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Winx Club (Papercutz Edition) #1
Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome To Magix
Join the Winx Club, a group of fairies who fight evil using their unique magical powers! In this first installment, Bloom is introduced to Fairy school in Magix, and a whole new world of superpowered girlfriends, scary monsters, and wicked witches — all the while becoming stronger herself and finding the true meaning of friendship.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2024
13 people are currently reading
2659 people want to read
About the author
Iginio Straffi
454 books58 followersIginio Straffi is the founder and CEO of Rainbow S.r.l., as well as the creator of its most famous product, the Winx Club series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 27, 2024
I think these comics are reproduced in 2023. As a fan, you'll like the three Winx stories of about fifty pages each. The art is nice and vibrant but I just wanted some more features... 2.5 stars.
Read
March 6, 2025I decided not to rate this because while I'm living for the nostalgia (this is exactly what I used to read when I was younger, I can't believe they're republishing the OG comics) the introduction to the girls through the plot didn't feel too well done to me. But alas, they're from 2003 so I don't think I can really complain. Perfect bedtime story, even years later.
November 8, 2025
***I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review***
Absolutely colourful, girly, and tropey—nostalgia at its peak! I miss this very specific genre of literature and media <3 To be honest, I’m surprised I actually enjoyed it :’) I have never watched Winx Club but my older sister had a colour print of all the Winx girls, and all us sisters used to choose *our* characters and delight in their epic beauty and awesomeness :>
⊹ . ⋆ ☽ ⋆ . ➶
Absolutely colourful, girly, and tropey—nostalgia at its peak! I miss this very specific genre of literature and media <3 To be honest, I’m surprised I actually enjoyed it :’) I have never watched Winx Club but my older sister had a colour print of all the Winx girls, and all us sisters used to choose *our* characters and delight in their epic beauty and awesomeness :>
⊹ . ⋆ ☽ ⋆ . ➶
February 21, 2025
I am so happy that I got this book from ComicsPlus and didn't buy it as I had planned since it came out. I get that they have to be selective about what to put in a graphic novel, but so many things just didn't make sense. We don't see Stella and Bloom meet and Stella convince Bloom to go to Alfea. The friendship between the girls was hop step and they are friends. Why the boys are so special that they can just patrol in their own ships is also a question. Why no one is surprised about Bloom's transformation. Why the evil trio is after the scepter, also nothing. I am blessed that I saw the first two or three seasons of the show years ago and that I still remember plenty, otherwise I would have been hecking confused what was going on.
The art, it does well to look like the series, but so many things were just wrong. Faces. Bodies. Clothes. Especially faces. *shivers*
It was still a fun read if you know the show and I enjoyed seeing my fav characters again, see Bloom discover magic and the new world, see cool action scenes, see romances blossom. But I won't continue.
The art, it does well to look like the series, but so many things were just wrong. Faces. Bodies. Clothes. Especially faces. *shivers*
It was still a fun read if you know the show and I enjoyed seeing my fav characters again, see Bloom discover magic and the new world, see cool action scenes, see romances blossom. But I won't continue.
February 26, 2024
The art is adorable. It feels like you are watching the old cartoon. My kids were obsessed with it and this was a very fun nostalgic read.
4 stars
4 stars
November 3, 2023
What a cute graphic novel adaptation of the Winx Club! If you've seen the show, the first half of this collection is going to feel super familiar, but the second half adds some more depth, character moments, and worldbuilding. I'm only sad I can't read the next one immediately!
Thanks to Rainbow Spa and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to Rainbow Spa and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 3, 2023
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of one of my favorite tv series! Winx Club!
So I could not have been more excited and grateful, when Papercutz and NetGalley gave me the chance to read this arc in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!!
Volume 1 of this exciting new graphic novel series, will be released on January 16th 2024.
A full color graphic novel, with bright colors and a fun illustration style, that just made me happy.
First there’s an introduction with useful info and illustrations of the Winx Club members and (their enemies) Trix. This will help people for whom it’s been a while since they saw Winx Club and people who are new to it. Because after that, there are 4 (chronological) stories, starting with Bloom entering Alfea (the fairy school she will be attending in Magix). So some things that happened before that, have been left out.
What if your parents sent you to a very unusual school.. In a different dimension? And, best of all, where you got to study magic? How cool would that be?
In story 1, Bloom arrives at that magic school. But Stella, who accompanies her, gets her into trouble soon.. There are some struggles between Winx Club members. And then there’s Trix and their ogre assistant Knut, always ready to try to take Stella’s scepter. This leads to Bloom unlocking her powers and a big question!! The last fairy disappeared from earth centuries ago. So where is Bloom really from? And who is she?
In story 2, Bloom attends her first magic class. Bloom struggles with learning magic and getting along with Tecna. And then there’s this big welcome party but she has no dress.. After she finds the most interesting dress at Alfea, she ends up in a very confusing place while Trix try to mess up the party they weren’t invited to.
In story 3, it’s time for some boy talk. They had a great time at the welcome party, where they met and danced with the boys from another magic school called Red Fountain. 2 of those boys are now getting ready for a mission. A mission that gets sabotaged. Stella and Trix get involved and we see Bloom’s powers grow.
I loved all 3 stories and being back at Alfea, and I want more!!
So I could not have been more excited and grateful, when Papercutz and NetGalley gave me the chance to read this arc in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!!
Volume 1 of this exciting new graphic novel series, will be released on January 16th 2024.
A full color graphic novel, with bright colors and a fun illustration style, that just made me happy.
First there’s an introduction with useful info and illustrations of the Winx Club members and (their enemies) Trix. This will help people for whom it’s been a while since they saw Winx Club and people who are new to it. Because after that, there are 4 (chronological) stories, starting with Bloom entering Alfea (the fairy school she will be attending in Magix). So some things that happened before that, have been left out.
What if your parents sent you to a very unusual school.. In a different dimension? And, best of all, where you got to study magic? How cool would that be?
In story 1, Bloom arrives at that magic school. But Stella, who accompanies her, gets her into trouble soon.. There are some struggles between Winx Club members. And then there’s Trix and their ogre assistant Knut, always ready to try to take Stella’s scepter. This leads to Bloom unlocking her powers and a big question!! The last fairy disappeared from earth centuries ago. So where is Bloom really from? And who is she?
In story 2, Bloom attends her first magic class. Bloom struggles with learning magic and getting along with Tecna. And then there’s this big welcome party but she has no dress.. After she finds the most interesting dress at Alfea, she ends up in a very confusing place while Trix try to mess up the party they weren’t invited to.
In story 3, it’s time for some boy talk. They had a great time at the welcome party, where they met and danced with the boys from another magic school called Red Fountain. 2 of those boys are now getting ready for a mission. A mission that gets sabotaged. Stella and Trix get involved and we see Bloom’s powers grow.
I loved all 3 stories and being back at Alfea, and I want more!!
December 13, 2023
I absolutely loved reading Volume 1 of the newest Winx Club graphic novel: Welcome to Magix! When I saw the cover on NetGalley I IMMEDIATELY had to request it! I was an absolute fan of the show and after reading this, I can say that I absolutely cannot wait for it's release in January 2024 and for all other upcoming volumes.
This volume includes 3 issues: "Bloom's Discovery", "Secrets of Alfea", and "The Boys from Red Fountain" and it follows Bloom (a fairy who grew up on earth) as she moves to Magix to attend Alfea, the school for fairies. There she meets other fairies who ends up being her closest friends and their adventure as the Winx Club begins.
As someone who grew up watching the Winx Club series (the Rai and 4Kids version), I did wonder how this new graphic novel will compare and contrast to the shows. The first issue was very similar to the plot of the first episode so I worried that the rest of the issues were just going to be the novelization of the show, but as I continued on to the second and third volumes, I was pretty glad to find out that while there were certain areas of commonalities, the overall storyline was different and that made me excited to keep on reading.
I'd definitely recommend the newest Winx Club graphic novel series to any and all fans of the Winx Club shows or to anyone looking for a graphic novel that's full of magic, friendship, and girl power!
This volume includes 3 issues: "Bloom's Discovery", "Secrets of Alfea", and "The Boys from Red Fountain" and it follows Bloom (a fairy who grew up on earth) as she moves to Magix to attend Alfea, the school for fairies. There she meets other fairies who ends up being her closest friends and their adventure as the Winx Club begins.
As someone who grew up watching the Winx Club series (the Rai and 4Kids version), I did wonder how this new graphic novel will compare and contrast to the shows. The first issue was very similar to the plot of the first episode so I worried that the rest of the issues were just going to be the novelization of the show, but as I continued on to the second and third volumes, I was pretty glad to find out that while there were certain areas of commonalities, the overall storyline was different and that made me excited to keep on reading.
I'd definitely recommend the newest Winx Club graphic novel series to any and all fans of the Winx Club shows or to anyone looking for a graphic novel that's full of magic, friendship, and girl power!
December 11, 2023
(First of all, thank you NetGalley and Papercutz, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Synopsis: Join the Winx Club, a group of fairies who fight evil using their unique magical powers! In this first installment, Bloom is introduced to Fairy school in Magix, and a whole new world of superpowered girlfriends, scary monsters, and wicked witches — all the while becoming stronger herself and finding the true meaning of friendship.
