So, it’s the season of the witch, and it is also the birthday of Miss Sabrina
As some of you may not know I am the admin for “Fans of Sabrina Spellman” on twitter. As part of being the admin on that twitter page, I get quite a few questions from fellow Super Hero Comic fans. “Is Sabrina Spellman counted as a comic book hero?”. My answer to that is always “yes, she is”. She in many ways is a hero, her quirky personality and trying to find the moral boundaries of magic, with the guidance of her two aunts Hilda and Zelda. As well as assisting in the lives of mortals, and making her own life easier. She always uses her magic for the greater good to help others.
The Star
Most of what people know about Sabrina is in television; starting out in her old 1971 animated series. Then on to the even more well-known sitcom series, and tv movie (1996), starring Melissa Joan Hart. As for the “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” (2018- ), although, a slightly different adaptation from the comic, it is less gory and more fun-loving. Thank goodness for that! I don’t think I would have liked to see Harvey devouring his own parents in live-action! Or worse yet, Sabrina’s father’s spirit possessing Harvey either.
Sabrina tends to use her magic to make everyday life for mortals easier while trying to sort out her own struggles, which includes being a teenager and having to adapt between her two worlds: the mortal world, and the world of magic. With this being said, she uses her magic for doing good deeds (most of the time). However, it always manages to backfire, but with the helping hand of her aunts, everything goes back to normal again. There are many different versions of the magical world of Sabrina, with the complexities of the laws on magic that are created by the witches council*, to Sabrina’s foe in Enchantra, who likes to make Sabrina’s life difficult so that she doesn’t end up receiving her witches license.
The Comic
As for those looking to read her comics, you can choose to read the lighthearted and fun comics, or if you love a bit of horror you can read comic books that are associated with Archie Horror. If you would like to have a reading list for Sabrina, fear not, for I have come into this prepared!
- There is nothing quite like starting off with her first appearance, and this is “Archie’s Madhouse” (1962) #22.
- Her first solo series in 1962 “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” #1-54.
- The “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” sitcom-based series (1996) #1-32.
- The “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1999) animated series-based comics #1-37 (continues to the next point)
- “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1999) #38-100.
- “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”: The Magic Within (2015).
- “Archie and Sabrina” (2015) #705- (Although I am not a massive fan of Archie and Sabrina together, I prefer her with Harvey, at least in the comics).
- “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (2019) #1-5
- “Archie Digest” comics are always a good way to go, that way you don’t just get Sabrina, but you also get Archie, Lil’ Jinx, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Moose, and of course Cheryl.
Moving on to Archie Horror:
- “Afterlife with Archie” (2013) #1-10
- “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” (2014) #1-8
- “Chilling Adventures on Sorcery” – this is a collection of stories that Archie comics have put together. It is presented by the witch herself – however, there is only one volume in this so far.
Random crossover:
- “Harley and Ivy meet Betty and Veronica” (2017) #1-6. I recommend that you read the whole thing as at least for me as an Archie fan and an Ivy/Harley fan, it is the best! Plus, Sabrina gets to meet Zatanna; the main reason why I have added it to the list!
Quick Note: Most of Archie comics are not in continuation, so you really can start wherever, however. One or two spring to mind where you might want to read the individual series separately first. “Vamperonica” and “Jughead the Hunger”. You need to read the cross over series after you have read the individual ones first.
For those that are completely new to Sabrina in comics, I highly recommend you read Kelly Thompson’s “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (2019). The 5 Book Series is a nice introduction to the character, and you may find a few easter eggs in there too if you are familiar with her in tv series/tv movie. So enjoy your reading list on The Teeange Witch! She is my all-time favorite character, so I hope you grow to love her as much as I do.
* A group of witches and warlocks that are in charge of the laws of the magical realms.
