Comics
REVIEW: ‘Hellraiser: At The Tolling Of A Bell’ – Hints At High Creep Factor
Reviewing something that’s free is kind of a ridiculous endeavor. Especially in tough economic times, readers look to reviews to know if something is worth the value of admission. Well, since this prelude comic is free and won’t even cost you the lint in your pocket, there is really no reason you should stop reading right here and check it out; but since you are being kind enough to keep reading, I suppose I will continue.
The kind people at BOOM! were generous enough to grace the web with a free prelude to its new Hellraiser series to create some buzz for the series release. Fortunately this ten-page comic, titled Hellraiser: At the Tolling of a Bell, has more going for it than merely being a freebie. It is written by none other than franchise creator Clive Barker, which alone should be enough to give it a good running start. The dialogue, what little of it there is in ten pages, features some witty one-liners that help to keep the pages moving, and the simple but nevertheless creepy phrase in the last panel is enticing enough to see where the first issue will pick up. One could see, and hope, that the series will probably have the more reserved dialogue that this prelude features, which in my opinion is better for scares than something that is overly wordy.
Accompanying the dialogue’s theme of creepy reservedness, the art is rightfully gritty and dark. You won’t find any of the shiny, colorful art styles littering every DC and Marvel issue these days. In their place are heavy blacks, and dotted, grainy shading that is a little reminiscent of independent comics from the nineties. I was very glad that this comic took the liberty of pulling back some of the glitziness that is flooding the scene today. Especially for a horror comic as dark as this, the down and dirty vibe of the colors and art is key to deliver the creep factor. In fact, the only bright colors featured throughout the issue take place when things ignite in flames or blood bursts from a body, which helps to accentuate these gory sequences. And this comic certainly does not hold back the gore. In the words of a once great TV show, “Better not bring your kids!”
While ten pages is merely a tease, Barker and company have given horror and comic book fans something to be excited about. I really shouldn’t have to convince you to grab something that that will not cost you a dime, but I assure you that it is worth your time to download and read this free issue, especially if you are a fan of the franchise.
Now go download!.
Comics
‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics
Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.
Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.
In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”
The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”
Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”
“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.
Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”
Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.
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Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover
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Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)
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Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)
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Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)
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Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)
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Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)
Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
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