Opinion: The Winx Club was a great part of my childhood. I always watched this series when I arrived home from school before doing my homework and being able to review this one brings me a lot of nostalgia. I enjoyed this reading, as I said it brought a lot of memories, and watching The Trix again was the best part of it. However, I struggled with the boy's drawings. They felt weird to me. As for the story (no spoilers here), I recommend for you to give it a chance and read it. The start of being a child again!
Synopsis: Join the Winx Club, a group of fairies who fight evil using their unique magical powers! In this first installment, Bloom is introduced to Fairy school in Magix, and a whole new world of superpowered girlfriends, scary monsters, and wicked witches — all the while becoming stronger herself and finding the true meaning of friendship.
Opinion: The Winx Club was a great part of my childhood. I always watched this series when I arrived home from school before doing my homework and being able to review this one brings me a lot of nostalgia. I enjoyed this reading, as I said it brought a lot of memories, and watching The Trix again was the best part of it. However, I struggled with the boy's drawings. They felt weird to me. As for the story (no spoilers here), I recommend for you to give it a chance and read it. The start of being a child again!
December 7, 2023
*thank you to NetGalley for giving me access*
5 stars
Look, I'm biased. I loved Winx Club as a kid and I still do, I even still watch it now and again. So when I got the chance to read this I couldn't wait. It's basically the first few episodes in a book, everything else like the artstyle and the storyline are the same, but I loved it nonetheless.
5 stars
Look, I'm biased. I loved Winx Club as a kid and I still do, I even still watch it now and again. So when I got the chance to read this I couldn't wait. It's basically the first few episodes in a book, everything else like the artstyle and the storyline are the same, but I loved it nonetheless.
October 28, 2023
Short and sweet and full of magic!
I really enjoyed this version of the Winx group. It's fun and lighthearted. I liked the dynamic between the girls, and it was interesting to hear of the other academies.
I really enjoyed this version of the Winx group. It's fun and lighthearted. I liked the dynamic between the girls, and it was interesting to hear of the other academies.
January 17, 2024
Dear Papercutz/Mad Cave Team,
I want to start off by thanking all of the magical minds at Mad Cave, Papercutz, and NetGalley for this magical advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. As a lifelong original Winx Club fan since 2004, I'm thrilled to have been granted an early look at this new revival! Devouring over 50+ of the original comics, including the original English releases–the Winx comics universe holds a special place in my heart. Hearing that Papercutz has plans to tackle it in the original Italian order is a dream come true for American fans like me, as the comic series has never been physically printed so extensively here.
What shines in this new release:
Stunning Presentation: Excellent character bios, sparkly backgrounds, and dynamic font lettering adds a whole level of life never before seen in the Winx Club comics. It's truly stunning!
Modern Dialogue: This new adaptation shows great potential with their approach of modernizing the characters' voices and using more contraction words, something that the previous English editions needed.
Sticking to the Original Order: No more timeline twists like the Viz Media release! Papercutz is bringing the magic back to its roots! They understand the importance of narrative flow, restoring the original Italian order and placing Bloom's key meeting with Stella (originally comic #4) in its rightful spot as a flashback prequel in their upcoming second release. This seemingly simple decision lets the narrative build beautifully, layer by layer, revealing Bloom's journey with depth and impact. This is how you tell a story, Winx style ✨🦋!
High-quality Art: The print quality is the finest I've ever seen in a Winx Club release, breathing new life into Rainbow’s original illustrations. Truly incredible!
My dedication to Winx runs deep, and I've closely followed their adventures over the years across various versions. My perspective, honed by this experience, leads me to some exciting suggestions for enhancing future releases. I'm confident these ideas will resonate with the Papercutz team and further enchant the Winx fandom!
The Original Comic Covers: This graphic novel does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of Winx Club series with the gorgeous cover art. It truly feels like stepping back into the magic dimension the moment you see it! While the character art on the interior covers maintains consistency, the interior comic titlecard covers could be stronger by bringing back the captivating vibrancy of the ones from the original Italian/English releases. Those dynamic illustrations were more than just pretty pictures; they sparked curiosity and pulled readers into the stories with visual promises of excitement and adventure. Additionally, perhaps featuring some of the most iconic magazine front covers on the "coming soon" and/or back pages as cut-out pages could amplify future releases! The front and interior covers were a big part of what sparked global readers to pull the original Winx magazines off the shelves. Adapting these ideas would honor Winx Club's legacy and offer a unique experience for both returning and new fans.
Capturing the Essence Accurately: I love seeing the attempts to bring the story to life for the modern era. The updated fonts and improved English flow of the dialogue are a total step in the right direction from the previous releases, retaining many of the fixes from the newest Italian edition. While fans definitely want to see a remastered and modernized approach to the stories, there's still a lost treasure trove of depth and personality lurking in the earlier dialogue of Rainbow's first Italian and English editions, just waiting to be revived for the modern era.
Those first Italian and English editions showcased Winx Club's magic through longer and more nuanced character interactions, witty banter, and dynamic emotional layers–each word like a brushstroke painting intricate personalities. Future Papercutz releases could further amplify the story's depth by revisiting and translating from the first Italian and English editions, while referencing the revised Italian version solely for adapting the error fixes. This will help avoid losing the intricate sub-plots that are missing from the revised Italian and Viz Media English editions, while also giving the editors more material to work with when modernizing the dialogue. The occasional oversimplification and loss of the original dialogue and subplots in the later editions (the revised Italian and Viz releases), often, flattens the characters and diminishes the multidimensionality and nuances that initially captivated so many fans in the first place.
For future releases, it would be incredible to explore more ways to bridge the gap between modernization and capturing the essence of the original writing. Remastering the dialogue from Rainbow's original Italian/English editions, while incorporating the revised Italian edition’s error fixes–alongside Papercutz’s updated fonts and strategic touch-ups to stay relevant–could unlock a new level of connection with fans. Revisiting the original structures of the dialogue, injecting back some of the witty exchanges and impactful lines that got lost in translation with newest Italian & Viz English editions, and ensuring all characters retain their distinctive voice and dynamism will truly help make this best Winx Club comics release!
Case in Point: Stella Meeting “Prince Sky” (Brandon) (Page 107 of the Papercutz release)
In comic 3, when Stella recalls meeting “Prince Sky” (Brandon), all the newer editions are missing a decent chunk of foundational plot/dialogue previously included in the first edition Italian/English versions. This causes the reader to lose the chance at experiencing the depths of what sparked their connection, a connection deeply rooted in Stella's past and beautifully represented in their first meeting.
Remember the pozology/potionology lab incident that got Stella expelled in the previous year? It wasn't just a mishap; it highlighted how everyone ostracized her, except for one key exception - “Prince Sky” (Brandon). This formative comic-exclusive subplot moment from the first editions was even adapted into Fate: The Winx Saga, with Stella’s incident instead being that she (allegedly) blinded her friend Rikki with her magic and Sky saying it didn’t matter what other people thought of her while they were at the party (adapting from the lines in the original). This moment in both versions is meant to highlight formative details of the character dynamics, and is unfortunately absent in the newer English and Italian editions–including this one.
I've attached a scene comparison for the Papercutz team in the document version of this review for deeper understanding. View on desktop, or request desktop mode for optimal clarity!
The original Italian/English editions shine with personality-revealing banter, and I’m sure many would agree that these editions could be improved further with some modernization from Papercutz. Originally, Stella's defensive humor masking insecurity “dances” with Brandon's genuine, comforting interest. Their witty and playful back-and-forth ignites a special spark between them–perfectly tying up the lab subplot and introducing their comedic dynamic which is a delight to read. Unfortunately, this magic isn’t as effective with it missing entirely from the newer editions.
Also, while "Lol, take a number!" is a humorous modernization of the "Like everyone else" line from the newer Italian edition, it lacks the playful flirtation and emotional nuance of the first edition’s "In what sense?". Similarly, “Prince Sky’s” (Brandon’s) response feels less confident and romantic in the newer releases, diminishing the significance of Stella's retelling of their formative moments.
Recapturing the original banter's spark in future releases would enrich the reading experience for fans who cherish the depths of the original writing. By revisiting the original dialogue, such as in this case with something like "In che senso?" and Brandon's confident replies–while incorporating tasteful modernization–Papercutz could restore and remaster the playful chemistry and emotional depth that originally resonated with so many readers. Remember–the original artists and writers designed these panels in complementary harmony with each other. Honoring the original vision of the words and illustrations, with its wit and romance, through modernized dialogue would create a truly "ultimate edition" experience for fans, new and old–even if they own the originals! It also ensures that readers aren’t missing out on the magic that once existed–not only on the page, but the magic adapted into other Winx stories (like Fate: The Winx Saga) and in their conversations about it!
