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Serenity Rose #1
Working Through the Negativity
When you can float through the air and conjure up monsters out of ectoplasm, you're bound to attract attention. Come stare at Ms. Serenity Rose, local witch, as she spends the day dodging goblins, goths, and a bad case of social phobia in the spookiest lil town in America. A Booklist Starred Review - Serenity "Sera" Rose tries to live a quiet life. She has her friends Tess and Kelton and her art. For the most part, she is happily sullen among Crestfallen's gothy not-quite-subculture. But the fact that she is a witch makes her dreams of anonymity seem out of reach. It's bad enough trying to avoid becoming a tourist attraction and dodging the goth wannabes, but when vampires start turning up and rock star-witch Rivet Hed's creepy manager wants something from her, she knows her life won't be quiet much longer. There are a lot of words to read in Serenity Rose, but in the first collection of it, they're all worthwhile. Aaron A. (for Alexovich) isn't afraid to take time to develop a plot, which means there is also time to get to know the characters and appreciate the full-on snarky sarcasm of his humor. While the setting is an urban gothic subculture, plenty of potshots are taken at the cliches of cool among its inhabitants. A.'s artwork is beautiful, a sort of dark homage to animation genius Chuck Jones with a splash of Ameri-manga for good measure. Even in shades of gray rather than color, it has enough attitude to stop a truck, making it a nice contrast to all those stuffy superheroes on the graphic-novel shelves.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2005
5 people are currently reading
889 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Alexovich
73 books68 followersAARON ALEXOVICH (who is me) was born in Chicago, Illinois, the year Elvis died, but I currently sleep the daylight hours away in Southern California. After neglecting to graduate from the world-famous CALARTS, I took up space in the animation industry for a while, contributing character designs to Nickelodeon’s INVADER ZIM and AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. I like making comic books way better, though. SERENITY ROSE VOL. 1 was my first published work, but since then I’ve doodled up KIMMIE66 (DC/Minx), CONFESSIONS OF A BLABBERMOUTH (written by Mike and Louise Carey, DC/Minx), SERENITY ROSE VOL. 2, and issue #64 of DC/Vertigo’s 2000 lb. gorilla, FABLES. Among other things. I am the proud owner of two cats, one theremin, a Facebook account and something called “the photic reflex,” which makes me sneeze in bright sunlight.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 28, 2011
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. Serenity Rose takes a page from cute Goth-y characters such as Ruby Gloom, Emily Strange, and Invader Zim. The artwork is heavily influenced by Japanese cartoon styles. However, the surprisingly intelligent dialogue adds a more adult angle to these sources.
There were times when I felt as if I were walking in on someone else’s inside joke. However, the majority of the comic is accessible to even those who don’t count themselves part of the subcultures depicted.
I quite liked the juxtaposition of cute and scary.
There were times when I felt as if I were walking in on someone else’s inside joke. However, the majority of the comic is accessible to even those who don’t count themselves part of the subcultures depicted.
I quite liked the juxtaposition of cute and scary.
March 23, 2013
Love the art, but that's about it.
June 14, 2025
omg i rediscovered serenity rose in 2024 after forgetting about a bright point in my childhood in which i read working thru the negativity and had my first queer awakening. it makes me oh so sad that these books are rarities and what some might consider “niche” because they are absolutely delightful. sera herself is one of the most relatable main characters i’ve ever come across, tho we have a lot in common (like indecisiveness, being noncommittal, and struggling with our mental health - unfortunately i can’t use magic :/). aaron alexovich, thank u from the bottom of my heart for writing sera’s story and continuing to nurture her character thru the years, i’m so excited to read all there is to read about serenity rose !
July 18, 2007
Serenity “Sera” Rose is a 20-something girl with a fondness for black. While living with her step-mother and half-sister, she tries to lead a quiet life, relying on her two friends Kelton and Tess. Despite her best efforts to remain anonymous, she is quite the local celebrity, for reasons revealed later in the book as an infamous bus accident she caused and the fact that she is one of fifty witches in the world. As a “curse” starts to wreck havoc around town, Serenity is forced to use her powers to save a club full of Goths during a concert, which only results in even more attention on our heroine. Serenity struggles to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life while other people wish to prey on her power.
