Witchblade #127 (War of the Witchblades) – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer) and Stjepan Sejic (Artist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: The War of the Witchblades got off to a solid start. Now that the stage is finally set, it’s time for the War to truly begin. I for one, can’t wait to see what happens.

The Story: Tensions between Sara and Dani erupt into a battle between the light and the darkness.  Meanwhile, an Angelus warrior named Sabine looks for the opportune moment to make a claim for power…

What’s Good & What’s Not So Good: Thanks to both the artwork and the writing, the fight between Dani and Sara plays out really well in Witchblade #127.  Ron Marz’s “fight” dialogue is effective and Stjepan Sejic’s work (especially the “Dark Witchblade” design/powers) makes the battle between the Witchblade bearers something to remember.  I must also point out that the limited use of dialogue keeps the focus on the visual storytelling, the use of color, and the rather impressive panel layout which, this case, is a good thing.

The biggest negative about chapter three of War of the Witchblades is that occasionally Sejic’s artwork makes people look a bit…off. Dani in particular looks so computer generated in a few panels that it proves to be a distraction until the fight breaks out. It’s a fairly minor complaint, especially considering how nice the majority of the book looks, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

Another complaint I have is the way the events in the issue escalate at a wild pace, especially considering the fact that a baby is caught up in the middle of the clash. While I like the concept of Sara losing control, she seems uncharacteristically mentally weak in a way that says “plot device” in a very quiet voice. Maybe more will be explained next month.

Conclusion: I wish I could say more about Witchblade #127, but I’m sort of at a loss for words.  It features an entertaining, well-executed fight scene and ends in a way that will leave fans begging for more. The dialogue is solid all around, the visuals look mostly great, and the storyline is playing out in a way that should please new and longtime fans alike.  If I said much more, I would be ruining the surprises of the issue, so just go pick it up if you are a fan of the series.

Grade:  B

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade Annual – Review

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ve been a fan of Witchblade for a long time. It’s surprising that the annual is the first one the series has ever had. It’ll be interesting to see what one of my favorite writers, Jay Faerber, does with one of my favorite characters.

“If Looks Could Kill” – Jay Faerber (Writer), Eric Basaldua (Pencils), Rick Basaldua (Inks), Dulce Brassea & Alix Minjarez (Ink Assists), and John Starr (Colors)

The Story: A beautiful woman commits murder and then has no recollection of the event. As it turns out, she’s not the only one suffering from a case of the murder and amnesia combo. The only thing the ladies have in common is that they all had work done by the same respected plastic surgeon. Coincidence? Sara Pezzini doesn’t think so.

What’s Good and What’s Not So Good: The first story in the Witchblade Annual, “If Looks Could Kill” is a classic Witchblade story in every way. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is something that I’d rather leave up to you, the reader, to decide. If you miss the days when Witchblade was a T and A fest with some action and supernatural mystery thrown in, then you’ll definitely find a lot to like about the first part of the Annual. If you prefer how Witchblade is now, a cop story/supernatural epic that stays in touch with it’s roots thanks to a small side of T and A, then you will probably find “If Looks Could Kill” to be pretty basic (and probably somewhat obnoxious).

Personally, I prefer how Witchblade is now as opposed to how it used to be. That said, I have to give credit where it is due. “If Looks Could Kill” is definitely a success on a technical level. The writing is sharp and the visuals do a nice job of taking advantage of the story being told (even if the all supermodels populating the story do look a bit inconsistent and interchangeable).

“Ned” – Joshua Cozine & Joe Henderson (Writers), Sheldon Mitchell (Pencils), Rick Basaldua (Inks), Dulce Brassea & Alix Minjarez (Ink Assists), and Blond (Colors)

The Story: Number thirteen, that’s how Ned is known in the prison he has been sent to. Why number thirteen? Because Ned is the thirteenth cellmate Mr. Ian Nottingham has had. But all is not as it seems with the timid Ned…

What’s Good and What’s Not So Good: “Ned” is an odd story, especially in comparison to “If Looks Could Kill.” The first story works as a standalone read, but “Ned” seems to be all about laying the groundwork for future Witchblade stories. Longtime readers will no doubt recognize the name “Nottingham” and all the rest will no doubt be intrigued by the introduction of the mysterious inmate Ned. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that “Ned” is an interesting read that features some compelling dialogue and sufficiently moody artwork, but it seems like the story would be better suited as a backup story in a regular issue of Witchblade as opposed to the Annual.

Conclusion: The first Witchblade Annual presents two very different, though quite decent stories in a way that should please both new and longtime fans. I recommend checking it out if you like Witchblade or have wanted to give it a try.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade #126 (War of The Witchblades) – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer) and Stjepan Sejic (Artist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: With the Witchblade artifact divided between two owners, it was only a matter of time before some sort of conflict emerged. That’s where the War of the Witchblades event comes in. The first chapter showed a break in the friendship between Witchblade owners Dani Baptiste and Sara Pezzini and then left things hanging with the introduction of a few new creepy characters. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

The Story: The War of the Witchblades heats up in what can best be described as an expository chapter. The situation with the Angelus is explained, as is the reason for Sara’s sudden mood swing. In addition, the issue sets the Witchblade conflict up in a very clear-cut manner.