To honor the vision and charm behind both the words and the artwork, future releases should strive for the authenticity and depth found in the original Italian and English editions. This would ensure lost moments like this are remastered, enriching the experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. Something to take note of when adapting the rest of these comics is that many American fans noticed that Viz Media's adaptation sometimes strayed from the original releases, often diluting the story's complexity. Rainbow's first Italian and in-house English versions are considered the gold standard for this reason. They weave familiarity with daring originality, tackling new and often slightly more mature themes that take place alongside and in-between seasons of the animated series–while still being in a universe of their own. It's part of what makes the intricate world of Winx Club so special, it’s not afraid to get deep into high-stakes humanized adventures. It's a universe that grew alongside us as we watched every episode, every spin-off, and read each monthly magazine featuring a brand new comic–or each new release made available via Rainbow’s former comic app.
Collaborative solutions:
Many fans, myself included, would love to see this release reflect the original spirit while updating it for modern readers. It’s very likely Rainbow still has these translations as they post images of it from time to time on their social media pages; they may still be able to provide them!
I totally understand the desire for accessibility while preserving the original depth and wit that drew many of us to Winx Club, many of us would love to see that. This 20th anniversary presents a phenomenal opportunity to strike a balance, inviting new readers while honoring the cherished essence of the stories.
I am so excited to see how you further approach modernizing the dialogue, especially if it gets some further polish to reflect the complex interactions and dynamic banter that were hallmarks of the first releases. By revisiting these to bring back some of the lost elements, such as more dynamic dialogue and nuanced character interactions–this release can create a captivating experience for all generations! This delicate dance between accessibility, modernization, and preservation ensures the comics remain relevant and engaging for new readers while still resonating with the depth and charm that captivated us in the first place.
The Dream Winx Club Release:
The ultimate goal is to look back in another 20 years and have multiple generations remember a Winx Club even stronger than the one we originally cherished. By achieving this balance, we ensure these stories continue to captivate and reach future generations.
Recapturing some of the lost charm and complexity of Rainbow's original releases in a future edition/reprint would truly make this the best English Winx Club release–the new gold standard by fans! It’d be a landmark release that transcends generations. Imagine new readers enchanted by these relatable heroines, their journeys mirroring their own struggles and triumphs or even transporting them into new perspectives. Envision schools buzzing with conversations about Winx Club's intricate plots and the characters' captivating relationships stronger than we did all over the world when these comics first came out. This impact isn't just a dream, it can be a reality!
Respectfully, Viz Media's changes which mirror the newer Italian version, driven by Nickelodeon's underestimation of American and global fans' appreciation for depth, ultimately led to their release's failure. They not only failed to capture the original dialogue, tone, and order, but they also skipped and removed too much content. As someone who remembers it so vividly, I ask you to remember that the original comics and series were originally created by Rainbow–independent of Nickelodeon and Viz Media’s versions of Winx Club. I hope that in writing this review, I can shed light on what the fans want to see done differently, to help prevent something like that from happening again in this release. Just know that American fans would truly appreciate your help bringing back Rainbow’s full-spectrum vision in a remastered way, even if it means letting Rainbow know that it’s what the American fans would love to see! I’ve always thought the best art is the stuff that makes you think, and Winx Club exemplifies this!
Honoring the Legacy, Enchanting the Future:
For American Winx Club fans, this release is more than just a comic reboot; it's the culmination of a twenty-year dream coming true. While some found rare English releases or read fan-translated pages online, a comprehensive, high-quality English comics experience has always remained tantalizingly out of reach for the majority in the United States and even globally. This release isn't simply an introduction revival; it's a chance for English readers to finally hold the magic we've cherished for so long in our hands, giving the Winx Club comics and upcoming reboot the proper English splash it deserves.
That's why, alongside countless others, I'm fiercely passionate about making this the definitive English Winx Club experience. Fans crave not just sparkling Y2K techno-futurism visuals and vibrant characters, but the depth, wit, and nuanced storytelling that captivated us from the very beginning. We know the Winx Club isn't just about fantastical adventures; it's a coming-of-age saga about relatable young women navigating life's complexities, their magic mirroring their inner strength and weaving social webs unlike any that could happen in the real world. This depth resonated so powerfully that it inspired Netflix and Rainbow’s "Fate: The Winx Saga" series, which pulled heavily from these stories, proving the comics' potential to enchant can transcend generations.
Recapturing Rainbow's original vision, the one that ignited our imaginations and opened our “eyes and minds” isn't about a nostalgic pursuit; it's about forging a future where Winx Club continues to inspire and empower readers and viewers; it’s bringing Iginio Straffi and Rainbow’s original vision to the United States and remastering it in full-color. Imagine the impact this release could have, not just for fans like us who've waited twenty years to see these stories exceptionally presented in an accessible format, but for a whole new generation being given the chance to experience the magic of the Winx Club.
So, with all of these detailed insights, historical knowledge, and unwavering passion from the heart and mind of a super fan, I offer my feedback in hopes that it’ll help with your pursuit of reigniting this cultural phenomenon.
I am incredibly passionate about the Winx multiverse and its legacy, and know quite a few other Winx veterans who would be absolutely thrilled to offer further assistance in any way we can. Whether it's providing additional feedback on future releases, researching specific plot points, or anything else, please feel free to reach out!
I loved every minute of reading this new release, and I would still recommend it to those who enjoy Winx! I'm beyond excited for the upcoming releases, including the Fate: The Winx Saga graphic novels! I wish everyone at Papercutz, Maverick, and Mad Cave all the best!
Thank you for reading my review!
I want to start off by thanking all of the magical minds at Mad Cave, Papercutz, and NetGalley for this magical advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. As a lifelong original Winx Club fan since 2004, I'm thrilled to have been granted an early look at this new revival! Devouring over 50+ of the original comics, including the original English releases–the Winx comics universe holds a special place in my heart. Hearing that Papercutz has plans to tackle it in the original Italian order is a dream come true for American fans like me, as the comic series has never been physically printed so extensively here.
What shines in this new release:
Stunning Presentation: Excellent character bios, sparkly backgrounds, and dynamic font lettering adds a whole level of life never before seen in the Winx Club comics. It's truly stunning!
Modern Dialogue: This new adaptation shows great potential with their approach of modernizing the characters' voices and using more contraction words, something that the previous English editions needed.
Sticking to the Original Order: No more timeline twists like the Viz Media release! Papercutz is bringing the magic back to its roots! They understand the importance of narrative flow, restoring the original Italian order and placing Bloom's key meeting with Stella (originally comic #4) in its rightful spot as a flashback prequel in their upcoming second release. This seemingly simple decision lets the narrative build beautifully, layer by layer, revealing Bloom's journey with depth and impact. This is how you tell a story, Winx style ✨🦋!
High-quality Art: The print quality is the finest I've ever seen in a Winx Club release, breathing new life into Rainbow’s original illustrations. Truly incredible!
My dedication to Winx runs deep, and I've closely followed their adventures over the years across various versions. My perspective, honed by this experience, leads me to some exciting suggestions for enhancing future releases. I'm confident these ideas will resonate with the Papercutz team and further enchant the Winx fandom!
The Original Comic Covers: This graphic novel does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of Winx Club series with the gorgeous cover art. It truly feels like stepping back into the magic dimension the moment you see it! While the character art on the interior covers maintains consistency, the interior comic titlecard covers could be stronger by bringing back the captivating vibrancy of the ones from the original Italian/English releases. Those dynamic illustrations were more than just pretty pictures; they sparked curiosity and pulled readers into the stories with visual promises of excitement and adventure. Additionally, perhaps featuring some of the most iconic magazine front covers on the "coming soon" and/or back pages as cut-out pages could amplify future releases! The front and interior covers were a big part of what sparked global readers to pull the original Winx magazines off the shelves. Adapting these ideas would honor Winx Club's legacy and offer a unique experience for both returning and new fans.
Capturing the Essence Accurately: I love seeing the attempts to bring the story to life for the modern era. The updated fonts and improved English flow of the dialogue are a total step in the right direction from the previous releases, retaining many of the fixes from the newest Italian edition. While fans definitely want to see a remastered and modernized approach to the stories, there's still a lost treasure trove of depth and personality lurking in the earlier dialogue of Rainbow's first Italian and English editions, just waiting to be revived for the modern era.
Those first Italian and English editions showcased Winx Club's magic through longer and more nuanced character interactions, witty banter, and dynamic emotional layers–each word like a brushstroke painting intricate personalities. Future Papercutz releases could further amplify the story's depth by revisiting and translating from the first Italian and English editions, while referencing the revised Italian version solely for adapting the error fixes. This will help avoid losing the intricate sub-plots that are missing from the revised Italian and Viz Media English editions, while also giving the editors more material to work with when modernizing the dialogue. The occasional oversimplification and loss of the original dialogue and subplots in the later editions (the revised Italian and Viz releases), often, flattens the characters and diminishes the multidimensionality and nuances that initially captivated so many fans in the first place.
For future releases, it would be incredible to explore more ways to bridge the gap between modernization and capturing the essence of the original writing. Remastering the dialogue from Rainbow's original Italian/English editions, while incorporating the revised Italian edition’s error fixes–alongside Papercutz’s updated fonts and strategic touch-ups to stay relevant–could unlock a new level of connection with fans. Revisiting the original structures of the dialogue, injecting back some of the witty exchanges and impactful lines that got lost in translation with newest Italian & Viz English editions, and ensuring all characters retain their distinctive voice and dynamism will truly help make this best Winx Club comics release!
