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W.I.T.C.H. Graphic Novels #3
W.I.T.C.H. Part I: The Twelve Portals, Vol. 3
The final confrontation is at hand, and the girls must find a way to take down the evil Prince Phobos and reclaim the crown of Meridian! Who will emerge victorious in the showdown between light and darkness??
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
65 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Elisabetta Gnone
321books876followersElisabetta Gnone is an Italian writer. In April 2001, she co-created the Italian comic/magazine W.I.T.C.H. with Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa. The publication was later made into the television series of the same name. Gnone also wrote the children's trilogy Fairy Oak: Il segreto delle gemelle (The Secret of the Twins), L'incanto del buio (The Spell of Darkness), and Il potere della luce (The Power of Light). She expanded the Fairy Oak Universe with four more books, "The four mysteries": "Captain Grisam's love", "Shirley's wizarding days", "Flox smiles in autumn", and "Good-bye Fairy Oak".
information taken from wikipedia.com
information taken from wikipedia.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 15, 2017
Elyon has always been my favourite character and the person I'm the most interested in knowing more about so I'll always be sad that she didn't have a bigger part of the series after this. And that we didn't get to explore Meridian more now that Elyon is the queen.
January 23, 2021
Still enjoyable, more than a decade later!
January 6, 2022
I'm still immensely enjoying my rediscovery of this series! Often things seem familiar and thus comforting, but sometimes they also don't live up to memory. I'm especially excited for the later story arcs, but seeing the Guardian's origins is still interesting.
May 27, 2018
Honestly I'm loving re-reading these so much. I'm really enjoying everything - the story is just so good and hear warming and I can't wait to read more.
June 24, 2022
Deze graphic novels lezen voelt echt een beetje als tijdreizen. Ik was vroeger zo’n grote W.I.T.C.H.-fan. Toen de Nederlandse strips niet meer uitkwamen was ik heel erg verdrietig, en wanneer we in de zomervakantie in Frankrijk waren kocht ik daar altijd bij Carrefour een nummer, dat ik dan vertaalde via Google-translate. 🧙🏻♀️🌈🌷⚡️🥹🧚🏼♀�
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September 3, 2024Það er svo gaman fyrir barnið í manni að heimsækja æskuna svona. Love it.
November 6, 2020
The girls find their battle against Phobos becoming increasingly tough as they try to balance family feuds in their world, Elyon's inevitable coronation, and closing the final portals of Metamoor to finally save the Veil! Gnone will keep readers enticed with this fantastic end to a wondrous arc that will lead to even greater adventures, full of colourful characters and antics. Can Will lead her friends to victory, or is the Veil lost forever?
August 12, 2024
Zbog nostalgije će i ova sveska dobiti 5 zvezdica, ali ovde sam se podsetila koliko me je zapravo smarao ceo onaj deo radnje u Meridijanu, i koliko mi je sto puta bilo zanimljivije sve što im se dešavalo u "našem" svetu. Sve one tinejdžerske bubice, škola, zaljubljivanja... Sve to mi je bilo nekako prisnije i simpatičnije, nego dosadni Fobos i magični aspekt stripa.
January 31, 2021
i decided to do a bit of a throwback and revisited the iconic magical girl gang of my childhood aka W.I.T.C.H. �
May 10, 2022
This just made me so happy and nostalgic
May 13, 2023
لازلت مستمتعة بقراءة السلسة، رغم الفاصل الزمني الطويل والذكريات العصيّة. أحاول تذكر القصة من صِباي ولست واثقة بإنها حوت ذات الثقل والتفاصيل.
July 5, 2019
The only reason I care about caleb is the show. He's just not there enough for me to care. I understand fully why they added him early in the show. Even though he's now been introduced. He's still not there like in the show
February 22, 2018
Can't believe I used to wait for a comic every week.. It's almost hard to stop. I'm also still so impressed by the illustrations. However, I do see a difference in style now. Not all the images are similar, in the sense that some times the characters do not look like the characters in the way they are drawn. Some images are rushed where other's have clearly been created with a lot of care. Initially I thought the differences could be found in cover vs interior illustrations, but this does not apply to all covers nor to all illustrates in the comic. The quality varies in both cases.
