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Free Comic Book Day 2023: The Umbrella Academy/The Witcher
Presenting fan-favorites for a squad of superpowered siblings and the infamous monster hunter! In The Umbrella Academy "Safe," Hargreeves and Abhijit embark on an interdimensional journey and find a cosmic horror that will have repercussions for our heroes and the universe. Then, in The Witcher "Frog Kiss," Geralt must uncover why the young women in Novigrad are turning into frogs!
22 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2023
73 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Bartosz Sztybor
149 books38 followersBartosz Sztybor - polski dziennikarz, publicysta, krytyk filmowy i komiksowy, scenarzysta komiksowy. Wielokrotny laureat konkursu na krótką formę komiksową na MFK. Publikował m.in. w pismach Ozon, Wprost, Esensja, Chichot, Machina, Cinema, periodykach komiksowych i zinach.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 9, 2023
Got it for the Umbrella Academy story but actually it was the Witcher story that got me excited!
The UA story was a bit odd (par for the course, I know), and I honestly had no idea what was going on. The artwork is quite unique and I didn't mind it, but I could not tell you much about the story.
The Witcher story was a cohesive narrative and I enjoyed it. It works because of the collected short stories format some of the books chose. Plus, the artwork was fun.
2/5 for UA; 4/5 for W.
The UA story was a bit odd (par for the course, I know), and I honestly had no idea what was going on. The artwork is quite unique and I didn't mind it, but I could not tell you much about the story.
The Witcher story was a cohesive narrative and I enjoyed it. It works because of the collected short stories format some of the books chose. Plus, the artwork was fun.
2/5 for UA; 4/5 for W.
May 17, 2024
FCBD 2024
The Umbrella Academy story kinda lost me. Plus Gabriel Bá’s art has an acquired taste for his art. The Witcher story was pretty cool.
The Umbrella Academy story kinda lost me. Plus Gabriel Bá’s art has an acquired taste for his art. The Witcher story was pretty cool.
October 18, 2023
I've been meaning to read the Umbrella Academy for some time and this free book seemed a good idea for a curtain raiser. Unfortunately the first story is a psychedelic mishmash and serves as no great intro for the series. It actually put me off for the series. The story made some coherent sense by the time it ended and hence the additional star. 2 stars for this one.
The Witcher story on the other hand is a classic fable retake on the story of the Frog prince and has its periods. The stories of the Frog prince and the Beast have somehow been entwined together with a spin and the output is not unpleasant and hence palatable. Despite the dystopian sets of art the story grows on the reader. 2.5 stars for this.
About the art, the Umbrella story had some lovely trippy art and seemed a perfect fit for the story line and is what made me elevate this review from 2 to 3 stars. The art for the witcher story was obviously inspired from the fable and not greatly inspired.
The Witcher story on the other hand is a classic fable retake on the story of the Frog prince and has its periods. The stories of the Frog prince and the Beast have somehow been entwined together with a spin and the output is not unpleasant and hence palatable. Despite the dystopian sets of art the story grows on the reader. 2.5 stars for this.
About the art, the Umbrella story had some lovely trippy art and seemed a perfect fit for the story line and is what made me elevate this review from 2 to 3 stars. The art for the witcher story was obviously inspired from the fable and not greatly inspired.
June 23, 2023
I enjoyed both stories. there's nothing ground breaking on a free comic book but still, they delivered something good and worth reading. UA has some beautiful panels and the witcher's spin on a classic tale is hilarious.
February 8, 2024
2/5 for the UA story
4.5/5 for the Witcher
4.5/5 for the Witcher
May 6, 2023
2.5
The Witcher story that was included was ok.
The Witcher story that was included was ok.
May 8, 2023
(Thanks to Cosmic Comics in Grand Prairie, TX for providing me with this on Free Comic Book Day!)
Overall: 3
The Umbrella Academy: 3.5
This is probably a way better read whenever you have any knowledge of the Umbrella Academy comics, but all my knowledge comes from the (significantly different) show. I still know enough to be aware that the ending to this has pretty huge implications for the whole series that I'm very interested in seeing contribute to the normal comics. Even so, I'm still confused enough about the story that it can't be a full 4. Gabriel Bá's art is somewhat abstract, very colorful, and definitley something I'd be interested in seeing more of. Really glad this was available.
The Witcher: 2.5
And THIS is probably a little better if you know anything whatsoever about The Witcher... Which I don't, because I haven't watched it or played it. Thankfully this story is almost completely stand-alone, and going in blind, it's still very clear what's happening. Sadly the pacing is really bad since the pages are so limited, and it ends up feeling pretty useless since there's no time for anything to really happen. Plot is introduced, plot is explained, and then story ends. I say explained because the end is less like a resolution and more like a Scooby Doo ending where literally nothing happens to the antagonist. Thankfully the art here is pretty great.
Overall: 3
The Umbrella Academy: 3.5
This is probably a way better read whenever you have any knowledge of the Umbrella Academy comics, but all my knowledge comes from the (significantly different) show. I still know enough to be aware that the ending to this has pretty huge implications for the whole series that I'm very interested in seeing contribute to the normal comics. Even so, I'm still confused enough about the story that it can't be a full 4. Gabriel Bá's art is somewhat abstract, very colorful, and definitley something I'd be interested in seeing more of. Really glad this was available.
The Witcher: 2.5
And THIS is probably a little better if you know anything whatsoever about The Witcher... Which I don't, because I haven't watched it or played it. Thankfully this story is almost completely stand-alone, and going in blind, it's still very clear what's happening. Sadly the pacing is really bad since the pages are so limited, and it ends up feeling pretty useless since there's no time for anything to really happen. Plot is introduced, plot is explained, and then story ends. I say explained because the end is less like a resolution and more like a Scooby Doo ending where literally nothing happens to the antagonist. Thankfully the art here is pretty great.
