Corinna Bechko Talks Creating Magic with Kano in Sabrina The Teenage Witch - Oni Press/Archie Comics

Corinna Bechko is the writer behind Blood Type, The Space Between, Green Lantern: Earth One, and this week, their new Sabrina the Teenage Witch ongoing series with Kano (Daredevil, EC's Cruel Universe), Nick Cagnetti, and AndWorld’s DC Hopkins from Oni Press and Archie Comics arrives at comic shops. The book is a fresh, colorful, and spooky take on the iconic character, centering Sabrina coming into her own with magic as she balances the trials and tribulations of being a teenager at the same time. I spoke to Corinna about the book; check out our conversation below!

Your local teenage witch is conjuring up mischief!

Just in time for Halloween, Hugo Award–nominated writer Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One, EC's Blood Type) and Eisner Award–nominated artist Kano (Daredevil, EC's Cruel Universe) summon a new spell of magic and mischief in a brand-new ongoing series hell-bent on launching comics' most iconic sorceress-in-training into a spectacular new era for Archie Comics!

Who'd ever want to be ordinary when you could be a teenage witch instead? Still reeling from the surprise revelation of her secret birthright, and with Halloween just around the corner, high schooler Sabrina Spellman is honing her craft one hex at a time and figuring out how to balance her magical new life with the crushing responsibilities of being 16 years old. But when her feline familiar, Salem, drops a mythical trickster onto Sabrina's literal doorstep, she might not be able to keep her two worlds from smashing together like busted pumpkins on All Hallow's Eve. No time for fate. No time for destiny. No time for homework. Sabrina's about to find out that being a teenager is far from magical... even when you're a teenage witch!

Plus, a special trick (and treat): Explore the inner workings of Sabrina's secret guide to familiars, featuring the spellbinding artwork of Nick Cagnetti (Spirit of the Shadows)!

Why was it important to center the story not only on Sabrina being a witch and learning the craft, but also on her teenage experience? Was it intentional to have some duality between her learning magic and growing up?

Absolutely. I mean, it’s right in the name! But in a broader sense, growing up is a very chaotic process. There’s this disconnect between wanting freedom and wanting security, all while knowing that your horizons are broader than they’ve ever been. Add to that the new responsibilities that come with no longer being a child and, well, it’s a lot! Now imagine what would happen if you also discovered magic at that age. No wonder Sabrina has continued to be such a compelling character for generations! 

When you have a sort of carte blanche to create your own version of a familiar world, how exciting was it to introduce YOUR (and Kano's) versions of such iconic characters? Was that daunting at all?

It was a bit daunting because Sabrina is such a beloved character. There have been so many interactions of her too, which means that everyone has their favorite. I read as many of her classic appearances as I could and then tried to forget all of them and just do what felt right, trusting that all that research would still be there in the background. Kano’s designs and layouts are so inventive, fun, and inspired that I think readers will have a great time with the new books, regardless of their previous knowledge of Sabrina’s world. 

Salem plays a big part in issue one (and the series). Why does he work so well as Sabrina's familiar? What are your favorite aspects of the character, and did you plan from the get-go to have his animal nature directly impact the story?

I have a zoology degree, so I love writing animals into as many stories as I can. Salem is a special case though, because he’s such an important part of Sabrina’s world. I love how his seen-it-all attitude contrasts with her constant excitement about her magical discoveries. I knew right away that he’d be a big part of the story, but he surprised me by insisting on being a larger presence than even I expected. 

Kano's work is sublime. It's colorful, exciting, and fits this story quite well. What has impressed you most about their work, and how has the creative process gone?

Kano has made it, so I have to stay on my toes! From the moment I first saw the character designs I knew I had to up my game because they were so fresh and animated. I love how expressive his work always is and how I’m constantly surprised by the art. Every time I see new pages I get a lot of ideas for new stories because his art always suggests a larger world. I feel incredibly fortunate that we are working on this book together! 

Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1 is in comic book stores now! Let your LCS know you’re looking for a copy!