Case in Point: Stella Meeting “Prince Sky” (Brandon) (Page 107 of the Papercutz release)
In comic 3, when Stella recalls meeting “Prince Sky” (Brandon), all the newer editions are missing a decent chunk of foundational plot/dialogue previously included in the first edition Italian/English versions. This causes the reader to lose the chance at experiencing the depths of what sparked their connection, a connection deeply rooted in Stella's past and beautifully represented in their first meeting.
Remember the pozology/potionology lab incident that got Stella expelled in the previous year? It wasn't just a mishap; it highlighted how everyone ostracized her, except for one key exception - “Prince Sky” (Brandon). This formative comic-exclusive subplot moment from the first editions was even adapted into Fate: The Winx Saga, with Stella’s incident instead being that she (allegedly) blinded her friend Rikki with her magic and Sky saying it didn’t matter what other people thought of her while they were at the party (adapting from the lines in the original). This moment in both versions is meant to highlight formative details of the character dynamics, and is unfortunately absent in the newer English and Italian editions–including this one.
I've attached a scene comparison for the Papercutz team in the document version of this review for deeper understanding. View on desktop, or request desktop mode for optimal clarity!
The original Italian/English editions shine with personality-revealing banter, and I’m sure many would agree that these editions could be improved further with some modernization from Papercutz. Originally, Stella's defensive humor masking insecurity “dances” with Brandon's genuine, comforting interest. Their witty and playful back-and-forth ignites a special spark between them–perfectly tying up the lab subplot and introducing their comedic dynamic which is a delight to read. Unfortunately, this magic isn’t as effective with it missing entirely from the newer editions.
Also, while "Lol, take a number!" is a humorous modernization of the "Like everyone else" line from the newer Italian edition, it lacks the playful flirtation and emotional nuance of the first edition’s "In what sense?". Similarly, “Prince Sky’s” (Brandon’s) response feels less confident and romantic in the newer releases, diminishing the significance of Stella's retelling of their formative moments.
Recapturing the original banter's spark in future releases would enrich the reading experience for fans who cherish the depths of the original writing. By revisiting the original dialogue, such as in this case with something like "In che senso?" and Brandon's confident replies–while incorporating tasteful modernization–Papercutz could restore and remaster the playful chemistry and emotional depth that originally resonated with so many readers. Remember–the original artists and writers designed these panels in complementary harmony with each other. Honoring the original vision of the words and illustrations, with its wit and romance, through modernized dialogue would create a truly "ultimate edition" experience for fans, new and old–even if they own the originals! It also ensures that readers aren’t missing out on the magic that once existed–not only on the page, but the magic adapted into other Winx stories (like Fate: The Winx Saga) and in their conversations about it!
To honor the vision and charm behind both the words and the artwork, future releases should strive for the authenticity and depth found in the original Italian and English editions. This would ensure lost moments like this are remastered, enriching the experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. Something to take note of when adapting the rest of these comics is that many American fans noticed that Viz Media's adaptation sometimes strayed from the original releases, often diluting the story's complexity. Rainbow's first Italian and in-house English versions are considered the gold standard for this reason. They weave familiarity with daring originality, tackling new and often slightly more mature themes that take place alongside and in-between seasons of the animated series–while still being in a universe of their own. It's part of what makes the intricate world of Winx Club so special, it’s not afraid to get deep into high-stakes humanized adventures. It's a universe that grew alongside us as we watched every episode, every spin-off, and read each monthly magazine featuring a brand new comic–or each new release made available via Rainbow’s former comic app.
Collaborative solutions:
Many fans, myself included, would love to see this release reflect the original spirit while updating it for modern readers. It’s very likely Rainbow still has these translations as they post images of it from time to time on their social media pages; they may still be able to provide them!
I totally understand the desire for accessibility while preserving the original depth and wit that drew many of us to Winx Club, many of us would love to see that. This 20th anniversary presents a phenomenal opportunity to strike a balance, inviting new readers while honoring the cherished essence of the stories.
I am so excited to see how you further approach modernizing the dialogue, especially if it gets some further polish to reflect the complex interactions and dynamic banter that were hallmarks of the first releases. By revisiting these to bring back some of the lost elements, such as more dynamic dialogue and nuanced character interactions–this release can create a captivating experience for all generations! This delicate dance between accessibility, modernization, and preservation ensures the comics remain relevant and engaging for new readers while still resonating with the depth and charm that captivated us in the first place.
The Dream Winx Club Release:
The ultimate goal is to look back in another 20 years and have multiple generations remember a Winx Club even stronger than the one we originally cherished. By achieving this balance, we ensure these stories continue to captivate and reach future generations.
Recapturing some of the lost charm and complexity of Rainbow's original releases in a future edition/reprint would truly make this the best English Winx Club release–the new gold standard by fans! It’d be a landmark release that transcends generations. Imagine new readers enchanted by these relatable heroines, their journeys mirroring their own struggles and triumphs or even transporting them into new perspectives. Envision schools buzzing with conversations about Winx Club's intricate plots and the characters' captivating relationships stronger than we did all over the world when these comics first came out. This impact isn't just a dream, it can be a reality!
Respectfully, Viz Media's changes which mirror the newer Italian version, driven by Nickelodeon's underestimation of American and global fans' appreciation for depth, ultimately led to their release's failure. They not only failed to capture the original dialogue, tone, and order, but they also skipped and removed too much content. As someone who remembers it so vividly, I ask you to remember that the original comics and series were originally created by Rainbow–independent of Nickelodeon and Viz Media’s versions of Winx Club. I hope that in writing this review, I can shed light on what the fans want to see done differently, to help prevent something like that from happening again in this release. Just know that American fans would truly appreciate your help bringing back Rainbow’s full-spectrum vision in a remastered way, even if it means letting Rainbow know that it’s what the American fans would love to see! I’ve always thought the best art is the stuff that makes you think, and Winx Club exemplifies this!
Honoring the Legacy, Enchanting the Future:
For American Winx Club fans, this release is more than just a comic reboot; it's the culmination of a twenty-year dream coming true. While some found rare English releases or read fan-translated pages online, a comprehensive, high-quality English comics experience has always remained tantalizingly out of reach for the majority in the United States and even globally. This release isn't simply an introduction revival; it's a chance for English readers to finally hold the magic we've cherished for so long in our hands, giving the Winx Club comics and upcoming reboot the proper English splash it deserves.
That's why, alongside countless others, I'm fiercely passionate about making this the definitive English Winx Club experience. Fans crave not just sparkling Y2K techno-futurism visuals and vibrant characters, but the depth, wit, and nuanced storytelling that captivated us from the very beginning. We know the Winx Club isn't just about fantastical adventures; it's a coming-of-age saga about relatable young women navigating life's complexities, their magic mirroring their inner strength and weaving social webs unlike any that could happen in the real world. This depth resonated so powerfully that it inspired Netflix and Rainbow’s "Fate: The Winx Saga" series, which pulled heavily from these stories, proving the comics' potential to enchant can transcend generations.
Recapturing Rainbow's original vision, the one that ignited our imaginations and opened our “eyes and minds” isn't about a nostalgic pursuit; it's about forging a future where Winx Club continues to inspire and empower readers and viewers; it’s bringing Iginio Straffi and Rainbow’s original vision to the United States and remastering it in full-color. Imagine the impact this release could have, not just for fans like us who've waited twenty years to see these stories exceptionally presented in an accessible format, but for a whole new generation being given the chance to experience the magic of the Winx Club.
So, with all of these detailed insights, historical knowledge, and unwavering passion from the heart and mind of a super fan, I offer my feedback in hopes that it’ll help with your pursuit of reigniting this cultural phenomenon.
I am incredibly passionate about the Winx multiverse and its legacy, and know quite a few other Winx veterans who would be absolutely thrilled to offer further assistance in any way we can. Whether it's providing additional feedback on future releases, researching specific plot points, or anything else, please feel free to reach out!
I loved every minute of reading this new release, and I would still recommend it to those who enjoy Winx! I'm beyond excited for the upcoming releases, including the Fate: The Winx Saga graphic novels! I wish everyone at Papercutz, Maverick, and Mad Cave all the best!
Thank you for reading my review!
December 11, 2024
Una colección chulita para evocar con cariño la infancia. Son tres cómics diferentes por libro, siguiendo cada uno una temática. Me parece la opción perfecta para recuperar los cómics que tenía de niña.
June 23, 2024
We've come so far from the days when the only option to read Winx Club in English was fan translated scans from tumblr.
May 11, 2025
back to my roots hehe omg forever obsessed and enamoured by Winx this is a specTACULAR use of free will I am very satisfied with this experience thank you
December 3, 2023
3.8/5
- Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me a copy through NetGalley. -
Ah the first part is truly a jump back in time and it felt so nostalgic.
As an avid Winx fan back in the days I have to say I could read the first chapters almost with my eyes closed and imagining the beginning all over again.
The second half of the story is totally new. And this was both a good and bad thing.
The good thing is that we can find new adventures for our favorite fairies, the "bad" could be that some adventures were too one character based and some behaviors used weren't totally true to character.
