find her place in the world.
Jacks is undoubtedly one of the cooler witches in comics, and the partnership between her and Snap leads to some delightful and charming lessons about life.
Read Snapdragon: Amazon | Goodreads
The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag
It is a fact that, in Aster’s family, the girls are raised as witches and the boys grow up to be shapeshifters. This is how it is, and this is how it shall be – the only other choice is exile.
Unfortunately, Aster is now 13 years old, and he still hasn’t shifted. He’s much more at home with witchcraft, despite the consequences that would come with him being found out.
When disaster strikes, Aster knows he has the power to help, but only as a witch.
Will he be able to show his family that being a witch is not just possible, but also who he really is?
Challenging gender norms in a creative and engaging way, The Witch Boy is an excellent and diverse queer middle-grade gem as well as an original take on witch comic books.
Read The Witch Boy: Amazon | Goodreads
Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola, art by Emily Carroll
Everyone knows that Baba Yaga is a cruel old witch who lives in the woods in a house on chicken legs and eats children.
But Masha doesn’t believe that. She grew up hearing magical tales from her grandmother who insisted she always keep an open mind and remember that there are two sides to every story.
Then, Masha’s dad announces his engagement to a new woman. Masha, still grieving the death of her mom, is devastated – especially as her new step-sister is an absolute terror.
So armed with a newspaper ad from Baba Yaga seeking an assistant, Masha heads into the woods.
Once she meets Baba Yaga, Masha is tasked with several daunting tasks to prove herself. Is Masha up to the task?
In Baba Yaga’s Assistant, you’ll meet one of the most formidable comic book witches. But is Baba Yaga really as cruel as she seems, or is there more to her than meets the eye?
Read Baba Yaga’s Assistant: Amazon | Goodreads
The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
Young Moth has always loved witches, which is why she’s decided to dress up as one for Halloween. But this Halloween Moth gets a lot more than she bargained for.
Not only are they learning about the witchy history of her town, Flounder’s Bluff, but Moth’s just made a great new friend named Charlie after being bullied.
Oh, right, and she seems to be developing witch powers. At least, that’s the only explanation for the weird things happening to her.
But Moth’s powers quickly get out of hand and increasingly weird stuff is happening. I mean, did anyone else hear that talking cat?
Can Moth get her powers under control, or is she destined to be one of the unluckiest witches?
For beautifully illustrated witch graphic novels, The Okay Witch is perfect for the fall and will delight anyone who loves witches full of heart.
Read The Okay Witch: Amazon | Goodreads
Witchlight by Jessi Zabarsky
Do you like blossoming friendship books? Then Witchlight was written for you.
After a frantic first encounter in the local market, peasant girl Sanja finds herself the unlikely captive of Lelek, a traveling witch. Or rather, a witch seemingly on the run.
Lelek has been moving from town to town, ripping people off and scheming her way into whatever she needs. Right now, she needs Sanja to teach her how to fight.
And Sanja will help… provided Lelek stops her unlawful methods and learns to make an honest living. Even if that living means challenging other witches to single magical combat.
Witchlight has a bold visual style to match its fast-paced plot and profound character development. The result is one of the best comics about witches learning to find themselves.
Read Witchlight: Amazon | Goodreads
Coven by Jennifer Dugan, art by Kit Seaton
No one likes being uprooted from their life and forced to relocate to another state on the other side of the country.
It’s especially bad when you’re a sun ’n’ surf-loving teenager leaving behind both your girlfriend and the waves of California and being dropped into the much-less-glamorous upstate New York.
To top it off, all this is because members of your family’s coven have been killed with what must have been magic, and you need to relearn your powerful fire elemental skills.
Hopefully, the killer won’t strike again too soon!
With characters and art both well-drawn, Coven is a rollercoaster of weirdness, full of some of the most entertaining witches in comics from recent years.
Read Coven: Amazon | Goodreads
Spellchecked by Quinton Miles and Mauricio Campetella
You might think it would be great to be the child of one of the most powerful mages in the world, but then you don’t know what life is like in the Davenport family.
While their father Dwayne is off saving the world, his children Dawn and Dwayne Jr. are pretty much left to their own devices.
Not that it would be nice to have a healthy relationship with their dad or anything.
Dawn and Dwayne Jr. do have magic of their own, so they have that going for them, and they use it to keep their own small neighborhood relatively crime-free.
But something’s coming that will put them to the test, and may finally help them carve their own places in the world outside of their father’s absent shadow.
Written and drawn with a punchy style, you’ll fall in love with witch comic books like these.
