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Review: ‘Revival’ #7

Published

11 years ago

on

The latest issue of Revival is perhaps the best in the series to date. While it has an interesting side plot that provides a visceral, shocking twist at the end, it’s the focus on the officer Cyprus and her pursuit of Mr. Hine, a reviver, which makes this issue so good. This book is at its best when it examines the impact revival has on the people who have to suffer with its consequences. With issue #7, “Revival” finally begins to live up to the potential we all knew it had.

WRITTEN BY: Tim Seeley
ART BY: Mike Norton
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: February 20th, 2013

There are, as per the usual “Revival” issue, other stories as well. Two, both regarding some new characters, are interesting. One concerns the Check brothers, three siblings who are apparently dismembering people and transporting their body parts for reasons currently unknown. The other focuses on Clyde Birch, a reactionary pastor preaching for God and against government. It’s always enjoyable to see some digs at the religious right, but Birch isn’t just around for satire. His speeches articulate the anxiety of the world and exacerbate the divide created by the Quarantine Zone. His words portend the inevitable collapse of law and order in the face of panic and uncertainty in the wake of this revival.

There are a number of other, short looks at characters we’re familiar with that don’t really contribute anything to the plot and feel more like filler. But the meat of Tim Seeley’s story is about Anders Hine, the father of Jamie Hettinga and stepfather to Justin Hine, the latter whom he disemboweled two issues ago. Slaughtering Justin for having sex with Jamie and slowly killing him with poison, he goes after Jamie (after killing her husband) with Officer Dana Cypress in pursuit. He reaches Jamie first, but when Cyprus arrives, he reveals he didn’t kill Jamie, even though his ability to “feel” has left him hollow and unable to perceive emotion. He reveals he acted out of a sense of justice, before putting a gun to his head. It’s an interesting conclusion Birch comes to, and a welcome counterpoint to the idea of zombies as these mindless creatures compelled to act, rather than rational creatures that simply cannot feel anything anymore.

Mike Norton’s art is great, as usual. Seriously, go back and read the rest of the reviews I’ve written, because it’s the same story here; quality character work with appropriately stark and brooding textures. And yes he does gore well, you awful sadists.

“Revival” #7 is an excellent issue, though it does have a bit of filler in it as well. Still, by and large this is a great comic, and certainly worth picking up if you’re not following the series already (and if not, shame on you).

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – GeorgeShunick

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

Published

6 days ago

on

April 18, 2024

By

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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