Once accepted this new way of seeing the series, what's inside this little volume is a little dream for all those people who grew up with the Winx universe.
- Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me a copy through NetGalley. -
Ah the first part is truly a jump back in time and it felt so nostalgic.
As an avid Winx fan back in the days I have to say I could read the first chapters almost with my eyes closed and imagining the beginning all over again.
The second half of the story is totally new. And this was both a good and bad thing.
The good thing is that we can find new adventures for our favorite fairies, the "bad" could be that some adventures were too one character based and some behaviors used weren't totally true to character.
Once accepted this new way of seeing the series, what's inside this little volume is a little dream for all those people who grew up with the Winx universe.
November 24, 2023
I received a free ebook from netgalley in exchange for a review.
I loved Winx Club growing up. They were my favorite characters and my favorite show. And I read the comics that came out at the time originally, and honestly going into this thought they were just being reprinted into a new edition, and as such was very excited.
However, I was very frustrated, both with the stories and the reading experience.
First, on the stories. I disliked that it jumped straight to them getting to Alfea, instead of covering any of the introduction or backstory, so, for example, the interaction Stella had with Knut no longer made any sense, talking about a past interaction we didn't get to see. Then, later stories, instead of being new stories in and of themselves, just changed random bits of the original tales. For example, where is Bloom being creative and making her own dress out of a sales dress? Instead she finds a magic one in storage randomly? Nothing about the Trix and Stella's ring even though that was the main reason they were there. It was just...odd and frustrating. I would have appreciated new stories, but the awkward butchering of the originals was frustrating.
Then there was the actual reading process. This book was a struggle to read. The panels didn't flow in any way that made sense, I had to constantly reread parts to get them in the right order. The way it was laid out changed from page to page, and at times even within the same page. For example, some panels read like manga, while others like an American graphic novel. There even seemed to be panels where you had to jump between two or three panels back and forth to get the conversation. Either reordering the panels in a way were they actually flow, or adding some kind of arrows to help make it easy to follow along would've been helpful.
I will still buy this, because I love Winx, but the whole experience was so frustrating.
I loved Winx Club growing up. They were my favorite characters and my favorite show. And I read the comics that came out at the time originally, and honestly going into this thought they were just being reprinted into a new edition, and as such was very excited.
However, I was very frustrated, both with the stories and the reading experience.
First, on the stories. I disliked that it jumped straight to them getting to Alfea, instead of covering any of the introduction or backstory, so, for example, the interaction Stella had with Knut no longer made any sense, talking about a past interaction we didn't get to see. Then, later stories, instead of being new stories in and of themselves, just changed random bits of the original tales. For example, where is Bloom being creative and making her own dress out of a sales dress? Instead she finds a magic one in storage randomly? Nothing about the Trix and Stella's ring even though that was the main reason they were there. It was just...odd and frustrating. I would have appreciated new stories, but the awkward butchering of the originals was frustrating.
Then there was the actual reading process. This book was a struggle to read. The panels didn't flow in any way that made sense, I had to constantly reread parts to get them in the right order. The way it was laid out changed from page to page, and at times even within the same page. For example, some panels read like manga, while others like an American graphic novel. There even seemed to be panels where you had to jump between two or three panels back and forth to get the conversation. Either reordering the panels in a way were they actually flow, or adding some kind of arrows to help make it easy to follow along would've been helpful.
I will still buy this, because I love Winx, but the whole experience was so frustrating.
November 3, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want a poorly drawn and written collection about the Winx Club where you would definitely need to have watched the show to understand what's going on?
Pre-reading:
SAMANTHA BUT YOUR TBR-
Thick of it:
Bloom was like the original Mary Sue, but I love her.
OK, the art in this leaves much to be desired.
It’s not that it’s written for children. It’s just poorly written.
I don’t remember Stella being so rude.
It’s also just a weird place to start the story because if you hadn’t seen that Winx Club pilot, you would be so lost.
I never understood why the Winx Club girls were high schoolers and not college students. Like they’re very obviously college students and it makes me way more comfier if they’re college students running around mostly naked and kissing boys lol.
Winx is such a solid series and universe, but this comic isn’t really doing it justice.
It’s way too rushed.
The character design in this franchise is so good.
They drew the red fountain boys terribly.
Sam, why do you love enemies to lovers? Look at my childhood shows! If he hates me, we’re going to fall in love!
I could’ve sworn Sky was the blond. (Update he concealed his identity, and I remembered that. I just thought it got revealed way sooner.)
Dude, I should rewatch the Winx Club.
Post-reading:
I love the franchise. I love the universe.
This is a poor entry. It’s completely unapproachable if you haven’t seen the show. It doesn’t add anything to the show. It’s not well written. The art isn’t very good. Don’t bother reading this and just re-watch the show.
Who should read this:
No one
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* The Mist Walker by Stephane Fert-stunning character design and art, witchy bitches
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda Hall-stunning femme werewolf art, highschoolers
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want a poorly drawn and written collection about the Winx Club where you would definitely need to have watched the show to understand what's going on?
Pre-reading:
SAMANTHA BUT YOUR TBR-
Thick of it:
Bloom was like the original Mary Sue, but I love her.
OK, the art in this leaves much to be desired.
It’s not that it’s written for children. It’s just poorly written.
I don’t remember Stella being so rude.
It’s also just a weird place to start the story because if you hadn’t seen that Winx Club pilot, you would be so lost.
I never understood why the Winx Club girls were high schoolers and not college students. Like they’re very obviously college students and it makes me way more comfier if they’re college students running around mostly naked and kissing boys lol.
Winx is such a solid series and universe, but this comic isn’t really doing it justice.
It’s way too rushed.
The character design in this franchise is so good.
They drew the red fountain boys terribly.
Sam, why do you love enemies to lovers? Look at my childhood shows! If he hates me, we’re going to fall in love!
I could’ve sworn Sky was the blond. (Update he concealed his identity, and I remembered that. I just thought it got revealed way sooner.)
Dude, I should rewatch the Winx Club.
Post-reading:
I love the franchise. I love the universe.
This is a poor entry. It’s completely unapproachable if you haven’t seen the show. It doesn’t add anything to the show. It’s not well written. The art isn’t very good. Don’t bother reading this and just re-watch the show.
Who should read this:
No one
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* The Mist Walker by Stephane Fert-stunning character design and art, witchy bitches
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda Hall-stunning femme werewolf art, highschoolers
January 24, 2024
I loved watching Winx Club when I was younger. I would watch the 4KidsTV version every chance I got. Fairies, witches, and cute boys defending the good from the bad? Count me in! As I got older I stopped, though I will honestly say it was more because I had other things to do than because I stopped liking it. When I was in high school I relooked up the series and watched what I could, amazed and shocked by how much it had grown in length and by how different it felt. There were things I remembered from the show that didn't seem to appear during the beginning episodes. It wasn't until a while later that I realized it was because the version I remembered wasn’t the version I was watching now. So bits and parts were tweaked based on the studio producing it. Songs and entire episodes seemed so different, but I could still find joy in them, even if I was a bit disappointed by some. I believe the last series of the show I fully watched was the original French dub when they were on earth and found the REAL last earth fairy. Though I do remember bits and pieces of the story past that as well. Its been nearly 10 years since I've seen or tried to look back at the show's progression. I still laugh every time I heard Sky's voice, as Yu-Gi-Oh had been my favorite anime for years, and they share an English dub voice actor.
With all this being said, I knew that this was probably not going to follow the formats of the versions I watched. But I still expected the graphic novel to begin with Bloom's basic beginning. Of her on earth running into Stella and the monster the Trix send out. It was a bit confusing to immediately see Bloom going to Magix with her parents approval. I could see why they wanted to start here however, as it shows a lot of things all at once to set up the story, however, the basic set up for the entire story was lost because of this. Entire characters erased. And absolutely no depth was created for Bloom. We don't get to see how she discovers her magical abilities. We don't get the explanation of magic and her abilities is a soft yet easily digestible way. That one simple beginning chapter would have helped to set up the tone a lot better than immediately thrusting Bloom into Magix as if there were no troubles or worries at all. It gives little to no tension to start from where it did, and makes the Trix popping up feel more like Swiper popping up to stop Dora than running away for the rest of the show. No real threat or lingering suspension. And no foreshadowing of her true nature or abilities! For those who know the story-her powers are IMPORTANT. And this version overshadows its importance like nothing.
Long rant aside, that was my main issue with this graphic novel in it's entirety. My only other comment would be that I wish there was a little more detailing to the outfits in the show. The outfits are still stunning! Don't get me wrong, but when you have a graphic novel like this it should really be taken advantage of. Fashion is a HUGE part of the show. And it seemed to be pushed back a ot in favor of a generalized easy to print and produce version. Which in my opinion is a bad idea as this was one of the things that drew a lot of watchers in. France is known for fashion trends, and they utilized those abilities to the fullest when creating Winx Club.
I actually really enjoyed seeing the characters and having different scenes from the show that showcased each character a little bit. This really held the essence of the show well, and stuck to girl empowerment which is THE most important thing I could have asked for. The girls don't just step aside or let the boys handle things. They're creative, inventive, and strong! The new scenes and battles work really well in drawing the reader in, and seeing more of the Trix has been a nice change as well. And although they still seem pop-up-ish, I can tell that near the end the creator were trying to pull away from that.