January 19, 2019
I absolutely adore this series. I mean the artwork is stunning and the story is one K really really luke! The first part of it is the one I remember reading the most as a kid.
The last few chapters of the first part were my favourite. Once again I couldn't put my book down when they decided that the time for the ladt battle has come.
Everything after achieving their first victory is a blur which excites me as I can go forward reading it with new eyes again. Can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book.
A clear 5 stars for this book and the entire first part of this series.
The last few chapters of the first part were my favourite. Once again I couldn't put my book down when they decided that the time for the ladt battle has come.
Everything after achieving their first victory is a blur which excites me as I can go forward reading it with new eyes again. Can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book.
A clear 5 stars for this book and the entire first part of this series.
February 22, 2018
Again, almost 5 but not quite!
The problem is a bit in the script, with those dialogs that sound weird sounding REALLY weird.
Also, I wish this was a chapter longer. One more album about the fighting, but it isn't, and so it seems a bit too easy for me, which I find really sad.
The problem is a bit in the script, with those dialogs that sound weird sounding REALLY weird.
Also, I wish this was a chapter longer. One more album about the fighting, but it isn't, and so it seems a bit too easy for me, which I find really sad.
January 13, 2019
Yup, still good. Still would have liked for Caleb to have an actual role in this. I really like how the end wasn't to "beat the bad guy" but to "empower the good guy". I feel that this is pretty good at just avoiding a lot of tropes but it still gets the messages across. Very very enjoyable.
January 26, 2019
Genial el final de esta primera saga, qué ganas de empezar la siguiente!
Psd: Salve la reina Elyon y los novios-flor.
Psd: Salve la reina Elyon y los novios-flor.
August 19, 2023
Still an incredible finale to the first arc, can't wait to get more of these volumes to replace the collection I lost to time!
December 29, 2024
3.5 stars
February 8, 2020
This was a really nice conclusion to this plot line! I'm super curious to see what the next arc will be, and how the guardians will be involved. I don't think I've ever read past this volume before.
April 8, 2019
Con este volumen se termina el primer arco argumental de W.I.T.C.H. Siendo el más reconocido de toda la historia por muchos lectores, y que hasta ahora, es también mi favorito.
Aquí veremos el desenlace respecto a la gente de Meridian y, sal fin, las dudas de Elyon llegarán a una conclusión. Al fin podremos ver que toma una decisión sin ninguna influencia.
Los motivos del príncipe Phobos y el apoyo de Lord Cedric durante los vólumenes 1, 2 y 3, demuestran que son un dúo peligroso que motivos fundados. A su vez, muestran en diferentes ocasiones tener los medios necesarios para lograr su cometdio así como tener los poderes para ser de temer.
Por su parte están las chicas W.I.T.C.H. quienes se mostraron inexpertas en un principio pero conforme se van enfrentando a ciertas dificultades, se van descubriendo a sí mismas o las resposabilidades que conlleva tener poderes; y poco a a poco irán moldeando sus personalidades. Probablemente estas tres primeras entregas no nos muestran en su totalidad todo el potencial de las chicas, pero sí un vistazo de lo que podrían llegar a realizar.
En cuanto a otros personajes como Elyon y Caleb, nos demuestran otras facetas de los mundos creados para esta historia. Sirvieron para darnos otro punto de vista sobre las situaciones y, de vez en cuando, dudar sobre las acciones de las chicas W.I.T.C.H.
Por otro lado, están los problemas que estuvimos leyendo de las familias de Will y Taranee. Me gustó el hecho de que pareciera que se resolvieron algunas cosas, pero que deja algunos cabos sueltos para seguir explotándolos en las siguientes entregas.
