CRIMSON TWILL

A quirky witch puts her own spin on witchery.

Unlike “typical” witches, Crimson Twill is giggly, cheerful, and colorful. She can’t wait to travel from rural Cackle County and spend her hard-earned money at Broomingdale’s in New Wart City. In search of a cat, Crimson manages to find a lost puppy, whom she promptly rescues from the disapproving saleswitch. On a floor filled with endless pointy witch hats, she finds the only hat she likes, one with an enormous bow—but also finds fellow young witchling Mauve, who has been saving up specifically for it. Crimson opts to be nice instead of wicked. Mauve overheard a boy who said he lost his puppy, so the duo set out to reunite boy and dog. But the puppy gets loose at a fashion show, and Crimson’s pursuit lands her on the runway. Mauve saves the day by applauding Crimson’s “fashion statement”—and the suggestible crowd, which previously ridiculed Crimson’s norm-breaking stylings, follows suit. Instead of buying anything, Crimson acquires something more valuable than gold—friends. The narration’s great humor throughout—featuring puns and wordplay—doesn’t undermine the earnest, wholesome sincerity of Crimson as she navigates the world on her own bighearted terms. Grayscale full-page and spot illustrations—with smeary shading and sharp linework (especially in pointy witch noses)—depict Crimson as pale and Mauve as dark-skinned and show diversity in background witches.

A bewitching series opener.