Harry Potter influences and analogues
Many critics have noted that Jill Murphy's "The Worst Witch" series (first published in 1974 by Allison & Busby), is set in a school for girls, "Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches", reminiscent of Hogwarts. The story concerns an awkward pupil at a boarding-school for witches, who faces a scheming rival student. Her professors include a kindly and elderly headmistress and a bullying, raven-haired potions teacher. Murphy has commented on her frustration at constant comparisons between her work and "Harry Potter": "It's irritating … everyone asks the same question and I even get children writing to ask me whether I mind about the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and pointing out similarities. Even worse are reviewers who come across my books, or see the TV series, and, without taking the trouble to find out that it's now over quarter of a century since I wrote my first book, make pointed remarks about 'clever timing' – or say things like 'the Worst Witch stories are not a million miles from J K Rowling's books'. The implications are really quite insulting!"
Wendy the Good Little Witch
Wendy was introduced as a back-up feature as well as a companion for Casper in "Casper the Friendly Ghost" #20, May 1954. Casper met and befriended her after stopping a major battle between the witches & the ghosts. Soon, she was trialed in Harvey Hits, starting with #7. After a total of six appearances, she received her own title, "Wendy the Good Little Witch", in 1960. Other ancillary titles featuring the pleasant young witch include "Wendy Witch World" (October 1961 to September 1974), and "Casper and Wendy" (September 1972 to November 1973). Another "Wendy the Good Little Witch" comic ran from April 1991 to August 1994, and a three-issue "Wendy the Good Little Witch and New Kids on the Block" saw print in 1991.