What’s Good: For an information dump, the second chapter of War of the Witchblades is surprisingly entertaining. Ron Marz’s handling of Sara Pezzini manages to be both unsettling and, in short, quite funny. He also does a nice of laying out the basics of the Witchblade situation in a way that is simple, yet quite elegant. The story looks to be a classic showdown in many ways and, in short, it works quite well.

As for the artwork, Stjepan Sejic does a great job of presenting the cast in a way that visually represents the upcoming war. It’s clear as to which side a particular falls on and it definitely adds to the mythology of the story in some ways. And speaking of the mythology of the story, it really allows for Sejic to showcase his talent, making Witchblade #126 one good-looking book.

What’s Not So Good: Because I knew an issue heavy on exposition was going to drop sooner than later, I really only have one negative thing to say about the writing. It disappoints only because the overall plot doesn’t move forward a whole lot. Understandable in ways, but it still makes the issue as a whole feel less than satisfying. The artwork disappoints only in that a few facial inconsistencies pop up and occasionally Sejic’s work looks a bit too computer generated.

Conclusion: The latest Witchblade is a must read for fans looking to pick up the rest of the series event. While some of the exposition might feel a bit dull, it’s vital to the story and is coupled with some really nice visuals.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

The Darkness #76 – Review

By Phil Hester (Writer), Michael Broussard (Pencils), Ryan Winn (Inks), and Benny Fuentes (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I bailed on the third volume of The Darkness following the end of the first story arc. And to be honest, I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it was the different art team or perhaps it was the less than engaging previews I had checked out. Whatever the reason, I decided to jump back on board after the series hit number seventy five and celebrated with a one-shot that offered up a pretty compelling glimpse of a possible future for the Top Cow universe.

The Story: While attempting to walk away from the Sovereign’s orders, Jackie Estacado falls under the spell of a beautiful woman with a red ribbon in her hair. Jackie quickly finds out that there’s more to the woman than meets the eye, and he finds out that there is quite a bit he has yet to learn about the legacy of the Darkness. And it could cost him his life.

What’s Good: For an extremely fast read, The Darkness #76 does quite a few things right. The artwork, though not without flaws, is pretty quite striking at times and does a nice job of visually carrying the story forward when there is little dialogue or narration to help out. The woman’s red ribbon is particularly worthy of note because Michael Broussard and his team do a great job of making it stand out in any panel it’s present in. And the effect helps to create a sense of uneasiness about both the woman and the desperation that drives Jackie toward his destination. As for the writing, Phil Hester effectively adds wrinkles to both the mythology of the Darkness and the character of Estacado. While the conflicted anti-hero is something of a cliché (and has been for some time), Estacado manages to remain compelling regardless of the baggage that the characters of his type tend to carry.

What’s Not So Good: While I didn’t feel ripped off, there is no denying how quick the latest issue of The Darkness ended. Whole pages went by without any dialogue, which really accentuated the inconsistent (sometimes silly) visuals. I mean, Jackie Estacado’s face seemed to change repeatedly throughout the book. At times, his particular case of moody angst seems to give him pouty Angelina Jolie lips. As it turns out, the unintentional hilarity really breaks the somber tone Hester and company seem to be going for.

Conclusion: While the wonky artwork proves at times, distracting, it doesn’t hurt the quality of an otherwise enjoyable comic too much. There is something about the fairly simple story and effective use of color that kept me glued to the pages. It definitely could have been better, but nonetheless, I liked it well enough.

Grade: B-

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade #123 – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer) and Stjepan Sejic (Artist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’m honestly a bit worried about the latest issue of Witchblade. I’ve really enjoyed the supernatural murder mystery arc that’s been going on the last few issues, but I can’t shake the sinking feeling that the conclusion might end up being less than satisfying. And why is that? Because the big “January War ” (or will it be “March War” because of the delays?) storyline  that Top Cow has been hyping up is on the horizon. And it leaves me thinking that some of Witchblade #123‘s story might feel a bit rushed through just to make room for any set up that might be needed for the next arc. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve definitely talked about Ron Marz rushing to conclusions before…

The Story: Sara Pezzini goes head to head with an entity known as Marinette, a strange and powerful voodoo spirit known as a “loa.” The battle reveals that there are forces at work possibly more powerful than the Witchblade and more sinister than the loa. Meanwhile, the journalist Gretch mulls over what to do with her photos of the Witchblade in action, considering that Sara saved her life. Also in the issue, Dani decides to confront the person responsible for the stress plaguing one of her students.

