February 18th, 2026
18 Feb 2026 · page 1279 of 1306
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Cast: Jack O'Malley, Pacifica, Widdershins
Comments (29)
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Interesting - it’s not as extreme - if it exists at all - as Pacifica’s “makeover”, but is The O’Malley’s suit beginning to show texturing?
Noticing that Thea Pryce still isn’t listed in the character-listing caption here. Is she even still alive inside the anchor? Or did she drown?
I’m loving this. 💖 Widdershins, with its greater and more constant exposure to humans than Chomolungma or the Motu - and especially Pacifica - has such insight in them. It’s taking the role of therapist, and experienced mentor, even though they’re presumably the same age, and it makes perfect sense.
Congratulations, Kate. Panel four, the lower speech bubble: that’s as good as some of Pratchett’s work. “You don’t make him good, y’just unmake him.”
I was thinking along these lines.
I was getting vibes of “humanity is contagious, and the City, by spending so much time among humans, caught it”
Not that there aren’t some people who would benefit from a little unmaking.
Widdershins be like “look at my cool rat! I love him dearly.”
Wait… When did Widdershins pick Mal. I thought that he was born with witchy talents, which is why he has Mallyvision. Is this completely coincidental, or did Widdershins pick him when he was very small, and then let him wander off?
He was born with the potential, aye, but he wasn’t linked to the anchor at birth.
If he had been, that cow Acedia would have gotten a <i>nasty</i> surprise at some point.
I think the link was established around the time Mal and Wolffe came to Widdershins on the train. Widdershins could feel the Sins stirring and decided it needed a new champion - and up sidled Mal.
But Ms. Acedia identified Mal as a witch, which is why she wanted him. He hadn’t fully come into his powers yet, but I think he’s been a witch from birth.
My suspicion is that Widdershins was playing a long game. Luxuria made its first attempt when Henry and Izzy were young adults, so maybe that alerted Widdershins that something needed to happen. It waited another generation, then did whatever it does to select a new witch, causing Mal to be born with the Sight.
I think you can be a witch without being linked to an Anchor. It’s just that only witches can link to an Anchor; wizards can’t do it. But theoretically, it should be possible for someone to be a witch their whole life without linking to an Anchor.
it’s some kinda beautiful
This is fascinating to learn how Widdershins sees the O’Malley!
The love in Widdershins’ expressions reminds me so much of Wolfe’s expressions! Mal is so surrounded by love. <3
Huh, just put it together that, since Widdershins got burnt by their last witch succumbing to Lust, they choose a witch who is asexual. I mean, I assume that Mal is Ace based on what Wolfe said, though if it’s been addressed more directly would love a reminder link. https://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/december-22nd-2017
It came up indirectly on this page and the following one, where Mal is talking to Luxuria himself. Kate has also confirmed it elsewhere.
…do you guys ever thing Widdershins might’ve picked Mal at least partially because he’s ace?
Since their last Witch got taken in by Lust and all…
Started wondering why him… but then remembered Widdershins picked Mal as a baby, so it was probably random.
Technology frying itself in 2013 Widdershins’ city limits is starting to make more sense after seeing the anchors talk about being disillusioned by what humans do. Especially after the Pryces & Rattaker’s shenanigans in the Pacific and Lei’s attempt to demolish Widdershins’ anchor.
One detail I find interesting: both Mal and Widdershins are tagged, but only Pacifica and not Thea. It’s almost like Thea has already been “unmade”. I wonder if that’s permanent.
I’m reminded of another webcomic, “Spare Keys for Strange Doors”. One of the stories involves a woman using magic clay to create the perfect, flawless boyfriend.
And then it drives her crazy because he really is perfect and flawless and she can’t cope anymore.
You just reminded me of Carrot and Angua. She was much more comfortable with him when she saw his manipulative (always for the good!) side
"Humans love. They are loved" as a direct response to "They suffer! They cause suffering!" is also some kinda beautiful
Missy Higgins - Scar
It’s interesting how much Pacifica knows, considering she presumably wasn’t in communication until things started. Wonder if she either gained something when she took from the others(which could affect her perspective?) or if there’s some unconscious internal network…
A fun thing to consider with Mal is that the sins listed also led to some good things for him. His wrath to the defense of his friends, his gluttony to sharing in the gluttony of others, be it food, like Gren, books, like Ben, or something more complex, and his sloth has led to compassion, understanding of the limits of others, support, kindness and most notably, a willingness to lean on others, to accept help when he isn’t, cannot currently be, enough.
Yes, they have also created bad results— the bar fight, financial struggles, issues with signing himself up for things he did not know the breadth of, but there are layers, multitudes.
Also, these pages tie together so well! Widdershins reflecting so many of Pacifica’s words(fix/broken, destroy/unmake, suffering/love…), also leading her to name the sins she hadn’t. A neat circle.
“Kinder than he pretends to be.” …That probably embarrassed the Hell out of Mal, not least because he likely thought he was getting away with it.
Is there any more information as to what the last City witch did that was “something stupid”? Pacifica is speculating that it was lust-related but this is not confirmed in any way.
Izzy’s great-great-several-times-over grandmother summoned Lust for unknown reasons and was beguiled/seduced into giving him human form and that was the beginning of this Whole Damn Thing With The Seven Deadly Sins.
https://www.widdershinscomic.com/wdshn/september-25th-2015
Oh, nicely remembered! A lot further back in time than I’d expected, seems that the anchor holds a grudge for a long, long time
All the Red and Yellow blobs in Pacifica’s skirt, are those representative of the power of the Island and Mountain anchors that she absorbed? The colours match, but I’ve not looked back far enough to be sure …