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Review: ‘Abe Sapien’ #1

Published

11 years ago

on

Throughout the past few months Abe Sapien has made several cameos in the “B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth” event, spending his time in a Star Wars-esque healing tank repairing a life threatening gunshot wound. Abe Sapien #1: Dark and Terrible sees the full return of this bad ass character. A lot of time has passed since his injury and his awakening isn’t the joy fest it should be. The “Hell on Earth” event continues to storm on as “Hellboy in Hell” plays out alongside it, and Abe has been left in the dark. It’s clear that he will play an epic role in the future, but will it be for the good or the evil? Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, Sebastián Fiumara, and Dave Stewart have done an outstanding job on this issue, which bodes very well for the future of this new ongoing series.

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART BY: Sebastián Fiumara
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE DATE: April 3rd
PRICE: 3.50

Abe Sapien awoke in a daze in the previous issue of BPRD and he quickly made a run for it; this book centers on the heroic amphibian and begins to elaborate on the state of his mind. We learn that the Abe who entered the tank is not the same upon his escape and this will have some serious implications for the future. But that’s not how this issue starts, instead we witness a failed demonic summoning, how this will come back into play is unknown, but there is little doubt that this is linked to something inherently evil. This issue contains lots of monster action to help refresh everyone’s memory of just how screwed Earth is at the moment. By the last third of the issue we get our first look at the new and improved Abe Sabien as he stows away in a train trying to escape.

“Abe Sapien” #1 definitely fits the criteria for a first issue of a new story arc as characters are re-introduced, the situation is outlined, and the story begins its slow building process to the inevitable climax. Though Mignola is the master mind behind this universe, Scott Allie is at the helm for this book. For those unfamiliar with Abe, it is not the best book to jump into, but Allie does a great job of keeping it simple and sweet.

The art of this issue is outstanding, an incredibly realistic look with just a hint of sketchiness that Mignola’s world is famous for. Sebastián Fiumara gives all the characters and environements of the book a life-like appearance; this rings true even for the monstrous creatures that are showcased throughout the book. Dave Stewart, who is now the goto colourist for most of the BPRD books, does his thing giving that extra oomf the book needs through the use of his colour pallet and shading.

Welcome back, Abe.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – GreenBastard

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Comics

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

Published

2 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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