The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one we have revisited time and time again, so much so that the original story from Washington Irving has become a legend on its own. One of the most iconic and beloved adaptations of the classic tale remains Tim Burton‘s 1999 film Sleepy Hollow. For fans of the late ’90s film, a new comic is coming our way titled Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood. Written by Delilah S. Dawson with art by Jose Jaro, the five-issue comic run is a prequel to the film, hailing from the IDW DARK horror imprint. Today, Collider is thrilled to bring you an exclusive look inside the first issue. Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood will be available for pre-order on March 30, with comics set to hit shelves on May 6.
The Witches of the Western Wood is described as follows: “Before Mary Van Tassel terrorized the town of Sleepy Hollow with the devilish Headless Horseman, she was Sarah Archer—a young girl trying to survive her witch of a mother. Sarah and her twin are raised in the wild Western Wood, taught the ways of witchcraft, and forced to endure abuse and neglect. But a chance encounter with the hellish Hessian at the moment of his beheading lights a fire in Sarah, giving her the power to overcome those who have wronged her and grow into a fearsome witch.” Dawson shared her excitement for the release of the comic, including the struggle fans will have when it comes to choosing their favorite cover! She told Collider:
“Longtime fans of Sleepy Hollow know that Mary Van Tassel summoned the Headless Horseman to enact her revenge, but we’ve always had so many questions. Why were the Archers evicted from their cottage? Why were the twin sisters alone in the woods on that snowy day? Why did the Crone dwell in the cave, and where did she get her powers? It’s been a sinister joy finally digging up these answers. I’m known for my ‘good for her’ brand of Horror, and this story fits in like a sharpened tooth settled in the Hessian’s skull. If you’re willing to brave the dangers of the Western Woods, your local comics shop is a great place to reserve your copy! But… good luck choosing a cover.”
‘Sleepy Hollow’ Lives On
Ichabod Crane (played by Johnny Depp in the film) goes to Sleepy Hollow, where he discovers the lore of the Headless Horseman. But witchcraft runs deep through the legend and the locale. Editor Riley Farmer praised Dawson and Jaro‘s work, saying, “Delilah Dawson has crafted the perfect backstory for Mary Van Tassel, who, spoiler alert, was the one controlling the Headless Horseman in the 1999 film. We wanted to understand this fearsome witch and the Horseman a bit better, and Paramount has been a wonderful partner in doing so – allowing us to push the story to be darker and more horrific than anything Sleepy Hollow has seen before. And the way that Jose Jaro is bringing that horror to life is captivating (and sometimes gruesome!). I can’t wait for readers to see the Horseman’s first ride – heads will roll!”
Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood will be available for pre-order on March 30, and pre-ordering at your local comic shop is highly encouraged! The comics will hit shelves on May 6, 2026. In the meantime, Sleepy Hollow (1999) is available to stream online.
via Collider