Aaron A. has created a world just a bit more supernatural than ours, with a limited number of witches and an ogre pile the local children climb on. The art is done in black and white, which he has used to create a unique cast of characters. While most of the art flows, some page layouts might leave the reader questioning the order of the panels. The voice of Serenity is what will draw readers into the story. While she may be dealing with the life of a celebrity-witch, her existential questions will be familiar to any young adult trying to find their own answers. The pop culture reference are an added bonus, with most coming from smaller cult references which are not as likely to date the novel as quickly. The novel is text heavy, written as Serenity’s journal, but as her character develops, one wants to read more of what is going on inside her head.
Aaron A. has created a world just a bit more supernatural than ours, with a limited number of witches and an ogre pile the local children climb on. The art is done in black and white, which he has used to create a unique cast of characters. While most of the art flows, some page layouts might leave the reader questioning the order of the panels. The voice of Serenity is what will draw readers into the story. While she may be dealing with the life of a celebrity-witch, her existential questions will be familiar to any young adult trying to find their own answers. The pop culture reference are an added bonus, with most coming from smaller cult references which are not as likely to date the novel as quickly. The novel is text heavy, written as Serenity’s journal, but as her character develops, one wants to read more of what is going on inside her head.
December 29, 2013
I'd started this series YEARS ago when it was in single issue form. However, it seemed like it was very inconsistent as to when the new issues came out, and soon I lost track of it and always wondered what had become of the series. Recently, I stumbled across this at the local comic shop and was excited to see that it had not only been collected but that there was a volume two.
First off, I love Alexovich's art. Yes, he bares striking resemblances with his Slave Labor Graphics' colleagues, Roman Dirge and Jhonen Vasquez. However, he's done enough of his own to truly distinguish his style and create something gorgeous. Yes, the pages are a bit cluttered and dense at times, but the story is still easy to follow--and he makes it a point to give a few tasteful stabs at his own problems with layout and pacing.
Even better, the story and world are fantastic. I really love what he's done and how he's flipped the "goth" comic a bit on its head, showing that it's all about what you believe as a person that makes you who you are, an individual.
Again, it has a few problems with pacing and being quite dense, but it's all sorts of fun and nothing short of wonderful. If you like the "darker" comics, this one definitely won't let you down. The art alone should have you poring through the pages in reverence.
Can't wait to get my mits on Volume Two.
First off, I love Alexovich's art. Yes, he bares striking resemblances with his Slave Labor Graphics' colleagues, Roman Dirge and Jhonen Vasquez. However, he's done enough of his own to truly distinguish his style and create something gorgeous. Yes, the pages are a bit cluttered and dense at times, but the story is still easy to follow--and he makes it a point to give a few tasteful stabs at his own problems with layout and pacing.
Even better, the story and world are fantastic. I really love what he's done and how he's flipped the "goth" comic a bit on its head, showing that it's all about what you believe as a person that makes you who you are, an individual.
Again, it has a few problems with pacing and being quite dense, but it's all sorts of fun and nothing short of wonderful. If you like the "darker" comics, this one definitely won't let you down. The art alone should have you poring through the pages in reverence.
Can't wait to get my mits on Volume Two.
November 4, 2011
It's been a minute since I last read this, but I remember this little indie gem to be a delightfully mundane dark little fictional journal. The artwork is unique and interesting and the story, though fantastic is not taken too seriously to be cumbersome, but still drives the graphic novel. Fun stuff. :3
August 9, 2007
It has an interesting take on the actual powers of witches, vampires, and other mythical creatures as existing in our own world. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the ending left me hanging. Where's the next book!?
July 6, 2009
This was a suprisngly good graphic novel start to the currently running Webcomic. At first i thought it was a Goth comic but after reading it, i noticed it was much more than a "goth comic" and became a big fan. Very good and funny writing with some very good art.
September 10, 2014
Well that was certainly worse than I remembered.
I loved this comic back in the day, probably during my emo phase. Yuck. I didn't realise how very hard it was trying at the time.