Sin duda, un punto a favor porque nos da ganas de comenzar el siguiente arco argumental.
Aquí veremos el desenlace respecto a la gente de Meridian y, sal fin, las dudas de Elyon llegarán a una conclusión. Al fin podremos ver que toma una decisión sin ninguna influencia.
Los motivos del príncipe Phobos y el apoyo de Lord Cedric durante los vólumenes 1, 2 y 3, demuestran que son un dúo peligroso que motivos fundados. A su vez, muestran en diferentes ocasiones tener los medios necesarios para lograr su cometdio así como tener los poderes para ser de temer.
Por su parte están las chicas W.I.T.C.H. quienes se mostraron inexpertas en un principio pero conforme se van enfrentando a ciertas dificultades, se van descubriendo a sí mismas o las resposabilidades que conlleva tener poderes; y poco a a poco irán moldeando sus personalidades. Probablemente estas tres primeras entregas no nos muestran en su totalidad todo el potencial de las chicas, pero sí un vistazo de lo que podrían llegar a realizar.
En cuanto a otros personajes como Elyon y Caleb, nos demuestran otras facetas de los mundos creados para esta historia. Sirvieron para darnos otro punto de vista sobre las situaciones y, de vez en cuando, dudar sobre las acciones de las chicas W.I.T.C.H.
Por otro lado, están los problemas que estuvimos leyendo de las familias de Will y Taranee. Me gustó el hecho de que pareciera que se resolvieron algunas cosas, pero que deja algunos cabos sueltos para seguir explotándolos en las siguientes entregas.
Sin duda, un punto a favor porque nos da ganas de comenzar el siguiente arco argumental.
August 25, 2022
3.5
Can highly recommend you to reread these! Such a fun time. Can't wait to purchase Part II and read about the W.I.T.C.H.'s next adventure!
Can highly recommend you to reread these! Such a fun time. Can't wait to purchase Part II and read about the W.I.T.C.H.'s next adventure!
April 10, 2022
Really nice rediscovery of a series that dates from 2001! Long story short, my sister gifted me Volume 1 for my 8th birthday and since then I have never stopped being a fan. First in the form of a novel, I believe that the comic was released almost at the same time in France. We could find it at the end of the monthly "Witch Mag", with little goodies and other perfect bonuses when we are between primary and middle school. But I guarantee it’s still too cool today! For the most connoisseurs, there was even a cartoon on TV, in a special program for children on Wednesday morning.
It was during my wanderings on this beloved Amazon platform, that I saw that the American editions Yen Press, branch of Disney Comics, are reissuing the series since the end of 2017. The format is super nice because for 10� (count up to 15� for some volumes), you have no less than 250 pages. The size of the comics (because yes, graphic novel means the comic) lies between the pocket and the large format, easy to put in a bag, in short I love.
Each main part of the series is divided into 3 volumes, so very convenient not to get lost. This first arc is best known because it is the beginning of girls as fairy-magicians. Their friend Elyon is taken to the dark and unwelcome kingdom of Meridian, where her brother Phobos reigns as a true tyrant, eager to finally possess the power of his sister. I think that the great half of the novels are about this first arc, as well as Season 1 of the animated series, so that very few people know that the series continues long after that. But we’ll see that in future articles ;-)
Was W.i.t.c.h. part of your childhood? Do you like the "magical girls" genre?
Link to my Instagram post:
It was during my wanderings on this beloved Amazon platform, that I saw that the American editions Yen Press, branch of Disney Comics, are reissuing the series since the end of 2017. The format is super nice because for 10� (count up to 15� for some volumes), you have no less than 250 pages. The size of the comics (because yes, graphic novel means the comic) lies between the pocket and the large format, easy to put in a bag, in short I love.
