The Witcher in Comics: Bartosz Sztybor and the Dark Ballad of Geralt

The Witcher world has long since moved beyond Andrzej Sapkowski's novels and the iconic video games from CD Projekt Red. It is a universe that keeps growing, and one of its newer paths is The Witcher comics. Polish writer Bartosz Sztybor has left a significant mark on them, bringing melancholy, existential questions, and a beautifully balanced darkness to Geralt's world. It all fits the stories perfectly and creates an excellent atmosphere.

All The Witcher comics

Today, we'll take a look at his Witcher stories so far, in the order they were released here in the Czech Republic. Of course, there are comics by other authors in between, but as is often the case with comics from gaming universes, you don't need to read them in a strictly defined order. You also don't need to have read the entire saga or played all three games, but if you have, the comics will be a pleasant treat and a welcome return. Each one offers a different perspective on Geralt, and together they form a colorful mosaic of a world that never ceases to fascinate its readers and fans.

Fading Memories

The first of Sztybor's Witcher comics, which draws readers into a melancholic story about finding oneself. There aren't many monsters left, and Geralt is wondering where his place is now.

Fading Memories is a sensitive, moving, and yet cruel story about aging, memory, and reconciliation. Geralt here is not just a monster hunter, but primarily a man trying to understand everything he has lost in life.

The script is balanced, poetic, and suspenseful. The art is delicate and melancholic, which fits the whole concept of the story beautifully. For me, it's one of the better comics that hides more than it might seem.

Witch's Lament

Darker, more painful, and more magical. Geralt is haunted by visions that also bring warnings with them.

Witch's Lament is a story about how magic in The Witcher's world doesn't have to be just a gift, but also a curse. Sztybor portrays female characters here with great empathy; they aren't just victims, but they aren't perfect heroines either. The story also shows that every action has its price.

Ideal reading for those who like poetry and a bit of moral gray, though personally, it's not among my absolute favorites.

A Ballad of Two Wolves

A story about guilt, loss, and inner conflict. A Ballad of Two Wolves draws inspiration from two classic fairy tales, which it masterfully adapts.

Geralt stands between two worlds here, human and non-human, and must once again ask himself what it actually means to be a monster, and where that imaginary line ends and begins. Besides him, the crowd favorite, the bard Dandelion, also appears, naturally looking for inspiration for new ballads and finding trouble as well.

The author masterfully uses classic Witcher motifs and fairy tales but presents them with an intimacy you won't find in the books or the series. The art perfectly underscores the gloomy mood and the story, which, despite being self-contained, stays with the reader long after finishing. For me, one of the top comics from The Witcher world.

Wild Animals

Right after Ballad comes my next favorite. Again, my favorite dilemma: when to view something, or someone, as a monster. A huge internal conflict arises here, and I enjoyed every minute, every panel, every thought.

Wild Animals is grittier, yet beautifully drawn. The art is the absolute pinnacle of the craft for me here. It's dynamic, full of detail, with a natural contrast of light and shadow, and perfectly balanced colors. Story-wise, it's a perfect blend of action, monsters, and ethical dilemmas. Bartosz Sztybor gives Geralt depth in this comic without overloading the story with philosophy.

Corvo Bianco

Here, the author tackled a story that thematically follows one of the DLCs for the third game, specifically the Blood and Wine expansion set in Toussaint. An interesting idea, to which I have a few logical (or rather illogical) objections regarding the game, although, as I mentioned at the beginning, comics should also be for those who haven't played the games.

Corvo Bianco carries the atmosphere of wine, apparent peace, and nostalgia, while also asking the question – can a Witcher ever truly have peace and retire? Unfortunately, the execution didn't grab me as much. The idea is fantastic, but the pacing and plot structure fluctuate a bit. I enjoyed the story, but as a whole, it didn't quite click for me.

The Road with No Return / Betrayal

While Bartosz Sztybor didn't work on this comic – the authors this time are Maciej Parowski and the creator of The Witcher world himself, Andrzej Sapkowski. However, it is the latest addition, so we'll take a look at it too. Plus, it's a bit of a specialty and a return to the roots. It is an adaptation of two older short stories from the nineties, and (unfortunately for me) it shows.

The art style is typical of its time, meaning bold lines, classic panel layouts, just that old-school comic atmosphere, which unfortunately feels outdated by today's standards.

However, I believe that for Sapkowski fans, it will be a nostalgic treat. A return to the time when The Witcher wasn't a pop-culture phenomenon yet, just a dark legend for the initiated.

Conclusion

Bartosz Sztybor shows that The Witcher world can live on beyond the pages of novels and the screens of games or television. His comics are not just supplements, but stories in their own right that breathe with atmosphere, philosophy, and emotion.

If you want to get lost in Geralt's world in a slightly different way, reach for the comics. And start with Fading Memories or Wild Animals, because that's where I think you'll find the best that Witcher comics have to offer: melancholy, beauty, and, most importantly, a healthy dose of moral dilemmas.

author "Bunny" Dominika Mátyásiová