It's still pretty enjoyable though, and self-aware enough that it isn't insulting.
I loved this comic back in the day, probably during my emo phase. Yuck. I didn't realise how very hard it was trying at the time.
It's still pretty enjoyable though, and self-aware enough that it isn't insulting.
January 6, 2008
Craziness happens to Serenity Rose, one of the 5 American witches. It's a bit angst-y. It was a good read, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was a teenager.
August 14, 2018
Read for TLP
September 4, 2018
loved it. although it keeps it vague about what kind of witch the main character is exactly, you never really get bored of the storyline. the characters are funny and i related a lot to Rose. very nice.
May 21, 2021
Culturally this hasn't aged well, but the parts I enjoyed all the years ago when I first read this held up, and the groom's teenage othering unfortunately remained intact.
August 14, 2014
Serenity Rose, a dark pencil-scribbled comic about a witch with a past, who also happens to be one of the only living witches left.
Granted it has been a good 5 or 7 years since I last read it, I can remember always putting it down once I got to the middle, and I still have no clue why. I'm not skiddish when it comes to violence or offensive themes, so that wasn't a reason and, even if, there's hardly any of that through out. I just had a bad habit of putting something down and forgetting about it (still do, sadly), and always returned to the first page. But every time I did return to the first page, I'd read it, and read more, and more, as much as I could until it was time to go to bed, middle school in the morning!
But finally when I got through the entire volume, I wanted to internally kick myself for not finishing it sooner. Her dark broody story, its graphics, themes, the development of its characters, got me. I grew to love them, especially the ever-somber Serenity and her eccentric best friend Tessa. I think if anyone says they're a fan of comics of the alternative kind, like say, the ones you used to find at Hot Topic or Newbury Comics, Serenity Rose is required reading.
Granted it has been a good 5 or 7 years since I last read it, I can remember always putting it down once I got to the middle, and I still have no clue why. I'm not skiddish when it comes to violence or offensive themes, so that wasn't a reason and, even if, there's hardly any of that through out. I just had a bad habit of putting something down and forgetting about it (still do, sadly), and always returned to the first page. But every time I did return to the first page, I'd read it, and read more, and more, as much as I could until it was time to go to bed, middle school in the morning!
But finally when I got through the entire volume, I wanted to internally kick myself for not finishing it sooner. Her dark broody story, its graphics, themes, the development of its characters, got me. I grew to love them, especially the ever-somber Serenity and her eccentric best friend Tessa. I think if anyone says they're a fan of comics of the alternative kind, like say, the ones you used to find at Hot Topic or Newbury Comics, Serenity Rose is required reading.
April 21, 2008
I found this graphic novel surprisingly cerebral and tongue-in-cheek in a wholly cool way. I was all set to take on our library's cataloging department because this is in the adult fiction section, but after reading, I agree more with the decision.
Lots of the humor is subtle and quite mature and I love the style of the artwork but the dense swaths of black negative space and collage type pages thrown in here and there are an acquired taste.
However Sera Rose is undeniably the coolest emo goth around, and I could see where teens would pick this up. It would just take a pretty special one to hang in.
Lots of the humor is subtle and quite mature and I love the style of the artwork but the dense swaths of black negative space and collage type pages thrown in here and there are an acquired taste.
However Sera Rose is undeniably the coolest emo goth around, and I could see where teens would pick this up. It would just take a pretty special one to hang in.
September 6, 2007
Okay, so I started off reading this book feeling kind of lukewarm about it. I really liked the main character, Serenity Rose (Sera), but she was a little to goth and whiny for me to identify with. I loved the character of Vicious Whisper (V), though - very together, smart, cool, loving, funny, forward-thinking AND a gothy punky rock star witch. Plus her name totally rocks - Vicious Whisper is a definite kick-ass rock star name. The last issue of this volume, when Sera gets to meet V, totally hooked me. I'm dying to read the next one, now - I feel like the story has just gotten started...
