The Witcher #1 is a new series written by Paul Tobin and published by Dark Horse based on the popular character, Geralt, from the Witcher novels and video games. It follows Geralt as he travels through the Black Forest in the land of Angren and encounters a lone fisherman in the area. Since he hasn’t seen anyone else in days Geralt decides to make camp to get some rest and food while chatting up the fisherman who can tell he’s a witcher. Always alert, Geralt springs to action killing a drowner who was waiting in the water for the fisherman, and so he feels indebted. But the fisherman isn’t truly out there alone as he tells Geralt that even though his wife died she’s currently watching them eat and drink on the hill and this has been going on for nine years. She was turned into a vampire by the Bruxae while they traveled through the Black Forest. Yet she doesn’t hurt him although she hunts and kills others along with the other Bruxae and even though it might be a matter of time before she does the same to him he believes the love they once shared is what prevents her from doing so. However he remains unable to fully accept that she has become a vampire and so this has been his life for these years, warning others away. It might finally be time for him to continue on with his life as Geralt offers him safe passage since he’s leaving and this would be the best opportunity to start over. But will it be possible with not only the Bruxae keeping watch but considering the Black Forest itself has darker elements that could twist and destroy the minds of men preventing them from leaving?

The Witcher is one of my favorite video game series of all-time and as a result I’m now getting into the novels, and so my anticipation for this series was extremely high. As a witcher and comic book fan this seemed like the perfect marriage to me and I anxiously wanted to see how it would translate. It was off to a compelling start with Geralt and the fisherman and the way it was revealed his wife was now a vampire watching them. The tone was set early with some quick action but also the intriguing monster and its complex relationship with the fisherman. The pace was deliberate and it felt reflective of the mature nature of all the Witcher storylines. However it was still eventful as the two-faced various obstacles with some witty dialogue that captures the witcher’s sometimes solemn yet sardonic tone. And as the two travel deeper into the Black Forest the plot thickens as they receive some help along the way but not to leave the forest necessarily but for an even deeper purpose. And in doing so has raised my expectations of this series because everything isn’t as it seems and so there’s tremendous potential in this storyline and as a Witcher fan I’m encouraged by this setup. The artwork in this issue does a great job at establishing the setting and capture the twisted nature of the environment making it both creepy and enthralling, indicative of the fisherman’s desire to both be free from the edge of the forest while remaining with his wife. But it was slightly less effective in establishing characters as I wasn’t sure of whether the fisherman was supposed to be a man in the later stages of his life or middle age but the story can clear that up. And going forward I think the artwork will complement the story a lot more than it could hinder it.

SUMMARY

The Witcher #1 is a solid start to the series creating an interesting setup and despite its deliberate pace it’s still eventful in establishing the characters while having some action throughout. I feel Geralt’s personality has been captured well considering the current situation and there are some intriguing developments that make me believe things aren’t necessarily what they seem in the Black Forest. And if that’s the case then this could be an even more thrilling ride but either way I’m encouraged by this start and I’m looking forward to the next issue.

 
Release Date: 3/19/14

Writer: Paul Tobin

Artist: Joe Querio