What’s Good: As it turns out, the latest Witchblade is about as far from a conclusion as you can possibly get, even if it does bring about a few satisfying plot resolutions. And that readers, is a good thing. I’ll tell you why. The storyline (and battle) involving the voodoo spirit is surprisingly engaging since it seems to only scratch the surface of the bigger plot being developed. In addition, the developments in Dani’s portion of the issue are somewhat surprising, given how she is usually relegated to second fiddle status. Couple that with some great visuals, courtesy of the always impressive Stjepan Sejic, and you have one heck of an entertaining issue of Witchblade that works well in service to both the present and future of the series.

What’s Not So Good: A few things bother me in Witchblade #123. The first thing is that Dani’s reaction at the end of the book seems a bit uncharacteristic, seeing as how she is usually written. While I wouldn’t be surprised to find that something else is going on in that plot thread, it feels somewhat odd for the time being. The second thing that bothers me is that Ron Marz seemed to push the engaging murder investigation by the wayside in order to make way for more action. Now don’t get me wrong, I always like seeing Sejic given time to shine, it just left me feeling as though things progressed at a pace that felt far too fast, considering how the story has been something of a slow burn up until this latest chapter.

Conclusion: I consider Witchblade #123 to be a very pleasant surprise. It managed to exceed my expectations while successfully sowing the seeds for the future in a very interesting way. I look forward to seeing what happens next. As such, consider Witchblade #123 to be well worth picking up.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Broken Trinity: Angelus #1 – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer), Brian Stelfreeze (Pencils & Inks), and Dave McCaig (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: The latest Broken Trinity tie-in definitely has a few strikes against it already. I mean, the event it’s connected to has been complete for well over a month. In addition, the character the story focuses on died during the final Broken Trinity battle. So does that leave the entire issue feeling completely inconsequential? Time to find out.

The Story: The entire issue is a lead-in for the big battle that headlined the Broken Trinity storyline. A beautiful bartender is called upon to reclaim her place in the war between the light and the darkness. And despite her reluctance, she knows what must be done.

What’s Good: To be honest, not a whole lot. Sure the dialogue by Ron Marz is done well, the artwork looks decent (if underwhelming), and the story is interesting enough. But it all feels almost completely pointless given that the fate of the character being developed has already been decided.

What’s Not So Good: Knowing that the whole issue suffers almost entirely because of poor scheduling. It’s tough to care much about a character whose given only twenty pages to make an impact and whose fate is already set in stone. Long story short, despite being well written, the story falls completely flat. It’s a shame, considering that it might have been somewhat interesting had it just come out when it was (most likely) supposed to.

Conclusion: Just save your money and skip the Broken Trinity: Angelus one-shot. No matter how big a fan you are, it just isn’t worth investing in. It comes across as both extremely late to the show and utterly pointless (despite a few high points).

Grade: D+

-Kyle Posluszny

The Darkness: Lodbrok’s Hand #1 – Review

By Phil Hester (Writer), Michael Avon Oeming (Artist), and Val Staples (Colorist)

The Story: A one-and-done comic set sometime long ago in The Darkness universe, Lodbrok’s Hand is a cautionary story about a man’s (good-intentioned) strive for power and the cost that it carries. Lodbrok, his sister, and some others are the few that remain of a village following a brutal raid lead by the tyrant Grimur. The group goes off in search of the legendary Forbidden Horn in the hopes of summoning The Black Captain and his twisted crew in order to even the odds against the might of Grimur. As with similar stories, there is a price to be paid for the powers called forth by the Forbidden Horn, regardless of the success or failure they bring.

What’s Good: I consider this one-shot to be such a success because the creative team manages to make a very familiar story feel like something fresh and almost brand new. First off, Phil Hester’s script effectively captures the feeling of a tale being spoken aloud by a master storyteller; something that is crucial to the book considering how the story told in Lodbrok’s Hand is framed. Secondly, the artwork by Michael Avon Oeming (colored by Val Staples) does a great job of capturing the dark, foreboding nature of Lodbrok’s quest. From the blood-drenched action scenes to the bizarre, supernatural nature of The Black Captain and his ship, Lodbrok’s Hand is a visual treat.

One other thing worth mentioning is how the story can really be enjoyed by anyone. While Darkness fans will no doubt get a kick out of seeing the captain’s crew and a creature from Top Cow’s Broken Trinity event, those unfamiliar with that stuff will still find a lot to like. Simply put, Lodbrok’s Hand is a great example of a one-shot done right.

What’s Not So Good: To be honest, the most negative thing I can say about the stand-alone saga is that it is fairly predictable from beginning to end. While the script and visuals do wonders for freshening up a story told many times before, it is still a story told many times before. That said, it is a story told many times before given impressive visuals and an epic script. While a twist or two would have been nice, I can’t complain too much considering how technically sound the whole thing is.

Conclusion: Definitely give The Darkness: Lodbrok’s Hand a shot if you are a fan of the series or just good stories in general. It doesn’t exactly break any new ground, but then again it doesn’t need to. Easily one of the better one-and-done comics I have read this year.

