Review: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1

Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by Robert Hack, Jack Morelli
Cover by Robert Hack
Rosemary’s Baby Variant Cover: Robert Hack
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
Released 10/8/2014

SOLICITATION:

Terror is born anew in this dark reimagining of Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s origin. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But a foe from her family’s past has arrived in Greendale, Madame Satan, and she has her own deadly agenda. Archie Comics’ latest horror sensation starts here!

REVIEW:

Like with most things Archie, I was hesitant to try this, but the solicitation had me intrigued. From the first page I found myself slightly interested in what seemed to be another witch story that ends very tragically, and then it’s revealed that the infant at the center of it all is Sabrina. At that point, I was hooked, especially as we watched Sabrina grow up and into her witch abilities. The tone gets lighter, and unfortunately, with that shift in tone, the edge comes off of the story. The changing of Riverdale from the home of all-American teenagers into a secret witches’ coven that resurrects Madame Satan doesn’t alleviate that hesitation that came as the tone changed.

The art is excellent, and very reminiscent of the horror anthologies of the 1970s, even with the subdued coloring. Hack is great at giving equal weight to the fantastic and the mundane. He also is great at telling the mundane elements with enough style that it keeps interest despite an apathy that developed in my relationship with the story.

Will I give the second issue a try? Definitely, especially since some serious conflict is coming. If the story can keep up that kind of tone, then I’ll probably stick with it. For the month of Halloween, I think it’s an appropriate book, and if you want to find a new comic that has that Halloween spirit, then you can do far worse than picking up this comic.