May 13, 2023
The Umbrella Academy story is dense and trippy, not necessarily in a good way. As someone who has read/watched no Witcher content, the story pulled me in nicely. A mixed bag.
May 16, 2024
One story each from The Umbrella Academy and The Witcher.
Safe (The Umbrella Academy)
Hargreeves and Abhijat are in space.
Abhijat sees something that captures his attention.
Very weird. Some good use of color, but overall—the illustrative work is not the best.
Very trippy and confusing plot-wise. Unclear.
Frog Kiss (The Witcher)
This Geralt is certainly no Henry Cavill.
Interesting mystery that Geralt solves.
Cool and varied artistic styles.
Nice color and design work.
Much, much stronger than the bizarre and disorienting Umbrella Academy story.
Safe (The Umbrella Academy)
Hargreeves and Abhijat are in space.
Abhijat sees something that captures his attention.
Very weird. Some good use of color, but overall—the illustrative work is not the best.
Very trippy and confusing plot-wise. Unclear.
Frog Kiss (The Witcher)
This Geralt is certainly no Henry Cavill.
Interesting mystery that Geralt solves.
Cool and varied artistic styles.
Nice color and design work.
Much, much stronger than the bizarre and disorienting Umbrella Academy story.
May 31, 2023
Gabriel Ba writes and draws a not great comic set in the world of The Umbrella Academy for FCBD.
I think Umbrella Academy is pretty incomprehensible unless you start at the beginning at this point.
The Witcher story is fine. The art though is awful. It's a take on the fairytale of the Frog Prince.
I think Umbrella Academy is pretty incomprehensible unless you start at the beginning at this point.
The Witcher story is fine. The art though is awful. It's a take on the fairytale of the Frog Prince.
August 17, 2023
For once I’d like them interlinked! Wouldn’t that be wonderfully off the chain? Instead a meh story hinting at the next Umbrella Academy arc which I think is never coming and a retelling of the Frog Price which was a little too light. But at least not the random eldritch horror of the previous one...
May 11, 2023
Horror stories?
Good color artwork. Stories from the Umbrella Academy and The Witcher. These are both horror stories, though Umbrella Academy is sort of a Steampunk tale. Dark horse has good standards.
Good color artwork. Stories from the Umbrella Academy and The Witcher. These are both horror stories, though Umbrella Academy is sort of a Steampunk tale. Dark horse has good standards.
June 8, 2023
odd comic but i liked it!
i had to reread it at least twice to somewhat understand what was going on but it was definitely good, it was kinda mindfucking!! the art style was beautiful as it always is in the umbrella academy
i had to reread it at least twice to somewhat understand what was going on but it was definitely good, it was kinda mindfucking!! the art style was beautiful as it always is in the umbrella academy
May 18, 2023
(Thanks to Cosmic Comics in Grand Prairie, TX for providing me with this on Free Comic Book Day!)
Overall: 3
The Umbrella Academy: 3.5
This is probably a way better read whenever you have any knowledge of the Umbrella Academy comics, but all my knowledge comes from the (significantly different) show. I still know enough to be aware that the ending to this has pretty huge implications for the whole series that I'm very interested in seeing contribute to the normal comics. Even so, I'm still confused enough about the story that it can't be a full 4. Gabriel Bá's art is somewhat abstract, very colorful, and definitley something I'd be interested in seeing more of. Really glad this was available.
The Witcher: 2.5
And THIS is probably a little better if you know anything whatsoever about The Witcher... Which I don't, because I haven't watched it or played it. Thankfully this story is almost completely stand-alone, and going in blind, it's still very clear what's happening. Sadly the pacing is really bad since the pages are so limited, and it ends up feeling pretty useless since there's no time for anything to really happen. Plot is introduced, plot is explained, and then story ends. I say explained because the end is less like a resolution and more like a Scooby Doo ending where literally nothing happens to the antagonist. Thankfully the art here is pretty great.
Overall: 3
The Umbrella Academy: 3.5
This is probably a way better read whenever you have any knowledge of the Umbrella Academy comics, but all my knowledge comes from the (significantly different) show. I still know enough to be aware that the ending to this has pretty huge implications for the whole series that I'm very interested in seeing contribute to the normal comics. Even so, I'm still confused enough about the story that it can't be a full 4. Gabriel Bá's art is somewhat abstract, very colorful, and definitley something I'd be interested in seeing more of. Really glad this was available.
The Witcher: 2.5
And THIS is probably a little better if you know anything whatsoever about The Witcher... Which I don't, because I haven't watched it or played it. Thankfully this story is almost completely stand-alone, and going in blind, it's still very clear what's happening. Sadly the pacing is really bad since the pages are so limited, and it ends up feeling pretty useless since there's no time for anything to really happen. Plot is introduced, plot is explained, and then story ends. I say explained because the end is less like a resolution and more like a Scooby Doo ending where literally nothing happens to the antagonist. Thankfully the art here is pretty great.
May 29, 2023
The Umbrella Academy part is a bizarre fever dream, which is not a negative, but the art does not seem to suit the way things are shown because none of it makes sense. The Witcher story is cool. Not all that original and sort of moralistic, but good.
June 11, 2023
The Witcher story was worthwhile the umbrella academy one needed context.
November 19, 2023
This one intrigued me. Both stories were good, but if I were to pick which one I liked better, I'd go with The Umbrella Academy
December 18, 2023
I had no idea what was going on in the Umbrella Academy part. Witcher was really interesting.
September 30, 2025
Oh boy, that is a bad example of FCBD stuff: very short teasers, that make little to no sense.
Umbrella Academy made no sense at all, Witcher was short and fun.
Umbrella Academy made no sense at all, Witcher was short and fun.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews