Talking Mother Striga With Holly G! — Plus An EXCLUSIVE Preview Of ‘Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Once Upon A Time’

Mother Striga’s cottage might not be made of candy like the witch’s in Hansel and Gretel, but that doesn’t make it less dangerous. In Holly G!‘s story, “The Witch’s Apprentices” for the Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Once Upon A Time one-shot, Mother Striga is back and this time she’s hiring. With inks by Jim Amash, colors by Glenn Whitmore, and letters by Jack Morelli, find out what G! had to say about Mother Striga, plus get an exclusive peek at the first few pages:

BRAND NEW STORY: When Mother Striga invites Betty and Veronica into her enchanted cottage to become her apprentices, the duo discovers an ancient grimoire filled with tantalizing spells that promise to fulfill their deepest desires. But when a little potion-brewing goes awry, hilarity ensues as unexpected transformations unfold!

Rachel Bellwoar: When we last saw Mother Striga, her evil plot was being thwarted by Sabrina. What’s she been up to since the Josie and the Pussycats Annual Spectacular?

Holly G!: Thank you so much for sending me these questions, Rachel! I’m thrilled to answer them. To be honest, when I write, I create my own alternate universe. So, while I’m not exactly sure what Mother Striga is up to right now, I envision her as a very busy witch looking for some extra hands to keep everything tidy. After all, we witches know that a clean environment makes magic flow more smoothly!

Bellwoar: How has Mother Striga been to write and draw for, compared to other villains?

G!: This question is tricky because as both a writer and an artist, I never judge my characters. I don’t see Mother Striga as a villain; rather, she’s a strong woman focused on her desires. When I sit down to draw her, I absolutely love how she looks — she reminds me of Cruella de Vil in high-end fashion; perhaps she wears Prada! She’s this dark, commanding goddess who knows what she wants. Writing for her feels deliciously empowering.

Bellwoar: Mother Striga’s cottage looks rather innocuous from the outside. Would readers be right to doubt the quaint facade?

G!: I envisioned Mama S’s cottage as a fairytale home that reflects her personal choices. She intentionally opts for this classic, low-maintenance aesthetic because it brings her a sense of comfort and stability amidst the chaos of her magical life. Living simply in the woods allows her to create an environment that feels serene and organized, which is crucial for nurturing her powerful mind and expansive magic. Sometimes, things are bigger on the inside than they appear from the outside — her cozy abode symbolizes her focus on inner growth rather than outward appearances.

Bellwoar: Of course, Betty and Veronica don’t realize Mother Striga’s intentions and are vying to become her apprentice. Have you ever had a boss try to pull a similar scam, of treating an apprentice as free labor?

G!: As an artist and former actor, I’ve definitely encountered situations where artists aren’t treated as well as they deserve. Chappell Roan summed this up perfectly in her Grammy acceptance speech — it resonates with many of us in the arts community across different ages.

Bellwoar: Even at the worst of times, Betty and Veronica will serve a look. What was the inspiration behind their fairy tale garb in this story?

G!: That’s true! My background in fashion and theater plays a significant role here — fashion is incredibly important in storytelling. When illustrating their outfits, especially Ronnie’s luscious layers (so she can take off her beautiful coat so housework doesn’t ruin it), I’m also mindful that I’ll need to redraw them repeatedly throughout our story. For Betty’s look, I aimed for something authentic—a farmer’s daughter vibe without frills or fluffiness because that truly represents who she is.

Fashion matters deeply when crafting stories; whenever I have one laid out before me — whether writing or not — I consider what each character will wear carefully. Researching medieval clothing was part of this process, too! Thank you for considering fashion so thoughtfully; it’s crucial in bringing these characters’ stories alive!

I’m overjoyed at being assigned this fabulous fairytale project featuring such beloved characters — I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do!

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Holly!

Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Once Upon A Time goes on sale March 5th from Archie Comics.