W.I.T.C.H. is an Italian fantasy/Magical girl comic series created by Elisabetta Gnone. It tells the story of five teenage girls who are chosen to be the new Guardians of Kandrakar, protectors of the center of the universe from people and creatures who wish to cause harm to it. For this purpose, powers over the five elements have been given to them. The new guardians are Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin, whose initials form the title acronym "W.I.T.C.H."; and are ironically not witches but fairies in guardian form.
Written books adapted from the comic were the only American releases until 2005, when Disney released graphic novels containing two issues each, subsequently releasing volumes about every two months. At the beginning and end of every story is a pin-up or miniature poster.