I would love to read more and see how different the story will go. There are a few characters I am crossing my fingers and hoping make it to the final cut, but overall I like how this is headed!
With all this being said, I knew that this was probably not going to follow the formats of the versions I watched. But I still expected the graphic novel to begin with Bloom's basic beginning. Of her on earth running into Stella and the monster the Trix send out. It was a bit confusing to immediately see Bloom going to Magix with her parents approval. I could see why they wanted to start here however, as it shows a lot of things all at once to set up the story, however, the basic set up for the entire story was lost because of this. Entire characters erased. And absolutely no depth was created for Bloom. We don't get to see how she discovers her magical abilities. We don't get the explanation of magic and her abilities is a soft yet easily digestible way. That one simple beginning chapter would have helped to set up the tone a lot better than immediately thrusting Bloom into Magix as if there were no troubles or worries at all. It gives little to no tension to start from where it did, and makes the Trix popping up feel more like Swiper popping up to stop Dora than running away for the rest of the show. No real threat or lingering suspension. And no foreshadowing of her true nature or abilities! For those who know the story-her powers are IMPORTANT. And this version overshadows its importance like nothing.
Long rant aside, that was my main issue with this graphic novel in it's entirety. My only other comment would be that I wish there was a little more detailing to the outfits in the show. The outfits are still stunning! Don't get me wrong, but when you have a graphic novel like this it should really be taken advantage of. Fashion is a HUGE part of the show. And it seemed to be pushed back a ot in favor of a generalized easy to print and produce version. Which in my opinion is a bad idea as this was one of the things that drew a lot of watchers in. France is known for fashion trends, and they utilized those abilities to the fullest when creating Winx Club.
I actually really enjoyed seeing the characters and having different scenes from the show that showcased each character a little bit. This really held the essence of the show well, and stuck to girl empowerment which is THE most important thing I could have asked for. The girls don't just step aside or let the boys handle things. They're creative, inventive, and strong! The new scenes and battles work really well in drawing the reader in, and seeing more of the Trix has been a nice change as well. And although they still seem pop-up-ish, I can tell that near the end the creator were trying to pull away from that.
I would love to read more and see how different the story will go. There are a few characters I am crossing my fingers and hoping make it to the final cut, but overall I like how this is headed!
November 14, 2023
Special thanks to the author(s), publisher, Goodreads and/or NetGalley for the review copy. All views and opinions expressed are honest and my own.
A blast from the past if you’ve watched Winx Club!
It’s honestly been a long time since I’ve watched this show. I remember waking up at 6 AM on Saturday mornings with my sister, and sneaking past our parents bedroom to get to the living room where we’d watch this with minimal volume. So this naturally holds a special place in my heart.
This volume does a good job in adapting the show but I felt the story goes by too fast. If you’ve watched the show then you’ll know that quite a bit of the show is cut off. Such as, Bloom and Stella’s meeting in the human world as well as the interaction between the members of the Winx Club. I believe these were crucial in helping set up the characters and their decisions along the way.
This graphic novel goes by quickly so a lot happens in volume one. Although we do see character growth in a few characters it’s quite minimal. The relationships between characters, both friendship and love are also developed quickly without much substance. If you’ve watched the show already, like me, then you’ll probably enjoy the fast pace because you already understand the background of what’s happening.
The artwork is quite reminiscent of the show. I liked the use of a variety of solid dark colors, while maintaining a color scheme for each member of the Winx Club. Although I did feel like there were some inconsistencies between the characters height and hairstyle in some panels. The artwork didn’t use much background, except when needed which helped reduce the noise, especially because there is a wide color palette being used.
The placement of dialogues were probably my enemy. I’ve read quite a few graphic novels, comics and manga recently but this one had me guessing and rereading each panel multiple times. Each page uses a different size and placement of panels making the speech bubbles in different locations each time, and sometimes overlapping into other panels. At times, it was hard for me to figure out which speech bubble to read next and that broke the flow of the story for me.
Overall, I liked this graphic novel but I think it’s better read after you’ve watched the show. The graphic novel does skip some critical posts while adding new details to the story. I think it got a little repetitive with the Witches but I liked how it’s taking a more focused approach on the main purpose of the chapter instead. I would recommend giving this a try especially if you’re looking to remember some old tv shows!
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
A blast from the past if you’ve watched Winx Club!
It’s honestly been a long time since I’ve watched this show. I remember waking up at 6 AM on Saturday mornings with my sister, and sneaking past our parents bedroom to get to the living room where we’d watch this with minimal volume. So this naturally holds a special place in my heart.
This volume does a good job in adapting the show but I felt the story goes by too fast. If you’ve watched the show then you’ll know that quite a bit of the show is cut off. Such as, Bloom and Stella’s meeting in the human world as well as the interaction between the members of the Winx Club. I believe these were crucial in helping set up the characters and their decisions along the way.
This graphic novel goes by quickly so a lot happens in volume one. Although we do see character growth in a few characters it’s quite minimal. The relationships between characters, both friendship and love are also developed quickly without much substance. If you’ve watched the show already, like me, then you’ll probably enjoy the fast pace because you already understand the background of what’s happening.
The artwork is quite reminiscent of the show. I liked the use of a variety of solid dark colors, while maintaining a color scheme for each member of the Winx Club. Although I did feel like there were some inconsistencies between the characters height and hairstyle in some panels. The artwork didn’t use much background, except when needed which helped reduce the noise, especially because there is a wide color palette being used.
The placement of dialogues were probably my enemy. I’ve read quite a few graphic novels, comics and manga recently but this one had me guessing and rereading each panel multiple times. Each page uses a different size and placement of panels making the speech bubbles in different locations each time, and sometimes overlapping into other panels. At times, it was hard for me to figure out which speech bubble to read next and that broke the flow of the story for me.
Overall, I liked this graphic novel but I think it’s better read after you’ve watched the show. The graphic novel does skip some critical posts while adding new details to the story. I think it got a little repetitive with the Witches but I liked how it’s taking a more focused approach on the main purpose of the chapter instead. I would recommend giving this a try especially if you’re looking to remember some old tv shows!
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
January 18, 2024
Winx Club: Welcome to Magix is a graphic novel adaptation of the very beginning of Winx Club, created for the series 20th anniversary. The novel has elements that I like but a lot that I don’t. The art and the pacing both left a lot to be desired, and it overall felt more half-baked than anything.
I enjoyed the art style as it was very reminiscent of classic Winx Club seasons but it left a lot to be desired. It felt pretty rough and there is so much more that could have been done when bringing the series to a graphic novel medium. It just felt bland, unionspired, and lifeless, which is not something I think of when I think Winx Club. I loved that they used the classic style but it could have been done much better. There were so many missed opportunities with the structure of the panels and the art as a whole. Winx Club could have benefited a lot from this new style and yet it just feels half-baked.
This problem isn’t just with the artwork. The pacing of the story was not great. The novel attempts to adapt the first few episodes but cuts out so much to the point where new readers to the franchise will have no idea what is happening, while long time fans will just be left feeling disappointed. The biggest offense is the beginning, which completely skips the whole set up and jumps right into Bloom coming to Magix. If you were not already familiar with the series, you would have no idea what was going on. The way that novel is set up, with the separate parts also makes it harder to follow. Each section could have been connected a lot better. The actual story is great, as it’s just the story from the series, but the pacing makes it very off putting.
Overall I enjoyed my time reading Winx Club: Welcome to Magix, but as someone who grew up loving Winx Club, it left a lot to be desired. The end product feels like a minimal effort attempt to bring Winx Club into a graphic novel format, while missing out on everything that makes that format special. I understand that this is a junior graphic novel based on a licensed property but I have read much better adaptations for this audience than this. It’s fine overall but leaves a lot to be desired. A goldmine of missed potential for a series that desperately needs innovation.
I enjoyed the art style as it was very reminiscent of classic Winx Club seasons but it left a lot to be desired. It felt pretty rough and there is so much more that could have been done when bringing the series to a graphic novel medium. It just felt bland, unionspired, and lifeless, which is not something I think of when I think Winx Club. I loved that they used the classic style but it could have been done much better. There were so many missed opportunities with the structure of the panels and the art as a whole. Winx Club could have benefited a lot from this new style and yet it just feels half-baked.
This problem isn’t just with the artwork. The pacing of the story was not great. The novel attempts to adapt the first few episodes but cuts out so much to the point where new readers to the franchise will have no idea what is happening, while long time fans will just be left feeling disappointed. The biggest offense is the beginning, which completely skips the whole set up and jumps right into Bloom coming to Magix. If you were not already familiar with the series, you would have no idea what was going on. The way that novel is set up, with the separate parts also makes it harder to follow. Each section could have been connected a lot better. The actual story is great, as it’s just the story from the series, but the pacing makes it very off putting.
