November 03, 2008, 03:26:16 AM

For over 45 years, Sabrina the Teenage Witch has been a pop culture phenomenon.  From her debut in ARCHIE'S MADHOUSE comics to her successful animated and live-action TV series, Sabrina's popularity has been enduring.

In 2004, having already been the subject of a modern update in the form of Melissa Joan Hart's live-action series, as well as a younger version of the character that appeared in an animated spin-off of the sitcom, Sabrina found herself about to receive yet another makeover.  A very special makeover.  A MANGA makeover!

It all began when aspiring writer/cartoonist Tania del Rio entered and won a contest that led to her artwork being published in a prestigious collection of new manga talent.  Tania's newfound celebrity caught the eye of one of the longest-running comic book publishers in the business... a publisher whose flagship character just happens to have a tic-tac-toe pattern on the side of his red-haired head!

Tania's styling really struck a chord with fans.  Month after month, Sabrina readers eagerly awaited the sophisticated mix of magical intrigue, romantic entanglements, and trademark Archie Comics humor that del Rio delivered.  Following the style of "shojo" (romance) comics from Japan, Tania not only redesigned the characters to reflect the unique look of manga, but also tapped into the more emotional aspects of shojo storytelling.  A key aspect of many shojo manga are tales of romance both told and untold.  Tania's new Sabrina stories carried on this tradition, offering romantic intrigue that readers really responded to.

Additionally, del Rio imbued her tales with the complex weight that many manga stories contain.  She ultimately combined the romantic, soap opera elements of "shojo" with the more adventurous aspects of "sentai," providing a heft to the series not unlike that enjoyed by fans of Archie's various Sonic the Hedgehog comics.  The intrigue was varied in its scope, covering the intimate relationships between characters as well as the fragile dynamics of groups with opposing goals.

Now, over 40 issues later, fans can finally see where it's all been leading in SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #100.  In the grand tradition of manga, the story of Sabrina's relationships with Harvey and Shinji, her apprenticeship and adventures in the Magic Realm, and her involvement with the Four Blades movement all come together in one final explosive story you just can't miss!  The carefully hidden signs and secrets of the past 42 issues are finally explained and revealed in this dramatic issue.  Sides are picked in the ultimate battle against Vosblanc when old friends and enemies return to join the fight!  In the thick of it all, Sabrina exhibits her most astounding feat of magic yet, finally uncovering the secret of her amazing power.   Still, the battle won't be easy—someone on Sabrina's side won't survive... but who will it be? Will Vosblanc be defeated? Will Sabrina end up with Harvey or Shinji? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain: the Magic Realm will never be the same again!



SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #100
SPECTACULAR 100th ISSUE!
"The Final Battle, Part 3 of 3": This is the issue you just can't miss: the exciting conclusion to the Sabrina manga series!  The carefully hidden signs and secrets of the past 42 issues are finally explained and revealed in this dramatic issue.  Don't miss the suspense as sides are picked in the ultimate battle against Vosblanc when old friends and enemies return to join the fight!  In the thick of it all, Sabrina exhibits her most astounding feat of magic yet, finally uncovering the secret of her amazing power.   Still, the battle won't be easy—someone on Sabrina's side won't survive... but who will it be? Will Vosblanc be defeated? Will Sabrina end up with Harvey or Shinji? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain: the Magic Realm will never be the same again!
SCRIPT: Tania Del Rio
ART: Tania Del Rio and Jim Amash
Shipping Date: February 11th, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: February 18th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: March 3rd, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.