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Review: ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow – Wonderland’ #3

Published

11 years ago

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Things are decelerating in Dark Horse Comics’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow – Wonderland #3, as Jeff Parker and Christos Gage reach the half-way point of the series. The quick-paced narrative that plowed through the last two slows down in this installment, as our protagonist must come to terms with the fact that her ultimate quest to restore Earth’s magic is failing. With a newly encountered society of witches pulling her one way, and her companion Marrak, another, this issue presents Willow with a multitude of choices regarding her future, both in this mystical realm, and on Earth.

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Parker, Christos Gage
ART BY: Brian Ching
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: January 2nd

‘Part 3’ takes Willow through the soul-crushing realization that without magic on Earth to anchor a portal to this mystical realm she’s found herself in, her hope of bringing magic back to her world through the gateway is dashed. Her reality has collapsed, yet she makes very little progress in terms of completing her quest, as she spends the majority of the issue becoming increasingly enamoured with the new mystical paradise she’s discovered. The witches, though seemingly well-meaning, have as much motive as the mysterious warlock, and ultimately, Willow will have to choose which side to take in the upcoming issues.

Parker and Gage devote this issue to Willow’s inner-musings, insecurities, and fears concerning her place in a world without magic, her usefulness to Buffy and the gang, and her reasons behind embarking on the quest itself. While it is very much a self-discovery piece, Parker and Gage utilize other characters to incorporate elements of vigorous and bitter conflict, action, and romance; even bringing back Giles via ambiguous vision.

Brian Ching’s pencils and Michelle Madsen’s colours do not particularly live up to their previous work on the series, but the deep water panels, which follow Willow on a significant underwater journey, make up for the inconsistencies. Madsen definitely steals the show, but Ching’s use of symbols in these scenes is just as commendable. It’s probably the first time I’ve seen the Ouroboros, the concept of Yin-Yang, the Dharmachakra, and the Venus symbol all in one panel.

Sadly, while still being an interesting and worth-while issue, this installment doesn’t quit hit my high expectations, though I do believe it’s a necessary filler to set up the remainder of the series for what looks like an epic finale.

3.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – ShadowJayd

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‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

Published

2 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

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.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • 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.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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