The Year Before (W.I.T.C.H.)

The Year Before (W.I.T.C.H.)

W.I.T.C.H. is an Italian fantasy, Magical girl comic series created by Elisabetta Gnone, Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa. The series was first published in Italy in April 2001 before the series was expanded to further countries. As of January 2005, W.I.T.C.H. has been released in over 65 countries. The final issue of W.I.T.C.H. was released October 2012, concluding the series' 139 issue run.

The series tells the story of five teenage girls who are chosen to be the new Guardians of Kandrakar, protectors of the center of the universe from people and creatures who wish to cause harm to it. For this purpose, powers over the five elements have been given to them. The new guardians are Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin, whose initials form the title acronym "W.I.T.C.H.".