Overall I enjoyed my time reading Winx Club: Welcome to Magix, but as someone who grew up loving Winx Club, it left a lot to be desired. The end product feels like a minimal effort attempt to bring Winx Club into a graphic novel format, while missing out on everything that makes that format special. I understand that this is a junior graphic novel based on a licensed property but I have read much better adaptations for this audience than this. It’s fine overall but leaves a lot to be desired. A goldmine of missed potential for a series that desperately needs innovation.
November 29, 2023
**ARC provided by Rainbow Spa and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both providers.**
If you love the original animation of The Winx Club, you will love this graphic novel. This is a really easy story to follow along. As a fan of the Winx animated series, I was having a blast while reading this. I really enjoyed how the novel gives you a bit more inside into how the magic system works in Wagics. It was a nostalgic and comfy read, and I will be picking up the physical copy once it’s out.
However, there are minor inconsistencies in the drawings/panels that need to be fixed before it goes into full production. I would also say that if you are not familiar with the first episode of the animated series, little details can be lost in the graphic novel. It’s missing how Stella and Bloom met which matters a lot in the plot that is being explored in the first half of the graphic novel titled ‘Welcome to Magics.’ Just keep that in mind before reading.
Initial reaction:
* Some inconsistencies within the panels. (Ex: pg. 34, Icy is drawn as Bloom. Pg. 69: Flora’s eye isn’t completely colored in & Techna is a brunette.)
* The art is very nostalgic as it is in the original animation 2D style. That’s my favorite aspect so far.
* Bloom is even more childish than the series.
* THE TRIX LOOK SO GOOD OMG 🥰🥰
* The way the magic is drawn is so pretty and satisfying.
* Bloom’s fairy form is even cuter in the graphic novel – the sparkles and sky blue color looks so pretty in this style.
* If you are not familiar with the series, there are some small details that are missing.
* I like how they are incorporating magic into every day things (like the dress and the parking) that the show did not do/explain.
* The specialists… yikes
* Timmy, Riven and Prince Sky are cute, but Brandon looks like a Whoville character.
* The specialist suits are really cool.
If you love the original animation of The Winx Club, you will love this graphic novel. This is a really easy story to follow along. As a fan of the Winx animated series, I was having a blast while reading this. I really enjoyed how the novel gives you a bit more inside into how the magic system works in Wagics. It was a nostalgic and comfy read, and I will be picking up the physical copy once it’s out.
However, there are minor inconsistencies in the drawings/panels that need to be fixed before it goes into full production. I would also say that if you are not familiar with the first episode of the animated series, little details can be lost in the graphic novel. It’s missing how Stella and Bloom met which matters a lot in the plot that is being explored in the first half of the graphic novel titled ‘Welcome to Magics.’ Just keep that in mind before reading.
Initial reaction:
* Some inconsistencies within the panels. (Ex: pg. 34, Icy is drawn as Bloom. Pg. 69: Flora’s eye isn’t completely colored in & Techna is a brunette.)
* The art is very nostalgic as it is in the original animation 2D style. That’s my favorite aspect so far.
* Bloom is even more childish than the series.
* THE TRIX LOOK SO GOOD OMG 🥰🥰
* The way the magic is drawn is so pretty and satisfying.
* Bloom’s fairy form is even cuter in the graphic novel – the sparkles and sky blue color looks so pretty in this style.
* If you are not familiar with the series, there are some small details that are missing.
* I like how they are incorporating magic into every day things (like the dress and the parking) that the show did not do/explain.
* The specialists… yikes
* Timmy, Riven and Prince Sky are cute, but Brandon looks like a Whoville character.
* The specialist suits are really cool.
January 8, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this!
Of course I saw the Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome to Magix graphic novel on NetGalley and decided I ABSOLUTELY HAD to read it! I loved the show as a kid; it’s got magic, fairies, lots of heels and crop tops; what more could a little me have needed in a series?
So the pros are right in your face!
This book literally looks like the show! You really think for a minute that they just took little screen grabs and used that to put the graphic novel together! This could honestly be half the case, but honestly, it’s not a thing to mind; the OG Winx club girls liked the first version that we used to watch on TV!
You also get the whole original cast, with the Specialists, the Trix, the teachers, all introduced to us. The drama with the sceptre is still the main thing; like it was in the first few episodes of the show!
But the graphic novel also relies heavily on the reader having watched the cartoon!
Things have to deviate; but they deviate knowing that the reader will be familiar with the source material. The novel starts off with Bloom walking to the border with Stella and her parents; we’re not told what led Bloom here, just that her parents are sending her off to a magic school for fairies. We miss the whole thing with the troll and we don’t know anything about Blooms powers.
As a companion to the show, great! It’s a throwback, albeit one that reminds us that the original gang could be slightly obnoxious. As a standalone, it does not entirely work!
The book is also marketed at 7-12 year olds and I do feel like a few bigger shots of the girls, with their wings could have been a fun thing to include simply because half the appeal of Winx was that it was so pretty!
Of course I saw the Winx Club Vol. 1: Welcome to Magix graphic novel on NetGalley and decided I ABSOLUTELY HAD to read it! I loved the show as a kid; it’s got magic, fairies, lots of heels and crop tops; what more could a little me have needed in a series?
So the pros are right in your face!
This book literally looks like the show! You really think for a minute that they just took little screen grabs and used that to put the graphic novel together! This could honestly be half the case, but honestly, it’s not a thing to mind; the OG Winx club girls liked the first version that we used to watch on TV!
You also get the whole original cast, with the Specialists, the Trix, the teachers, all introduced to us. The drama with the sceptre is still the main thing; like it was in the first few episodes of the show!
But the graphic novel also relies heavily on the reader having watched the cartoon!
Things have to deviate; but they deviate knowing that the reader will be familiar with the source material. The novel starts off with Bloom walking to the border with Stella and her parents; we’re not told what led Bloom here, just that her parents are sending her off to a magic school for fairies. We miss the whole thing with the troll and we don’t know anything about Blooms powers.
As a companion to the show, great! It’s a throwback, albeit one that reminds us that the original gang could be slightly obnoxious. As a standalone, it does not entirely work!
The book is also marketed at 7-12 year olds and I do feel like a few bigger shots of the girls, with their wings could have been a fun thing to include simply because half the appeal of Winx was that it was so pretty!
January 16, 2025
Die Sammelausgabe ist neu bei Egmont erschienen :)
Ja, ich bin die Person, die immer noch obsessed mit ihren Kindheitslieblingen ist! Deswegen erfüllt mir @egmont gerade auch sämtliche Träumchen. Erst die Sammelausgabe von W.I.T.C.H. und jetzt auch noch Winx Club und dann auch noch in absolut umwerfender Hardcoverausgabe. Bin ein bisschen doll verliebt!
Die Comics sind etwas anders als die Serie. Sowohl, was die Erzählreihenfolge angeht, als auch einige inhaltliche Details. Dadurch gibt es also auch für Fans der Serie nochmal einiges zu entdecken. Vor allem, was die Charaktere betrifft. Ich finde in Band 1 sind einige Dinge viel eindringlicher rübergekommen, als in der Serie. Zugegeben, als Kind guckt man ja mit einer anderen Wahrnehmung, aber auch nachdem ich die Serie vor ein paar Jahren wieder gesehen habe, sind mir einige charakteristische Dinge im Comic aufgefallen, die mir vorher noch nicht so bewusst waren. Das ist wirklich sehr spannend! Vor allem, was einen ganz bestimmten Love Interest angeht, der mittlerweile nicht mehr so hell schimmert, wie in meiner Kindheit :D
Sagt mir bitte, ihr seid auch Winx Fans! Für mcih steht auf jeden Fall nochmal ein Rewatch an & ich möchte unbedingt den Webtoon „Embers to inferno“ von @shiroyukichan weiterlesen. Ganz große Empfehlung auch hierfür!
Für mich ist der Comic wirklich eine 10 von 10 und ich bin so happy über die Sammelausgabe! Kann es kaum erwarten noch tiefer in das Universum einzutauchen und vielleicht sogar noch mehr zu entdecken. Ganz dringende Empfehlung. Liebe es allgemein so cosy Geschichten zu konsumieren & empfehle es definitiv als Mood Booster!
Ja, ich bin die Person, die immer noch obsessed mit ihren Kindheitslieblingen ist! Deswegen erfüllt mir @egmont gerade auch sämtliche Träumchen. Erst die Sammelausgabe von W.I.T.C.H. und jetzt auch noch Winx Club und dann auch noch in absolut umwerfender Hardcoverausgabe. Bin ein bisschen doll verliebt!
Die Comics sind etwas anders als die Serie. Sowohl, was die Erzählreihenfolge angeht, als auch einige inhaltliche Details. Dadurch gibt es also auch für Fans der Serie nochmal einiges zu entdecken. Vor allem, was die Charaktere betrifft. Ich finde in Band 1 sind einige Dinge viel eindringlicher rübergekommen, als in der Serie. Zugegeben, als Kind guckt man ja mit einer anderen Wahrnehmung, aber auch nachdem ich die Serie vor ein paar Jahren wieder gesehen habe, sind mir einige charakteristische Dinge im Comic aufgefallen, die mir vorher noch nicht so bewusst waren. Das ist wirklich sehr spannend! Vor allem, was einen ganz bestimmten Love Interest angeht, der mittlerweile nicht mehr so hell schimmert, wie in meiner Kindheit :D
Sagt mir bitte, ihr seid auch Winx Fans! Für mcih steht auf jeden Fall nochmal ein Rewatch an & ich möchte unbedingt den Webtoon „Embers to inferno“ von @shiroyukichan weiterlesen. Ganz große Empfehlung auch hierfür!
