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Review: ‘East of West’ # 1

Published

11 years ago

on

Jonathan Hickman’s newest book East of West is an impressive blend of genres: a Sci Fi Western about the four horseman of the apocalypse. Hickman has struck gold again, creating a wildly original tale with incredible art, which manages to introduce a new take on American dystopia. The engrossing story he begins to weave here will surely become one of the most epic titles on the shelves by years end.

WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Hickman
ART BY: Nick Dragotta
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: March 27th, 2013

The team that brought us Marvel’s “FF” is back. Hickman and Dragotta have reunited and it feels damn good.

“East of West” begins like most Hickman stories: nearly impenetrable. Yet, Hickman is the master of the slow boil. This issue is so densely packed with information that the parts that don’t make sense now, surely will in a few months time. Which is to say, the story is layered, planned, and somewhat flawed.

Hickman’s approach to writing makes the reader ask a multitude of questions, with the answers slowly revealing themselves. The world Hickman has created here is filled with remarkable depth, both in character and in context.

I found myself completely enraptured in most panels. Dragotta’s art brings Hickman’s sci fi western wasteland to beautiful realization. Their partnership is clearly very strong and the clean panels are a clear indication of this.

The story and art really hit their stride in our main character introduction scene. The whole thing takes place in a bar, and echoes the best western stories you can think of. It flows with remarkable speed, and the characters are perfectly mysterious and endearing.

Without revealing too much the plot seems to center of the four horseman of the apocalypse entering this western dystopia. Yet, as we find out on the first page, one of the horsemen is missing. We’re not entirely sure which by the end of this first issue, but we are indeed introduced to the other three.

The main character reminded me of Alucard from “Hellsing”. From his body language, and general attitude. We shall see if the comparison holds up over time, but the final scene with Death and President will prove to be something comic buyers will be talking about until the next issue drops.

I can say with relative ease that Hickman and Dragotta are in the process of creating a new masterpiece. “East of West” # 1 is an incredibly strong first issue, which could have spent more time babying us into the world. Then again, this is Hickman, so I guess we’ll just have to hang on and go for the ride.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jumbus_Christ

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

Published

5 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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