Grade: A-

-Kyle Posluszny

Broken Trinity: Witchblade #1 – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer), Nelson Blake II (Pencils & Inks), and Dave McCaig (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I found Broken Trinity to be a pretty successful event for the Top Cow Universe. A fairly important character was killed off and a few new elements were introduced into the ever-changing mythos of the universe that opened up the doors for a number of new storytelling possibilities. In short, it left me satisfied and ready for the future.

The Story: Broken Trinity: Witchblade is the first story to explore the new status quo that exists following the tumultuous event that set the course for the future of some of Top Cow’s major players. And to be honest, not a whole lot really happens outside of some character work. Sara meets Dani at the grave of Celestine, the person that was possessed by the Angelus, and then heads over to give Jackie Estacado some time with his daughter. Also, Jackie takes care of some unfinished business left over from his own Broken Trinity one-shot.

What’s Good: As usual, Ron Marz does some real nice work with the characters in this issue. While not a whole lot happens as far as plot development goes, Marz doesn’t waste any space thanks to his continuing effort to add depth to the characters that he works on. He definitely has a good handle on them.

What’s Not So Good: While the artwork looks nice throughout the book, the style really isn’t to my liking. It just doesn’t seem to fit the characters or the world all that well. That said, I really don’t have any specific complaints on a technical level. The characters look nice, the colors pop, and the emotions on display are well done.

Conclusion: I would consider Broken Trinity: Witchblade to be something I’d recommend only to the bigger fans of either Witchblade or The Darkness. I enjoyed my time with it and came away impressed by the character work. However there really isn’t anything about it that screams “must read.” Base a purchase around how much emotional investment you have in the Top Cow characters.

Grade: C

-Kyle Posluszny

Broken Trinity #3 – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer), Stjepan Sejic (Art), and Phil Hester (Art)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: In a market crowded by event books, I have found myself pleasantly surprised by Top Cow’s Broken Trinity crossover. It has proven that an epic, satisfying crossover event can be told in under six months and without dozens of tie-ins. That said, after reading Broken Trinity #2, I couldn’t help but feel that the story would have been better told in four parts as opposed to three. Everything about chapter two felt rushed, so I come into the “fatal conclusion” with my expectations a bit lower than they were, following the excellent Broken Trinity #1.

The Story: As it says on the cover, Broken Trinity #3 is all about bringing the Top Cow crossover to a “fatal conclusion.” The stakes have never been higher as the Witchblade bearer, the Darkness host, the Angelus, and the two new artifact bearers (Finn and Glori) battle it out in New York City. And for those of you wondering, the story actually makes good on the tagline’s promise, as a major player in the Top Cow universe is killed in this issue.

What’s Good: Broken Trinity #3 delivers in pretty much every way; especially with an action-packed conclusion to a crossover event. The artwork by Stjepan Sejic and Phil Hester is extremely impressive throughout the book and at times, simply stunning. It adds a weight and intensity to Ron Marz’s epic clash of powers. As for the story, it proves to be both a fitting conclusion and an interesting launching point for the future of the Top Cow universe.

What’s Not So Good: The nagging feeling that the event should have one more chapter never truly went away while reading it’s conclusion. There is a ton of information crammed in between all the fighting, and I can’t help but feel it could have been introduced in another way. Also, it is worth mentioning that it is clear which scenes gained the lion’s share of the artistic attention, an unfortunate trend in Stjepan Sejic’s work. That said, I can nearly forgive that complaint entirely, since even at its worst, the art is quite a bit more visually pleasing than almost anything else on the stands.

Conclusion: Consider this a must read if you have any interest at all in the future of the Top Cow universe. The battle is epic, the conclusion is indeed fatal, and the future is shown to be loaded with potential.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

Broken Trinity #2 – Review

By Ron Marz (Writer), Stjepan Sejic (Art), and Phil Hester (Art)

First, a quick note. Now that I’ve read the first two chapters of Top Cow’s Broken Trinity crossover, I find myself absolutely baffled as to why the story is being limited to three main books and two tie-ins (one of which is a prequel and another that remains a mystery). The event feels and looks every bit the epic as advertised and yet it all comes to a conclusion next issue without nearly enough plot development to flesh out the story. Another book or two would do wonders for adding more depth to what looks to be an epic confrontation between the powers of the Top Cow universe. Why is this being cut so short?

Structure complaints aside, not a lot really happens in Broken Trinity #2. The characters and powers all come together in preparation for a clash that will take place next month. Yep, it’s a set up issue. While there is some great character work between Sara and Jackie and some more background on the nature of the conflict at hand, I never felt that things were really moving forward in a way that actually developed the story. That said, I came looking for a visually awesome battle and I honestly believe that Broken Trinity is going to deliver that in a big way… it just doesn’t happen in this issue.