Each main part of the series is divided into 3 volumes, so very convenient not to get lost. This first arc is best known because it is the beginning of girls as fairy-magicians. Their friend Elyon is taken to the dark and unwelcome kingdom of Meridian, where her brother Phobos reigns as a true tyrant, eager to finally possess the power of his sister. I think that the great half of the novels are about this first arc, as well as Season 1 of the animated series, so that very few people know that the series continues long after that. But we’ll see that in future articles ;-)
Was W.i.t.c.h. part of your childhood? Do you like the "magical girls" genre?
Link to my Instagram post:
March 3, 2023
W.I.T.C.H. is a story in multiple arcs that truly detached itself from its competitors thanks to its very strong and enticing story, and its trademark characters. It was one of Italy's great international successes of the early 2000's era that put the country on the map when it comes to quality stories in kids' animation.
This volume marks the end of the first arc of the serie, and while it showcased some of the girls' biggest accomplishments and victories, it also exposed major flaws in the writing and drawing departments.
The writing was not adequately paced. Critically important moments flew by without giving nearly enough information, whereas irrelevant sections or side plots were overly developed. It leaves the viewer feeling like they can't savor the victory they waited so long for, and leaves them with much more questions than answers. It is especially problematic in this case because most of these questions are about character or plot lines that were introduced in the first issues of the first volume ! Said questions kept piling on, and were never answered by the time the arc came to an end. Now, I understand wanting to keep some mysteries for the future. Sadly, it was a risk that didn't pay off in that case, because it keeps the reader focused on the past instead of what's to come and it builds a frustration that makes them feel like it isn't worth continuing the serie.
On the drawing side, it's a bit all over the place in term of quality, which varies greatly from one panel to the next. It's also worth noting that even though the girls are supposed to be middle school aged, in some panels they look to be in their late teenage years or even in their thirties (you know which Cornelia panel I'm talking about). It's surprising. Some of the shadows are also oddly placed in some drawings and details may appear on the characters from one panel to the next, even though it is still the same scene. Panels organisation is also a work in progress (you shouldn't have to add arrows to guide your viewer's reading, it should happen organically).
Overall I enjoyed the reading, the quality drop was just surprising since I didn't expect it. It's also worth remembering that the issues got published in 2003. The plot lines remain interesting.
This volume marks the end of the first arc of the serie, and while it showcased some of the girls' biggest accomplishments and victories, it also exposed major flaws in the writing and drawing departments.
The writing was not adequately paced. Critically important moments flew by without giving nearly enough information, whereas irrelevant sections or side plots were overly developed. It leaves the viewer feeling like they can't savor the victory they waited so long for, and leaves them with much more questions than answers. It is especially problematic in this case because most of these questions are about character or plot lines that were introduced in the first issues of the first volume ! Said questions kept piling on, and were never answered by the time the arc came to an end. Now, I understand wanting to keep some mysteries for the future. Sadly, it was a risk that didn't pay off in that case, because it keeps the reader focused on the past instead of what's to come and it builds a frustration that makes them feel like it isn't worth continuing the serie.
On the drawing side, it's a bit all over the place in term of quality, which varies greatly from one panel to the next. It's also worth noting that even though the girls are supposed to be middle school aged, in some panels they look to be in their late teenage years or even in their thirties (you know which Cornelia panel I'm talking about). It's surprising. Some of the shadows are also oddly placed in some drawings and details may appear on the characters from one panel to the next, even though it is still the same scene. Panels organisation is also a work in progress (you shouldn't have to add arrows to guide your viewer's reading, it should happen organically).
Overall I enjoyed the reading, the quality drop was just surprising since I didn't expect it. It's also worth remembering that the issues got published in 2003. The plot lines remain interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2025
5 /5 stars
[10 /10 stars]
- story [2 /2]
- worldbuilding & consistency [1 /1]
- art [1! /1]
- characters [1! /1]
- length & progress [1 /1]
- ending [1 /1]
- originality [1 /1]
- enjoyment [2! /2]
~quick thoughts~
� Elyon's got MAD skills now!
