- This article is about the comic book. For information about the American feminist grouping, see W.I.T.C.H. (organisation)
W.I.T.C.H. is a comic book, product of the Italian Disney comic art studios, and created by Elisabetta Gnone in 2001. Despite its European origin, the comic takes place in the fictional North American city of Heatherfield, home of several secrets portals leading to parallel worlds. Five teenage girls are chosen to be guardians of the portals. For this purpose, they have been given the powers of the elements. W.I.T.C.H. consider itself a fantasy comic, although it also relates to the superhero genre, in the sense that the girls are using super powers to fight otherworldly threats, while trying to lead a normal life. Art-wise, the comic is heavily influenced by manga.
The story is largely about this team of five girls batteling the evil ruler of an alternate world, Meriddion, known as Prince Phobos and his servant Cedric who are attempting to use the portals to take our world and to search for Phobos' sister, the rightful ruler of Meridian who had fled to Earth years before. With the help of Caleb, a young rebel leader trying to free Meridian from Phobos, the team of girls use their powers to close any portals they find and battle what creatures do make it through.
Arguably, W.I.T.C.H. is the single most successful new comic book of the twenty-first century. It’s being published in Europe, Asia and Central America and translated into about twenty different languages. An authentic manga version is published in Japan. The comic books are not published in North America; instead they have been adapted into a series of "chapter books" containing comics inserts. There’s also a wide range of spin-off product available, including dolls, games and stationary. Jetix is currently showing a W.I.T.C.H. animated series.
(Note: The following information is based on the comics and U.S. chapter books.)
Characters
The roster of W.I.T.C.H. is very multi-ethnical and multi-social, obviously made so that all girl readers can find someone to identify with. The name is an acronym, made up from the girls’ first name initials. Despite this, their powers are of a cosmic, rather than an occult, nature. As such, they are not actual "witches".
- W is for Will Vandom - sensitive redhead who lives with her divorced mother. She has an obsession with plush frogs and dates Matt Olsen, the aspiring rock hero of Sheffield junior high (their school). As guardian of the amulet known as The Heart of CANDRACAR, she possesses the ability to turn the four basic elements into pure energy.
- I is for Irma Lair - slightly chubby brunette who lives with her cop dad, housewife mom and little brother. She is somewhat insecure when it comes to boys; the only thing she is sure about, is that she doesn’t want geeky boy scout Martin Tubbs for her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he’s the only one who’s interested in her. She controls the element of water, and is the comedienne of the group.
- T is for Taranee Cook - thoughtful black girl with glasses who lives with her lawyer dad, her mother the judge and older brother Peter, the would-be surf icon. She is a math whiz who likes classical music and dates Nigel Ashcroft, a rather quiet white boy. She controls the element of fire.
- C is for Cornelia Hale - tall blonde of a calm and sensible disposition. She lives with her bank manager dad, housewife mother and bratty baby sister. Her true love is Caleb, an extra-dimensional warrior who had to leave her to fulfil his obligations to Meridian, his home world. She controls the element of earth. Within the group, her serious nature is the cause of some tension between her and the smart-alecky Irma.
- H is for Hay Lin - spunky Chinese-American girl whose parents run a restaurant. Her grandmother Yan plays an important part in the W.I.T.C.H. mythology; she used to be a guardian and is currently a member of Candracar, the cosmic council that made Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin the new guardians. Hay Lin (always referred to by her full name) is a fashion-crazed dreamer who controls the element of air. She and Irma are best friends.
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