PixlBit

I just finished the last issue of this Witcher comic book story arc. I wasn't all that thrilled with it at first, but its ending changed my mind. 

It's common now to have multiple covers available on release day, so, as you can see, I chose different variants for the last two issues. 

At first this seemed like a straight up retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fable. I groaned thinking this story would be so predictable, but leave it to The Witcher to dig a little deeper and find that things aren't that simple. The last few issues had me guessing who was the true villain, and now I think of it, I'm still not sure. There are always complications and grey areas in Witcher stories, which is one reason why I like them. Bartosz Sztybor wrote it. He also wrote the recent Cyberpunk: Edgerunners TV show based on the Cyberpunk 2077 game. 

This is a dark story, but not without humor or moments of relief. The Witcher is teamed up with a balladeer who provides much of the humor.

The Witcher himself is like a supernatural, sword weilding Sherlock Holmes. He's a keen observer of human and beast behavior and a logical thinker. He doesn't kill things unless there is a pressing need or threat. And he will not let himself be manipulated into becoming a pure mercenary, yet he needs to be paid. He has a moral creed he seems to follow; a Lone Ranger of the wilds, if you will.

The art by Miki Montllo is well done all around, both covers and the story itself. I like the slight grimness of the look. It's a realistic world but with creepy edges. There are supernatural beasts lurking in the shadows. 

I'm sure the trade paperback will come out next collecting these issues. I don't usually double up unless it's a very special story. This is a good one, but isn't a favorite of mine.