I have been a fan of Terry Brooks for too many years to count. I remembered the first time I saw one of his books. It was at a School book fair, and Scholastic was there. As all of us loved to get our books by class mail order, bringing in money so we can get the books we checked off. So we all got excited and of course, we’re happy that we did not have to wait for the books to come because they were there.

As Scholastic were not the only booksellers there. In fact, there was one who sold used books, and right there I saw Magic Kingdom for Sale and was hooked from that point on. I of course got into the Shannara Chronicles and was dazzled by the strong female protagonists. In Jessica Chobot, Erika Lewis, and Claudia Aguirre’s third issue of Firebrand, our protagonist finds out who her family really is, much like Shea in The Sword of Shannara.

We find Natali meeting her aunt, her mother’s twin for the first time, Selena, and whom she would call Izeba(aunt) Selena, as she finds out that she is part of a race of powerful witches. Fast forward, eight years later, and she hasn’t seen father in all that time and must take part in a deadly competition, Basa Gerra,  which would weed who was the best witch/wizard of them all and who would be her Aunt Selena’s next apprentice. She would face some stiff competition from her cousin, Jenna. By the issue’s end, the young witches and wizards see what awaits them, almost certain death.

Overall, Firebrand #3 is a chapter that ramps up on the action. The story by Chobot and Lewis is thrilling. The art by Aguirre is stunning. Altogether, it’s a story that all readers can enjoy.

Story: Jessica Chobot and Erika Lewis Art: Claudia Aguirre
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

The evil step-parent trope has been around for years and throughout every medium. The Harry Potter franchise made the main character so indelible because of the relationship he has with his aunt and uncle. The thing is, in real life, that whole relationship is quite tricky. To say that you only need to be a diplomat is quite an understatement.

As life goes on we require affection outside of our family. The one thing some parents fail to take into consideration is how the children receive that person or if that person if even likes children. As that relationship is paramount to whether the vessel is broken on arrival. In Jessica Chobot, Erika Lewis, and Claudia Aguirre’s second issue of Firebrand, our protagonist finds her powers as her relationship with her stepmother comes to a reckoning.

We find Natali and her stepmother in a one way heated exchange, as she told quite vehemently her new role now that her stepmother is in her life. As her stepmother’s true nature comes out right before her father takes the stage at a political rally. A slap by her stepmother inadvertently unleashes her powers, mistakenly hurting her stepmother. By the issue’s end, her father makes a decision to send her away, something that she finds a way to thwart.

Overall, a story that adds new elements of surprise with every chapter. The story by Chobot and Lewis is thrilling. The art by Aguirre is stunning. Altogether, a story that all readers can enjoy.

Story: Jessica Chobot and Erika Lewis Art: Claudia Aguirre
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

As a fan of Salem and Charmed, I’ve always been fascinated by the witch archetype. I grew up watching then reruns of Bewitched, and remember being mesmerized by the twitch of Elizabeth Montgomery’s nose. Then came the ultra hilarious Hocus Pocus and the dark comedy of Witches of Eastwick. All of these gave readers a variety of how the witch was portrayed, versus its much antiquated medieval models.

Though each of them showcased a unique take, it never felt like any of these characters were relatable. The most recent reboot of Charmed sought to rectify this but ended up feeling forced. Netflix did one better by giving us Always A Witch which gave us a black protagonist in modern Spain. In Jessica Chobot, Erika Lewis, and Claudia Aguirre’s debut issue of Firebrand, we meet a protagonist much like Always A Witch’s Carmen, who is far from your ordinary.

We meet Natali Presano, on the day of her birth, where her parents are gushing over their newborn daughter, as a family secret comes to light. Where we find out Natali’s mom, Elysia, comes from a long line of witches in Spain, who are known to be the most powerful ever, as Natali’s birth, would lead to Elysia’s death and her father alone to raise her. As her life would not be easy for her and her Dad, but it was not all easy and it was not all bad, as he would eventually remarry. By issue’s end, her new stepmother is not as nice as it seems and she may have inherited some of her mother’s powers.

Overall, an excellent story which follows the tracks of this well-told genre and gives reader a protagonist who will remind some of Harry Potter but is a hero in her own right. The story by Jessica Chobot and Erika Lewis is well developed and well characterized. The art by Claudia Aguirre is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that readers will both enjoy and be challenged by.

Story: Jessica Chobot and Erika Lewis Art: Claudia Aguirre
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy