Why we need to talk more about W.I.T.C.H. - Part II
The calm after the storm
Yes, I know, a little dramatic subheading. I can’t manage to not have my feelings come up when talking about this wonderful story.
And you know what’s the best about wonder? When you get to share it!
Writing the first part of the blog made people reach out and tell me how much they love/used to love W.I.T.C.H. or how it made them revisit things they were crazy about!
I’ve gone deeper into this community feeling that I didn’t know I craved for years. Thank you.
Let’s talk deeper
There seem to be things that were generally noticed so let’s allow ourselves to splurge a bit on them:
🔮 Alessandro Barbucci
I need to start by referring to the astonishing talent of Alessandro Barbucci.
(I even read somewhere he was only 18 years old when he started drawing the comics!)
His work lives on through many other comics I hope to be able to dive into, but I’ll never forget that this is how I started to feel the excitement of copying a drawing that truly resonated with me and upped my skills level as a kid!
Together with Barbara Canepa, co-writer and colorist, he manages to transport a special kind of magic throughout his career. When I see his other work I feel there’s W.I.T.C.H. in it and it allows me to travel and marvel throughout the times.
I even realized a couple of projects I loved but didn’t know much about actually had his hand…
Two copy drawings from when I was 13 and 14 years old.
🔮 Storytelling
W.I.T.C.H. (Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin), are strong and magic as many of our idols but they start as beginners and they needed to go through a long journey of growth to find their strengths and place. In the meantime, they were still teenagers trying to figure out life and managing the awkwardness of that age, just like we were when reading the comics, or like we do now, trying to have our things figured out while living an adult life.
While I am re-reading the comics I find once and again little gold nuggets of advice about friendship and other topics that we value greatly as young adults now. Things we might have learned but forgotten…
Storytelling is always there to teach us something important.
In the above we can read “You have to like yourself, only then will others be able to appreciate your wonderful qualities!”, “Effort and Intelligence are not always rewarded… The things that happen to us are not always fair… not always, but sometimes, they are… (rewarded)” and “Find your way and you will find what you desire”.
🔮 Inclusivity
I don’t recall a series in that time that included characters with such varied backgrounds, ethnicities, and personalities. Each of them was unique, and their perks and individuality were celebrated.
I loooooooove the style and personality of Taranee, our beautiful black lady, and I found it interesting how the personality of Cornelia clashed with the one from Irma, even though they managed to work together and build a relationship. We had the popular girl on our side. She was pretty but also sensitive and a good friend.
Will had that talent for sports I don’t remember being an idea associated a lot with girls, and Hay Lin could freely explore her creativity without anyone doubting what her “real job” would be…
Obviously; these girls tell a lot about themselves, but they tell a lot about ourselves too.
I remember, as a kid, that due to bullying I started thinking at some point that perhaps all pretty girls (like Cornelia) must be basic, mean, and empty. She showed me you can be a teasing person but to have a heart that is huge and be a good friend. Looks are deceiving.
I also really loved learning with the family of Hay Lin about the Chinese legends and proverbs…
🔮 Human
They become fitter and sexier when transforming (which is a bit strange but let’s face it, some teenage girls probably wouldn’t mind) but they still had different body shapes. All were accepted and encouraged equally.
🔮 Background and Environment
Each of their families was different and I could immerse myself in the little world each of them carried. You get to go to so many places through stories…
I saw a glimpse of what it is to live with divorced parents, parents who work well as a team and are there for each other, how it can be strange when our mother is not our biological mother but how big her love is, how the status of our mother as a professional can affect our school life, how an absent jealous father could prejudice us… How annoying siblings can be but also how priceless it is to have one.
To remember…
Look for the things that obsessed you as a kid. Seriously. Turns out most of the time we’re looking for a spark outside of us, when in fact we already have all we needed. There are certain things we hear when younger that make us think it’s time to abandon that one special thing.
I say no. Revisit it, embrace it, accept yourself. The things that made us happy as a kid are still there waiting to nurture our creative child within, to feed it with magic.
About this blog’s artwork
This artwork piece is inspired by the great love and friendship I felt and still feel for W.I.T.C.H. I started to improve my drawing when I was a kid by copying the drawings of Barbucci at eyesight, and I was greatly motivated by that. Therefore, I am sure little kid Rita would be amazed by seeing herself next to Will. A little gift for myself, the possibility of dreaming higher, which I hope to gift you with as well.
Lastly…
Since this is the first series from this blog, I wanted to especially thank you for reading it, giving your feedback, and participating in this conversation!
Can’t promise I won’t dwell on this subject again, but for now… my love for it and the writing cravings are satisfied ;)
Stay safe and inspired,
Rita