Actress Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) is making her comic book debut with the graphic novel “Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch,” publisher Z2 Comics have announced. The book, co-written by Eliot Rahal with art by Kristen Gudsnuk, Ames Liu, and more, will tell the story of Amelia, the black sheep of the Aierwoods, L.A.’s most famous family of witches.
“A late bloomer who has yet to find her calling, Amelia uses her powers for mostly mundane problems but even those lead to magical misfires,” including turning her adopted brother Spaghetti into a yeti. When the Aierwoods launch a reality TV show, Amelia is excluded from the cast, and along with Spaghetti, she finds herself forced to “carve her own path outside of her family’s influence.”
“Channeling my inner low-key witch into Amelia Aierwood has been a pure joy,” Hampshire told Deadline. “Creating a book like this was a dream I didn’t know I had. The talent of the people I’m working with transcended my expectations.” Rahal added, “Working with Emily has been a positive throughline, both personally and professionally. She wants to make something that’s both gentle and silly. It’s heartfelt but off-the-wall. Something for readers young and older working through those big emotions. It’s really been such a joy to be a part of.”
“Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch” will be released in July 2022 in a variety of editions, including hardcover, softcover, and limited edition copies that will include an audiobook version by Hampshire, the full details of which can be found on Z2’s website. You can also find out more about artist Ames Liu — who, like Hampshire, is a Canadian newcomer to the comics industry — at her website.
