"Hex Wives #4" Comic Review

At long last, the haze that the witches have been put under is starting to crack. It only took a dead cat to get it done. It's telling to see the lengths one of their own has to go through in order to convince the others that something weird is going on. They've been brainwashed to such an extent that even questioning their cookie cutter existence sounds crazy. They come up with the strangest excuses to explain things away.

Writer Ben Blacker has created some of the most sickening villains ever put to page in Hex Wives. I want nothing more than to wring Aaron's despicable little neck. This is what true evil looks like. He and his other cronies work to keep the women under complete and total control out of fear for what they can do if they were to embrace their real power.

There are some definite parallels to numerous political issues in Hex Wives. You can draw a line between these men keeping the witches from their abilities and politicians passing legislation that restricts a woman's access to birth control or abortions. It's presented in such a clear and uncomfortable way too. Obviously the things these guys are doing are so very wrong, so that should translate into real world opinions too.

Click images to enlarge

Fortunately, their hold on the witches is starting to loosen. They are no longer in total control, despite their best efforts. Colorist Marissa Louise does some tremendous work in this issue, showing the cracks in their plan. This can be seen in the eerie green glow of their monitors, now blind to what the women are really up to and the incredible colors that young Damina sees now that she's stopped taking her medication.

Artist Mirka Andolfo conveys a roller coaster of emotion on the faces of the witches as they struggle to understand what's going on around them. You see denial, anger, confusion and so much more. Each one is handling this a little differently, coming to grips with the idea that everything they've known has been a lie. Imagine your entire reality shattering before you. That's a lot to take in.

This contrasts with the smugness of Aaron and the other men. They are so sure of themselves that I can't wait until they get what's coming to them. I'm imagining all kinds of horrifying acts and none of them are violent or torturous enough. I'm eagerly looking forward to what happens when the witches get their full power back.

Click images to enlarge

While you can't entirely convey tone through comics, you can pick up a lot based on how a line is delivered. Letterer Josh Reed gives the words such impact that, coupled with Andolfo's expressive style, creates the sounds in your head. You can hear the snarky tone of Aaron as he tries to explain the recent difficulties to his superiors or Becky's no-nonsense style as she tries to prove what she saw to her friends.

Hex Wives is steadily building to something big. Each chapter has uncovered more and more atrocities these men have committed in an attempt to control and keep these women down. It's only a matter of time before this all falls apart and the witches rise up to take their well-deserved revenge. This will not be a dish best served cold. It will be served flaming hot and full of pain.