November 9, 2014
This book isn't just about a meek modern-day witch with no eyebrows, decent morals, and "Gothic" preferences. Hidden underneath all that, Serenity Rose tells the story of a girl coming into herself, and escaping all of the over-powering paralysis that lies in indecision. This is a great book to get your hands on to entertain your thoughts on a new witch lore or make yourself think about what paralyzes you.
A note on the actual book: this volume has a very weak spine and should be treated with care. Its full-color sequal has a spine that can withstand the force of a gentle lumberjack.
A note on the actual book: this volume has a very weak spine and should be treated with care. Its full-color sequal has a spine that can withstand the force of a gentle lumberjack.
August 6, 2014
I'm tempted to give only 2 stars but I'm gonna give it the benefit of the doubt since I only read the first trade and not the whole book. Basically the first issue, she is pretty emo and whiny. I also didn't like the way people's noses were just like this big circle. It was weird and too cartoony for the style of the other drawings and plot.
Otherwise it was fine. Kinda like Emily Strange type of stuff. Not as good as other similar characters like Lenore, Courtney Crumrin, Devi, or Dib's sister though.
Otherwise it was fine. Kinda like Emily Strange type of stuff. Not as good as other similar characters like Lenore, Courtney Crumrin, Devi, or Dib's sister though.
November 5, 2016
This comic book hits the creepy/cute note that a lot of young teens and preteens love perfectly. The art is dark and crowded, but different styles of lettering and speech balloons make it possible to keep track of who is saying what. Variations in format keep adding bits of story from different perspectives: a newspaper article, a school essay, advertisements, Serenity's memories, and fantasies, and comics, and voiceovers from The Narrator. I usually love texts with a Narrator, but this one sneers so much at almost every character that I do not care for him.
November 29, 2012
I must admit that apart from Wet Moon I'm really not a fan of "goth comics". But I found this one on sale for very cheap and thought it would be worth trying. I did quite like it. It was a bit cutesy, but there were some rather amusing insights into goth culture, written by a witch who hated nearly everyone. It was interesting to read and I liked the writing and the layout of the art very much. There was just something lacking.
January 11, 2013
This is one of my favourite comic series; not only is Mr. Alexovich's art wonderfully charming, but the storyline is great and the characters are developed and interesting. If you like stories about cute little sociophobic witches, vampires running roits at concerts and ectoplasmic ponies, this is the comic for you.
October 17, 2015
Wicked Serenity Rose. Sera is just trying to make her way through everyday life while dealing with all of the monsters, weirdos, and social embarrassments that her occult powers attract. Aaron Alexovich’s series is a perfect companion to your Invader Zim and Edward Scissorhands library.
January 27, 2013
i really enjoyed this book searched for the others for a long time never found them would love to read them, i actually cut my hair like hers cause i liked it aloti donno if thats sad or what but i dnt care teenagers do alot of odd things.
May 13, 2013
I loved this comic, The Comic reminds me a little of Jhonen Vasquez Comics.
I see a lot of myself in Serenity Rose (Sera) obviously not the witch part but the anxiety from large crowds etc.
Can't wait to get the next one.
I see a lot of myself in Serenity Rose (Sera) obviously not the witch part but the anxiety from large crowds etc.
Can't wait to get the next one.
September 3, 2013
I really liked this and would like to own it one day. I thought her character and the world-building had a lot of depth. I don't know. I just loved that she was goth and made rainbow ponies or whatever. It just was really beautiful in a lot of ways. I loved it.
October 26, 2014
A fun read with nice artwork, the only thing that could be improved is that alot of the text is very small and for those of us with bad eyesight at times a bit of a strain. A very random story but interesting all the same.
March 18, 2008
My one problem with serenity rose! I can't find a back issue of #3. And it was never finished! Fuck you DC comics for stealing talent!
Read
February 19, 2012Not just a new look and fresh voice (compared to most of graphic-noveldom) but a *talented* voice with a well-developed, detailed and insightful look.
Read
February 15, 2011wonderful, wickedly funny, dark and lovely, a black bulb of hope in a world of horrible glaring brightness and horrible glares.
June 3, 2011
I kept getting lost. It took me a little while to get into the story, to understand what the point was and when I would start getting into it it seemed to change direction and I would be lost again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews