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Review: ‘Star Wars’ # 3

Published

11 years ago

on

Brian Wood continues his epic retelling of the post New Hope Star Wars Universe. Proving that these old characters can still tread new ground, and be completely engrossing in fantastic new ways. Wood’s new vision of Star Wars is a sight to behold, and an absolute pleasure to read.

WRITTEN BY: Brian Wood
ART BY: Carlos D’Anda
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: March 13th, 2013

For the unacquainted, Brian Wood has just begun a new “Star Wars” series at Dark Horse that picks up after that pivotal moment at the end of A New Hope. The Rebel Alliance has gained a momentary victory, Luke still has two hands, Leia may potentially still be into her brother, and Han is still a slimeball.

Which is all very good news. The characters we all know and love are fundamentally different here. Wood characterizes Luke perfectly; he’s not some Jedi in training, but rather a hot head kid who believes himself to be the best of the best. It totally works.

Leia leads a secret squadron of X wing pilots into the deep reaches of space, looking for a new home for the rebel alliance (can somebody say Battlestar Galactica!). Leia is still mourning the loss of her planet, and consistently butts heads with Luke. This dynamic makes up the bulk of this issue, and the stakes are constantly raised because you are never entirely sure why Luke is pissing her off so much. Is she in love with him? Or is she truly concerned with his cocky attitude? Only Brian Wood knows.

Which again is the major draw of this series. Everything is as you remember it from Empire or Jedi but subtly different. I found myself asking so many questions, and pondering so many “what ifs” as I turned the pages. Most notably Wood seems to be pushing Vader into a useless drone. A drone who has outlived his utility for the Emperor.

The new villain introduced by Wood could potentially be a Red Herring to take us off of Vader’s trail for a couple of issues, but it doesn’t seem like it. I imagine we’re heading into completely uncharted territory here, and that prospect is amazing.

The story bounces between the Rebel Fleet, Han & Chewie, and The Imperial Fleet. Carlos D’Anda’s art holds up beautifully throughout, although his style doesn’t quite resemble the actors who made the roles famous so many years ago, but echoes the old Marvel comics from days gone by. It takes some getting used to, but it helps the story stand on its own merits, rather than the shoulders of the films.

As a whole, a solid issue that left me wanting more. If you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan, but are worried about the future of the series, then do yourself a favor and pick up Wood’s “Star Wars”. It’s a wonderful alternate take on Star Wars lore, which will keep you guessing with every page.

3.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jimbus_Christ

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

Published

2 days ago

on

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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