REVIEW: ‘Hex Wives,’ Issue #4

Hex Wives #4 is published by DC Vertigo, written by Ben Blacker, with art from Mirka Andolfo, colors by Marissa Louise, and letters from Josh Reed. The story of Hex Wives circles around a group of women who are witches who have been reborn time and time again but are controlled by the Architects, a group of men who wish to keep the witches “tamed.”

Hex Wives #4 has been lauded for its diversity of characters and Blacker’s ability to acknowledge and confront his own privilege in the writing of the book. This issue sees some of the women, primarily Becky coming into her power while the others are discovering the power that blood will play.

The Architects are still terrifying. The suit-wearing Aaron remains creepy and every interaction he has with Iz and when he talks about the other women makes my skin crawl. As a reader, we know that he wants to control the women, and we see it working. When they interact you want to yell to these Stepford Wives adjacent wives to run.

This is intensified when the women start to realize that the men in their lives don’t want them to meet together, at least not for too long. We get to see into each of their lives and how the men control them in overt ways, like Aaron scolding Iz for moving a vase or more subtle ones, like when Becky is offered a shopping spree, but only online.

The art of the series remains down to earth in a way that excites but is readable as the women living in a dull controlled world. I truly enjoy the way Andolfo illustrates different body-types and the way she is able to convey emotion in simplistic faces is a joy that builds empathy between you and those on the page.

The colors from Louise are well-done, specifically with the striking use of reds and greens when highlighting the menacing nature of the Architects. However, my favorite bits of color come from the vibrant pink used to show when the women are coming in tune with their powers — the final page is an image of the issue is one that I would buy and put on my wall.

My only gripe would be some of Becky’s dialogue doesn’t land, the words she uses don’t seem totally natural, but this an issue I’ve had with the book since it started. It may because the writer himself is white, but some of it seems forced.

That being said, with each issue the women are coming close to remembering their past witchy lives and I can’t wait for them too. If you aren’t reading this series yet, start! With Iz starting to realize what can trigger their suppressed abilities, I’m sure issue #5 will hold more answers and maybe a confrontation or two.

Hex Wives #4 is available now, wherever comics are sold.