Für mich ist der Comic wirklich eine 10 von 10 und ich bin so happy über die Sammelausgabe! Kann es kaum erwarten noch tiefer in das Universum einzutauchen und vielleicht sogar noch mehr zu entdecken. Ganz dringende Empfehlung. Liebe es allgemein so cosy Geschichten zu konsumieren & empfehle es definitiv als Mood Booster!
January 11, 2024
I received a digital ARC of this book via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a blast from the past for me! I used to absolutely love The Winx Club! I remember watching it on TV every time it came on. I’d fight my brothers for the remote to make sure I was able to watch it! While I remember enjoying the show, I don’t remember much about the girls’ backstories or much else about the show. This book helps explain some of the backstory of how the Winx Club came to be.
One thing I can fault it on is it went straight to Bloom starting at Fairy School but didn’t go into detail about how she ended up there. I would have liked to have seen more information on that. If it wasn’t for the little character blurb at the beginning, most wouldn’t have known that Bloom was from Earth. So hopefully in future installments, they can go into that more.
The other thing I can fault it for was how quickly it changed settings. It would change mid column to the witches or to the boys and then go back to the Winx club two panels later. It made following a bit difficult. Same with some of the dialogue. The pattern of which way to read seemed to change a couple of times.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the graphic novel. It was a blast from the past and filled me with so much nostalgia. I would definitely read future installments and would recommend to anyone who is a fan of the Winx Club.
This was a blast from the past for me! I used to absolutely love The Winx Club! I remember watching it on TV every time it came on. I’d fight my brothers for the remote to make sure I was able to watch it! While I remember enjoying the show, I don’t remember much about the girls’ backstories or much else about the show. This book helps explain some of the backstory of how the Winx Club came to be.
One thing I can fault it on is it went straight to Bloom starting at Fairy School but didn’t go into detail about how she ended up there. I would have liked to have seen more information on that. If it wasn’t for the little character blurb at the beginning, most wouldn’t have known that Bloom was from Earth. So hopefully in future installments, they can go into that more.
The other thing I can fault it for was how quickly it changed settings. It would change mid column to the witches or to the boys and then go back to the Winx club two panels later. It made following a bit difficult. Same with some of the dialogue. The pattern of which way to read seemed to change a couple of times.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the graphic novel. It was a blast from the past and filled me with so much nostalgia. I would definitely read future installments and would recommend to anyone who is a fan of the Winx Club.
November 2, 2023
4/5 Stars
- Graphic Novel
- Fairies, Girl Power, School, Friendship
- Releases January 16, 2024
Oh, the nostalgia. Firstly I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the authors/artists for providing me with an ARC copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Growing up, I loved the Winx Club. I watched the show, had the toys, and wanted to grow up and go to Alfea. This comic brought it all back, and I loved it. The art was so reminiscent of the original characters I know and love and so were the stories. Honestly, I think the stories could have been a little more in depth, but what does it say that I read it and still wanted more? I will say that the story did deviate a bit from what I remember watching on tv growing up, however, it wasn’t enough to ruin the experience for me.
Seeing as this is Volume 1, I’m hoping to see more in the future and I absolutely plan on picking up a physical copy to sit on my shelf and be there whenever I want to visit Magix and the Winx Club again.
If you’re like me and loved the Winx in your childhood, I think you’ll love this rendition as an adult. Additionally, if you’re looking for a comic with some lovely artwork, a lighthearted story, girl power, and a bit of magic, I think you should give it a try!
#WinxClubVol1WelcometoMagix #NetGalley
- Graphic Novel
- Fairies, Girl Power, School, Friendship
- Releases January 16, 2024
Oh, the nostalgia. Firstly I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the authors/artists for providing me with an ARC copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Growing up, I loved the Winx Club. I watched the show, had the toys, and wanted to grow up and go to Alfea. This comic brought it all back, and I loved it. The art was so reminiscent of the original characters I know and love and so were the stories. Honestly, I think the stories could have been a little more in depth, but what does it say that I read it and still wanted more? I will say that the story did deviate a bit from what I remember watching on tv growing up, however, it wasn’t enough to ruin the experience for me.
Seeing as this is Volume 1, I’m hoping to see more in the future and I absolutely plan on picking up a physical copy to sit on my shelf and be there whenever I want to visit Magix and the Winx Club again.
If you’re like me and loved the Winx in your childhood, I think you’ll love this rendition as an adult. Additionally, if you’re looking for a comic with some lovely artwork, a lighthearted story, girl power, and a bit of magic, I think you should give it a try!
#WinxClubVol1WelcometoMagix #NetGalley
December 4, 2023
Thank you for allowing my daughter and me the opportunity to read and review this blast from my past on NetGalley I truly appreciate it! I let my daughter read it first to see what she thinks of it (11) she loved the easy wording and that it was a graphic novel but she didn't understand how Bloom got to alfea in the first place, so when she was done I hunted down the show so she could watch it and find out what happens. Then it was my turn to read it! I do have to agree about how that part might have been needed to originally understand how she got there if the person reading it had never seen the original show before. But the longer you read it, the quicker you forget that part and fall in love with aspects of your childhood over and over again! The images are beautiful and well thought out, the writing is flawless with no errors or mistakes like ones I read when I was younger. All in all this book is a fantastic way to bring back an incredible show who's basis was true friendship, kindness and believing and finding the magic within yourself and I really needed it and enjoyed it! So thank you from the bottom of my heart for this experience with this read and giving me a piece of my childhood back that was appropriate for all ages!
December 15, 2023
As someone who loved Winx Club as a child, this was such a fun, nostalgic read. This first novel follows Bloom and her fairy friends as they start school at an academy to teach them how to use their magic. While the school does play into the story, there is still a lot of action, with enemy witches attacking and cute boys entering the picture.
The art is similar to the TV show—colorful and bright, which I love. While it does jump into the story a little bit after the real start, it's easy to follow what is happening (especially with the handy character guide at the start). Overall, I think this is great for fans of the series and for those looking to get into it, especially children who love shows like Sailor Moon and are looking for a magical read about a strong female group of friends. Time to go rewatch the entire show.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-arc review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The art is similar to the TV show—colorful and bright, which I love. While it does jump into the story a little bit after the real start, it's easy to follow what is happening (especially with the handy character guide at the start). Overall, I think this is great for fans of the series and for those looking to get into it, especially children who love shows like Sailor Moon and are looking for a magical read about a strong female group of friends. Time to go rewatch the entire show.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-arc review copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2023
I grew up watching Winx Club and absolutely adored the show. The designs, animations, and music were so charming; who wouldn’t dream of being a fairy in Alfea?
This graphic novel’s quality (storyline and art) slowly deteriorates as it progresses. At the beginning you feel the familiar joy of reliving something dearly nostalgic. However, the last chapter was a miss for me. It could have been less rushed and written better. I don’t remember Tecna being so conflicting with the rest of the group and it’s a noticeable quirk throughout this graphic novel.
Overall, some segment transitions felt choppy and there were some coloring consistency issues, but nothing major. I’m sure any kid reading this would enjoy it regardless.
(Received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
This graphic novel’s quality (storyline and art) slowly deteriorates as it progresses. At the beginning you feel the familiar joy of reliving something dearly nostalgic. However, the last chapter was a miss for me. It could have been less rushed and written better. I don’t remember Tecna being so conflicting with the rest of the group and it’s a noticeable quirk throughout this graphic novel.
Overall, some segment transitions felt choppy and there were some coloring consistency issues, but nothing major. I’m sure any kid reading this would enjoy it regardless.
(Received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
January 27, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this!
This is a love letter to the fans of the Winx Club who have been here since day dot. I have read the original comic book version and begun to get mad when I believed this was just the og comic re-released. But then I noticed the wording and details in the pictures were different when putting them side by side.
I wish they didn’t begin the story from first day of Alfea and then the comment from Faragonda that Alfea is the only fairy school in Magix. But then re-reading that, it is technically. She didn’t say magic dimension so actually I take back that frustration.
The art style is beautiful and something I wish Fate Winx comic creators would’ve taken notes on though I am looking forward to Dark Destiny when it does release.
4 stars for this for sure. I hope all og Winx fans read and enjoy ❤️
This is a love letter to the fans of the Winx Club who have been here since day dot. I have read the original comic book version and begun to get mad when I believed this was just the og comic re-released. But then I noticed the wording and details in the pictures were different when putting them side by side.
I wish they didn’t begin the story from first day of Alfea and then the comment from Faragonda that Alfea is the only fairy school in Magix. But then re-reading that, it is technically. She didn’t say magic dimension so actually I take back that frustration.
The art style is beautiful and something I wish Fate Winx comic creators would’ve taken notes on though I am looking forward to Dark Destiny when it does release.
4 stars for this for sure. I hope all og Winx fans read and enjoy ❤️
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