� the reveal of
� I stan Daltar
� so many sad and touching moments and so many beautiful panels
� overall, a great arc conclusion with lots of new information
~quick story summary per chapter~
~long story summary per chapter~
[10 /10 stars]
- story [2 /2]
- worldbuilding & consistency [1 /1]
- art [1! /1]
- characters [1! /1]
- length & progress [1 /1]
- ending [1 /1]
- originality [1 /1]
- enjoyment [2! /2]
~quick thoughts~
� Elyon's got MAD skills now!
� the reveal of
� I stan Daltar
� so many sad and touching moments and so many beautiful panels
� overall, a great arc conclusion with lots of new information
~quick story summary per chapter~
~long story summary per chapter~
June 8, 2019
WITCH (Part 1 The Twelve Portals)
Plot: This volume is a combination of the four comic books (chapter books) 1. The Four Dragons 2. A Bridge Between Two Worlds 3. The Crown of Light 4 So Be It Forever. I’m just gonna give a short, ten second, recap. Elyon’s eyes are starting to become opened to Phoebus’s deception. As he’s never there. And he’s jailed “her parents�. The people form a rebellion and WITCH shows up for Elyon’s coronation. Elyon tricks Phoebus (whose plot is to zap the magic out of her through the crown which absorbs her magic) with a clone and a battle breaks out. Meridian goes up in flames. But the people gather in a tunnel and plot to take Phoebus down. Elyon reunites with her adoptive parents and they tell her it must be her who sneaks into the castle to get the crown of light Elyon agrees to go one on one with Phoebus as WITCH gets transported into the dungeon with Cedric (in his new monster form). WITCH manages to get the crown back to Elyon (and away from Cedric) and Elyon defeats Phoebus, transforming into her new form (She’s literally now the Princess of Light) -Don’t see how they can look at her-. WITCH is now transported to Kandracar, and the veil between the two worlds is vanished.
My Thoughts: Loved the illustrations! Loved the story! Especially loved the way Elyon’s power seemed to be with her since she was little (in that she had the power to erase the bad with a wipe of her hands). And that subconsciously she knew all along who she was (clearly shown in the pictures she drew of herself flying over Meridian). Somehow after this, I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of Elyon again, which is sad. I liked Elyon as a character. Maybe a little hasty to remove the veil and naïve on the Elder’s part. Like there won’t be ANY more evil that tries to get through the portals. RIIIGHT!
Rating: 7
Plot: This volume is a combination of the four comic books (chapter books) 1. The Four Dragons 2. A Bridge Between Two Worlds 3. The Crown of Light 4 So Be It Forever. I’m just gonna give a short, ten second, recap. Elyon’s eyes are starting to become opened to Phoebus’s deception. As he’s never there. And he’s jailed “her parents�. The people form a rebellion and WITCH shows up for Elyon’s coronation. Elyon tricks Phoebus (whose plot is to zap the magic out of her through the crown which absorbs her magic) with a clone and a battle breaks out. Meridian goes up in flames. But the people gather in a tunnel and plot to take Phoebus down. Elyon reunites with her adoptive parents and they tell her it must be her who sneaks into the castle to get the crown of light Elyon agrees to go one on one with Phoebus as WITCH gets transported into the dungeon with Cedric (in his new monster form). WITCH manages to get the crown back to Elyon (and away from Cedric) and Elyon defeats Phoebus, transforming into her new form (She’s literally now the Princess of Light) -Don’t see how they can look at her-. WITCH is now transported to Kandracar, and the veil between the two worlds is vanished.
My Thoughts: Loved the illustrations! Loved the story! Especially loved the way Elyon’s power seemed to be with her since she was little (in that she had the power to erase the bad with a wipe of her hands). And that subconsciously she knew all along who she was (clearly shown in the pictures she drew of herself flying over Meridian). Somehow after this, I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of Elyon again, which is sad. I liked Elyon as a character. Maybe a little hasty to remove the veil and naïve on the Elder’s part. Like there won’t be ANY more evil that tries to get through the portals. RIIIGHT!
