The Witch Boy trilogy of graphic novels by Molly Knox Ostertag is being adapted into an animated musical film for Netflix.
The adaptation of Ostertag’s outstanding middle grade graphic novels will be directed by Minkyu Lee (Adam and Dog) and will feature songs by Haim, the Grammy-nominated musical trio comprised of sisters Este Haim, Danielle Haim, and Alana Haim. The adaptation is being produced by Vertigo Entertainment, is written by Maria Melnik (American Gods season 1), and is produced by Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, and Ryan Harris.
The Witch Boy comics follow protagonist Aster as he navigates the world of magic, which is divided along gendered lines: girls have access to witchcraft powers, while boys have access to shape-shifting abilities.
However, when Aster’s magic begins to develop, he is not a shape-shifter, but rather, a witch. The fantasy setting is used to explore issues surrounding Aster’s navigation of his gender, with an emphasis on how his family and the close-knit community surrounding him reacts to his rejection of traditional gender expectations.
Scholastic Graphix has published the three middle grade graphic novels that comprise Ostertag’s trilogy: The Witch Boy, The Hidden Witch, and The Midwinter Witch. You can read all three books in the trilogy now: they’re available at your local book store and at your local library!
The trilogy will keep you occupied while you wait for the release of Ostertag’s upcoming YA graphic novel, a coming-of-age romance called The Girl from the Sea, which will be released by Scholastic on June 1st, 2021.
Meanwhile, Ostertag’s wife guy, Noelle Stevenson, who was previously the showrunner on Netflix’s animated series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, is currently developing an animated adaptation of Lumberjanes, the comic Stevenson co-created, for HBO Max.
Will you be checking out The Witch Boy animated musical on Netflix? Let The Beat know in the comment section!
