Review: Charmed Season 9 Volume 3 (Comic)

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 184
Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Release Date: 24/04/2012
I bought it online.

THE DESCRIPTION:
The years have passed quickly for The Charmed Ones since they learned of their magical heritage. In only one decade they have experienced so much love and loss, joy and sorrow, failure and success. But time marches on and new challenges will be met as Phoebe is haunted by her past, Piper must deal with the present, and Paige is forced to cope with the future. But none of those events will prepare them to face the truth behind a family secret that could change everything for the Warren line.

THE REVIEW:
I was really excited to read the next volume of 'Charmed'. I have been re-watching the show, but I decided to read this one so that I could see what was going to happen next. The story-line picks up where it left of last time (well, kind of) and this volume definitely didn't disappointing.

I've noticed with the first two volumes that some of the things occurring in the Volume were very similar to some of the things that occurred in the show. I guess I'm being a little vague, but I don't want to reveal too much. Call it the supernatural consequences, or side-effects or even evidence - it really depends on the episode-  but, if it whatever it was happened in the volume also happened in the show, then these supernatural leftovers/indicators are exactly the same. What I liked about this volume was that there were a few differences and some new parts of the "mythology" were introduced.

There was also a little bit of a cliff-hanger to keep me interested, but nothing so major that would annoy you if you had to wait for the volume to come out. I am really excited to read the next one and hope that volume 4 won't be the last one.

Overall, I have rated this comic 5 out of 5 stars. The charmed comics are great for people who really enjoyed the 'Charmed' show and have really convinced me to start reading other comics. The artwork is great and the story-line is set out very similar to the television show.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

Review: Charmed Season 9 Volume 2 (Comic)

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 184
Genre: Comics/Graphic Novels, Fantasy
Release Date: 20/09/2011
Writer: Paul Ruditus
Artists:
Tess Fowler
Marcio Abreu 
Carlos Granda
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Bought online.

THE DESCRIPTION:
The girls are back in town Season 9 of Charmed continues in the pages of this graphic novel from Zenescope. Follow along everyone's favorite trio of witches as Paige, Phoebe, and Piper continue their adventures from the hit TV series.

MY THOUGHTS:
While I really liked Volume 1, I was having a hard time with some of the artists depictions of the characters. and I didn't think the story progressed quickly enough. I enjoyed Volume 2 much more, but I'm not sure if this was because of the comic itself or if I have just become more accustomed to reading in this format, this time around. Regardless of whether you think comics are for you, if you are a charmed fan you'll probably enjoy this.

Though there is still a change of artists through the story (many times) I didn't have any problems figuring out who was who like I did last time. I was actually quite impressed with some of the depictions of the characters, especially the minor characters and I didn't know if this might have had anything to do with getting permission from actors to use their likeness for the face of the characters. I was also quite impressed with some of the composition and some of the ideas for the drawings. For example there is one instance where the girls are talking Telepathically and each of their bodies from the bust upwards are shown coming out of the triquetra. 

I feel like I'm getting used to the comic format now as it was taking me a while to figure out with the first volume that I couldn't just read left to right and that there is up and down as well. I think I've still got to tell myself to slow down, because these books aren't very long and I'm not going to get to enjoy the artwork if I just keep reading through it quickly like some sort of maniac. 

I like that the story is more exciting this time around and that it seems to be well formatted. Each Chapter seemed to fell more like  a "chapter" than a group of pages separated by another title page. I think there was more story in each chapter too. I can imagine that the people buying the original comic books rather than the volume would be more pleased with these chapters than the first book.

I also really liked where the story was going. We get to learn more about the 'Charmed' world (or the witch world) and meet up with some old characters again. I am hoping that some of the characters on the show that didn't have such a happy ending can finally get theirs in the next two volumes. 

Overall, 5 out of 5 stars. I really like the artwork and story-line of this one and it helps that I'm starting to get more used to reading this kind of format. Can't wait to see what happens in Volume 3.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

First Graphic Novel Review: Charmed Season 9 Volume 1

THE DETAILS:
Pages: 154
Genre: Graphic Novel/Comic Book, Fantasy
Release Date: 14/12/2010
Writers: Constance M. Burge, Paul Ruditus
Artists: Dave Hoover, Marcio Abreau, Novo Malgapo
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Purchased Online.

THE DESCRIPTION:
"Charmed Season 9" picks up where the TV show left off! With the source of all evil defeated, The Charmed Ones, three witches destined to be the most powerful force for good our world has ever known, have embraced a new life. One of new family, friends, and a future without the constant battle between good and evil...or so they think.

MY THOUGHTS:
I haven't really gotten into the whole comic book thing before now. I had considered it as there seems to be a growing trend with various YA series being converted into comic book format. I had even considered purchasing some 'Sailor Moon' comics as I was a huge fan when I was little, but everything was either overpriced or unavailable. After watching 8 seasons of 'Charmed' I couldn't just let it be and I decided to get myself a copy of volume 1.

So, this is my first actual comic book. Apart from a few comic excerpts in 'Total Girl Magazine' as a child and at the start/end of a 'W.I.T.C.H' book which I had read a whole three of in my primary school days. I know enough about understanding a comic or reading it in order, but I've just never fancied myself as much of a comic book reader. The only thing that I had to learn about was that there are issues and volumes. Unlike some of the YA-books-turned-graphic-novels circulating the reading scene, 'Charmed' is first and foremost a comic book. Originally it was released in issues, but the Volume consists of a number of issues.

The first thing that took me a while to understand was the who-is-who aspect of it all. Because the girls are sisters they all have similar looks. They are all brunette (or close to it) with brown eyes. So, when I first picked up this comic book I was having a little bit of difficulty telling the Halliwells apart. To top it off, the artist changes later on in the volume causing even more confusion, but once I figured out who was who I was fine. I think I prefer the work of the second artist as the pictures are more detailed and look a little less like a children's cartoon.

The volume is written in the same way as the show, so you'll have a bit about the scary demons and then the story will flick back to the girls and so on. So that was very familiar to me. The emotional and humorous aspects of the story were also great in comparison with the show. The only thing that I thought was a bit off was the action as it was displayed by phrases like "Kaboom". I found this a little cheesy at first, but then I guess I just got over it and accepted it as a part of the comic book format and its limitations.

I really liked some of the artwork in the volume. Even in the first chapters which weren't as great as the last ones,  there were some cool arty effects used to show orbing and rain which did carry on throughout the volume. At the beginning there is an excerpt from the book of shadows explaining briefly how the girls got their powers, what they have been up to for the past 8 years (for those that can't remember what happened in charmed) and some of the spells that have been used most frequently during the series. There is also a section at the back filled with the awesome cover art from the issues that make up the volume. From the perspective of someone who likes to draw and paint I found this all to be very impressive and inspiring.

The volume was a very quick read and the story lined up well with everything that has happened in the TV seasons. There was a lot going on in this volume, so I hope the girls can get it together because they have an awful lot of work ahead of them!

Overall, I am impressed. I think I may try out some more graphic novels in the future and I am definitely going to get myself some more 'Charmed' ones. While it wasn't perfect I can see myself rereading 'Charmed Season 9 Volume 1' many times in the future, just because I love the 'Charmed' world so much. I think I'll give it 4.5/5 stars. I don't know if I am really qualified to rate a graphic novel though...

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie