"Witches Get Things Done"
Publisher: Charmz (division of Papercutz)
Publication Date (October 2018)
ISBN 10 - 1545801517
ISBN 13 - 978-1545801512
70 pages of story & art
It's time to return to Spectreville in this second graphic novel about Sophia Greene-Campos and her family of ghost hunters. In the last graphic novel, Sophia met and ultimately freed the ghost girl, Whitney, from being stuck haunting a bridge - but that freedom was short-lived, when Whitney was pulled away during a ritual gone wrong (to rid their school of a teacher who was not everything she seemed to be).
Now, in "Witches Get Things Done," writer Monica Gallagher and artist Kata Kane, introduce a new player in Sophia's world, the daughter of a tarot-card reader, Charlotte. Sophia is anxious to learn more about spells, like her father, so she can find a way to bring Whitney back from wherever she is. Her parents are not overly pleased with her brother's antics at the end of the last book, so they are unwilling to teach her just yet ... but Sophia has other plans! Charlotte is a willing accomplice, and the two (along with the help of Sophia's brother) set out to cast a spell that will bring back the ghost that Sophia likes.
But what about Jake, the boy that likes Sophia and that she claims she doesn't have an interest in? What happens when Charlotte expresses an interest? And who is that red-haired boy that Whitney finds down in the caverns of who-knows where? And what exactly is Sophia's father up to with Charlotte's mother? And just what is up with that two-headed ghost that keeps haunting the dreams of Sophia's family? And just what are their plans for that poor red-headed boy?
This second volume is chock full of mysteries, and while a few of them get answered, a few are just harbingers of things yet to come. Gallagher does a very good job of weaving all of the stories in and out of each other, and in true soap opera fashion, manages to resolve some stories, while introducing others and building on others still. This is not a series of done-in-one mystery stories, but an entire world of supernatural mysteries with a strong-willed, yet inexperienced female protagonist. And the ending sets up what appears to be an interesting trip for Sophia...
While this series appears to be aimed at teens, I am impressed with the fact that Gallagher has created a protagonist that likes other girls, but does not force the issue or make it into any kind of political book; rather, she simply writes the story about a girl who likes girls and makes no big deal about it. I give her kudos for keeping the book more about the mysteries and the relationships, and not at all about her orientation. As far as the art goes, I do admit, it seems a little less refined in this book than it did in the first, but it is cute, and Kane seems to be developing a good grasp of facial expressions.
This is a book I would recommend to any age - no cussing, no sex, no nudity, no adult situations, no extreme violence - just good story-telling and well-written mysteries.
RATING: 8 back-to-back creature features out of 10 for providing an all-ages book that is not dumbed-down or overly cartoony.
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