Technically, the issue is quite solid. Ron Marz does some nice character work, but falls a bit short in plot development. He obviously has a strong handle on the characters, but it feels as though he really doesn’t have much planned beyond throwing all these powers together and having them fight it out. There’s no doubt that he really couldn’t have picked a better art team to work with. Stjepan Sejic and Phil Hester make Broken Trinity one of the most visually compelling events in quite some time. My only complaint is the (usual) noticeable drop in quality during minor scenes.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t let down by Broken Trinity #2, but I also find myself really looking forward to the conclusion of the event. Here’s to hoping that it delivers the action it seems to promise. (Grade: C)

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade #120 – Capsule Review

By Ron Marz (Writer) and Stjepan Sejic (Artist)

Comics like this one are extremely tough to review. It’s well written, visually impressive, and does a lot to give Dany and Sara (the Witchblade bearers) some more depth. On the other hand, the issue is pretty damn boring and, outside of a brief set-up for next month, quite easy to skip. See the predicament that leaves me with?

Titled “Girls Night Out,” Witchblade #120 is really a story about just that. Dany decides to take out her angst on some creep in a club, her Witchblade lashes out, Sara interferes, and then the two ladies leave the club to sit on some rooftop and talk about life, love, sex, and the responsibility that comes with wearing the Witchblade. That’s pretty much it. Everything is extremely sound from a technical standpoint so it is impossible to come down too hard on it. Ron Marz’s dialogue is casual and realistic, Stjepan Sejic’s work is a treat to look at, and there is some merit in the fact that such care was taken on what is, essentially, a “day in the life of” type of story.

I am definitely going to leave the purchasing decision up to you, the readers, on this one. The comic is solid all around, but with the price of comics today, this one can definitely be skipped without fear of missing much. (Grade: C)

-Kyle Posluszny

Broken Trinity: The Darkness #1 – Review

Phil Hester (Writer), Jorge Lucas (Art), and Lee Loughridge (Colors)

I’ve always felt that The Darkness works best when it brings Jackie Estacado’s moral code into the equation and that is exactly what the bulk of this Broken Trinity prequel does. Jackie goes on the warpath when he finds out from The Butcher that some people that used to work underneath him accidentally killed a five year old girl they were holding for ransom. To complicate things (or make the issue feel uneven), some Angelus soldiers are hunting Jackie in what is yet another attempt to destroy The Darkness. The storyline involving the dead little girl is compelling, brutal, and extremely well written. The appearance of the soldiers, however, feels extremely tacked on and seems to force the extremely strong stand-alone Darkness story into being something that it isn’t. That said, as a whole, this is a well done prequel because it gives Jackie a reason to want to be with his daughter, Hope.

As for the technical stuff, Broken Trinity: The Darkness is really the complete package. The dark, gritty artwork by Jorge Lucas and Lee Loughridge fits Phil Hester’s mature, well written story perfectly. My only complaint really is that this serves as an event tie-in and not just a stand-alone one-shot. I would have gladly traded in the Angelus stuff for a more fleshed out narrative about the unauthorized botched ransom job because it focused on Jackie the character as opposed to Jackie the supernatural Darkness wielder.

I highly recommend this one to Darkness fans (or those interested in a good comic), but don’t feel that it is a necessary chapter for those solely interested in the Broken Trinity event. It is an enjoyable read, but fans who have any knowledge of the Darkness/Witchblade/Angelus saga will find that the tie-in aspects of this book feel incredibly familiar (rehashed, even). (Grade: B)

-Kyle Posluszny

Broken Trinity #1 – Review

Ron Marz, (Writer) Stjepan Sejic, and Phil Hester (Art)

As I have come to learn since becoming a comic book critic, the first part of an event or a new creative run is tough to review. It must hook the reader in some way while at the same time going through the (possibly boring or redundant) motions necessary to set up the story arc. Things can really get off on the wrong foot if the set up (a necessary evil) isn’t sufficiently compelling (check out Uncanny X-Men #500 for proof). I mention this because I feel that Broken Trinity #1 is a great example of how to properly set up a new storyline without making it feel like a boring chore to read.

There are two storylines at work in this issue, both of them serving to bring the elements of this event together. One of them, a visually striking Viking skirmish that quickly escalates into an epic battle between supernatural forces, serves up the action while establishing new elements in the Top Cow Universe. The other storyline works to bring almost all of the main players together in a way that feels both logical and natural given the continuity. While I honestly have no idea as to where things will go from here, the set up is solid and full of enough combustible elements to make for a great event. One thing is for sure, the creative team working on this series set quite a high bar with the First Born event, so they have their work cut out for them if they hope to clear it.

As for the writing, Ron Marz does a great job in this issue. The dialogue during the Viking battle is suitably epic and the characters drive the story well in the present day scenes. While I wish he would have spent a touch more time establishing the Celestine character, I have a feeling more will be explained sooner than later. Marz deftly puts the pieces in place while keeping a sense of mystery about what exactly is going on and, honestly, he’s got me hooked. While this story could really go either way at this point (since so much is still up in the air), it is off to quite a start.