Read Spellchecked: Amazon | Goodreads
More comic book witches from Christine
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
If you enjoy queer graphic novels about witches and werewolves, you’ll definitely want to pick up Mooncakes.
Nova is a queer and deaf witch, working at her family’s bookstore, with a penchant for fighting supernatural occurrences.
As she heads into the woods to fight a demon, she reconnects with her non-binary, childhood werewolf crush, Tam.
It’s hard to rekindle a relationship, though, when a coven of witches is trying to steal your crush’s werewolf magic.
With Snow White-like forest critters, enjoy one of the most enchanting stories about love and family perfect for LGBT fantasy lovers.
Discover even more good books with werewolves.
Read Mooncakes: Amazon | Goodreads
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
Although the second book in the Garlic series, Garlic & the Witch, is probably just a bit more fitting for our witch comics list, readers first meet Witch Agnes in Garlic & the Vampire – a terrific tween vampire book about anxiety and farming.
Witch Agnes has created sentient fruits and vegetables to help in her garden. (They are allowed to grow and leave to follow their own passions, if they so choose – phew).
When they see smoke coming from the once-empty castle on the hill, they believe a vampire is back in town.
Pressured to confront the bloodsucker, anxious Garlic heads to the castle with Celery, who promptly abandons her.
Can Garlic overcome her fears to see if this vampire is indeed dangerous and save her friends?
Witch Agnes is one of the sweetest and most considerate and empowering witches in comics, and she’s back at her kind ways and life lessons in the second book.
Discover even more books about vampires for adults.
Read Garlic & The Vampire: Amazon | Goodreads
Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock
Get ready for fever dream comic book witches…
Vonceil wants more for her life than just working on her family’s Oklahoman farm. Not to mention that her brother, Ebner, has returned from WW1 a changed person, suffering what we know today as PTSD.
When a witch seeks out the newly married Ebner, she places a curse on the farm’s sole water source, forcing Vonceil to head out to a dangerous and magical land – complete with more witches – to save her family.
Delightfully eccentric – but not for everyone – find a story about binding promises, curses, jealousy, loneliness, and love, perfect for tween and teen readers.
Larson is just one of the many great authors from Asheville, NC.
Read Salt Magic: Amazon | Goodreads
Grab your favorite graphic novels and comics about witches here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
- Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.
Save your favorite witch comics for later:
Pin Did you find a new witch comic book to read? Save this list for later, and cackle across the world with The Uncorked Librarian.
Before you go…
If you love witch graphic novels, you might also enjoy these books on the Salem Witch Trials, including fiction and nonfiction titles for adults and teens. Plus, travel to Salem to encounter a few magical and fun fictional witches.
What are your favorite witch comics?
With so many great comics with witches out there, it’s hard to choose! Who are your favorite witches in comics? Let us know in the comments.
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Their magical abilities can be a source of power and conflict, leading to themes of redemption, identity, and the struggle between good and evil. Some witches may grapple with their powers and the responsibility that comes with them, while others may embrace their dark side and use their magic for personal gain. In addition to their magical abilities, comic book witches are often portrayed as intelligent and knowledgeable. They may have a deep understanding of ancient mystical arts, potions, and rituals. This adds depth to their character and allows for interesting storylines that explore mythology, folklore, and the supernatural. Overall, comic book witches are a fascinating and popular subject in the world of comics. They bring a sense of mystery, power, and excitement to the stories they inhabit. Whether they are heroes or villains, these magical characters continue to captivate readers with their enchanting abilities and captivating storylines..
Reviews for "The Changing Face of Comic Book Witches: Multicultural Perspectives"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "Comic book witches". The artwork was subpar and lacked the detail and creativity that I expect from a comic book. The characters were one-dimensional and the story felt rushed and shallow. Overall, it felt like a lazy attempt at cashing in on the popularity of witches in popular culture. I would not recommend this comic book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Mike - 1 star - "Comic book witches" was a complete waste of my time and money. The dialogue was cheesy and forced, and the plot was predictable and unoriginal. The artwork was mediocre at best, with poorly drawn characters and unimpressive coloring. The whole concept of witches in a comic book setting sounded intriguing, but the execution was a letdown. Save yourself the disappointment and stay away from this comic book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Comic book witches" but it just didn't deliver. The story lacked depth and failed to capture my interest. The artwork was decent, but overall it felt like a forgettable and generic comic book. The characters were not memorable and the dialogue felt flat. I expected more from a comic book about witches, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of witch-themed stories.