Rating: 7
June 7, 2020
The final battle of Meridian!!!
So I have to say that as a child the finale of part 1 felt more epic for me. But also it remember me a lil bit of the finale of Avatar: The last Airbender. I know that's a contradiction. Can not say why ...
What I realized in this one is that there's always a similar structure in every chapter. In the first moment that bothered me a lil bit, but I think thats okay, bc after all the story gets complexer: more high school drama, more love interests, more context.
The girls were great and I really liked Elyon and her character development. Also Cornelia gets more background and more likeable. I agree with others there is too lil screen time for Caleb and if I would read this comics for the first time now, I wouldn't believe the love story between him and Cornelia.
I love that it's always the queen who rules in Meridian. Also the myths about Kandrakar and the guardians really entertained me. Looking forward when we get to know more about the old guardians in the next part.
All the stuff about the people from Meridian trying to flee from their world to live in ours remind me to the refugee situation nowadays. Realizing that gave me a "good" feeling.
Finally I loved that the guardians first thought every monster had to be evil and in the end they fought and helped them. I think that's a great moral :)
So I have to say that as a child the finale of part 1 felt more epic for me. But also it remember me a lil bit of the finale of Avatar: The last Airbender. I know that's a contradiction. Can not say why ...
What I realized in this one is that there's always a similar structure in every chapter. In the first moment that bothered me a lil bit, but I think thats okay, bc after all the story gets complexer: more high school drama, more love interests, more context.
The girls were great and I really liked Elyon and her character development. Also Cornelia gets more background and more likeable. I agree with others there is too lil screen time for Caleb and if I would read this comics for the first time now, I wouldn't believe the love story between him and Cornelia.
I love that it's always the queen who rules in Meridian. Also the myths about Kandrakar and the guardians really entertained me. Looking forward when we get to know more about the old guardians in the next part.
All the stuff about the people from Meridian trying to flee from their world to live in ours remind me to the refugee situation nowadays. Realizing that gave me a "good" feeling.
Finally I loved that the guardians first thought every monster had to be evil and in the end they fought and helped them. I think that's a great moral :)
October 4, 2019
The last two chapters (issues) felt like a bit of a clusterf*ck to be honest, which is why I took off one star. It was expected, considering this was the end of the arc, but it still felt a bit too much. (Also I might have wanted to get to the next arc quickly lol)
But all in all I loved the story, it was good to reread it because I forgot how much I did and did not read of the first arc (I started buying the comics right at the beginning of the second arc and read some books and stuff, but I don't think I fully read the entire story together), and I loved revisiting the world.
I am definitely jumping into the next vol (might try to find my old comics for it and read those versions just for the fun of it, not sure yet)
But all in all I loved the story, it was good to reread it because I forgot how much I did and did not read of the first arc (I started buying the comics right at the beginning of the second arc and read some books and stuff, but I don't think I fully read the entire story together), and I loved revisiting the world.
I am definitely jumping into the next vol (might try to find my old comics for it and read those versions just for the fun of it, not sure yet)
February 27, 2020
I read these because they bring back so much nostalgia since I got a couple of the graphic novels as a kid and watched the show. So I do have a soft spot for it and try to remember this is intended for kids. However, I had a couple of issues. Why does Taranee get less dialogue than everyone else? Or once Elyon took the throne, why didn’t she turn Caleb back into his “advanced� murmur stage? She is said to be way stronger than her brother yet can’t change him back. It doesn’t make sense to me. The last thing that bothered me was the magic system. I know it’s a soft magic system, but it would’ve been nice to get more of an idea of what Elyon’s powers are besides light. But overall, I think the story is cute, so I will probably read a couple more later in the year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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