In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Those that are strong enough are conscripted by the Witch Guard, who enforce the law in peacetime and protect the land during war. However, those with hair judged too long are pronounced enemies of the kingdom, and annihilated. This is called a witch burning.
Witchy is an ongoing webcomic about the young witch Nyneve, who is haunted by the death of her father and the threat the Witch Guard poses to her own life. When conscription rolls around, Nyneve has a choice to make; join the institution complicit in her father’s death, or stand up for her ideals?
Witchy updates every Tuesday and Friday at around 11:00 UTC+10. It is written and drawn by Ariel Ries, who makes comics full time in Melbourne, Australia. Website management and coding is done by Hiveworks Comics.
In 2020 Witchy received the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Online Comic, and was nominated for the 2015 Ignatz for Outstanding Online Comic, the 2016 DINKy for Outstanding Web Comic, and the Danish “Pingprisen” for Best Online Series in 2017 and 2018.
Ariel can be contacted via email at arielsries@gmail.com
Alternatively she can be found on either their twitter or their tumblr.
Witchy is made on the land of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation. I pay respects to their Elders, both past and present, and acknowledge them as the Traditional Custodians of this land. Sovereignty has not been ceded.
A transcript of chapter one is now available for the visually impaired and other disabled folk, transcribed by Cynthia Li. Click here to read.
Please note that Witchy contains content that may be potentialy triggering or upsetting to certain readers. I will do my best to compile a list of content warnings below:
All Pages: The use of hair based persecution in the plot of Witchy may potentially be triggering to readers of certain cultural or religious backgrounds. Reader discretion is advised.