Witchblade #144 – Review

“Origin Secret” by Ron Marz (writer), Stjepan Sejic (art) and Troy Peteri (letters). “Secret Origin” by Filip Sablik (writer), John Tyler Christoper (art) and Troy Peteri (letters)

The Story: In the main story, we are treated to a wonderful Ron Marz re-telling of Sara Pezzini’s origin story, and a recap of the high points of her history with the Witchblade. Filip Sablik’s backup story revolves around Sara’s partner and boyfriend, Patrick Gleason, and his significantly more down to Earth (though, in his own way, no less heroic) past.

What’s Good: Fifteen years is an impressive milestone for any comic. For an independent book that follows a female heroine, it’s downright astonishing. This issue is a fitting tribute to that outstanding accomplishment, as well as a celebration of the characters and mythology built over those years. Marz’s retelling of Sara’s origin is a great deal of fun, as well as a wonderful jumping on point for readers who may not be familiar with Sara, the Witchblade, or their perpetual nemesis Kenneth Irons. Part of me thinks that the framing story–in which an Internal Affairs agent reviews the secret notes of Jake McCarthy, Sara’s late former partner–was unnecessary, and that the space would have been better used by fleshing out this version of the origin even more. Then again, it also serves the story well by establishing this as a single character’s perspective on the origin story, and by reinforcing IA’s interest in Sara’s activities. Since it is all very well written, and since the transitions are handled so smoothly, it’s hard to find fault with it.

Witchblade #144 – PREVIEW

WITCHBLADE #144

story RON MARZ
art STJEPAN SEJIC
covers STEJPAN SEJIC, JEAN-SEBASTIEN ROSSBACH

Witchblade 15th Anniversary Issue!

In 1995, Marc Silvestri, Michael Turner, David Wohl, and Brian Haberlin created a new kind of comic heroine with the origin of Sara Pezzini, the latest in a long line of bearers of the mystical gauntlet known as the Witchblade. In an over-sized 15th Anniversary issue, Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic tell Sara’s origin from a new perspective, planting seeds that soon will bear deadly fruit!

Featuring two spellbinding covers including a wraparound retrospective by series artist Sejic and an iconic painting by fantasy illustrator Jean-Sebastien Rossbach (Magic: The Gathering). Also including special anniversary features, pin ups, and much more! Plus ask your retailer about a FREE matching digital download of this issue with purchase.