Comics
Review: ‘Hoax Hunters’ #8
While providing an entertaining and fast-paced tale, Hoax Hunters #8 concludes with tons of surprising twists and turns in its latest mystery. The “Hoax Hunters” series takes an unexpected direction in the last pages. If you are a fan of horror, government conspiracies, and paranormal stuff, get on board with the Hoax Hunters.
WRITTEN BY: Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley
ART BY: Axel Medellin
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: March 13, 2013
At Reality Con, the Hoax Hunters, a group of paranormal debunkers, were challenged in public by the Hoax Hunters Hunters. The Hoax Hunters were originally sent out to disprove the legend of the Haunchyville gnomes. The Albino King and his gnome then kidnapped one of the paranormal investigators, Ken Cadaver. While one of their members was missing, Jack wondered if the gnomes were actually the ones causing the bloody murders. While Jack is busy rescuing Ken, Regan is by herself when the surprise attack happens. Alone at the hotel, Regan only has her supernatural powers to defend herself.
The writers, Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley, do a great job deepening the mythology of the Hoax Hunters. It seems like Moreci and Seeley want to provide answers, while keeping the questions coming. The two writers take a risky chance starting off with the ending, but they finish with a great payoff. They do take away the suspense because readers see Ken, Jack, and Regan alive and well as they record their reality show. By the time you reach the last page, the three may look physically fine, but their latest investigation has taken a serious mental toll on them.
Midway through the issue, Moreci and Seeley recreate a scene from issue #6. Instead of Regan, it’s now Jack’s turn to have dinner with the traitor, Donovan. This isn’t about seduction for Donovan; this is about hitting the right nerve. Donovan wants Jack to know that no matter how the Hoax Hunters spin the story, he is actually better than all of them.
Artist Axel Medellin kicks off the story with a terrific action sequence. In the opening, readers get to see what happens when two telepaths attempt to read each other’s minds. As Regan uses her supernatural powers to enter his mind, Donovan’s nose is bleeding and he cries out in tremendous in pain. Just as Donovan blocked her, Regan is also suffering from his mental attack. Through close-ups, Medellin is able to capture the excruciating pain they are both feeling.
Medellin plays around with the reality TV aspect of the premise effectively. In the opening pages, Medellin provides glimpses of the past and present while the Hoax Hunters team are on camera. Medellin depicts a well-funded television studio with a working technical crew, spotlights, and cables. The Hoax Hunters have the money to carry out their operation, but where is the cash coming from? I really hope in the next story arc the writers and artist delve more into this aspect.
No one makes it out unscathed as the paranormal mystery is solved in “Hoax Hunters” 8. The “Hoax Hunters” series is a great read because of its interesting premise and engaging cast of characters.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by Jorge Solis
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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