I expected some nice work from the team of Stjepan Sejic and Phil Hester, but I’ve got to say that they really exceeded every expectation. The Viking scenes are absolutely stunning, a display of what I suppose I’ll call beautiful brutality. The supernatural characters look fantastic as well, though I will readily admit that they are nothing more than extremely impressive looking fantasy clichés. My only true complaint is that, like nearly all of Sejic’s books, there is a noticeable drop in detail/quality from time to time, but I can excuse that considering it must take quite some time to create the more impressive stuff. A book needs to get out at some point, so I can overlook that for the most part.

Overall, I’m really enjoying the first part of the Broken Trinity event. It manages to avoid getting bogged down by the necessary set up while creating the hooks that make me want more as soon as possible. (Grade: A)

-Kyle Posluszny

Michael Turner Passes Away

From Aspen’s Vince Hernandez:

“Unfortunately it’s with great sadness that I must inform everyone that Michael Turner tragically passed away last night, June 27th at approximately 10:42 pm in Santa Monica, Ca. Turner had been dealing with recent health complications arisen in the past few weeks. More details concerning Turner’s passing, and services, will be given shortly.”

Anyone wishing to send their condolences to Michael Turner’s family is encouraged to send to:

Aspen MLT, Inc.
C/O Michael Turner
5855 Green Valley Circle, Suite 111
Culver City, CA, 90230

Aspen also encourages anyone wishing to make a charitable donation to please send to Michael Turner’s requested charities:

The American Cancer Society or The Make-A-Wish Foundation

Official Contact: Vince Hernandez

First Born: Aftermath – Review

Ron Marz, Phil Hester, (Writers) Stjepan Sejic, Lee Moder, Ryan Sook, (Artists) Larry Molinar, and Dave McCaig (Colors)

The Top Cow event known as First Born was one of the more exciting events in recent memory. A classic story of good and evil that was really cast in all shades of gray, First Born impressed with some incredible artwork by Stjepan Sejic and an epic feel. With Sara Pezzini’s child at stake, the forces of light and darkness brought the eternal war to our world in an attempt to gain control the Witchblade wielder’s daughter. The trade is definitely worth the pick up if you are a fan of the characters and it also serves as a decent, action-packed jumping on point for those curious about the Top Cow Universe. With First Born: Aftermath, a one-shot consisting of three short stories, fans can get some idea of where the characters are headed in the future. Since each story really is a stand alone tale, I will give each a short review before giving my overall thoughts.

The first story, “Stragglers,” is quite short but effective thanks to the artwork by Stjepan Sejic. Basically, the gist of the story is that some teens head down into the hole where the main battle of the First Born event took place and are being watched by some of Jackie Estacado’s Darklings. There really isn’t a lot to say about such a simple story, but Ron Marz has some fun with the dialogue and Sejic creates a couple of really impressive looking scenes.

The second story, “Armies of the Night,” is written by the Darkness’ Phil Hester and tells of some Darklings that stumble upon a statue of an ancient ruler who holds a bit of a grudge against the Darkness. We get a brief history lesson on who the ruler was and how his encounter with the Darkness changed his life forever. The writing is both darkly humorous at times, but has a nice dramatic weight overall. A good outing by Phil Hester with this story. The artwork by Lee Moder is serviceable, but I wish it had a more serious look that reflects the story being told. Everything looked too much like a cartoon. Still a fun read though and, again, the art does the job well enough.

The final story, “Faith,” is also by Ron Marz and tells about the Magdalena. She faces off with an “angel” of light and finds herself struggling with her place in the world. The writing is strong and it also gives some nice direction for a character that shows up from time to time throughout the Top Cow universe. Ryan Sook’s artwork is solid, especially some of the facial expressions, and the color work is very well done. A good closing story for this one-shot.

First Born: Aftermath is really for those that follow the Top Cow Universe. While the stories could be enjoyed on their own well enough, it helps to have some experience with the characters and story elements. If you recently came aboard with Witchblade or The Darkness, two series that recently developed new jump-on points, check this out for some idea as to what direction those particular stories will be taking. A fun, solid read all around that hints at future plot elements for those interested.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade #118 – Review

Ron Marz (Writer) and Stjepan Sejic (Artist)

With Witchblade #118, the first arc of Ron Marz’s reboot comes full circle and I am happy to report that all signs are pointing to a successful run. While I have some complaints, I have no problem recommending this series for anyone looking for something outside of the superhero norm.

When I reviewed issue #117, which actually happened to be my writing debut with this website, I expressed concern that drawing on long passed continuity might alienate some readers who jumped on the series when a new direction was offered in Witchblade #116. Thankfully, this latest issue explains enough to keep the story rolling without forcing the reader to do any continuity research. What this issue has to offer is the introduction and history of a new threat to the Witchblade bearers, some nice action scenes, and closure to the mystery surrounding the religious murders being investigated by Sara Pezzini.

