Witch Doctor is a fairly unique series about an arrogant physician who mixes medical science and magic, and mostly wins by staying just barely ahead of whatever’s trying to eat him. This, the second miniseries, has been pretty fun so far, but here is where it really takes off.
Brandon Seifert isn’t necessarily going for some form of profound insight, necessarily, in the plot. But he has a lot of fun writing a total jerk who just so happens to be a great doctor and committed to helping people. This issue is arguably a great jumping-on point because it opens with the good doctor trying, and failing miserably, to record his last will and testament:
That first page is also a good demonstration of how closely Seifert and Lukas Ketner, the artist, work on the book. Ketner’s art is a nice mix of cinematic choices and dynamic action, and his inking has a distinct, painterly style to it that adds atmosphere without covering detail or attempting to just blanket everything in shadows. Andy Troy also does an excellent job as colorist: This book has a nice, bright, and varied palette that fits the tone well, and he often brings out subtle details other colorists would hide or simply not notice.
One of the big problems of supernatural books is that many of them, deliberately or not, evoke Hellboy, a hard standard to live up to. Seifert and Ketner have turned Witch Doctor into something distinct: A lighthearted but still scary horror book with a unique approach and style. If you haven’t been reading this book, it’s time to pick up a copy: You won’t have a better laugh or feel a more disturbing chill this week.
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I’ve always thought of this book as being sort of a cross between Sherlock Holmes and H.P. Lovecraft. It’s great.
I really like Witch Doctor. the character himself is very entertaining, a nice mixture of humor and fantasy. I like the premise. It’s interesting to see what crazy medical abnormalities he stumbles upon and exactly what he has to do to fix it.
the story behind Witch Doctor and how Seifert/Ketner got discovered is also really cool. they went from being independent nobodies to Kirkman discovering them and signing them onto Skybound right there on the spot. how cool is that! one day you’re pitching your book to anyone who will listen, begging to be noticed, and the next day, instant validation from probably THE most successful creator in the comics biz right now, and your book is being put out through Image. so cool.
Kirkman knows talent when he sees it, absolutely.
Myself, I’m a little surprised this series hasn’t gone for basic cable yet. It’s basically “House” with more humor and some special effects, you’d think it’d be pure FX bait.
Did anyone else read Young Avengers? Sorry to bring this up here but there isn’t another comics post on the front page and OMG did I love Young Avengers.
I did, and Man, I loved it.
I haven’t read this weeks Witch Doctor yet (I like to reread the issues before so I start with the new number ones)
But Thus far I thought Young Avengers was better than anything Iv’e read this month. I adored it.
Andrew, no worries, we can talk comics anywhere you see comics talk.
For some reason my brain is pacing that to Olivia Newton-John’s Physical.
Anyway, I liked Young Avengers myself, but I thought the final panel of the book was a cheap shot.
It was a cheap shot, but at least it was a surprise. I didn’t expect to see Wiccan’s parents look like they were being microwaved by a Skrull lady.
Yeah, it was unexpected, but one of the few consistencies is that Wiccan’s parents have been there, been stable, and supported him. It made for a good contrast.
Granted, this is a Young Avengers book. Messing with the timestream is pretty much guaranteed. But still.
Witch Doctor is really great. It’s a superb series. Every single one of the issues have been great. I’m surprised no one has hired Seifert/Ketner for more. They’re obviously up and coming and are just about to take off.
I suspect they want to work together, or just have projects in the works.