Not-Sew Wicked Stepmom Volume 1 takes a familiar, famous tale and upends it into an isekai world. Instead of Snow White’s wicked stepmother flipping out because the mirror says Snow White’s the fairest, she creepily, hilariously flips out from joy. That is the story readers find themselves in. A woman dies and is reborn as the villainous stepmom from that famous tale. But familiarity with the source material matters little. Not-Sew Wicked Stepmom Volume 1 makes the story its own, weaving exciting characters with emotional range, comical and eerie expressions, and a title that plays on fashion.
Written by Iru and illustrated by Mo9Rang with translation by Kakao Entertainment and lettering by Chana Conley, they take a story I found dull and make it the most hilariously entertaining read. The Yen Press comic is a page-turner because it has my favorite thing—misunderstood creepy smiles. While there are already a few stories with people reincarnated or transported to another world to play the villainess, there’s always room for more. But Abigail’s thrown into the deep end after dying in her previous life.
Not-Sew Wicked Stepmom Volume 1 Puts a Comical Spin On Familial Drama
Abigail Freidkin, formerly known as Baekhap Lee, is her name as the wicked stepmother. The real Abigail died from poisoning. Then Baekhap awakens as the new Abigail readers meet. While Abigail’s notoriously chilling smile stays the same, the reason behind it is different. She has that scary smile akin to Sawako from Kimi Ni Todoke. But her goal is not to torment her stepdaughter, Princess Blanche. It’s to give her a happy childhood and, hopefully, make pretty dresses for her. Abigail’s passion for designing children’s clothes remains from her previous life, and she wants to win Blanche over.
The opening of this series is hilarious because it starts with the famous “who’s the fairest of them all” conversation. However, when the answer is Blanche, and Abigail punches the wall, giving a creepy grin, it’s from joy—not jealousy. Hilariously, Abigail bullies the mirror to always reply with that answer. Blanche is number one in Abigail’s book. A lot of the comedy is from all the people who knew Abigail, now awash in confusion, shock, and sometimes terror at how the new Abigail responds in situations. Like the villainess in Villains Are Destined to Die, she wants to avoid her death. But her biggest motivation is caring for Blanche.
Not Rooting for The Romance Potential Right Now
As for Abigail’s husband, Blanche’s father, Sabrian, Abigail cannot stand him. Although their history is blurry, it’s clear Abigail, pre-Baekhap’s takeover, fought to win her husband’s affection and turned resentful. If he hates Abigail because of how she treats Blanche, that’s one thing. However, Sabrian does not show an inkling of affection for his daughter. If he did, he would not have left her day-to-day care to an embittered Abigail in the first place. Abigail now lectures him to be a father to his child, which is something no one should have to do. So, readers likely won’t root for the pair at this time. Instead, they’ll cheer more occasions for Abigail to light into him.
Not-Sew Wicked Stepmom Volume 1 takes an old tale and weaves it to new life. Besides the humor, the story looks at trauma, treating kids like adults and negatively impacting their confidence in their appearance. This, and Abigail, drag the story into the present. Not-Sew Wicked Stepmom Volume 1 is fun and comical with emotional beats, beginning a journey that brings a new generation to a remix of a classic.