While a solid story overall, I couldn’t help but feel that things have been rushed. Everything works well enough, but I think I would have enjoyed this story more had it been allowed to build up through another issue or two. This issue packs a lot into a little over twenty pages and it suffers a bit as a result. We are introduced to a new threat, have a religious murder hanging over everything, a stolen Witchblade, and yet, surprisingly, all is seemingly resolved by the end of this issue. On top of all that, the last page shows the direction the next arc will take. I have no problem with resolving things quickly, but things wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste.

So I have some issues with the story, but, as a whole, the writing here is pretty tight. Marz does a nice job getting readers up to speed with the threat and his family ties, which could have easily come across as a convoluted mess of an explanation. Sara comes across as a suitably tough woman, though I wish the other Witchblade bearer, Dani, brought more than just self pity to the table. The villain represents a good use of continuity and he comes across as both threatening and ambitious. Special mention should be made of the dialogue as well, as it continues to be a strong point of this series. An exchange between the villain and the religious murderer in particular stands out as a good example of how to elevate a fight scene through the use of dialogue. This is good stuff for the most part, I just wish Marz would have given the story more room to breathe, building both tension and the epic conflict at hand.

As for the art, it is nearly perfect. I absolutely love what Stjepan Sejic is doing with this series as it gives Witchblade a very unique “feel”. Simply put, there is not another book out there that looks quite like this. If I have any complaint at all it’s that you can clearly tell which panels and scenes got the most time. The level of detail seems to vary throughout the book. While this inconsistency is most likely due to the need to hit a deadline, it is slightly distracting from time to time. One thing I must also note is the level of violence in this issue. There are some fairly disturbing images throughout, so I just wanted to give everyone a heads up. With that said, I’ll conclude my rundown of the artwork by saying that this is, a whole, an incredible looking book.

Witchblade #118 disappoints mainly because I expected more from this arc. The storyline seemed rich with opportunity for more depth and complexity, but instead, we get a fairly basic, far too tidy conclusion a bit too early. That said, solid writing and excellent, unique artwork still makes this a good read. On a side note, The teaser for the next arc has gotten me intrigued so I hope Marz gives it a bit more room to breathe. (Grade: C)

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade #117 – Review

By Ron Marz (writer) & Stjepan Sejic (art)

Witchblade #117 has a lot on it’s plate and, as such, the issue as a whole suffers from trying to tell three intertwined stories within just over 20 pages. That’s not to say this issue is a bad read however, as the final pages will leave the reader wanting much more.

The book kicks off with a Crusader battle, stunningly imagined by artist Stjepan Sejic. From there, the story continues the somewhat separate, yet intertwined, stories of the Witchblade bearers Sarah Pezzini and Danielle Baptiste. Sarah is still investigating the religiously inspired murders from the previous issue, while Dani invites her new boyfriend over to help babysit Hope, Sarah’‘s child. These three stories each get some time to be front and center, but very little happens to advance any of them until the final pages. I can’t reveal much more of the plot without spoiling anything, so allow me to highlight what works in the issue.

The art within this issue is fantastic from start to finish. Stjepan Sejic’’s painted work feels strikingly original in the realm of comics and really helps bring Ron Marz’’s story to life. It is worth noting, however, that the art is quite graphic from time to time. There is quite a bit of blood and gore during battle scenes and during the murder investigation, so keep that in mind if you have a weak stomach.

Ron Marz’’s dialogue is another highlight. The zealots are sufficiently unnerving, the interaction between Pezzini and her boyfriend Gleason is both darkly humorous and touching, and Dani is realistically smitten with her new guy. Also, the recently introduced crime scene forensics character, Chandrakhar, is quickly becoming one of my favorite supporting characters in any comic.
The storyline is quite interesting, if a bit unoriginal. Religious zealotry is a fairly common storyline device and, had things gone differently in this issue, I may have questioned the need for it in the first place. The characters and art are driving the story more than the plot itself, which isn’t a bad thing, but things should start to improve in the plot department if the final pages are any indication. One last thing worth noting regarding the storyline is that with Witchblade #116 serving as a re-launch of sorts for the series, it is somewhat surprising to find #117 hinting at a very continuity heavy storyline in the near future. (Grade: B)

-Kyle Posluszny

Witchblade #116 – Review

By: Ron Marz (writer) & Stjepan Sejic (artist)

The phrase on the cover says “The start of a new era”. By the look of the redesigned logo, I’d say it’s not a good one. Why change the logo now? Does Top Cow not want to pay Peter Steigerwald any more royalties? This change bothers me big time. If you want change, kill Sara Pezzini. She’s old, worn out her welcome, and we’ve seen her for #115 issues. I know a lot of people won’t notice the change, but I’ve been reading this book since #1. I have rights (well, not really, but you know)!

The good thing is that Top Cow hired Sejic to draw the series until issue #150, the longest an artist has been on the series. I like consistency between issues and Sejic is my third top Witchblade artist (after Turner and Choi). He’s also the only reason why I continue to buy this book.

