‘Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood’ #1 is a deep dive into a villain’s history

May 6, 2026

Whenever I read a story that focuses on a villain, I keep thinking of something Mark Waid said while writing Irredeemable: “It’s not a light switch, it’s not an on/off switch, it’s not something that you wake up one day and just become evil.” He’s absolutely right, as there are often events or encounters that drive people to do terrible things. Reading through Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood #1, it feels like Deliah S. Dawson and Jose Jaro have taken Waid’s words to heart.

Set in the aftermath of Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, Witches of the Western Wood #1 tells the life story of Mary Van Tassel, back when she was known as Sarah Archer. Sarah, alongside her family, traveled to Sleepy Hollow as a child. However, her father’s infidelity and physical abuse eventually led her mother to perform a dark deed…and for young Sarah to learn the ways of witchcraft. That path eventually brings her into the orbit of a Hessian mercenary who will one day be bound to her as the Headless Horseman.

This marks the second Sleepy Hollow series from the IDW Dark imprint, following the official “sequel” Return to Sleepy Hollow. It also makes for an intriguing story, as Sarah’s turn to darkness was only hinted at in the Sleepy Hollow movie. Dawson’s script even picks up in the aftermath of Sleepy Hollow, with Sarah pleading her case to none other than the Devil himself. As framing devices go, it’s very appropriate.

IDW

Throughout Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood #1, Dawson begins laying the groundwork for Sarah’s eventual transformation into a witch. She witnesses her mother being struck by her father, and later, also sees her mother exact a terrible revenge. She also has conflict with her mother over the magic they practice, especially when it comes to a book that’s supposedly full of dark magic. As readers might guess, this is the magic that Sarah eventually starts utilizing over the course of Sleepy Hollow, and it’s the same magic she uses to bind the Headless Horseman’s soul to hers.

All of these moments are rendered in glorious detail by Jaro, with extra help from colorist Xenon Hochar. Jaro’s no stranger to drawing women struggling with darkness and even darker deeds, as evidenced by his work on BOOM! Studios’ Marian Heretic, and he keeps that same energy throughout Witches of the Western Wood, especially when it comes to Sarah’s mother. A single panel features her sporting a horrific grin, and when Hochar’s colors enter the mix it makes her seem like a vengeful spirit. Peppered throughout the issue are captions that resemble scraps of parchment, thanks to LetterSquids’ incredible work.

What makes this all the more tragic is the reasons for Sarah’s transformation. She only seeks to protect her twin sister Mary, as she fears the darkness in her mother’s heart and witnesses how the residents of Sleepy Hollow are quick to cast her family out after her father’s death. History’s littered with people who have committed horrific acts in the name of love, and though the story doesn’t excuse Sarah, it does show that she was driven to evil for certain reasons.

Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood #1 further expands upon Tim Burton’s film, and dives into the circumstances that shaped its main villain. It’s a creepy, yet compelling start worth picking up, especially if you loved the movie or Return to Sleepy Hollow.

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