MY RATING: ★★★★★ STARS
The second volume of the new Winx Club graphic novel series published by Papercutz continues the graphic novel story which was kicked off in the first volume. This volume features three stories: A Friend for Bloom, Prisoner of the Dark and The Swamp Monster.
I was a tad disappointed when I found out that the newly published comic series was not a new never-been-released before set of comics from the Winx Club universe. Instead, they are the next set of the comics published in the early 2000s in the Winx Club magazines which I myself used to collect as a kid. However, I'm really happy that they are being republished, as they are really great comics. I was especially delighted to see Prisoner in the Dark, which had not yet been officially published in a graphic novel bindup before.
A Friend for Bloom tells the story of how Bloom came to Magix, how she first met Stella and found out she was a fairy. It pretty much exactly follows the very first episode of the television series and introduces the reader to the Winx Club universe. Prisoner of the Dark and The Swamp Monster are two original comics not related to the series (although The Swamp Monster is probably set in the same swamp as episode four of season 1 was). Prisoner in the Dark digs into Bloom's insecurities and fears as she adjusts to life in Magix as a fairy. This comic holds an especially special place in my heart as this was the first first comic that I read from the Winx Club magazines when growing up. It was honestly really refreshing to read a comic about Bloom struggling to come to terms with her new life. It felt very honest and raw and showed that sometimes even when something amazing happens, not everything is happy-go-lucky from the get go. The friendship between the howeer fairies is really just beautiful and supportive. The Swamp Monster features the Specialists and fairies as they have to battle a big mud-monster in the swamp while the witches try to mess things up for them. Overall, a very typical but thoroughly enjoyable Winx Club format where the fairies and Specialists have to team up to save that day.
Overall, the stories are a good mix of exciting and gripping yet still carrying the lightheartedness that the show does. I really hope that Papercutz continues to release the comics in order without skipping any of the stories. I'm really looking forward to volume 3!
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