The story deals with Sara visiting her sister in prison, while Dani tells David everything about the Witchblade – which seems like a stupid move on her part. She barely knows this guy and she’s spilling all these secrets?! What’s the point of this? Is it because she’s blonde? Why was Ron Marz chosen to make her so dumb? Finally, Sara leaves her baby with a sitter and investigates some weird religious murderers, setting up the storyline for the future chapter.

The cover for the next issue tells me exactly what I’ve said the first time that this “David” character appeared: He’s after the Witchblade. Surprise, surprise. I might have given this book a grade of B+, but the new logo change pisses me off. (Grade: D+)

-Daniel Yanez

Wanna be a character in Witchblade?

Amie at Newsarama sent word that they’ve got a neat little contest going where *you* can win a chance to be a character in TopCow’s Witchblade series. Knowing how big a fan Daniel is, I’m sure he’ll be all over this!

You can find out all the contest details here:

http://witchblade.newsarama.com

Other prizes include

– One lucky second prize winner will receive an original drawing from cover illustrator Stjepan
Sejic.

– 100 third prize winners will each receive a copy of the “Witchblade Volume 1” paperback autographed
by author Ron Marz

Not bad, eh?

Jenna Jameson’s Shadow Hunter #1 – Review

By Jenna Jameson (creator & story), Christina Z (story & script) & Mukesh Singh (art)

First of all, no, it’s not a porn comic book. It may have that stigma associated with it because of Jenna Jameson’s name, but it has nothing to do with that (sorry, guys). Believe me, you’ll find more porn in those Princess Peach pictures from Super Smash Brothers Brawl than in this book.

The story is about a woman named Jezzerie who is haunted of  monsterous visions since childhood. Unemployed, she  attends a paid research program about past lives, trying to understand what these monsters are and why these dream are reoccuring. But in one of the sessions something goes wrong. It seems that the hallucinations are becoming real, and monsters have begun to manifest themselves in the real world. Jezzerie’s hair turns black and a blade grows from her arm. A mysterious guy in armor (a side kick, I presume), pops ups offering little to no help in her battle. After a few decapitations, the king of monsters talks to them and reveals his true nature.

I’m disappointed by this debut issue. I honestly thought I’d get more quality coming from Christina Z. I was looking for something with a little more substance than this. The story is just flat-out weird, and will probably get even weirder in following issues. The Witchblade influence is pretty noticeable – a blade popping up form her arm without her will. Singh’s art is very well done – there’s an abundance of reds and darks that fill this issue. I’ve already prepaid for the next couple of issues, so I will read them, but this is not a good start. (Grade: C-)

-Daniel Yanez

Witchblade #115 – Review

By: Ron Marz (writer), Sami Basri (pencils), Imaginary Friends Studios (colors)

Cue the soap opera music! Today, on Witchblade, Dani must face a decision bigger than life: Which dress to wear to her date? Meanwhile, Sara has gotten herself in a lot of trouble. Can she find a diaper before her baby gets a rash? Stay tuned after the break!

Oh my God! What a ridiculous plot for an action adventure comic book. It seems that Ron Marz has been reading a lot of Danielle Steel novels (or something). Sara’s baby needs to mutate, die, or become a Darkling. Stop this nonsense of diapers and baby powder and milk reheating. If somebody kills the baby, Sara can avenge her and kick asses again. This story needs progression. Not down with killing babies? Here’s another option: Get a full-time nanny! Problem solved. Wouldn’t that would be great? Weekend visits are allowed.

So what’s up with David (Dani’s boyfriend) fondling things he shouldn’t be touching? Isn’t this giving away his true intentions? I hope that what he said about his apartment’s view and art collection is not a red herring.

Anyway, I’ve read enough. This issue is available in two connecting covers to choose from by Mike Choi and Sonia Oback. I’m sure next issue (Sejic’s run begins) will be much better… at least I hope. (Grade: D+)

-Daniel Yanez

Witchblade #114 – Review

By: Ron Marz & Ian Edginton (Writers), Sami Basri (Pencils), Imaginary Friends Studios (Colors)

I want to start by criticizing the bad choices made with this series. A baby in the life of the main character is usually for the worst. X-Files and Friends did it with awful repercussions. I just hate to see Sara Pezzini saving her child in every single issue now. Another problem I have is that the Witchblade is now split with two bearers. And third, I hate to see artists come and go at drawing it (some are awful). That being said, I’m sure Stjepan Sejic will do a great job for #116 to #150.

The story in hand follows Sara Pezzini moving to a new apartment, but it seems that some of the previous tenants (in the form of ghosts) haven’t completely moved out. It’s a good story for a stand alone issue. The romantic dinner with Dani and David (the new mysterious guy) is pretty bland, but it’s made to set up the story for things to come. Maybe he’s an art dealer hired by Kenneth Irons? One can only hope.

The art and cover is done by Sami Basri while the alternate variant cover is done by Mike Choi (somebody give this guy a permanent job!); I would love Choi as the ongoing artist if anyone at Top Cow is reading this! I’m curious to see where everything goes from here, but I kind of lost hope after several bad issues. (Grade: B)

-Daniel Yanez