Witchblade #130 (War of the Witchblades) – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer) and Sjepan Sejic (Art)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: A dead main character, a powerful artifact once again made whole…yep, the War of the Witchblades has definitely brought changes to the series.

The Story: The War of the Witchblades concludes…

What’s Good: While some parts of the War of the Witchblades arc felt a bit drawn out, Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic make every page of Witchblade #130 count. The script is tight, nearly every panel aides the storytelling in some way, and the changes promised breathe some new life into the Top Cow Universe. In short, as a conclusion to a “game-changing” storyline, Witchblade #130 delivers in a big way.

The biggest problem I’ve had with the recent direction of the Witchblade series is that too often individual issues lacked balance. A book was either the Ron Marz show (a slow read, loaded with exposition/dialogue/narration and maybe a montage for flavor) or the Stjepan Sejic show (a really pretty, but very fast, read). Witchblade #130 truly gives readers the best of both worlds. Ron Marz’s War comes to a satisfying close as some new story doors open up, while Stjepan Sejic is given enough epic action to really show off what he’s capable of. And let me tell you what… Stjepan Sejic is capable of a whole hell of a lot. From the dynamic panel layouts and shapes to the level of detail that’s on display, Witchblade #130 is one great-looking comic. It can definitely be a negative thing when a book is loaded with large panels, but Sejic makes the absolute most of every single bit of page space that he’s given.

What’s Not So Good: You know what tends to bother me? When a storyline feels like it wraps up in a way that’s almost too neat and tidy. While the War of the Witchblades’ ending satisfies, it also veers pretty far into ” clean, happy ending” territory that seems out of place considering how dark the overall arc is.
My only other complaint is a familiar one. Stjepan Sejic’s characters occasionally look plastic and doll-like due to the techniques that he uses. A bit more facial detail would really go a long way towards eliminating the plastic look in my opinion.

Conclusion: The latest issue of Witchblade looks great and brings a solid story to a satisfying close. Pick it up.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #1 – Jeff Lemire new monthly series is off to a good start. With this debut issue, he introduces us to a character worth caring and thinking about. Sweet Tooth is off to become one of the best new books of the year.

Most Anticipated: Kick-Ass #7 – It’s been way too long. It’s hard to believe that the last time I read this book was in April.

Other Top Picks: Wednesday Comics #10, Unwritten #5, Blackest Night Batman #2, Dark Avengers/ Uncanny X-Men Exodus, Dark Reign List Avengers, Green Lantern Corps #40, Ultimate Comics Avengers #2, Red Robin #4

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Deadpool #15 – While I really liked seeing Tony Stark trip up in a big way, Deadpool going all existential scores Wade the win.

Most Anticipated: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus – I’m picking this not because I’m looking forward to reading it, but because it means that Dark Avengers can finally return to being one of my favorite titles.

Other Top Picks: Wednesday Comics #10, Unwritten #5, The List: New Avengers, Dark Reign: Young Avengers #4, Kick-Ass #7, Thunderbolts #135, Witchblade #130

Rob’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Invincible Iron Man#17 – Man this book is just great. I’m thinking more and more that Fraction’s Iron Man will be alongside Brubaker’s Captain America and Bendis’ Daredevil. Obviously, Fraction learned from Brubaker the benefit of a sloe burn, character-driven story. I really love this; it’s like the super hero Flowers For Algernon. That being said, the art isn’t quite there as it was for those runs, but there is still time.

Most Anticipated: War of Kings Who Will Rule One-Shot – This title just beats Unwritten for my most anticipated read.  The end of War of Kings left me needing more. Cosmic Marvel is for sure the best thing in Marvel U right now.

Other Top Picks: Amazing Spider-Man #604, Blackest Night Batman #2, Dark Avengers/ Uncanny X-Men Exodus, Dark Reign List Avengers one shot, Green Lantern Corps #40 (blackest night), Kick-Ass #7, Ultimate Comics Avengers #2, Unwritten #5, War of Kings who will rule one-shot

Alex’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #1 – A haunting issue that makes for a very solid debut.  Particularly as it’s only $1, there’s no reason not to give this one a try and I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Most Anticipated For The Week: The Unwritten #5 – I loved last month’s issue, which saw a really intriguing ending. After every issue, my reaction is the same: give me more!Tony’s Top Picks

Most Anticipated For The Week: Dark Reign: The List – Avengers One Shot – “The List” is my point of no return in terms of whether or not “Dark Reign” can stop sucking and become something worth reading, and it begins here with this issue. I will be paying close attention to this one.

DS’ Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Immortal Weapons #2 – Great art evokes the continuing spooky, weird, different and original stories in the world surrounding the Iron Fist.

Most Anticipated: Red Robin #4- Solid, solid story telling, month after month….

Other Top Picks: Adventure Comics #2, Secret Six #13, Titans #17